This year Steve suggested we post our Christmas letter to our family blog. Cuts down on paper and anyone who doesn’t really want to read the letter, doesn’t. So, if you are reading this, thank you & MERRY CHRISTMAS!
2008 was too busy, too action-packed and too much fun! We have had a great year, and have a lot to be grateful for. Our lives continue to revolve around our family and our growing children. They are at a very nice stage right now, independent—but still children. This is the stage I wish I could freeze. This is it.
Ashley is twelve. Twelve years old is awesome! She is in 7th grade and just started Middle School. In the last year she has participated in art club, choir, trumpet, swim team, Boerne Outdoor Academy, Girl Scouts, and the YW program at Church. She continues to love nature and animal life. Ashley had a special opportunity to stay with her Ammah & Ampah in Oregon for a couple of weeks over the summer. She made a beautiful quilt while there. She also participated in Underwater Exploring at the Monterrey Bay Aquarium. Ashley is now the proud wearer of braces and will be a teenager in February!
Alyssa is ten, “double digits.” Alyssa is hard-working, conscientious, and sweet. Parents know what a blessing that combination is! Alyssa loves to spend time with her friends, is a great student and loves anything puppy related. This year she’s enjoyed reading, writing, designing “dream houses,” swimming (especially backstroke), playing the viola & piano, Girl Scouting and Activity Day. In July Alyssa and cousin Spencer took a trip with Grandma and Grandpa Bohman to the LDS Church history sites in their motor home. They did a loop from San Antonio, up the East coast to New York and back home by way of Illinois and Missouri. The day after she got home she was on the San Antonio Living Show with Mom for a segment on Etta’s Book Club.
Arianna just turned eight and is really looking forward to her upcoming baptism. Arianna loves learning! Her teachers really enjoy her, probably because she is so interested in learning new things. Anna constantly surprises me with what she knows and has a terrific memory. She continues to enjoy artwork and playing on the computer, especially Webkinz. She participates in Super Squad two days a week and we think it’s really good for her to have the physical activity. She has developed into a bright, healthy, and happy little girl.
DJ just turned five on the 2nd of December. He attends preschool two days a week, which he absolutely loves! He is learning the basics and making a lot of friends. He attends speech for one hour a week, and also participates in a Mommy & Me music class once a week. Steve is keeping his dream alive of having a football player in the family. DJ’s at the top of the growth chart, so that helps. When DJ grows up, he still wants to play for BYU or the SPURS (wonder who planted that seed.)
Heather kept busy with Etta’s Book Club, Church, the P.T.O., Girl Scouts, and everything else. We now have club members in 8 states! I especially enjoyed my invitation to Indianapolis for the Christamore House Book & Author Event earlier this year. I was treated like a V.I.P., but don’t worry, my children brought me right back to reality the minute I got home. Lately I’ve been writing and working on layout/design projects freelance. There’s never a dull moment and I love it!
Steve is our family’s anchor. He is always supporting and guiding each one of us. He says he is a “normal guy, just trying to make it through the universe the best [he] can.” I argue the whole “normal” notion! This year Steve continued to work like crazy, but he managed to take some time for the finer things in life, a trip to Santa Barbara, California, Disneyland, Carlsbad Caverns, BYU football, Sea World, and summer nights playing with the kids in the pool.
If you got all the way to the end of this letter, you are good! We love receiving Christmas letters from our friends and family this time of year, so you better write back!
Merry Christmas Everyone! May the joy and love of the Savior be in your hearts now and throughout the coming year.
Love,
The Bohmans
