Christmas Letter 2007

We have had such an amazing year! Where to even begin?!

Maddie has had a monumental year ~ turning FIVE in April, graduating from Preschool, haircuts, trips to Nani's house, more haircuts, a trip to California to visit Grandpa Eric, many trips to the lake in the summer, learning to ride her bike without training wheels, beginning Kindergarten, and performing in school plays. Whew! She is growing into such a little lady. She loves to dance around the living room, make up songs, and draw. You can usually find her making a fort in the living room or creating some masterpiece at her desk.

Taylor is such a little man. He has grown so much this year, it's hard to believe he is only three!! Some of his highlights ~ turning THREE in March, eating dirt, going to the park, playing on his first soccer team, starting preschool!!, teaching himself to play the piano, learning to "snow-led" (or sled, for the rest of us) all by himself, and performing in his Christmas show. Taylor can usually be found playing his keyboard, obsessing over a toy vacuum, zooming his cars all over the house or shooting his foam nerf darts at the the ceiling (or his sister). What a boy!

Rick has had quite the year! He remains busy with his band, CALBREA (yes, same band, new name), being lead pastor at Breakwater Church, playing basketball and going to the gym. A big change for Rick this year was receiving a "new back." In April, Rick's back finally gave out after five years of injury. Six weeks before we were to leave for a family hike of the Grand Canyon, Rick's bulging disc finally ruptured. After spending two months on the floor unable to move, Rick was gifted a surgery to heal his back for good. To this day, the Lord has provided every dollar to pay for his medical bills (we don't have insurance). The hospital paid for 90% of the bill, and all the other specialists gave us a huge discount! Praise the Lord! Also on Rick's schedule has been practicing with his band. Their major accomplishment this year was finishing their demo CD, GODHEAD MACHINE. They are currently working very hard to start playing gigs in February in Seattle.

Karyn had a wonderful year full of new adventures! Here are some of my lifetime first's: a two-day hike into the Grand Canyon, running a 5K, competing in my first triathlon, and a first official college girlfriend reunion weekend in Chicago! My biggest change and accomplishment this year was being accepting into and starting a two-year RN program at Whatcom Community College. Yep, it's official!! I am actually in the program now. This will be an interesting two years. I will graduate in June 2009... In April, the kids and I enjoyed another trip to California to visit my dad and Grandma Mary. Rick and I did get to enjoy a trip together to Cannon Beach. We look forward to making that trip a family tradition with the kids!

What can we say... busy, wonderful year! Looking forward to what 2008 will bring. We pray to Lord's peace, joy and love showers your during this amazing season of Christ's birth! Blessings to you all!

Love,
Rick, Karyn, Madisyn & Taylor