Happy Holidays 2017

Michaelis Family at Palisade Lake (June 2017)

Mom & Dad

Mom got a job at Homie, Dad found a crashed drone. Dad and Mom went to Mexico City

 and left the kids to fend for themselves for three days. 

Andrew

Took classes through BYU Pathway Worldwide. Got his drivers license. 

Played video games and watched YouTube. 

Brittany

Senior. Got her braces off (finally). Published articles in the school paper. 

Won Sterling Scholar in English at her high school.

Gavin

Junior. Has been busy with Hope Squad, Tennis Team, Book Club, Chamber Orchestra, 

taking the ACT, and getting his drivers license. Completed his Eagle Project. 

Ben

7th Grade. Started wearing glasses. Officially became a teenager and started acting like one. 

Played video games, chess, and tennis. 

Sam

5th Grade. Took gymnastics lessons. Hugged everyone he could, 

played video games, hugged more people.

Elyssa

3rd Grade. Got baptized. Took gymnastics and art lessons. Earned Student of the month and 

won an award for the reflections contest at a new school. Made a new friend.

Family Activities

We went to Manti Utah and camped at Palisade Lake and saw the Manti Pageant. 

We’ve almost finished the Book of Mormon as a family.

Got a popcorn maker and can now make perfect popcorn.

Pets

Kepi is now a cute & bratty 1 ½ year old teen-cat.

Otto is an ancient and grumpy old cat who loves to hang out with Andrew.

Story of the year

Imagine a meandering and spontaneous trek along what was thought a trail. 

Then imagine that it wasn’t a path, and imagine we found a dead cougar. Cool, right? 

Other 

We know for sure that Gavin is highly allergic to cashews.

Someone (who shan’t be named) was involved in a minor car accident. 

 Brian got stitches in his hand.

Friends and Family near and far, 

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

We added to our family this year. Her name is Kepi (which means “tempest” in Egyptian). She belongs to Brittany but is loved by all. The way she taps the bathtub faucet to elicit a drop of water which she then tries to catch with her paw is endearing. In case you haven’t figured it out, she is a kitten. Our other cat “Otto” is not exactly thrilled with the new addition. 

When Elyssa (2nd grade) isn’t climbing the wall in our hallway or doing cartwheels, she is creating art. Her favorite medium last week was clay. This week she has switched to colored pencils. Last month she won two first place ribbons in our local art fair. She was so thrilled! 

Sam (4th grade) is growing like a weed. He passed his 12 year old brother in height. He is a friend to everyone and is the designated giver of hugs. Sam has really started to enjoy reading. His favorite books are the “Diary of a Wimpy Kid” series.

Ben (6th grade) has discovered that he likes to sing. He has also found a love of theatre. He has played the old man in the “Jabberwocky” and the Wolf in “The Boy Who Cried Wolf.” He loves backpacking too. He was ordained a deacon and still has a girlfriend (he has loved her since they were 8; we aren’t sure if the feeling is mutual).

Gavin (10th grade) has immersed himself in the goings on at school. He is on the Honor roll, Tennis team, in Tech club and Key club. He is working on his Eagle Scout Project. He loves the outdoors. He hiked to the top of Deseret Peak for the 2nd time. He will have his drivers permit soon. He is kind, thoughtful, and keeps us on the straight and narrow.

Brittany (11th grade) went on her first date this year. She got her drivers license and helps out by running errands. She is captain of Spar and Impromptu on the debate team at school, which takes up a great deal of her time. She also serves as President of her Laurel class. She is quirky, moody, opinionated and fun! 

Andrew finished his Young Church Service Mission in October. He is now attending the singles ward nearby and is going to school through BYU Idaho Pathways program. He loved his institute class this semester. He gets along with everyone and is so great to have around. 

Julie is serving as Young Women’s President in the ward. Earlier this year she had one particularly busy Sunday with several meetings and a singing gig during sacrament meeting, after which she had to drive herself to the ER to get her appendix removed. Julie is never for lack of things to do. She has renewed her interest in the violin, started learning Spanish, tutors math students, and runs the household. 

Brian takes the kids backpacking every year. They carried their own backpacks, food, clothes, and sleeping bags. The older ones carried tents as well. Sam was excited to get to go this year for the first time. Sam hates bugs and Ben hates dirt, but they all decided they could deal with it for a few days. Brian has been busy with work as well. Julie is hoping to join him in his travels in 2017.  

Although we we have our hands full with our special needs kids who deal with Tourettes Syndrome, Anxiety, Attention Deficit Disorder, Epilepsy, and Autism, we wouldn’t change a thing and consider ourselves so blessed. 

We hope you and yours are healthy, happy, and full of hope for the year 2017!

Love, 

The Michaelis Family