Merry Christmas!

Seasons Greetings! Another year is rapidly closing and we find ourselves thinking of our wonderful family and friends (but not the bad ones) and wishing we could share a fireside and conversation with you. This year, technology will have to step in for most of you. So, please imagine yourself next to a warm fireplace while you sit back and read of our year's adventures.

Ahenobarbus continues to live his life “Groundhogs Day” style (cf. Bill Murray): wake; work; slack; work; attend meetings; go to bed; repeat. Between classes and bishopric-stuff, he squeezes in a few family-moments and the occasional hike. In his spare time (ha!), he likes to try out new recipes. This year he deep fried our turkey and refined the recipe for homemade protein bars. In July, he made international headlines as he revolutionized academics with a paper presented at a conference in Leeds, England. He cannot believe that you haven't heard of the importance of the Cypriot campaign on the Crusade of Frederick II. Really people... After his conference, he joined the girls in Utah where he and Pulcheria hiked Subway Canyon in Zion National Park.

Taking care of the girls and her calling in the Relief Society Presidency have kept Pulcheria busy, but enjoying life. One of the highlights of her year has been her morning runs with the neighborhood ladies. Well, kind of. What she really likes are the long talks afterward! Another highlight as been the opportunity to volunteer in Beemer's class and her school library once a week - she loves the shouts of “Beemer's Mom” whenever she enters the classroom. Pulcheria also looks forward to her monthly book club and has read some great books this year. Her favorites this year were The Help and The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society.

Beemer is now six years old and a kindergartener who enjoys school and reading. She kept the Tooth Fairy busy this summer, losing all four of her front teeth in three weeks. We've forbidden her from chewing rocks, anymore. She has become a great swimmer and her lessons were filled with zeal. Beemer has a passion for shoe-shopping, surpassing even the greediest likings of Big People, but she avoids grocery shopping at all costs. She is a gregarious girl and looks forward to any excuse to spend time with friends. She is also a blossoming practitioner of the visual arts. Her favorite milestone of the year was when she caught her first frog all by herself on a family hike.

Audi is an almost-three-year-old who wants to do everything that Beemer does. She is vocally anticipating preschool next year. As could be predicted, she loves – loves – to dress up and very often runs around in her princess dress and hat with numerous necklaces dangling from her neck (did we mention she's almost three?). She rarely leaves the house without her sunglasses and purse. Adri is also becoming quite the little dancer and is musically inclined. She loves to shake her hips and sing any song that comes to mind.

In between and around all of this, we managed to fit in explorations of numerous caves around Missouri. We went on camping expeditions in Michigan, Utah, Missouri and Illinois. We were also lucky enough to host some of you on visits to St. Louis and we are looking forward to more visits in 2011!

We hope this season beings you warmth and joy and that the new year will hold new joys and adventures.

With love to you and yours,

Ahenobarbus, Pulcheria, Beemer and Audi