‘Tis the season for the annual Christmas update...
All is well here in South Dakota. The highlight of 2013 was moving into our new home. When we sent out last year's letter, we included our new address in anticipation of moving in the spring. After months of planning, building, and remodeling, we finally moved over Labor Day weekend. We are especially enjoying the fact that we now have plenty of room for our family and friends. If you are ever in the area be sure to let us know. We'd love to have you come and take a spin down the slide or try out the sledding hill! : )
When he's not working on getting the sledding hill ready, Paul keeps busy with his work as a family physician for Sanford Health. He enjoyed pitching for our church softball team again this summer, and has gotten to be a pro at replacing ballasts at church. He ran his first 5K this spring, and tries to make sure Molly gets plenty of exercise and the opportunity to chase up a few pheasants.
Erin completed her first ever Pinterest-inspired craft project this year, a wall of multi-colored photo frames used to display the kids' art projects. It went surprisingly well, in spite of the fact that Ryan got a hold of one of the frames immediately after it had been spray-painted. She is enjoying helping out as a Room Mom for Evan & Luke's classroom this year, which has included field trips to an apple orchard and corn maze, as well of lots of good food and fun times.
Jenna entered 5th grade this fall, which has opened up a whole new world of experiences including track meets, soccer games vs. the parents and other schools, combined choir songs, and the annual campout at Lake Pahoja. She's becoming quite a pianist, and is trying to decide if she should learn to play the clarinet or violin for band next year.
Evan is our newest musician, as he has also started taking piano lessons. Between playing the piano, learning his catechism, and doing his daily vision therapy exercises, he is a busy 2nd grader. He spends his spare time playing all kinds of sports, and especially enjoys beating his Dad in Backyard Baseball on the computer.
Luke started Kindergarten this fall, and loves it! He can often be heard singing at the top of his lungs as he gets ready for school in the morning. Keeping him busy on his days at home is a bit of a challenge, although he does enjoy playing trains with Ryan and helping Mom out in the kitchen.
Kara is 4 years old and will be ready to start school next year. She enjoys her monthly classes at the Outdoor Campus about the animals of South Dakota. She talks most of the time and has only one volume - very loud. She really likes princesses, dressing up, and playing dolls or Barbies. She's also been known to sneak the iPhone into her bed to play it after the lights go out.
Ryan celebrated his 1st birthday in May, and started walking at about 15 months. Since then he's given up walking altogether, and runs everywhere he goes. He's a busy boy, and leaves quite a trail behind him. He's been caught playing in the toilet more times than the rest of our children combined. His favorite words are "NoNoNo" and "MamaMama", and on our recent road trip to visit the Mowerys in Colorado for Thanksgiving, he used both of those words many, many times.
This year's photo was taken at Wisconsin Dells in July. We made some great family memories swimming at the Polynesian hotel, watching the Tommy Bartlett waterski show, riding the Ducks, eating at Paul Bunyan's Cook Shanty and Moosejaw Pizza, and losing most of our golf balls in the water at Pirates Cove Mini Golf. From there we headed to Lake Webster, Indiana, for some great times with the De Jong clan. We were able to get together with all the Van Egdoms as well, at Joey & Sherry's wedding in June. We also tried something new and healthy this year by joining a CSA. Some of us were more excited than others to see which vegetables our share included each week. : )
For more on our adventures in 2013, be sure to check out the previous posts on this blog. Here you'll find more about sledding, tractor rides, Valentine’s Day, Paul's birthday at the Ramada, the devastating spring ice storm which left us without electricity for almost 4 days, visiting the Laura Ingalls homestead in De Smet, SD, chapel programs, Mothers’ Tea, taking family classes in paddling, fishing, and geocaching at the Outdoor Campus, a Canaries baseball game, and camping at Paullina, IA and Newton Hills, SD.
We eagerly anticipate spending time with many of you during this holiday season, and look forward to hearing from many of you who we won’t be able to see. May the true joy of the gift of God’s Son fill your hearts this Christmas and throughout the coming year.
With Love,
Paul & Erin De Jong
Jenna, Evan, Luke, Kara & Ryan
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