Carsten's 1st Christmas

2009

We finally got our Christmas cards mailed off today (with two days to spare)! :)

Brian
His chiropractic practice is doing well. He enjoys helping people be healthy and can recommend a vitamin or supplement for nearly any ailment. :)
Brian has also done a lot of work around the house. In addition to all the maintenance and minor upgrades he does endlessly, he just finished two major projects: 1) RV gate he's been planning for six years and 2) additional cupboards and computer desk in the kitchen. Both projects turned out great. Brian replaced his truck with an Armada to accommodate our growing family, so the RV gate is used to store a trailer (to replace the truck bed).
Brian is serving as secretary in the Young Men's organization at church. He especially enjoys chaperoning the water and snow skiing activities.

Chanda
I spent most of the year being uncomfortably pregnant, so it feels great not to be pregnant anymore. :) I'm still working for Brian, although he hired an assistant to whom I've been able to turn over the day-to-day operations after the baby. I continued sewing a lot this year, including Elise's Halloween costume, but now Carsten takes up most of my time. He'll be my new hobby for quite a while. :)
At church, I play piano in Relief Society and am on the Committee Formerly Known As Enrichment. :)

Brian & I celebrated our two-year anniversary last January by going skiing in Arizona. We're looking forward to celebrating three years next month. :)

Ethan
Ethan is in 5th grade. He completed Cub Scouts, earning his Arrow of Light, and is now in 11 year old scouts. He competed in swim team over the summer and played flag football this fall.

Elise
Elise is in 1st grade and loves her teacher. She took swimming lessons in the summer and dance class in the fall. Elise loves to help cook at home and also enjoys covering the refrigerator with her artwork. She even colored a picture for Carsten before he was born.
Elise lost her first tooth this month. She asked the tooth fairy for candy and received chocolate "coin" candy (and a real dollar).

Treyton
Treyton is in 1st grade and, although he's doing well, looks forward to all half-days and school holidays. He took swimming lessons in summer and also attended summer school where his favorite subject was cooking class (he apparently didn't realize they were secretly incorporating math and reading).
Treyton lost his first two teeth in October. He got a gold Sacajawea dollar for the first tooth.

Carsten
Carsten was born!!! :)
That was the highlight of his year, as well as ours. :) We're so glad to have him! He is so precious and adorable. He smiles and coos which mesmerizes us all. He will be two months old on Christmas Eve. :)


We wish you all a Merry Christmas and Wonderful New Year!!! :)