Christmas Letter 2009

Normally, I mail out our Christmas letter but this year I sent post cards, directing everyone to our blog in the event they actually want to read about us. If not they can just have a cute picture post card of my kids in front of the tree. (Don't feel bad if you don't have one, most of them are sitting on my desk waiting for postage!) So, just in case you're new to the blog world, I'm posting a link at the top of our blog so you can easily find this letter and so you don't have to read through my rants and raves....

Merry Christmas Friends & Family,
I hope this letter finds you all happy and healthy and enjoying the Christmas season!
Wow, where to begin....
Let's start from the top.
James is still working in Wyoming. Two weeks on and two weeks home. It's not a bad schedule except the fact that this year he misses both Thanksgiving and Christmas. We took Thanksgiving to him but there is no way I'm dragging Christmas up there so, Santa is visiting the Richhart home on the 31st because we couldn't possibly have Christmas without James! (On the bright side, Santa figures it this way, she-I mean he-can buy stocking candy at clearance prices on the 26th!)
James is also just getting started on manufacturing of "The Glummy Bag" It is his first patented invention-a roll up eye glass case that attaches to your belt loop or key ring. You can visit his website @ glummy.com in the near future.
He is serving on the float committee. (Yes, that's right, the float committee) And still loves to ride his bike, hike and zoom around on his scooter.
Wendy & James

Wendy is still in Relief Society and selling real estate. Last summer she and Kambree performed in Murray's summer theater production of Grease and she's flattered that she's been ask to reprise her role as Mrs. Darling/Juke's the Pirate this summer in WVC's production of Peter Pan. She is also author of this blog and mother to FIVE fabulous children. Who she's much rather write about then herself, so let's proceed.
Kambree is a senior this year and dancing once again with Murray Dance Company. She is taking four college courses and was just accepted to Utah State University. She is one busy girl! Besides dancing daily and doing homework until the wee hours of the night, she is a member of PLT (Peer Leadership Team), taking voice lessons, working part time, has an active social life, serves in the young woman's Laurels presidency and as the publicist for dance company. She's a blur coming and going but every so often she crashes on the couch for a few hours and I cover her with blanket and gaze at my beautiful daughter who was a baby just yesterday and now is going off the college in less than a year. (No one told me about this part of motherhood!)




Austin is HUGE! He is now taller than James and weighing in at 180 pounds. This is how much James weighed when we were married and Austin is FIFTEEN! Austin is riot and keeps us laughing continually. He has his learners permit and cannot wait to get behind the wheel. Heaven help us all. He loves going to Murray-loves having classes every other day-giving him more time IN class to get his homework done and two nights to get any additional homework done. Not that we see him doing much homework-apparently he's a genius and needs very little studying at home. He just got his braces off after FOUR years. He is serving in the Teachers Quorum presidency, loves playing video games in his "bachelor pad" (the downstairs unfinished family room), hanging out with friends-which often times include girls (gasp!), riding down Bullion (hill street by our house) in the wagon sitting on Rylee's blow up Barbie chair-and a helmet to appease me-and wrestling/boxing/pillow fighting with his Dad & new brother! (As they are the only one's brave enough to take him on!) He is starting basketball again next month and is counting down the days until his sixteenth birthday.



Devree has changed the most this year. No longer a little girl, Devree looks like she's sixteen yet trapped in the life of a thirteen year old. She excels at school, loves texting, takes voice, piano and dance, starts basketball in January, still makes a mean cookie, loves to download ring tones and I-tunes, cannot get ready to go anywhere with less than an hour and serves in the Beehive Presidency. She was in her first play "Annie" this fall and enjoyed dancing and singing with Guyz and Dollz. She is putting us in the poor house with her straight A report cards, still smells incredibly good at all times, has figured out that sleeping in is GREAT and enjoys it when Austin's cute friends hang out.



Rylee is in 4th grade and a joy. She is still very fashion conscious and plans to be a fashion designer, cake decorator or pop star. She is also taking voice, piano and dance and she loves, loves, loves to babysit her cousin Sydni. She played soccer this fall, took swimming lessons, performed in her first play last February, and sang and danced with Guys and Dolls. She still has the most tender feelings. (Sometimes I think we should have named her Crylee!) She is lots of fun and loves helping me in the kitchen or going shopping. You don't even have to buy her anything, she just loves trying on clothes and could do it for hours!



"Dis goooood!" Is Alex's favorite phrase to say. He says it almost at every meal and has quickly adapted to my cooking and American cuisine. (I actually don't think there is a single thing he will not eat! He aspires to eat as much as Austin which is no little feat!) He has gained eight pounds and grew two inches since arriving home April 30th. He is one incredible kid and it's hard to imagine our family without him. He loves life and loves with all his heart. Every so often we glimpses of the life he had before and the loneliness and heartache he's experienced yet he is the happiest, sweetest boy. He is very mechanical and fixes things around the house and/or helps James with things. He joined the Church in October and we're hoping sometime in January he'll be sealed to us forever. I've given up restraint and often times cover his cheeks and forehead with mommy kisses and he just loves it. It's as if he cannot get enough affection. I find him wrapping his arms around me, leaning his head against my shoulder or pressing his cheek to mine at least five times or more a day. I know as he gets bigger this won't last but I'm loving it while it does. He played on a soccer team this fall, goes to scouts, took swimming lessons, is taking piano and starts playing basketball in January. He's had a lot of firsts this year. First birthday party, first Thanksgiving, first talk in Primary, and is looking forward with much anticipation to his first Christmas. He LOVES everything so Santa is having a blast shopping for him.



Midnight (our crabby cat) and Ella (our spoiled dog) fight 90% of the time, the other ten percent they cuddle together in front of the fire and Midnight has been caught grooming Ella. It's a very love/hate relationship.


We are so grateful for this time of year. For family and friends that enrich our lives and have followed our adoption adventure this year. We are so grateful for the gospel and Jesus Christ. May you all have a fabulous, happy, joyful & special Christmas.

Love,
The Richhart Family
(James, Wendy, Kambree, Austin, Devree, Alex, Rylee, Midight & Ella)