2007 Christmas Newsletter

Coming in the mail soon, but Joshua suggested I post it on the blog too....

Christmas 2007

Greetings from the Dyal Crew!

As usual, this year has been a busy one, with every year going by faster than the last. But with everything that our family has going on, it’s nice to sit down and ponder all that the year has brought us.

Our kids are still really cute, growing fast, and constantly on the go! This summer, we were all over the place... It started with our annual trek to Cedar Point, the best roller-coaster amusement park in the country. From there, we moved on to weekly trips to the library, park days, the beach, biking, hiking, swimming, and our Friday adventures, which the children anxiously looked forward to each week. We also took a few family trips to explore the different corners of Michigan.

Spencer (11) is in sixth grade and started middle school this year. It was a big transition for him. He is bothered by the cussing he hears on the bus, the hallways and the sports field. He sees more teasing and is faced with more peer pressure, but he’s finally adjusted to it, although he wishes he could avoid it. He has no qualms with telling people if he thinks they are making a bad choice. He is a really good kid, is quick to please his parents, and is very responsible. He is also very smart and athletic, but not always satisfied with his own performance, and yet he seems to be very confident in himself. He is on the honor roll at school and has already set goals to get even better grades next marking period. He already worries about getting into the college of his choice (he wants BYU) and sets high standards for himself in school. He was brilliant on the “Stevenson Saints” junior varsity soccer team this year (undefeated all season!) and plans to try out for the basketball team in January. It looks like he has the musical gene and practices the baritone every day for band. He loves it! He’s also in his fourth year in piano and composes his own songs.

Jessica (9) is in fourth grade this year and continues to be the princess of our family. I love that she is so optimistic and cheerful. Nothing keeps her sad for very long, and she sees the good in everything. She wishes she could have a pet, but since the parents won’t budge, she makes up for it by collecting HORDES of stuffed animals. Her room is a stuffed animal sanctuary. Because of her love of animals, she someday wants to be a veterinarian, or pop star – whichever comes first! And it’s begun… the phone is now ringing for Jessica three or four times a night. Luckily it’s only girlfriends from school, but we know that pretty soon, we’ll have to fend off the boys. She enjoys Activity Days, friends, writing stories (she carries a notebook with her everywhere), and does well in school. She loves her teacher this year! She is also in piano and is praised by her teacher for having perfect hand positioning.

Alexander (6) is in first grade this year. He enjoys going to school, loves his teacher and has lots of friends. His teacher told us that he’s a very studious and attentive student. Just within the past few months, Alex surprised us by suddenly being able to read. And he’s very good at it! He is the calmest of all the children, until he feels threatened. Then, he’s not quiet at all! But around most people he appears to be reserved, usually just because he’s observing, definitely not because he’s shy. He’s helpful, and loving, especially to Logan who waits at the door for him to come home from school. He is a terrific big brother!

Logan (4) is unbelievably reckless, rowdy, and has an incredibly passionate personality. We find his drawings all over the house, sometimes on paper and sometimes on the furniture and walls. We catch him jumping off of things, crawling into things and taking things apart. I often get looks of disbelief when I talk about how “wild” he can be. He looks so sweet and innocent. But besides his big personality, he is always happy and has a very tender heart with the biggest smile and sweetest laugh that continuously melts our hearts. Almost every day I am complimented with “You are pretty, Mommy” and am often presented with flowers he picks, even if it is from someone else’s flower garden or from a planter in the store. He gives random kisses and hugs and always finds nice things to say to everyone in our family. So, we’ll keep him.

Joshua is never at a loss for something to do. He has a hundred-million hobbies, but manages to make plenty of time for his family. Most of the time he enjoys his job, though I don’t think he’d mind winning the lottery and quitting. It seems like he has a half-dozen callings in the ward – choir director, 2^nd counselor in the Elder’s Quorum, priesthood pianist, and unofficially he’s my nursery assistant whenever needed. He loves reading, writing, going to movies and is a great dad. The kids adore him!

It’s Julie’s turn to write the newsletter this year, did you guess? (Josh and I usually switch off.) I am the event coordinator for all of the above, get the kids where they need to go, and basically contain the madness! It is quite the job! I spend a great deal of time volunteering at the children’s school and somehow got talked into being room mom for Jessica’s class. About a year ago, I discovered the blogging world and spend way too much time updating our family blog whenever I find the time. I also enjoy jogging, bike riding, taking pictures of the kids, going to movies, and warm weather, which is unfortunately in short supply here. That’s why I escaped to Florida several times last year. I’ll soon begin my third year as a nursery leader, which I absolutely love. Teaching primary children is my forte and I never get tired of it.

It’s hard to believe this is our 7^th year in Canton, Michigan. We’ve learned to call it home and are happy here. With the holidays quickly approaching, we think a lot about our wonderful family and friends. We are glad to have you in our lives and to have our children growing up with love from every direction. We hope you are healthy and happy but mostly, we hope to see you more often in the New Year.

Love always,

The Dyal Family