Our Christmas Greetings

This was our Christmas card. I always put this task off until the very last but I love receiving cards so much and am always grateful to have a summary of our year on paper. So late and frazzled as I may be - it is always worth it.

Merry Christmas!  It’s hard to believe Christmas is just a week away - how time flies!  Our children are eagerly anticipating the day and tell us each morning that they wish today was Christmas.  So much to do and so little time…and that is pretty much how this past year has felt.  Oh, what a blessing to be busy, busy, busy!

On June 14, sweet little Cade Soren Keyser joined our family.  He has a household of admirers and by now has almost learned to tolerate the daily manhandling he receives. Cade is currently fascinated with his feet, paper, and his new ability to sit.  He can down a bowl of rice cereal in record time and lights up the room with his smiles and laugh.

Brett just turned 3 and loves everything animal.  He sings a mean “Ee-I-ee-I-o” and jams to the chicken dance.  His speech continues to develop and we frequently overhear villainous conversations such as “Ah,ha,ha – you’re too late!” or “You’ll never find me!” between dinosaurs, army guys, spoons, forks, or whatever is available. (Who know Scooby Doo was such a vocabulary builder?)

Kenna is 5 ½ and is now in Kindergarten.  She is learning to read, do math, and despite what her brother tells her, thinks school is fun.  She loves her art classes and continues to dance. Kenna discovered the theater this year and enjoyed the Broadway productions of The Wizard of Oz and Mary Poppins (she had front row seats!). She is a girly-girl all the way but sure holds her own in our household of boys.

Max turned 8 this year and was baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He had grandparents from both sides there for the big day and it was wonderful.  Max has been busy with basketball, soccer, tennis, swimming, piano, and scouts.  He is still an avid sports fan and devoutly loyal to the LA Lakers. Friends and fans gave him a hard time when Houston was in the play-offs against LA but Max stayed true.  (He even wore a Kobe jersey to the game!) Love that boy.

Mike continues to work at his freight company and pursues other interests.  With some investors, he purchased 11 acres right behind our home – he hopes to soon build some beautiful storage units and eventually move his transportation office too.  The things one will do for a short commute!  Mike still wakes up at the crack of dawn to teach high school kids seminary (scriptures) and snaps into dad mode at night - helping to juggle the load.

Mimi has spent the past 6 months trying to figure out how to happily manage 4 kids with different needs and interests. Lots of running around, cleaning up, mediating disagreements, and always half-finished jobs.  But in the end, there is no place I would rather be spending my time – the humor, hugs, smiles, “look at me” requests,  and “I love you’s” are worth it!

We are so grateful for this holiday season that allows us to pause a bit and reflect on the gift of the Savior.  May you all have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Mike, Mimi, Max, Kenna, Brett, & Cade