Egbert Family Picture (Easter 2013)
Hello to all our wonderful friends and family!
We send our warmest holiday greetings to you and your families during this Christmas season! We love you, and miss you, and feel so very blessed to have such wonderful people in our lives. Our hearts are full of gratitude this month as we reflect upon the birth, life, and mission of our Savior Jesus Christ. He is the reason we celebrate Christmas and we honor him and share our testimonies of him that he lives and loves each one of us. We pray you may feel his spirit, love, joy, and peace in your homes this Christmas and upcoming year!
2013 was once again a wonderful year for our family! It didn’t come without its challenges and trials, but we feel fortunate for all lifes experiences – good and bad- as they help us to grow and smooth off some of our rough edges. Below is an update of our family.
Branson (8.5 Years old) went into 2nd grade this year and has seemed to mature right before our eyes. He has a strong desire to do what is right and this year has really matured in some very good ways. He often refuses to eat his dinner or allow me to dish him up any food until I have given myself some first with the comment,”ladies first Mom.” He also is such a HUGE help with Adalynn, often making her bottles for her, getting her blanky, helping her up and down from stools, reading to her, getting her shoes and socks on, and he’s even changed her diaper a time or too as well. Wow! Such a helpful boy! He truly loves his baby sister and is willing to do just about anything for her. Branson is also a great big brother to his little brothers as well. He loves to tease them, tell jokes, make funny faces, wrestle, and pretend they are super hero’s together.
This year Branson also had a bunch of FIRSTS. The biggest thing was that he was Baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Branson put a lot of time and thought into his decision to be baptized and even started reading the Book of Mormon on his own. He loved receiving his own set of scriptures for his 8th birthday and makes us laugh when his response to questions about recent mischief in our house is always, “I wouldn’t do that! I’ve been baptized!” ha ha. If only it were that easy! đ
This year Branson also got to take his first trip down to Mexico with our family for the Egbert family reunion cruise. He loved getting to see what another country was like, hearing a different language, and experiencing a new culture. I can tell already that he’s got his Mom and Dad’s travel bug just by the way that he loves looking at maps, figuring out where places are, and googling about the country and people. He loves geography and seeing new things.
This was also a big year for Brans, because he finally turned 8 and got to join the cub scouts! He has really enjoyed working on his badges with his Dad and loved creating and painting his first pinewood derby car! Brans is also learning some great things about self control and good health, and this year underwent a competition with his Mom to not eat sugar for a whole month! I’m happy to say that both Mom and Brans made the goal, and celebrated by going out on a date to a movie and lunch. đ
Brans continues to love to draw, write and illustrate stories, play on the computer, read National geographic and astronomy magazines, perform skits and plays, dance with his Mom after dinner, and hike and fish with his Dad. His favorite places to go to are the Wind Rivers (backpacking), and to our Logan Cabin.
We sure do love our little Brans Pants and all the joy and fun he brings to our family! He is such a great little boy who is so forgiving, and loving to his parents, and is kind and thoughtful to others (you should hear him pray!) I feel so blessed that I get to be Bransons mother and to see him grow into such a wonderful young man! He teaches me so much everyday.
Harrison (6.5 years old) went into the First grade this year under the direction of Miss Zylstra. Harry absolutely LOVES school and comes home several times a week with new “brag notes” from his teachers saying how well he listened or behaved. He’s even on the principles top 200’s list for kids with excellent behavior. But even with how well he’s doing…his one goal every day is to get a brag note for “being kind to others.” I so love my little sweet boy! He prays almost every night that he will be able to help someone and make new friends. What a good boy he is.
Harry this year also really matured and went from a boy who cried if he got a “girlish” color of bowl, to a boy who will now ASK for the girly color of bowl because it reminds him of his sister who he simply adores. đ Harry loves to crack knock knock jokes and has a giggle that is just contagious! He is super ticklish, has awesome kung fu moves, and he’s the first up after a movie to dance along with the credits (gets that from his Mom!) He is a great little reader, and especially enjoys reading from the kids Book of Mormon.
Some of Harry’s favorite things to do are to play games on the xbox, play wii dance, watch movies, play with his cousins, and play board games (like trouble, operation, Bohnanza, and Battleship) He also loves hiking, and camping, but he especially likes to FISH! Harry caught his first fish up at the Wind Rivers this year, and thought that was the best thing ever! Harry also loves to play just about any sport with his Mom or Dad, and his favorite places to go are to the Logan Cabin or to see his cousins.
Harry is also my most helpful and obedient child when it comes to anything that is work related. I am amazed with his great attitude every Saturday when doing jobs. It is not uncommon once he’s completed one task for him to come bounding into the room saying something like “Mom what can I do next?” or “Mom, that was so easy! You always give me the easiest jobs.” Often Harry will swim circles around his brothers in the amount of work he is able to do on any given Saturday and he almost always wins the “best attitude” marble that we bribe the kids with if they do their jobs without complaint. We sure are grateful for this wonderful little boy in our life who is so helpful, quick to do good, and slow to complain! He brightens our lives so much! đ
Harrys outfit one Saturday morning when reporting for “job duty.”
Dawson (5 in February) is such a Mommy’s boy and I love it! He is my little buddy that just loves to be wherever I am. If we are playing a game he always has to be on Mommy’s team. If we are at church, he has to be sitting either on my lap or right next to me. If we are watching a movie, he’s the first one to run over, share his blanket, and cuddle up. He simply melts my heart in a million and one ways. Often he will just nuzzle into me and say, “my Mommy” with the greatest affection and love in his voice. He simply just fills my days with joy and happiness! I love this little fella!
