Cards & Brag Letters

Kelly Family Letter

This year has been crazy, topsy-turvy, stressful, fantastic, full.   We bought  1 old truck, moved 2 times and held 3 jobs.  As of right now (it could change any day) we live in Jerome, Idaho.   We are house-sitting for a couple while they are on a temple mission in the Dominican Republic.  

Some memorable moments from this year:

·         Echo (my Sister-in-law/cousin) set up a Mommy / Daughter /Girls Princess Party.  We all dressed up in prom dresses, wedding dresses or princess costumes and had a tea party.  Then gave each other pedicures.  Who says when you’re too old to play dress up?  “You can always grow older, you can’t grow little again. So always keep a little little in you….”

·         My youngest sister McCarty got married.  The party we held in Utah was one to remember.  The whole town was invited. There was a great BBQ, a live band and none stop dancing, it was a riot!

·         The  2^nd annual Kelly family reunion was held at Challis hot springs.  Two full days were spent swimming in the hot pools or rafting and kayaking down the river. One trip had 6 kids under 5 in a 12 man raft.  Had a blast but we were all totally worn out.

·         My siblings got together for a camp trip at AMY Park.  We took a trip to Barneys (no matter ½ of us forgot our suits—we went swimming anyway. )  Invented a new sport too ‘4-wheeler water skiing.’   With No cell service it was just a week of family fun.     

·         I got hypnotized at the Jerome County Fair; Apparently I was hilarious.

·         Our favorite, however, was watching Katana learn and grow.  She’s 18 months old, has 12 teeth, and 6 teddy bears.  She’s got a huge personality-A real pistol.  She’s my big helper and her Daddy’s princess. 

We wish you all a happy and healthy coming year.  Hope you Remember the Reason for the Season.

Jones Family Letter (condensed)

We enjoyed our first full year in our new home in Snohomish Washington. We fulfilled a life long dream of taking a family vacation to Hawaii in the summer. We got a new puppy NIKE who is almost as much work as another child. Jeff turned 50 this year and celebrated 25 years with Boeing working on air force tankers.  He teaches the 14-15 year old and Landon's basketball team. Alberta is a full-time homemaker and YW president. Erin graduated from BYU in April with a degree in English and Editing. After an internship with LDS Living magazine in Salt Lake she got a job with Summit E-marketing in Provo.  Kylie spent her summer in New York city as an intern for a graphic design company called Plus. She met Fayoz Mulladjanov (insert my me not in letter--They got ingaged over Christmas Break).    Payton passed the 1 year mark on his mission in Brazil. Ethan surpassed his dad in height.  Achieved his Eagle. Won high school ping pong championship and exceeded his piano teachers abilities and is learning on his own. Landon turned 10.  started Webelos.  continued the parental breakdown for getting a dog and succeeded. tried out for Lacross, swimming and basketball. 

The Crooks Family

Things we learned this Year

1. Babysitting a toddler is a lot harder than it was 20 years ago.

2. Having one teenager at home still takes a lot of work

3. High school football games are more exciting than TTU games--when your son is involved.

4. Writing two missionaries is the greatest thing in the world!

PICTURES:1. Valentine's Dance   2. Joseph 13-3 season   3. Stephen Sprig Break   4. Shayla in Guatemala   5. Charity and Grandma   6. Joseph at EFY   7&8 Elder Crooks in Brazil   9. Joseph and Charity   10. Shayla just home from Guatemala freezing in the snow. 

The Cueva Family

Our family has been very blessed, Jose and I are afraid if anyone pinches us we might wake up and we don’t want that to happen.

The big news is we have a Girl,  Stacy joined our family last December, I prayed for many years that my boys would marry good, and boy did it ever pay off,  Stacy is sweet, kind, smart she is perfect.  And the news continues Danielle DeGraw will Join our family in May, she is spunky with the perfect amount of sass. My boys did good (the bar is raised for Daniel and Thomas).

Markus is working in Provo, Ut with a great company, the job is tailored made for him, he uses his communication and computer degree and loves it. He and Danielle are excited about their wedding date in May.  Danielle will finish her teaching degree next semester from BYU Idaho, she is going to be a high school English teacher.

Darren married Stacy, graduated from BYU and is currently in Arizona State working on his master degree.  Stacy is finishing her degree from BYU Provo this month; she will have a computer science and music degree.  This last semester they have had to live apart, it’s been hard for them but it is almost over.  Between different schools and Darren music trips to Europe they have lived apart more than they would like, but that will all soon change.

Daniel graduated from Idaho State last December and landed a great job close to home, yeah. He loves his job loves his paychecks and he really likes his new sports car.  Markus connected with Danielle at Darrens wedding so I tell Daniel he will find his wife at Markus wedding, He is threatening not to go.

Thomas is second year at UCLA in the chemical Engineering Department and loving every moment of it. We are so proud of him, he keeps himself very busy with several organizations, and sports teams; boxing is his new outlet, at 6’3” we all look up to him.

Jose loves being able to spoil his daughter-in-laws, (the whole family is just crazy about both of them, they are truly wonderful girls).  He is thankful to still have a job; with all the talk of closing down the power plant and layoffs it is getting us to think about life ahead, the idea of road trips, time together, projects getting done, life ahead looks good (It would look great in 5-8 years, so we are still crossing our fingers)

I have been so overwhelmed by all my blessings, to have such great family and friends, To have a husband who loves and supports me and puts up with me.  I have the golden opportunity to learn and teach about Christ to 15 amazing 16 year olds every school day. I am grateful that many of you were able to come visit us this year, it was wonderful.  I cannot even express my gratitude for all of your support and love.  I am thankful to live in this country to have our technology and to have all of you in my life.  You are in our constant thoughts and Prayers.  

Dan, Malena, Dallin and Weston Kelly Family Letter (condensed)

Dan says that the only time it's ok to brag is in Christmas letters. I guess it's my turn to brag. Our lives have become more interesting since we had children. The twins were born December 26 of last year. Dallin Marcus was first at 3 lbs 13 oz.  Weston Kilner was 7 lbs 3 oz. Both healthy and considered full term.  Dallin was in Intensive care for 6 days until he could maintain his body heat.

Dallin is more mellow.  He is happy and gaining weight well. He reaches developmental milestones within weeks of Weston.  Doctor's told me he would be slower because he is smaller, that has not been the case. He was the first to learn to roll to get around.  He is an observer and enjoys watching social interactions, He and Weston are pulling themselves up on everything and walking while holding on to things.  they love to climb up and down the stairs. 

Weston is more rambunctious.  Dan and I tease that he will be the one to suggest the twins jump off a cliff and Dallin will be the one to think it through and suggest an alternative idea. Both boys are always on the go. He is the leader. Weston understands the word "NO" a lot better then Dallin. He talks nonstop. they love to play with each other   At nap time -bedtime-or when they wake up they stand in their cribs and talk to each other across the room. 

Dan works for North Wind. He was a superintendent on a $1.8 million job.  He runs an auto body  business on the side. he remodeled our entire house and put siding on our house. He has many talents and give 100%.   He is heavily involved in the twins life, and a big help to me.

I am a stay at home mom.  I love watching the boys grow and learn. In august I began student teaching and on December 15 I graduated from BYU-Idaho with my bachelor's in Elementary Education. It was challenging to leave the boys but I am grateful for all the help and support I received from family  My Mom, sister DaNell, Mother-in-law Pam, sister-in-law Echo and Dan took turns caring for the boys during this time. I am grateful I got my certification and will keep it current for the future but plan to stay home with my children.  Grateful for Family, Friends and the Savior.  God Bless.