The Year of 2008 for the Christensens

So I have just started thinking about a Christmas letter since it is "tradition"...my tradition. It is nice to have a record of the past year. Kim and I went shopping last night ...an unusual event where there were no missionaries coming or going, and no meetings. When we got home and reflected on this past year, we realized that it was a pretty quiet time at our house and not alot to write about. So here is a rough draft for you kids to consider, add to, take away and maybe if I get my act together, it will be sent off soon to all those that are wondering...what has happened to the Christensens. ( if that even exists).
Kim tried bees once more this year and got several more families to "adopt a hive". They had a good time spending the evenings making the hives and the true adventure came when the hives arrived and the bees were put in the boxes. Many of us sported swollen eyes, cheeks, and legs at church the next day. Kim's bees unfortunately did not thrive and once again he was left with just an empty box at the end of the summer. However, our garden produced exceptional abundance! Kim ran a 1/2 marathon with our daughter Brooke and is still working on his goal for 2008 of 800 miles. Our Stake has 14 wards and keeps Kim pretty busy. The whole family has enjoyed the benefits of Kim being employed by BYU and both of us did Y-BE-Fit this summer to try to last longer ( eating and physical workout stuff).
Wynette ( that would be me) participates in class that is studying Talmage's Jesus the Christ, a Spanish class, and Primary teacher's discussion group on the Teachings of the Prophets, Joseph Smith. I drag myself out of bed at 5:15 and kickbox on most mornings or run with Kim when he is feeling slow. I dream of the day when I can just sleep as long as I want...if there is such a day. I was Camp Director for my ward and my ward leaders decided we were the oldest ladies at camp. But we danced with the girls late at night when everyone else was just watching!
Brooke is in Salt Lake working for an Architecture firm and just bought a townhouse across from the new Orquirrah temple. She is in a regular ward having past the age for Single adults and is working just like Kim to put in 800 miles this year. She ran two 1/2 marathons and we are happy that her health is much better this year.
Ty and Nat continue to live in Bloomington, Indiana while Tyler works on his Learning Sciences PHD. He is teaching this year, was a speaker for EFY in Bloomington, and just recently ran a marathon. They bought their first townhouse, came to Lake Alice with us for the first time ( our yearly backpacking vacation) and came out when Bryce returned from South Africa. Natalie illustrated a school text book this year! They celebrated Sharon's first birthday while they were here in Nov. Eli turned three in August.
Kira finished her RN at the University of Arizona and is working at a hospital close to my sister in Tucson. She came out when Bryce came home and we enjoyed all being together for a few days. Kim and I visited Kira in Tucson last March and enjoyed seeing the Grand Canyon with her.
McKay did an internship in Portland this summer and loves the weather. He is at BYU working on a Landscape Management degree and continues to work for Robotronics forever. He works in a computer lab on campus also. He broke his collarbone playing Ultimate Frisbee ...his first broken anything.
Bryce came home from South Africa in October and is working part-time while waiting for the next semester of school to start. He has gone snowboarding once and continues to check the weather as he waits for snow to fall.
Dallin entered the MTC in Nov. His classes in Japanese have paid off as he prepares to serve in Sapporo Japan. Spanish Fork has sent many missionaries to Japan because of the Japanese program at the high school. Dallin spent the summer after his first year at BYU installing blinds for hotel chains. He traveled the entire United States and finished up by spending a month in Hawaii.
So this newsletter is pretty dry and typical which I will not claim as my style but that is what 2008 looks like in a nut shell.