The Smith Family’s 2011
Parker started the year off right with his baptism on January 8. (I can’t believe this guy is getting so BIG!) He also had a ton of fun getting his Bobcat and Wolf badges in Cub Scouts, and learning to play basketball.
Stewart got glasses this year – poor kid, he must take after his mother. (Joel didn’t get glasses until he was home from his mission!) Anyway, it has helped him to really love school, where he’s in a Spanish immersion program (half his day is in Spanish, half in English). He was also in soccer with some friends.
Paige is getting taller and prettier every day, and this year she started Kindergarten. She loves to READ, color, and play with stuffed animals and mini-dolls. She also has a BFF (best friend forever).
Kimball is just about the scariest (and sometimes nicest) dinosaur/pirate/ninja/Harry Potter you’ve ever met. He had a really fun birthday this year, because it was 11-11-11, so we celebrated in pirate style with a few of his buddies and cousins. He can also sing REALLY LOUD!
Kate is our newest addition, and she’s a fun one! She’s gotten a lot of personality in the last 5 months, and the kids all love to play with her – sometimes more than she’d like, actually. As long as she’s not hungry or tired, a happier baby you’ll never see.
Joel kept super-busy this year with work, entertained the idea of leaving Symantec, and decided in the end to stay – and Natalie’s thrilled with that decision! He’s still writing the Great American Fantasy Novel, with two more in the works. He also ran a half-marathon this year, which was a first accomplishment.
I (Natalie) am just trying to get enough sleep at night. It’s not Kate’s fault, though – she goes to bed at 7:00 – it’s all those projects I’m trying to do! I’ve had a ton of fun with a Quilt Block Exchange group I started, and the kids don’t know it yet, but the three oldest are getting quilts for Christmas this year.
We hope this season finds you all healthy and happy.
MERRY CHRISTMAS!
