~Merry Christmas 2009~From the Iowa Ruffs
Where has the time gone? I feel like I was just doing last year’s letter! This is our second Christmas here and life is truly beautiful. It has been a great year, full of new adventures! We were lucky to have family come visit us in the Midwest. In February, Becky’s sister, Katie and her husband John, came to play! And then in March, Richard’s parents and his little sister, Michelle (on the way home from her church mission), stopped by for a visit, too.
This year was full of fun for our family. We went to the John Deere Pavillion often and took some great drives down to Nauvoo, IL. We visited the Art Museum, Zoo, and the Family Museum. We flew kites, ate fresh corn, and caught fireflies!!!
In April, we visited some great friends in Kentucky and hopped down to Nashville and fell in love with the city! We took a surprise trip to Utah for Richard’s Grandfather Day’s funeral in June. It was wonderful to celebrate the life of such an amazing man! We miss you!
We also had really fun weather this year, too…Heavy rains, a mild summer, tornado warnings, beautiful fall afternoons, freezing cold temperatures, and super slick ice!
This last year was wonderful and full of growth, beauty and changes! Here are a few:
Richard started the Doctorate Program in March and he is now in his 3rd trimester. After spending hours and hours with Anatomy, Physiology and Biochemistry books, he finally got to start getting a little more “hand on” this trimester. He loves what he is studying and he is doing really well in school. We took a trip to Chicago this summer to see the Harry Potter Exhibit at the Museum of Science and Technology. At church Richard is teaching the men as an Elders Quorum instructor and is really enjoying it.
Becky had a wonderful year! On that trip to Chicago with Richard, they visited the Frank Lloyd Wright home and studio (one of her favorite architects). She just recently started a photography business and loves the creativity and joy it brings. Becky is still working hard on her goal of living a healthy life and has discovered one of the best ways to work out and have fun. ZUMBA!!! There were big changes at church and suddenly Becky found herself as the new Primary President, in charge of all the children from ages 18 months to 12 years. It keeps her so busy, but also so happy and fulfilled!
Sarah had a great year. She finished 1st grade and had a busy summer filled with swimming and playing and trips with the family! She turned 7 years old in August and had a wonderful movie party with her friends from church and school. Sarah started 2nd grade and is doing great at school. She adores her teacher and the pirate theme of their class! Sarah also started taking piano lessons and she loves it. She begs to practice everyday and every time she walks by the piano she opens it and plays a little. She started taking dance lessons for Hip Hop and loves it! She loves to move and dance and laugh. For Halloween she was a Zebra with purple hair. This winter Sarah always wants to play out in the snow and loves to wear her boots and coat (but not her hat)!
Rachel turned 5 in January and had a snowman themed party. It was great to be with so many fun friends and make snowmen and play games with cotton balls. She had Preschool graduation and was sad to say good-bye to her amazing teachers! This summer Rachel swam like a fish and played in the field behind our house so much! By the time August rolled around, Rachel was very ready and excited for Kindergarten. Her teacher has been teaching for almost 30 years and is amazing! She understands Rachel and makes leaning a joy and exciting for Rachel! She is also taking dance lessons. Her class is Ballet and Tap dancing. I asked her which she likes the most and she said she doesn’t like ballet because she has to hold still but she will go just so she can do tap! This Halloween was a blast for Rachel. She got to be a “good” witch with blue hair (apparently good witches don’t have green faces, when I offered to paint hers green).
Emma is growing so much. She turned 3 in June and had a very happy Minnie Mouse birthday party! It’s funny how much kids change at this age. She got the potty training down and hasn’t looked back! This fall it has only been Emma and Becky home and that has been an adventure and so much fun. A Pink Butterfly Fairy with pink hair was Emma’s costume of choice for Halloween! And for anyone who knows her, that is not a huge surprise! And we finally said good-bye to the beautiful little girl curls when Becky gave Emma her first hair cut in years. She is so grown up and beautiful and a big little girl!
We just wanted to wish you all a Merry Christmas. We are so grateful for all our blessings at this time!
And especially at this season, we are so grateful for our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
~St. Luke 1:11- “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.”~
love always~
Richard, Becky, Sarah, Rachel, & Emma
