I, once again, let the time get away from me. I had good intentions of typing up and sending out a family letter to all of our loved ones around Christmas. Instead I resort to my blog to publish our update, I'll call it our Christmas letter, lazy-man-style.
2011 has been our most eventful year so far of our marriage. It is interesting to look back on the almost 4 years of marriage and see how, very truly, every year gets better and better. Our family has been blessed beyond belief this year, as it seems we are every year. We can't thank our Heavenly Father enough for the bounteous blessings he pours upon us daily.
Justin has stayed incredibly busy this year, as he has been the last two years, working full time at Pinnacle Security and going to school 1-3 times at night each week. Not to mention the countless hours of homework that was on his plate. He must have some magical power that allows him to accomplish everything he needs to in a day and still have time to spend with me and Caleb. But that is all in the past now, thank goodness!!, Justin had his final class of his MBA program on December 14th. That's right, he now has his Masters in Business! (And I have to brag for my husband for a brief minute, because with everything on his plate, he still managed a 3.8, I think, GPA!...how amazing is he!?) We are really busy with the holidays right now but once January comes and Justin doesn't have classes to attend it is really going to hit home that he is done. He loves spending time with Caleb and is the best father. Caleb loves his time with his dad as well, there have been many evenings where I couldn't get Caleb to take a nap or struggled at bedtime but Justin just has the right touch with Caleb.
Amy worked the first half of the year at Pinnacle Security, alongside Justin. She misses getting to spend so much time with Justin but her new job is much more rewarding. Since Caleb was born she has been a stay-at-home mom full-time. She loves taking care of Caleb and watching him learn and grow. She is also a Den leader in her ward, helping the 9-year-old Bear cub scouts each Wednesday evening on their bear badge. This calling has taken a little while for Amy to warm up to but she knows it will help her down the road with teaching Caleb things that aren't revolved around baking or decorating. Which, coincidentally, is what she loves doing now that she has more time to. There have been many crafts online she has spotted and wanted to make, along with new recipes. She loves being able to create things.
Caleb is growing faster than a weed! He didn't quite double his weight at his 6 month check-up on December 20th (weighed in at 15 lbs) but he has grown in height quite a bit. When he was born he was 19'' tall, he is now 26.5''. We hoped he we take after his dad's height, he's getting off to a good start. He "talks", or rather yells, constantly. Occasionally he will give us a cute coo but for the most part he likes to be loud and...well...let out sounds like he is being tortured. He loves to make these sounds and we've gotten used to them, they are pretty funny to hear now. Our favorite is when he makes the sound when he is being put in his car seat and we are tightening the straps. He will let out his pained yell then stop, wait for our reaction, then give us a big grin. He has become quite mobile, but not in the way one might think. Instead of rolling over, he stays on his back, throws his head back and kicks off his feet. Recently his favorite has been maneuvering across our living room floor to make his way under our Christmas tree. We fear he might never grow hair on the back of his head because its constantly being rubbed on the carpet. He is eating solids and trying out vegetables. He loves to be talked to and played with. He brings so much happiness to our little family.
Trips we've taken this year... because Amy was pregnant for half of the year, our trips were limited. We did manage to have a little get-away in Park City before Caleb was born. We also spent a few days in Heber for the Blackham family reunion, a week in Virgina Beach in August, and this Christmas will be spent with our family in Chicago. As Justin and I both love traveling together we look forward to taking more trips in 2012!
We are excited to see what 2012 holds in store for our family. We hope you all have had a wonderful 2011 and we wish you all the choicest blessings during this upcoming year. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
