Since it's not possible for us to get our cards out to everyone, here's a replication of it for any of you that didn't get it. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to everyone!Dear Family & Friends--
This year has FLOWN by! We had to look through pictures to remind us of the things we'd been up to, since all Katie can remember that she's been up to is Daphne (problem is, all of our photos are of Daphne). :) She's a pretty great thing to be busy with too. Since she's the center of our universe right now, we'll start with her.
Daphne has grown in leaps and bounds this year. She has learned to crawl, walk, climb, talk, throw tantrums, give hugs and kisses, and snuggle...among many other things. We can't believe the amount of developing and growing that have happened in this past month, let alone the past year! If our vote means anything, this is by far the funnest stage yet. We love that she is starting to be able to communicate effectively with us, and she is quite the talker. We're also amazed at how clear her talking is! She is starting to say phrases and confirm that what we have identified what she wants by quickly saying “okey!” She will even offer up the okay before we've said she could have it or do it—it's pretty cute. She has started to help me when cooking and as a result is getting her own handmade kitchen from mom and dad (the project has just commenced—check in next year....or on our blog to see if we survive it :). She will clean her baby's bottom, fold her mousey's arms for prayer and give liberal hugs, kisses and pacifiers to all her stuffed friends. She's quite the little helper. She often mistakes laughing for crying and will repeat over and over again, “cry...cry, cry...” if mommy is giggling about something. She LOVES to be outside regardless of weather or temperature extremes and loves to play! We have to be careful where we drive as she quickly spots and asks to play on any playground we pass. She's active and fun and an absolute joy to us. We cannot imagine our family without her.
This summer was chocked full of fun stuff for the Willis family. We celebrated Daphne's 1st birthday in Bear Lake, UT with all of Van's family during a week long family reunion. Although windy, it was great fun! We hiked some caves, waded in the water (it was way too windy to swim), ate lots of yummy food, and enjoyed time together as a family late into the night because nobody's babies wanted to sleep. While in Utah we also got to see a lot of Katie's cousins, aunts and uncles at an extended family reunion on the Davidson side. It was so fun to have Daphne meet everyone and say hello, even for just a few hours. We also had the opportunity to host a Chinese exchange student named Dixon this passed summer. He was with us for 2 weeks before continuing on a trip to various US destinations. We only had him in the evenings and on the weekends as he was participating in English courses during the day at a local high school. We were impressed at how many new foods he tried and liked and enjoyed having him here with our family. He was a typical teenage boy—always on the computer and listening to music—but he was cute with Daphne and loved the cats.
Speaking of cats, that's another new change in our family. We adopted two sweet kitties, Audrey and Winston, from our great friends this past summer. While they drive us crazy sometimes (the cats, not our friends), we really love having them in our home. Katie's still trying to keep up with the fur, but having a warm, purring kitty in your lap in the evenings makes up for it. They also love to be outside, and even tolerate Daphne...well, at least Winston does. She loves the kitties and knows their names. Audrey will never allow Daphne anywhere near her, but is getting a little better about walking past her if it's absolutely necessary.
We took Daphne on her first camping trip to Arches this year and she handled it like a champ! We wouldn't have expected anything different since we were outside, but weren't quite sure how she'd react. We had purchased a national parks pass this year, which meant we also made it up to Rocky Mountain National Park several times too. It is gorgeous, and nice to be able to go when we'd like. Van and I also got to see one of our favorite bands, Death Cab for Cutie, in concert at Red Rocks Amphitheater. It's an amazing natural amphitheater on the mountainside overlooking downtown denver and a really spectacular venue for a concert. We're not huge concert goers (read: we've now been to 3 concerts between us), but this one was pretty tame and a lot of fun to see on a delicious summer evening outdoors.
Katie continues to sew, although at not quite the same pace as when Daphne was napping 3 times a day. Van also continues to play and acquire lots, and lots and lots...and lots of board games (almost as much cardboard as Katie has fabric for sewing) :) Katie had her 1st time away from Daphne when she was able to go to PA and meet the two newest additions to the Hawkes' extended family—Jennie's twins, Ruth & Samuel. They're beautiful and we're thrilled they're here and healthy! What cuties. Katie & Daphne also got to spend a week with Grandma & Grandpa Hawkes in Nauvoo, IL and was there when they received their call to be missionaries for our church in New York on Long Island for two years! It was so fun to be able to have grandma and grandpa all to ourselves and to see so many wonderful historical sights for the Mormon church there in Nauvoo while grandma and grandpa were busy. We also got to have Katie's brother Ben Holt for a week during the summer AND at Thanksgiving! We're so glad that he's close enough and not tied down enough yet that he can come and see us.
We are healthy and happy and looking forward to the changes in the coming year when Van will graduate and we'll be moving on to a new job, perhaps a new home and the adventures that life has in store (stay tuned on our blog-- vankatieblahg.blogspot.com). We are very grateful to be so blessed and wish you and your families a very merry Christmas.
We hope your holiday is filled with gratitude and peace,
Van, Katie and Daphne
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