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.
