When everything before Christmas started piling up, our Christmas card was the first thing to get bumped. We finally got it ordered 2 days before Christmas and then decided that we just weren't going to get the chance to write our letter. So, here is our letter to you. We're sorry about the informal nature of our card, but figured this might be a way to share pictures too. Thanks to all of you who have shared your Christmas greetings with us. We love all the family pictures and letters sent. It's just nice to know you're thought of (and it makes going to check the mail a whole lot brighter!).
So, here we go. While 2008 hasn't been a very eventful year, it has been busy. We've enjoyed letting our roots grow deeper into the Hyrum soil and feel blessed to be living here. Most of our summer was spent camping. We picked up a camper trailer, so taking the seven of us camping wasn't as daunting as tent camping used to be. We stayed entirely in Northern Utah (thanks to those awful gas prices!), but had a blast making memories with our family and good friends that went with us!
Rory is still enjoying working at Qwest. It's a mix of a lot of work and a lot of play. He took some time this year to improve his golf game. He joined the Men's association at a golf course in Smithfield and quickly become obsessed with lowering his weekly score. It was great for him to find a past time he enjoyed so much, now if we could just move to Hawaii so it would last longer than a few months in the summer! Rory is also enjoying his new calling as a primary teacher. He and Angie were called together (Rory teaches - Angie's the bouncer). The kids love him.
Angie finds her schedule filling faster and faster with each year. Stay-at-home mom is a misnomer for the title she holds - she's seldom home! Angie enjoys blogging, occasionally reading and sewing, and plays taxi for the kids. She is starting to fill like a lifer in the scouting program as she's starting her fourth year with the Bears. Angie was looking for something to get her out of her comfort zone this spring so she decided to sell Scentsy (wickless candles). It's been a great experience to meet wonderful new people, and give her a little something that wasn't on a four- year old's level.
Miranda is growing faster than we'd like. She just turned 11 (though she wishes it were the magic number 12). Miranda loves the fifth grade and is a great student. She still loves reptiles and art. Her art lessons are her favorite hour of the week. She even had her visual arts reflections project go on to region! She's trying to be patient as she awaits those results. She's doing a great job in piano lessons. We appreciate the peacemaker she is in our family.
Arianna has had a couple of exciting things. First, she got glasses in the spring! She was really quite excited to have them. She also got her ears pierced this fall. She's still not convinced that she'd make the decision to do it again! Ari turned 9 in October and loves her 3rd grade class. This year she decided she wants to be a singer, an actress, or a comedian. She loves her singing group, TaVaci, and will be starting piano again next week. She is constantly quoting movie lines, so we guess she's on her way to fulfilling her dream!
Jacob keeps us on our toes. He started 1st grade this year, and while at first he was apprehensive to go to school all day and eat school lunch, he's changed his mind and thinks it's great. His love for sports has blossomed this year. He likes to turn on the TV to whatever kind of ball game there is. He just asks his dad what team "we" like and he's content. He started playing basketball this winter and loves it! He's not the tallest on the team, but he's fast and his defense is great! Jacob's fast thinking and wit never cease to amaze us.
Sabrina continues to be our family princess. She loves all things feminine and all things pink. She is the first to let you know that she's been offended (usually with a high pitched scream), but she is also the first to quickly forgive and is always there to offer love to someone who's been hurt. She is an amazing little nurturer. We recently visited a few different rest homes. Sabrina was never frightened nor intimidated by what she encountered. She was the first in the rooms, the first to hold their hands, and the first to give them her winning smile.
Kalista is two (need we say more?). The combination of being the baby of the family and being age two makes life a constant adventure for her. There isn't a surface too high that can't be climbed, and candy that can't be found, nor a sibling that can't be bugged. Of course, she gets away with most of it due to her sweet smile and primitive grasp of the English language. The other day she was gone longer than should have been allowed. She finally came up to Angie with a blue magic marker and said, "We don't draw on the walls, do we Mama?" After quick inspection we found that the walls on both sides of the hall, down the stairwell, and into the basement had Kali's signature artwork on them. We couldn't love her more!
Well, that's it! If you want to see more you're welcome to explore our blog a little. We hope you've enjoyed your Christmas and New Years! Thanks again for keeping in touch with our family, your friendship means everything to us.
Love,
The Mann Family
Our great friend, Jim Rowley, was taking his kids around our circle on a tube pulled by his four-wheeler. When we got home yesterday from dropping off neighbor goodies he asked if we wanted to play too! The kids RAN for their snow pants and boots. They had a blast going with Jim and his daughters. I just have to say how much I love our neighborhood. Not only is it safe enough to ride the kids around the block on tubes, but we have amazing neighbors, that at a drop of a hat, are willing to include our kids in their fun. Thanks Jim, for the impromptu afternoon of fun! Our kids had a blast. 
Miranda and Ari sang "When Christmas Comes to Town".
Rory shared the Christmas story and the kids sang a few primary Christmas hymns.
Julie and I ended the story with a Silent Night/Still, Still, Still arrangement.
We finished it off with a sing a-long. 
For the first time in 13 years, we were snowed out of the annual Farr Christmas party. It just hasn't stopped snowing for days! Many tears were shed the night of the party. We caught a break for a few hours on Sunday a were able to grab a few precious moments with Grandpa and Grandma Farr. Thanks to Uncle Jordan and family and Uncle Tosh and Aunt Julie for coming over a second time to spend a little time with us. We had a wonderful dinner and Grandma shared a special story with us. Then we were all spoiled with Grandma and Grandpa's generosity. Thanks Grandma and Grandpa for throwing a separate party for us. And thank you for your love, time, and example. We're so sad we missed everyone else, but are glad we have an eternity of Christmases to spend together.
Rory is in denial that Miranda is growing so quickly, but it is wonderful to watch her as she is turning into such a beautiful young lady. She has such an amazing spirit. Miranda's very being seeks for all good things, she can't stand to be around even the smallest of contention. She is a wonderful spiritual barometer in our home. Miranda still loves art and all things creative. She's constantly looking for something to create. She still loves reptiles, and dislikes piano. She does a great job in school and loves her teacher, Mr. Allen. Her best friends are Ariel LaFollette, Sage Jensen, and Adrie Johnson. We are so grateful for you, Miranda. Thank you for being such a wonderful part of our family!
We didn't really do anything special, and probably bored her to death, but we all loved our time with her. We love you, Grandma/pa Mann!!!!!
