Dear Family and Friends, 

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

It’s been a busy year! We welcomed Sarah Marie into our family on September 16, and she is a joy. We love her big, blue eyes and her smiles. She has been met with such enthusiasm from her siblings that we suspect she might be asking Santa for a little peace and quiet this year. 

Alex (3) is obsessed with trucks, trains, and bulldozers. The highlight of his week is watching the garbage truck come by. He and Katie love to build block towers and play “house” in the basement. 

Katie (almost 5) is happiest holding Baby Sarah, riding her bike, or coloring. She enjoys preschool, especially gym and singing time, and is learning to read.  

Abby (7) is a true bookworm and a great artist. She showed amazing courage and resilience this year when she had an unexpected fourth operation on her heart. We are so grateful to see her fully recovered, strong, and energetic . . . it is an answer to many prayers.

Carrie (old) does her best to keep our household intact, with varying degrees of success. She teaches a few piano students and enjoys working with the Primary children at church. (She can relate to Baby Sarah’s request of Santa.) 

Luke (also old) is in his final year of radiology residency and is preparing to begin a pediatric radiology fellowship next summer at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital. (We’ll all be tagging along to Ohio with him . . . another adventure!) We’re wondering if he chose the wrong line of work, however, after seeing his prowess at remodeling our kitchen and bathroom last spring. He definitely has a back-up future in tiling! 

We are constantly being told by casual observers, “You’ve got your hands full!” That’s definitely true, but our hearts are full too. We’re so grateful for this time in our lives and for our many blessings. Thank you to our family and friends for being foremost among those blessings.

Much love,

Luke, Carrie, Abby, Katie, Alex, and Sarah