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
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