Annual Christmas Letter

It is our custom to send out a Christmas letter, often with photos, rather than a Christmas card. Here is an edited version of this year’s letter.

We celebrate the Christmas season because “the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.”

In some ways this has been an uneventful year—there have been no disasters, medical, or otherwise. On the other hand—wow, some significant changes in our greater family. I suppose our most memorable event came as we were driving home from a week’s vacation in southern Utah on May 12.

Dan called in the morning with the news that Janet was at the hospital and the twins were on the way eight weeks early. This was almost amusing, as we had specifically planned our vacation to be early enough that we’d be home for their birth. By mid-afternoon, Dan called again with news that Carolyn Joy and Elizabeth Grace had been born and everyone was fine. As little 4 pounders, they had to spend some time in the neo-natal ICU—Elizabeth was in for 5 weeks and Carolyn for 6 ½ weeks. Now they are charming 7 month old 13 pounders.

We did a little bit of fun traveling this year. As noted above, in May we spent a week in Zion and Escalante. We did nice bike rides in Zion canyon and on the Burr Trail, a killer 14 mile hike in the north part of Zion, and some slot canyon exploring in Escalante.

In June we traveled to Bend, OR for more biking and hiking. Our favorite high country trails were still closed because of snow (we really should learn to use snowshoes) but we found lots to do. One of Phil’s favorites was a bike ride up to the top of McKenzie Pass (road plowed, but still closed to vehicles) where the snow banks beside the road were still over 10 feet high.

In August we hiked in the eastern Sierras on some relatively easy, but fantastically beautiful spots above 10,000 feet (Little Lakes Basin and Twenty Lakes Basin). We’re eager to return. Just a week later we returned to Bend and hiked a couple of wilderness trails around South Sister.

We had a very enjoyable Thanksgiving with the whole family including Phil’s mom, Dan and Janet with Carolyn and Elizabeth, and Mark and Annmarie with Cortnie, Audree, and Chase.

We wish you a merry Christmas—one filled with reflection and rejoicing, family and friends, gift giving and receiving, and a clear vision of Him who is far more than a baby in a manger.