 |
| At the temple in Laie Hawaii |
(*First off, sorry the pictures are so blurring. They are clear right up until I add them to the post)
2019 has been a busy, but good year for our family. Our highlight was probably our family trip to Hawaii in May. The kids got to miss the last couple days of school and it was a much needed family trip together. They wanted to all go so bad they each earned $200 towards their plane ticket so off we went. We spent 11 days on Oahu, mostly on the North Shore, where we enjoyed fun activities such as paddle boarding, surfing, snorkeling, hiking, going to the Elephant Shack (our favorite Thai Food Truck), playing at the beach, going to the PCC, going to the Elephant Shack, looking for seaglass, going to the Byodo Temple, going to the Elephant Shack, Pearl Harbor, swap meet for souvenirs, watching sea turtles, Dole Planation and back to the Elephant Shack!
 |
| Yes, we're that family :) |
Blain - continues to serve as bishop of our ward and just hit his 1 year mark. He loves working at Sundance as the Director of Sales and Marketing and we sure enjoy the awesome perks he gets. Between those two busy “jobs” and his family, which he always puts first, I’m surprised he has any time left over for anything else but he somehow finds time to play tennis with friends, he loves yard work, home projects which he doesn’t love as much but since he can fix anything he does, and personal growth. He’s the packaged deal!!
 |
| Blain getting in touch with his mystical side |
 |
| Who doesn't look better in a mustache? Ummm everyone!!! |
Heidi - I am serving as a counselor in our ward primary presidency and I love it. I keep busy with other things like District PTA, classroom helper, Mommy Uber for my kids, regular mom stuff and wife stuff, the list that I won’t bore you with cause you do it too! For fun I love to listen to audio books, workout at the gym, plan neighborhood parties, attend plays at Hale Center Theatre and squeeze in time with my friends when I can.
 |
| I got my braces off so here's my selfie in the parking lot, yippee!!! |
 |
| We took a trip to Boston with my sister and her husband and had a blast. |
Christian (23) - just finished his first semester of his 3rd year at BYU and is officially in the Mechanical Engineering program. Only 2 1/2 more years to go!! He is working for his uncle Gerrad doing flood restoration and learning some important life tips like turn off your water when you leave on vacation. He is living in an apartment with friends and cousins and learning that moms smelly good laundry doesn’t just happen naturally. He loves to do guy stuff like rock climbing, shooting guns (he got his concealed weapons permit), and playing video games. His latest hobby includes buying and reselling shoes online. It’s a thing.
Addy (16) - and a Junior in HS. Yep she can drive! She bought an older car and has named him Bernie. She made the very big decision this year to quick ballroom dancing but she felt like it was the answer she was seeking. Now she is nannying 3 days a week and still working cleaning house for our neighbor friends so she’s very busy still. She also decided to start voice lessons and she has had the chance already to share her talent singing at church and other gatherings. And dating is a thing now, ahhhh! Except that she’s a really good girl so we don’t worry about her too much!
 |
| She's not flipping you off. That's a 16 she's making with her hands |
 |
| Her first school dance. Homecoming 2019 |
 |
| Zipline Tour with friends for her 16th bday |
Jack (14) - is a freshman and in high school this year. He has proudly passed up all his sisters and his mom in height (not that that was saying much) and will hopefully continue so he can grow into his size 10.5 shoe. He and his dad wear the same size now. He is still taking piano but I wouldn’t say he loves it. More like he is just really obedient. He and a friend earned some good money this summer mowing lawns and doing other kinds of hard work. He enjoys skiing, tennis, basketball, soccer, video games and hanging with his buddies, which now occasionally includes girls.
 |
| Just fishing |
 |
| Part of the finished product for Jack's Eagle Scout Project |
 |
| Jack's first, and now last, year at EFY. Looking forward to FSY! |
Lauren (11) - is in 6th grade and loves school. She is on the Jr Hope Squad again this year which she really enjoys. She loves to make people happy. She is involved in piano, tumbling and voice lessons as well. She too has a job, thanks to our neighbor, cleaning house one day a week. It’s hard to believe she will be going into Young Women’s in 2 weeks but she is ready for all the blessings that come with that. She is our crafter and can often be found pulling out all my craft supplies to make a sweet gift for someone in the family or neighborhood.
 |
| Just being sweet |
 |
| Home from 5th Grade Summer Camp |
 |
| Just before her MRI...turns out she's just a great as we thought she was |
Lia (7) - is the baby of the family but she’s not a baby anymore. She is in 2nd grade and mostly loves to go to school everyday. Lia is doing tumbling with her sister twice a week and mostly loves to go to that. What she really enjoys is playing with friends, American Girl Dolls, and with the latest trend in toys...LOL Dolls, Squishmellows, Pomsies, whatever. She can not resist a good box. She has the ability to see glorious things come to life out of ordinary cardboard. Things like planes, horse stables, cars, mailboxes, marble mazes, doll furniture, houses for her, the possibilities are endless. So any box that passes through our house gets claimed by her.
 |
| Appreciating butterflies from a distance. Not a big fan... |
 |
| Skiing cause we make her. Not a big fan... |
 |
| Turning 7 and making a donut cake. Very big fan! |
We have been so blessed this year and we are so grateful. We know the source of all our blessings comes from the One whose birth we celebrate today. We love you all and wish you a very merry Christmas and a happy 2020!!
Love,
The Wilkeys
