2017 Christmas Letter

Instead of sending out a Christmas letter (yes, we are still doing cards) I decided to do something a little bit different. So, here is our 2017 Christmas letter!

2017 has proven to be an adventure filled year!

Mikayla turned 4 in January! She did a lot of occupational therapy at the end of last year into this year. She improved so much with the help of fabulous therapists and we feel like we have a totally different child! Mikayla also started preschool this August. She decided that she wanted to ride the school bus and it has become a highlight of her day! She has been loving all things dinosaur and hot wheels lately. This fall we took  trip out to Kearney and spent the day at Jurassic Quest. Mikayla was in heaven being able to interact with Dinosaurs, ride them, feed them, etc.

In May we went to Utah for my stepdad's father's funeral. Lavar was such a kind person and we were all so sad to see him leave this mortal existence, but grateful to know where he is. While in Utah we stayed with a good friend of mine and had a wonderful visit trying a lot of new things (Hello FIIZ!!!!) On the drive home we went through Zion National Arches. We spent 4-5 hours hiking around and stretching our legs for the long drive home.  John and I celebrated our fifth wedding anniversary in March. We were able to go down to Kansas City, Missouri for the day. We had a great time not sticking to any schedule and doing whatever we wanted.

We were able to spend an entire week on a beach front condo in Navarre Beach, Florida with Johns grandparents and extended family. I am not sure we have ever seen our daughter as excited as we did when she was on the beach. It was such a fantastic trip with great memories! Highlights would be: The perfect tan I came home with, all the ocean time that we were able to have and the family bonding that we were able to do! Between the late night walks on the beach to the tons of sand castles that were built, we are grateful we made the time and effort to go! We are very much looking forward to going next year!

John celebrated his third year of employment at Duncan Aviation. He changed jobs within the company from parts runner to a bench tech II who fixes navigation/communication units from the airplanes. He loves his job and putting all his knowledge to use every day!

As for me, I went back to work and love my job! I register patients at AMI and am very grateful for a job that I very much enjoy going to every day. I also was able to meet a goal that I have been working hard on, Losing 50 pounds!

We are so grateful that we have had another year to be with each other, watch Mikayla grow and turn into a beautiful little girl! We hope that everyone one of you has a very merry Christmas and a wonderful start to 2018!