Happy Holidays

Since I was not able to get a Christmas card to EVERYONE, here is our Christmas picture and accompanying letter. However, if you read my blog regularly, you will probably know more of what we've been up to than I've written in my letter.

(ByTheWay . . . black & white pictures are my new favorite!)

Happy Holidays from the Williams Family - 2008

We've had a busy year in 2008, but I am beginning to think that will never change. We are all still healthy and well, so we are very thankful for that.

I thought I would try to share a condensed version of our 2008 happenings, so here is a month-by-month look at what we've been up to.

January: Julie & the kids took their annual 3-week trip to California, while the kids were off track from school, then returned home to snow and extremely cold temperatures.

February: We celebrated Addie's 2nd Birthday. Andrew was swimming and wrestling. Girls were dancing. Austyn was playing. Addie was growing. Gas at Costco was $2.78 a gallon.

March: We celebrated Easter, with some beautiful spring weather and Adalyn actually enjoying nursery. A family trip to the zoo. Our very old dog Oakley passed away. (He had been with us for 12 years) Andrew camped out in the snow with the scouts. Family outing to the Union Station in Ogden for a model train show.

April: Andrew was on the track team. A new cousin joined the family, Sarah, born to Sam & Kelly Job. Beautiful spring weather, up to 75 degrees. Fun family outings to the park. Hunt Family reunion where Julie fell on her face during a foot race. (At least the kids did well in their races and most of them won 1st place. :-)

May: Mother's day dinner with Julie's sisters. Harley, our new dog, moved in. Government stimulus check, yippee! Ashley & Alexia were "flower girls" at their Aunt Kelsi's wedding. Andrew finally got a hair cut. Temps 70s-80s.

June: Celebrated Alexia's 8th birthday and Alexia's baptism. Elementary school awards assembly, Ashley brought home 2 trophies. School's Out for Summer! Adalyn removed all the keys from our laptop keyboard. Luckily, Julie was able to put them all back, only putting a couple in the wrong place in the end. Another new cousin, Melissa, was born to Mary & Frank Mayo.

July: Magna's Independence Day Parade (a block from our house :-) and fireworks. We cut down our big maple tree in the front yard, as it had no leaves this year. We sure miss that shade! Julie, Ashley, Alexia & Sam went to Jon Schmidt's piano concert, Excellent!! Family outing to a carnival at the park. Pioneer Day. Family outing to the canyon for a fire and barbecue, taking a break from the 100-degree temps in the Valley. Camping in the nearby Uinta Mountains. Kids back to school. Andrew was in California for 3 weeks.

August: Celebrated Andrew's 13th birthday. (I can't believe we have a teenager!) Ashley started her own blog http://dancer-92.blogspot.com/ . Heward Family reunion. Andrew started football. Olympics. Family camping trip to Yellowstone. Super Fun!!

September: Alexia started on the Jump Team at school. Ashley started with Magna Music Makers at school. Andrew in show choir and jazz band at school. Fun overnight trip for Julie to the Church-owned girls' camp in Heber. Andrew's football games every Saturday. Celebrated Ryan's birthday.

October: Fall break. First snow. Celebrated Julie's birthday. Halloween! Costumes: Andrew - "injured" football player, Ashley - Hermione Granger from Harry Potter, Alexia - Corpse bride, Austyn - Spiderman, Adalyn - tiger. Reflections awards, Ashley received 2 medals and 1 trophy. Andrew finished up his football season with no wins. :-(

November: Celebrated Ashley's 10th birthday. Ryan & Julie celebrated their Anniversary with a weekend away. Kids off track ALL month. Adalyn started in a Play-N-Learn group twice a week, so Julie finally has a chance to get to the gym! :-)

December: Well, December has just begun, so not many happenings thus far. Gas is down to $1.57 a gallon here and we are quite thankful for that! We will celebrate Austyn's 7th birthday on the 9th. We are looking forward to seeing Andrew perform with his show choir and jazz band, seeing Ashley perform with Magna Music Makers and seeing Alexia perform with the Jump Team. Lastly, Christmas will be spent at home this year.

So, that's our year in a very condensed version. We are so thankful for the many family members and friends who bless our lives daily. We love you all and hope you have a wonderful new year.

Lots of Love, The Williams Family