Merry Christmas 2014!!

We would like to wish our friends and family a very Merry Christmas this season and thank you all for your love and support through the years!   

Here are a few of our highlights from this past year:

In the Spring our family went on a cruise to Catalina Island and Ensenada, Mexico and had a great time!

This summer Janika, Jase, and Jared all had an enjoyable EFY session at SUU in Cedar City and Rick and Wendy had fun being EFY session directors for a week in San Antonio, Texas!

We also celebrated our 20 year anniversary this year!  Rick made a sweet Anniversary Video for us!  You can watch it here:  20th Anniversary Video.  On the video Rick did a remix of the song of wrote for our wedding.  It turned out great, and you can listen to it here:  I Believe in Dreams 20th Anniversary Rendition.We enjoyed a fun little get-away, which included seeing the Broadway show, Wicked! 

Rick has been busy teaching Seminary at Pine View High School and Institute at Dixie State University.  He decided not to do the Hands and Harmony Carolers this year so that he could participate in an outreach interpreter training program called ICAN.  They have tried desperately to change his sign language from RSL (Rick's Sign Language -- that he learned during his Hands Up years) to ASL (American Sign Language).  He has loved the program and is doing well and has enjoyed interpreting in the community and at DSU for the past several months.

Wendy has also been very busy with the activities and events of all of our children.  She is working part time -- interpreting at Dixie State University as well as in the community.  She was recently called to be the Primary President in our ward and enjoys working with all of the children in the ward and with her awesome presidency! She has also been trying to reteach her husband sign language for 20 years.  She's beginning to see some results. :)

Our kids have been really busy too!  Before graduating from Tuacahn High School, Janika represented her school as the Seminary President as well as the Sterling Scholar in Family and Consumer Science. In April, Janika finished her duties as the Santa Clara City Princess. She spent the summer working at Krave and spending time with her friends.  She is currently attending Snow College on a full-ride scholarship. She has been paying all of her bills herself and has proven that she really can do adult things!  She plans to finish up a year of school and then serve a mission. We are very pleased with her ambition, decisions, and drive.  She's not only beautiful, but smart too!  She has the potential of becoming the "whole package" as soon as she learns how to keep her room clean.

 Janika and her roommates at Snow!

Jase just turned 17.  This past year he got his driver's license, starting dating, and got a job at Arctic Circle.  He does a remarkable job juggling school, work, friends, cross country, and track -- all while continuing to earn straight A's.  He was adventurous on our cruise and decided to try some new cuisine such as frog legs and escargot (below).  The same adventurous attitude has also allowed him to meet LOTS of new female friends.  When they seem interested in his looks / personality / drive / ambition, he quickly hands them a card with his credentials and information on it.  Oh how lucky we are to have a young man who learned from scouting days the true meaning of "be prepared!"

 

 

 

Jared is 14 and in the 9th grade at Snow Canyon Middle School.  His talents include doing flips, juggling balls while riding a unicycle, and running.  He joined Jase on the Cross Country team this year at the High School and recently won first place in his grade in his school's "Turkey Trot."  Jared enjoys playing frisbee and night games with his friends.  Jared has a fun sense of humor and also does very well in school. He enjoys making narcissistic videos with his friends which enlighten all of us about "the daily life and choices of Jared."  As of now, these videos have not been released for public viewing.

 

 

 

Janelle won third place in the fifth grade Geography Challenge and achieved the "Give Me Liberty Award" this year in school.  She just turned 12 and is now attending Lava Ridge Intermediate school where she is getting straight A's.  She recently graduated from Primary and started Young Women's!  The highlight for Janelle this year was playing the part of Brigitta in St. George Musical Theater's "Sound of Music!"  She is quite the "mother hen" and wakes the entire family up at 6:15 a.m. every morning for scripture study.  She also reminds everyone to "wash their hands" and finds other ways to boss everyone around, including her dear old dad.  It's been tough to deal with, but I just keep reminding myself she needs to practice somewhere.  I encourage her to practice on her siblings.

 

 

Jaiden is 10 years old and in the fifth grade. She participated in Jazz/Hip Hop at Trio this year, and is now taking a tumbling class.  She is always having dance parties in the basement and constantly doing cartwheels and splits in the kitchen.  This year she got braces on and then six months later got them off.  Jaiden is in the Arrowhead Elementary School Choir and on Student Council.  She loves hanging out with her friends!  Due to her sister's beckoning, she is able to keep her room clean and wake up for scripture study (sometimes).

  

Braces On... 

 

 Braces Off!

This was an important year for Josh since he turned eight years old and was baptized!  Josh was also excited to start Cub Scouts this year!  Josh is in the third grade and is in the Chinese Dual Immersion Program at school. He says he's learning Chinese at school, but when his dad tries to speak it to him, he can't understand what his dad is saying.  Josh says it is because his Dad is just making up words and doesn't really know Chinese.  I guess Josh doesn't understand RCL (Rick's Chinese Language).  Josh ran his first 5K this year at Swiss Days! He enjoys reading, piano lesson, and playing lots of fun games with his family!

 

 

Jenna is six years old and is as lively and spunky as ever!  She started kindergarten this year and loves it!  She is also in the Mandarin Chinese Dual Immersion Program.  Rick tries to talk to her in Chinese too, but she says the same thing as Josh.  We're wondering what they are teaching them over at that school.  Jenna is VERY social and wants to play with friends every minute of the day!  She loves to dance around the house and do art projects. We're hoping that her art projects will turn into "decorating our yard" in the future, so she can take care of the weeds, grass, trees, etc.

 

 

 At this Christmas Season we wish to express our gratitude for our friends and family and especially for our Savior, Jesus Christ.  We are so grateful for the opportunity to learn and grow with all of you.  It reminds me of a scripture:  "For what is your life?  It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then to vanisheth away"  (James 4:14).  We're grateful to know all of you in this life, and especially to know and learn of HIM.  He is the reason why we have this life.  We hope you are able to have a year of growth and learn of HIM as well during this Christmas season.  

We wish you all the best in 2015!!