Peterson Family Christmas Letter 2008

Dear Family and Friends,

This has been a wonderful year! We are happy, healthy, and hoping this letter finds you all the same! We love Christmas! The day after Thanksgiving starts our celebrations. This December has been full of activities such as decorating, baking, reading Christmas stories, playing in the snow, giving gifts, listening to christmas music, and watching our favorite christmas movies! Isn't this "the most wonderful time of the year!"

Adalyn Ruth has grown way too fast this year! We can't believe she is 19 months! She is an excellent climber. She can climb up onto the counter, get a glass, turn on the sink, and get her own glass of water! Isn't that wonderful!!! He He He! She is big tease, too. She loves to pick on Libby and Larry. She is the family clown right now. She loves to make funny faces and noises. She loves to read books and play with all of Libby's toys, especially the fun little treasures that she keeps in her purse. Adalyn loves her Daddy very much. She enjoys going around with Dad shaking peoples hands before church. Then when it is time for him to sit on the stand, she screams and cries. The same thing happens when he helps us out to our car. She knows he is not coming home with us, and her poor little heart breaks again. Adalyn always makes us smile and she keeps us on our toes!

Larry Joe is 3. He loves to play with cars and read dinosaur books. He likes to play with other kids. He is a good friend and shares his toys well. Larry potty trained this year! Larry is so helpful, smart, and kind, that Mom sometimes forgets that he is only 3. Larry learns from watching and playing with his big sister. He knows all his letters and sounds and knows a lot of numbers. Larry helps the younger children in nursery feel welcome. He plays with them, and tells them it is ok when they cry. He is excited to be a Sunbeam. Larry is crazy and wild most of the time, but I've always said, he has a tender heart. He loves to cuddle and have one on one time with Mom or Dad.

Libby Rae is 5. She is enjoying preschool this year. She loves doing arts and crafts and spending time with friends. Libby is a good friend. She always makes anyone welcome in our home by playing and sharing with them. Libby has been collecting the Disney Princess Dolls and the horses that go with it. She only has Sleeping Beauty left to get. She is wishing for that for Christmas. Libby is beginning to read. She has taken a few piano lessons from her Mom and shows desire to learn more. That makes her Mom excited. Libby has a beautiful, pure singing voice. She's always right on pitch. Her brother and sister follow her every move and attitude. She sets a good example for them to follow.

Kristin is 29. This is the last year I am revealing my age. You'll have to figure it out next time! I am busy trying to keep up with the children. Libby and I are in a preschool where the Moms take turns teaching in their home. I have really liked that. I am not teaching piano right now. It has been nice to have those extra hours to devote to the kids and house work. I was surprised by my Mother-in-law this year with a sewing machine! Now I have no more excuses not to sew. My first project was making pajama pants for Christmas. It was a lot easier than I thought. I can't believe I drug my feet for so long. I think Nathan witnessed a miracle the first night he saw me sewing. I serve in the Nursery in our ward. I love it! I am still the music chair, also. That is a calling I never tire of. Well, after 8 years of Marriage, I finally am an OK cook. It was a great day when Nathan said he is excited to come home for dinner every day.

Nathan has had a wonderful year! He is in his third year teaching seminary. This next year will be interesting because the new High School in Pasco will be opening in Fall 2009. We are not sure what his schedule will be or where he will be teaching. It has been fun to see and hear from past students who have gotten married or gone on missions. He loves his students and it is neat to hear how they love him, too. I often hear comments like, "Bishop Peterson is the best teacher I've ever had!" I'm not surprised to hear this, but Nathan is. Those comments lift him up when he has his down days. Nathan is serving as Bishop of our ward. We started out as a small, new ward last year. We've now grown to be one of the biggest in the Stake. It has been amazing to see the Lord work through his servant. I've seen and heard Nathan do things that I know he never could have done on his own. He is an inspired Leader. I am so proud of him because of the complete Faith and trust he has in the Lord.

We wish you all Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! We love you!
Love, the Petersons