Christmas Letter 2012

This Christmas, we went back and forth with sending out Christmas cards, for financial reasons.  I've sent one out every Christmas since we've been married 7 years ago, so not sending one would be super hard.  So we compromised, we decided to get photo cards made and not include a letter, but just put one on here instead.  Also, as much as I would LOVE to send a card to all of our family and friends, we only got enough for immediate family (my mom's been married three times, so that's a lot of family:), so here's our picture and letter:)

Dear Family and Friends,

Adeline is 18 months already, and if you ask anyone that's been around her, they'd say she's so calm and easy going...spend a day at our house and you have a different child, ha!  She is so funny, independent, smart and curious, which means she's always exploring and discovering new things to play with.  Usually she's pretty good about helping clean up the messes she makes.  She loves to look at books, step on books, tear and rip books...I now have a library repair kit that comes out on a daily basis.  Sounds are constantly coming out of her mouth, and I think one day soon she's just going to start talking in sentences.  Following Hakan around is a fun game for her, she loves him:)  She's our little peanut.

Hakan is 3 1/2 years old.  He is the sweetest little boy!  Helping mommy and daddy cook and bake is one of his favorite things to do (daddy has more patience with this).  He really loves building forts with every blanket in the house.  And since we got over 10 inches of snow this last weekend, all he wants to do is go play outside.  The things he says and remembers are so hilarious!  I've started a little homeschooling with him, he loves shapes:)  After Christmas, I hope to start working on letters. He is also guilty of following Adeline around...two peas in a pod.

Derek is starting his 8th busy season at Abdo, Eick, and Meyers, Accounting Firm, as a Manager, mainly working on audits for businesses.  This past year, he has done a lot of traveling, going to Miami, Fl, once a month for a client who's a famous artist, really awesome!  Also, to Colorado, Vegas and all over Minnesota.  Not so fun for me and the kids, but they're usually fairly short trips:)  We did all go with him to Miami in May, where the kids got to swim in the ocean for the first time, it was a very fun and eventful trip, that you can read more about here, here and here.

I have the privilege of staying at home with my kiddos every day.  They keep me super busy, two words, potty training.  Being with them to experience their every day is truly an amazing experience.  As difficult as some days can be, I cherish this time that I get to spend with my kids that is so short.  They make me laugh all the time and fill me with so much joy.  I'm so thankful that I get to be their mom.  In the middle of being a wife and mom, I have my own business, Anchored Hope, where I sew and knit (you can like my facebook page here). I pray that there will be good naps during the day, so I can get stuff done...a rare occurrence for both of them at the same time.  I've done a few shows this year, where I've met some really amazing people, and friends and family are always my best customers:)  Thank you so much for your support!

I can't forget about Bear, she puts up with a lot from our other two little ones.  She's 7 1/2 years old, 48ish in cat years and considered a senior, but she still acts like a kitten:) She loves  naps and laps...as long as they're not a certain 3 and 1 year old's.

Overall, it's been a really great year.  We're all healthy and happy.  If you want to keep up with what we're doing, you can follow this blog, or subscribe via email.  Thanks for reading!!

We pray that God protects and blesses all our family and friends in 2013.  Merry Christmas!!

Love, Derek, Lacy, Hakan and Adeline