2009 Christmas Letter

Dear Family and Friends,
We hope you have all had a wonderful 2009. Here's a little bit of what our family has been up to this year.
In February, Aidan turned one-year-old, and in the same month he learned how to walk. In March, the kids and I flew to California for my step-mom's 50th birthday party. Jason was busy working on finals so he wasn't able to come, but I think it was good for him to have the house quiet for a week while he studied. The kids and I had fun visiting all the family in California, and Laurie's birthday party was a blast with a kids' table set up, a live band and a really delicious BBQ. We also got to visit the beach as usual while we were there which is always a really fun treat for the kids.
In April, Connor turned four-years-old, and Jason graduated from BYU-I so we had a joint birthday/graduation celebration. Also in April, we found out that we would be moving to Utah. Jason got an internship working in the IT department of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. We only had about two weeks notice to move, so we took a quick weekend trip to Utah, found a place to live, said goodbye to some dear friends and family in Idaho, and moved to Utah the next weekend. Then the very next weekend after that, we drove to Sacramento, CA for my sister, Sherri's, wedding. It was a crazy time, but we were so glad that Jason got a job and so happy that we could go to the wedding to be a part of their beautiful day. Gavin and Connor were ring bearers, and I was a Maid of Honor.
In July, Gavin took swimming lessons and loved it. Gavin also turned six in July and had a Star Wars themed party. In August, our family went to Lagoon (an amusement park in Utah). Connor was our little Dare Devil while Gavin had a lot of fun just going on the kiddie rides like the helicopter and airplanes that you can make go up and down. Gavin and Connor both learned how to ride their bikes without training wheels on the same day and were just smiling from ear to ear when they figured it out.
This year Gavin started kindergarten, and we've decided to have him attend the Utah Virtual Academy which is where we do school at home with all of the lessons supplied to us and keep in contact with a certified teacher through emails and phone calls. So far we've really liked the program, and we especially like how the kids will pass each grade like normal because they're still required to take state exams and keep track of attendance. Also in August, Gavin started Soccer and really liked it. Connor said he didn't want to play this year, so he helped sit with our family and cheer Gavin on.
In September, Gavin lost his first tooth and was really excited to leave it under the pillow for the Tooth Fairy. For Halloween, the boys dressed up in a Star Wars theme: Gavin was Darth Vader, Connor was a Clone Trooper, and Aidan was an E0Wok. Also in October, we flew to California for my brother, Aaron's, wedding. Gavin and Connor were ring bearer's for this wedding too.
For Thanksgiving, we drove to Eastern Idaho to spend the holiday with family. Unfortunately, Jason's grandpa passed away the Saturday before Thanksgiving, so it was a bitter-sweet holiday with the family.
We think of you all often and hope you all have a wonderful Christmas. As we reflect on the Savior's miraculous birth and life, we hope all of our hearts can be filled with increased love and thanksgiving this Christmas Season.
With Love,
The Mortensens