Tuesday, December 11, 2012

Happy Holidays!

It is once again time to review our year and share with you our adventures and in some cases, exploits.

Ahenobarbus Textor, 32 again (4 years running), is nurturing a rather impressive beard (named Frederick) which draws attention wherever we go. Last week a random group of giggling teenagers asked for a photo-op with the beard. This spring his board accepted his dissertation proposal, making him officially a candidate. He is now teaching classes and attempting to find time to do his own research. In his few hours away from academia, he squeezes in camping and backpacking trips with the young men in our ward (along with much older young men who call themselves “leaders”), various family adventures, and crafting some amazing leather creations. Yes, folks, he has a full, full beard and does leather-work – next on his list, making cloth and sewing his own clothes. He is slowly becoming Jeremiah Johnson.

Pulcheria's toes, all 10 of them, are very tired since her housemates keep her on them all the time. She works hard trying to keep everyone else on their schedules and still retain some kind of peace in the home. Three kids (and AT) have taught her life is so much more fun with kids. She still enjoys book club, and will gladly share what she has read recently. Her current favorite is Clara and Mr. Tiffany – a choice AT finds appropriate given that its heroine is a relatively unknown genius of a woman who made her male boss rich and famous. Fingers crossed. One highlight of her year was having family and friends here for Beemer's baptism and Thanksgiving last month. It was such a joy to have so many guests!

Beemer, 8, has become quite the rock climber- she has enjoyed climbing camps and her technique is really coming along. She is in 2nd grade this year. She loves school and adores her teacher! She revels in being able to read whatever she decides to, and has found a love for Harry Potter (which she comes by genetically). Beemer started Tae Kwon Do in September and looks pretty cool doing Basic Form #1. A major accomplishment this year was swimming to the side of the pool by herself after jumping off the diving board. She has set many goals for herself in swimming and is working at them diligently – she says she wants to swim in the Olympics someday. Go USA! Beemer was thrilled to be able to share her baptism-day with many family and friends.

Audi, almost 5, is in her last year of preschool. She loves her teacher and her friends in her class and claims they are all her BFFs. She is full of energy, hugs, kisses and cuddles. And dance steps. She sings and dances through life and keeps us all laughing along with her! This November she got to participate in her first primary program in church. She stole the show (not the goal, we know) with her impromptu dance moves (true), leading other kids to join in. AT was laughing so hard he was crying and took some illicit footage. Audi also progressed in swimming – after a full summer of being unceremoniously dropped from the platform, she finally jumped off the diving board all alone. Her proudest moment of the year was learning to pump on the swing (Pulcheria was pretty thrilled about this one, too).

Camero is now 15 months. He is almost walking, but is a speed-demon when crawling. His smiles and giggles make friends of all the life-experienced folks in the grocery stores. He: can give five, blow kisses, wave bye-bye, give big hugs and kisses, says about 10 words, and knows what he wants. He loves following his big sisters around and doing whatever they are doing, whether they like it or not. Usually a patient little guy, we do see the tempest that comes with his red hair every once in awhile.  AT likes the added testosterone Camero brings to the family and is already indoctrinating him on the evils of shaving.

This year's adventures included a few excursions to Dubuque, IA, a pit-stop in Buford, WY (population 1), and a long drive through Kansas (the most trying drive of AT's life). We rendezvoused with family and friends in Northern UT then took time to reconnect with home and family in Southern UT. We hiked to, around, and in Zebra Slot Canyon, frolicked in Devil's Garden, splashed in Calf Creek, Willis Creek, & the Escalante, and played hide-and-seek in Goblin Valley before the return trip to Saint Louis. Through Kansas. Again. Last weekend AT & the girls managed to snag one last two-nighter in the tent right before the lows plummeted to the teens.  We hope that you have made the most of your adventures this year. 

 We send you our love and wishes for you to visit soon and wish you a Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Zippy Kwanzaa, Splendid Solstice, and Joyful Day-Off.

2 comments:

Natalie said...

It looks like you have a very fun and busy family. It is so good to see how well you are doing and how your family is growing. I love that you put your favorite books from the year in your Christmas letter they are always good ones. Merry Christmas to your cute family.

WildBound said...

Holy Buckets! Can your kids can get any more gorgeous?! Glad Beems had a great baptism....she (and the rest of you) was in our thoughts. We love and miss you guys!