Christmas Letter

Chad - The company Chad worked for went bankrupt in Jan. Feb he did odd jobs here and their for friends of his. By March he had some steady work with a few of his friends and decided to start his own business
doing drafting work so Silver Leaf Designs was
started. One of His clients wanted him on a more permanent

basis and hired him as a full time contractor. By about July we decided we were coming up short by just a bit and Chad got a job at Costco working a few hours a day for a few days a week. Costco is in the wee hours of the morning so he is early to bed. Around Nov. we decide he should pick up some extra hours at Costco so that he could qualify for health insurance which we should have by March. So as it stands now Chad works Mon. - Thurs. for Henley Homes, Wed - Fri and on Sat for Costco, Silver leaf whenever he is home in the evenings before going to bed and on Fri. after Costco. He has picked up a couple more clients with

silver leaf and is meeting with another potential one tomorrow. As you can see he is very busy and we appreciate and look forward to any time we get to spend together as a family. Sundays have become precious down time for us.

Nicki - I try to stay busy and between HOA, PTO, RS and volunteering in the boys classes I think I achieve that. Chad would tell you I also find time to stay social. In the evenings I walk with friends to try to get some exercise. I have really gotten into food storage and canning and have lots of fun doing that with friends. and on top it all, single momming it with Chads busy Schedule.

Casey - Has been having a great time in 3rd Grade.

His teacher is the same one Tyler had last year for kindergarten. He is in Resource for reading and writing and has been improving so much lately. We are so grateful for the teachers he had last year and this year who helped get this need identified. He was and continues to be pretty tricky and resourceful in his efforts to get around or past his trouble areas. We are so proud of all his hard work. Casey got baptised this year and that was a great experience for all of us. He is such a big help at home with the kids and with his new love of helping in the kitchen.

Tyler - Is loving 1st grade and has shown what bright
child he is. In his class they use a color system to
address behavior green being good then yellow then

red. After bringing home yellows a few times and even a few calls home from his teacher we made a deal that he would earn a Webkin of his choice if he got green for 5 weeks in a row. I didn't think he could pull it off, but he proved me wrong and earned a Webkin. He said he would continue to get greens from here on out. Tyler also enjoys going to after school reading program

twice a week. (between Chad and I both struggling with reading in school our kids didn't stand much of a chance)

Courtney - Is in Heaven attending preschool. She has made quick friends and loves to do after school play
dates. It's hard to say no since they get along so well.

I'm so sad though that these kids are all going to be a year behind her in school and will not be starting Kindergarten with her next year. She is quite the princess of the house and we are constantly having to remind her that she does indeed have to listen to us and contrary to what she thinks does not get to do whatever she wants.

Aiden - Is the joy of our family. He always has a huge smile on his face and is constantly amusing us with his antics. Chad is constantly asking me "did you get a picture?" He is growing so fast and we wish he would slow down.

This year we also spent time in California for the Borgia reunion and then later in the year went to Disneyland. I'm glad to finally have this blog going so that family can keep in touch. We look forward to the year to come and all that is ahead of us.

Pictures from the top down are ...Aiden enjoying some eggnog, A pic of Court and Aiden with the pencils we collected for children in Vietnam for my dads Christmas gift this year, The kids in the back of Chad's truck with our Christmas tree, Tyler and Casey ready for soccer, Casey was chosen for a demo at Disneyland and here with his aunt and Uncle who were also chosen out of the audience, Tyler comforting Aiden through hi first hair cut, Casey receiving his bobcat award in scouts, Our yearly observance and balloon releasing in remembrance of our little boy Cameron, Aiden eating a bagel and cream cheese.

Court and Mrs. Candace

Tyler and Mrs. Rockey





Casey and Mrs. Maloney




Casey and daddy at his baptism.

Me with friends at the midnight release of Breaking Dawn.

The kids at the beach