Christmas Letter

Dear Family and Friends,

With Christmas time approaching and some wondering where the Tennessee Ts have disappeared to, we thought it would be fun to send out a letter and update you on our latest adventures.

This year has been an exciting one so far. Having three little ones who want to learn so many new things has left us struggling to keep that energy pointed in the right direction. It has been fun thinking of creative ways to spend time together as a family while not breaking the bank, which doesn’t take much being a poor student family. This year, we decided that camping in the backyard, building and playing on a “new” swing set that a family gave to us before moving, going on leaf hunts, carousel rides at the mall and visiting family and friends has made our year unforgettable. Oh, and by the way, this is the first time in five years we are diaper free!

Hyrum turned five years old and has become such a charming little boy. Every girl at church and school wants to marry him. This charm must come from his dad, of course. He loves to write his friends little notes with the new words he is learning to spell and if a note is going to a girl, it always says “I Love You” with a heart somewhere on the page. His reading has really improved and he is reading up to four letter words. Three days a week he attends preschool, which he never wants to miss. He is infatuated with his teacher and is always telling us “I just way love her”. He has done so well in school and we think he will transition into kindergarten well next year. Also, after convincing Hyrum that it wasn’t necessary to take turns with the other team as to who kicked the ball, he has played more aggressively this season in little league soccer. We also enrolled him in swimming lessons and are pretty sure he grew gills. He would rather be under water the whole lesson if it were possible. He is a joy to have in our family.

Ben and Emily turned three this year and had such a fun time at their Jungle birthday party. Their parents were a little crazy holding a party for nearly 20 children ages 2-5, but it sure was fun. Nearly every time Hyrum is dropped off at preschool, a crying session ensues because they don’t get to go. But this year they have loved attending a weekly preschool organized by other moms in the ward. They just can’t wait each week to go and be like their big brother.

Ben started his first season of little league soccer and has caught on quick. He scored the first goal of the season, GO Ben!!! He idolizes his older brother and tries so hard to keep up with him and the older kids on the team. He has also become proficient in his letters. He knows most of his letters, can match many of the lowercase with uppercase and loves to sit on the couch and “read” books. We are so proud of him.

Emily, well what can we say, she is all girl. A day doesn’t go by without her wanting her high heel shoes, lip gloss or a bow in her hair. She is our singer for sure and can she ever be sassy. There is no hiding her feelings with the countless faces she pulls. We venture to say that she has a facial expression for every emotion known to man, but this is why she is such a cutie. Her smile is infectious. She also loves to have her hair done in the morning by her mother. She loves attending the soccer games so she can cheer on “my boys”. Life would be boring without her.

Natalie, since her call as Relief Society Meeting Coordinator, has been busy. She has delighted in serving with the sisters in the ward and has learned much. Also this year, Natalie set up a book club with some friends in Memphis that she has really enjoyed.
Keeping up with her three crazy monkeys keeps her really busy.

Brandon has thoroughly enjoyed less book-work in exchange for working with patients in the schools optometric clinic. He has loved applying what he has learned over the past two years of sleepless study sessions and numerous tests. 3rd year in optometry school has given him a little more time to spend with his family but that will not last long. With his first Boards test coming up in March, life is about to get busy. Since school and church consumes most of his life, not much else can be said.

Recently we filled up our “old” blog and now have a new one. Check it out at brandonandnatalie.blogspot.com

We want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays. Each of you have enriched our lives in someway and feel that it has never been coincidence that our paths have crossed. If you get a chance, drop a line.

Love,
Brandon, Natalie, Hyrum, Emily and Ben