Merry Christmas and Best Wishes for 2017!

Christmas time brings so many amazing memories and was always so much fun. Christmas music, arts and crafts with my kids, watching Christmas movies, making cookies and writing out Christmas cards. Since going back to work, I have had to learn how to add work to the mix and unfortunately and fortunately, some things had to change.

One of those are my Christmas cards and newsletter. I am sorry. Honestly, I have just run out of time. It isn't that I didn't want to, as it is something I enjoy sending. I love receiving them too. On the other hand, since I have started working, I have met so many new people. I feel so blessed to have so many touch my life.

With that being said. . . In order to reach everyone. . .Welcome to:

MY HOLIDAY CHRISTMAS NEWSLETTER!

From youngest to oldest, here is what everyone has been up too.

Domini is 7 years old and is in the 1st grade. She is doing great at school, making a ton of new friends and loves to talk. She is swimming and is starting to understand what winning a race feels like. Next to swimming, ballet is another activity Domini enjoys. She is a funny and super thoughtful little girl.

Tavyn is 9 years old and is in the 4th grade. He is still swimming and challenging himself with new events. Tavyn loves playing video games with his friend. He has an amazing sense of humor and is always the first one to walk up and give me a hug! He's teachers tell me he is a great kid!

Taliesin is my fisherman. He fishes for squid, crabs and fish. He could spend hours, days and months out by the water if I let him. He is still swimming and is getting faster although it is not his passion. He's excelling in school and when I went to conferences for him, his teachers were raving about him. He is in the 7th grade and a teen this year!

Tiernann is towering over me now. He is over 6 foot tall. At 15 years old and in the 10th grade, he is doing well at school. He has 3 classes online and 3 that he takes at the high school. He is swimming on our Y team as well as the high school swim team. He enjoys playing basketball, hanging out with his friends and playing video games.

Trayton, 18 now, isn't really a kid any more. He had a tough year after a car accident last year but is doing a lot better. He is completing his senior year of high school and should be getting his Associate degree this Spring. He is thinking he may join the military upon graduation.

Tristian is 20 years old! He is turned into such an amazing man. It is so fun watching him mature. He is still a sushi chef at Origami Sushi. He has dabbled a bit in real estate with me and also seems interested in finance.

I am loving my real estate career. I love learning something with each new person I meet and each transaction that I have. It feels very natural to me and I love that I get to help people. The other thing that brightens my life is my little baby swim instructor job. I know it seems silly, but I get such joy out of watching babies explore and conquer the water! My job also allows me to have the flexibility to volunteer as a Meet Director for our swim meets and help out in my kids' classrooms. My life feels very full!

Ken is working from home with KNJ out of Los Angeles. He plays racquetball in his free time. Ken also volunteers at swim meets in different capacities. He has also been focusing on some home improvement projects. As many of you know our basement flooded last year- KIDS! He has ALMOST finished that project. It looks so much better. He also surprised me with a new kitchen floor this summer.

The dogs and cats have taken over as the oldest in our house. Sassy is going blind and deaf but overall seems pretty happy. Tibby is still always getting in trouble. Teton is doing good, but he thinks he is in charge of the house now and tells us what to do. So demanding!

Additional year highlights:

Tiernann's Confirmation

Visits from Annie Colvin and my niece Jordan.

Mariners game.

Boating on the Sound

Some trips:

Swim Meet Trips: We all went to Boise for the Y Regional Swim Meet! It is always a fun time for our family. the kids swam well. Lots of fun with our swim family. A beautiful hotel to relax in and a great trail to run! Another one was the Yakima Swim meet in Yakima. Super fun meet.

One was with a few of the kids to Sun Lakes Resort. We were able to spend some time with some family friends and play in the water for a bit. Gorgeous area, super cute cabins and lots of great company.

We LOVE ROADTRIPS!!!! Ellensburg on way to resort!

My other trip was just me. I finally got to go home and see my mom, my brother and his family, other family and friends. Not everyone I would have liked to see, but I did get some R&R, which I badly needed. It was a nice vacation that was way too short. Lots of good quality time.