Rachel: She is so very tenderhearted and likes to make friends. So quickly she is changing from a little girl into a young lady. She has started piano lessons and is doing very well. She asked her biggest brother to play with her at her very first recital. Of course he doesn't tell her no very easily. They did fantastic. She always has a project going, and it is usually for someone else. She is becoming quite an artist. After finding a program online that taught her to draw popular figures she tries everything. In her art class she drew several Pokeman pictures without tracing(I had to ask if she had traced ;)). She is very loving and is always giving hugs and cuddling up to one of us. I am so grateful for her, she seems to know just when I need a hug. She is anxious to learn to sew and cook. She made a cute denim skirt that she proudly wears to church. She is always asking if she can help me with dinner and if she can make something. I love you my Sunshine!
Dusty: Do you see the sparkle in his eye? We have come to recognize that as a night of laughter and entertainment as he does comedy improv! He has the gift of one liners and picks up on what makes others laugh. Some nights we have to beg him to stop because our faces and sides hurt from laughing. He began karate a year ago and has progressed rapidly. He tested in November for his green belt and achieved that rank. The green belt is the fourth in rank, there are three more until he is a Jr. Blackbelt. He can then earn degrees of blackbelt. He also tested for his nunchuck patch. In order to receive the patch you have to perform the routine without mistake. There were 4 other boys that tested with him, (including a boy testing for his 6th belt) he was the only one to pass the test and receive his patch! He has also received his full splits patch, yes all the way to the ground! He surprises everyone on test day by kicking much higher than expected. He looks forward to his birthday in March, he will be 12. He can't wait to receive the priesthood and serve the Lord. I am grateful for his quick wit that brings much needed laughter and joy to our home. Love you Dusty Boy!
Trent: Mr. GQ! His hair was too short for the Hawk that day! Golf dominated his life this summer and early fall. He spent many days at the the golf course practicing, then trying out and making the Syracuse High golf team. He was excited to be part of such an excellent program. Syracuse was #2 in the state. Some of his teammates are ranked nationally. He has missed being on the course the last couple of months. However, basketball filled in the spaces. He once again made the West Point Jr. High basketball team. His coach told him he didn't start because he needed him to infuse some intensity and excitement as the #6 man. Usually when he entered the game there was a spark that ignited! He will stay busy helping with the girls basketball team as their manager. Church ball is just starting too. He continues to maintain a 4.0 in school as well. I am grateful for his willingness to help, I know if I ask him to do a chore it will be done in a timely manner and correctly. Watch out he is starting to drive ;) I love you Trent!
Andrew: Wow busy!!! That sums up his schedule this fall. He is once again in Madrigals and Accapella. He is glad for Christmas break and the end of performances for a while. The madrigals performed almost every day for three weeks and sometimes two or three times a day. He tried out last spring for parts in Grease and Peter Pan. He made both productions. They performed Grease this fall. He played the part of Teen Angel. His beautiful baritone voice filled the auditorium. His great grandma Wood said his part was the "BEST". No prejudice there ;) Music fills a piece of his soul. Peter Pan will be performed this spring. He is anxiously waiting for this school year to end and be done with high school. That end will bring more changes for him however. He will be able to send his mission papers in shortly after he graduates. The missionary spirit has taken hold for him. He has been able to participate in splits with the missionaries and has been sparked by cousins who are now serving. I am grateful for his compassion towards the elderly in our ward and his willingness to serve them. As the oldest in the family he sets an example of righteousness for his siblings to follow. I love you Andrew!
Donald: My companion and sweetheart for 20 years and counting! Life at work is ever changing for him. It hasn't been an easy year for him. Hopefully, with a new boss and a new year the stress will ease for him. The commute has become long for him, his department was transferred to Riverton. He works there 3 days a week and then 1 or 2 days in Salt Lake. Sometimes he is able to work from home. He has been busy as the ward executive secretary and serving with a new bishop. His release from stress and enjoyment is making knives. He has completed several this year and is constantly seeing and thinking about others. He met a man that said he would teach him how to make his own blades, made of damascus steel. He looks forward to learning that skill this year. I am grateful for his patience, kindness and companionship. I love you Donald!
Michelle: Me, well I am still teaching sewing and find fulfillment in helping others create their own clothing. I am ready to finally bring my loom in the house and begin to weave. I was able to spin much this summer but not enough to empty the bags of Alpaca I was given. My source of Angora has gone. Frank developed a tumor on his tummy and we had to put him down. In fact we are pet free at the moment, Shadow the cat disappeared this fall and we miss him. We keep expecting to see him waiting on the garage steps when we get home or out mousing in the yard (yes I have mice in my house now! ugh). I also have returned to the workforce. I am working as a Title 1 tutor in an elementary school. I am grateful that I can be off when my children are and home before they are out of school.
We have been blessed much by the Lord this year and are grateful to Him. We love all of you our family and friends! We are grateful for your examples and love.
The Cramers