Dawson by far is the happiest of all our kids. He almost always has a smile on his face even when he KNOWS he’s in big trouble! I think he just know how hard to be mad at him when he’s so dang stinkin’ cute! đ But Dawson also is our most stubborn child especially when it comes to eating and he often times will simply REFUSE to eat dinner even though we made something we know he loves. He just doesn’t remember that he loves it and will look at it, melt to the floor, and then run into the other room shouting he’s not hungry and doesn’t want it! We’ve had to implement the “lot or a little” rule where he can choose to have a little bit of whatever we are having for dinner or a lot. That way we can at least get him to take one bite and almost always he will discover that he really does like it and then he will eat it up and ask for seconds. But once he’s made his mind up about something – there is very little you can do to change it. I’m hoping this means that he’ll be equally as stubborn when it comes to standing up for what is right! ha!
Dawson this year started preshcool for the first time and goes every Tuesday and Thursday to Miss Susan’s class. Both Branson and Harry had the same teacher when they were in preschool and we love her. I also get to go and help out in Dawsons classroom which is a real treat for both of us.
Dawson’s loves right now are anything game related (xbox, wii, tablet, Dad’s or Mom’s phone, computer, etc). And then his 2nd favorite thing to do is watch movies. We have had to really limit his time on the electronics though because he seriously would spend the whole day on them if we let him. On a positive note though, hes really good about getting his jobs done everyday now because he knows if he doesn’t than he doesn’t get to play any games or watch movies. At least we know what motivates him. đ
Dawson also really enjoys playing board games with his brothers, making people laugh, getting tickled, dancing with Mom, drawing pictures of roller coasters, and throwing balls back and forth to see how many times he can go without dropping them (he’s actually got a really great arm!) He also really loves going camping, having family movie nights, and helping Mommy make treats. đ We sure love our little Zazz and all the fun he brings into our family. He has such a happy countenance and can find joy and laughter in just about any situation. What a blessing he is to our lives. đ
Now on to little Adalynn (2 years old). What can I say about the worlds sweetest little girl!? Oh how we love this little Goo in our lives. And when I say “we” I mean ALL of us here in the Egbert house! đ Adalynn has all of us wrapped around her little finger and she can get pretty much anything she wants from any of us. All she has to do is to bat her cute little eyelashes, flash one of her super sweet smiles, and talk in her oh so adorable voice, and we all melt like butter. You couldn’t believe how many times a day we hear “oh she is so cute!” from each other. ha ha. We really all do adore her.
Adalynn has such a fun personality! She loves to get down and dirty with the boys playing in the dirt and catching bugs, but then she also has such a girly side too and loves when Mommy gives her “pretty toesies and fingers.” She also loves to be dressed up and have her hair done and asks me to do her “piggies” (pony tails) for her everyday. She likes bows and makeup (especially Mommy’s lip gloss, chapstick, and eyeliner), and loves it when Mommy has picnics and tea parties with “Ady” (thats what she calls herself) and her babies (dolls).
Adalynn has also recently become a wiz at anything electronics too, and has figured out that she can “swipe” her way to just about any game/camera/phone/text. She has learned just by watching how to get to the games on Mommy’s phone, how to get to the games on Adam’s tablet, and even how to get into Mom’s new touchscreen laptop! The bad part about that all this though is that she often just ends up pressing a lot of buttons and either “buys” extra lives on the games she’s playing, or she’ll text random people without me knowing, or she will call people and not hang up so that I’m getting charged for a whole bunch of minutes I don’t know I’m using (I have a pay as you go phone). ha ha! Its amazing how smart these little ones are!
Right now Adalynn is talking up a storm and is quite the little jabberbox. Adam will often ask me, “does she ever stop talking during the day?” She is always either singing songs (jingle bells, Fa ra ra ra ra, ra ra, ra ra, Love to see the temple, itsy bitsy, popcorn popping, or snowman) or she is just saying really sweet things (or not so sweet things depending on who she is talking to). One of the things that we do that I really love is that I will say, “Hey Ady!” and she will respond with “what?” and I will say, “I Love you!” Then she will pause and say, “I wuv uuuu Mommy!” She does this with any of us who do this with her. Its really cute. Another thing I do with her is that I’ll ask her questions like “are you Mommy’s pretty princess? Are you Mommy’s sweetie pie? Are you Mommy’s punkin’ pants? Are you Mommy’s muffin buns?” Things like that. But ALWAYS her answer is “No-oooo! I a Monkey!” ha ha!
In any case, we sure do love that Adalynn Jani of ours and are so grateful she joined our family. We just can’t imagine what life was ever like without her. She brings so much joy and happiness to our family and we all just adore and love her so much.
Adam: What can I say about this handsome man of mine who melts my heart each day? He truly is my knight, my hero, and the superman of my life! đ Adam loves me so very well, goes out of his way to make me feel special (even going so far as to arrange 12 different people to bring me 12 different notes he’s written and to give me a hershey’s kiss and hug so that I won’t miss him so much when he’s gone to India on long business trips). I really did luck out when I said yes to having Adam for eternity. He is such a blessing in my life! And as usual, even though Adam keeps insanely busy with work, his calling, traveling, and family, he somehow manages to make us all feel like we are his top priority. I sure do love that man of mine!
Ad hiking with the kids in Icicle Canyon, Washington
Adam continues to be a wonderful father who always makes time for his kids. I love how each night after he comes home from work that he gets really excited and runs around chasing, tickling, wrestling and hugging us all (I usually get a kiss)! But he is so good at greeting us with all the love in his heart. He also is always coming up with new fun things to do as a family and loves getting out and making memories together. He keeps the fun in our lives and is always up for an adventure!
Adam swimming with the kids in Leavenworth, Washington
Adam taking the boys on a canoe ride while backpacking the Wind Rivers (Wyoming)
In regards to Adam’s work at Adobe – this year Adam decided to switch things up a bit and in April he accepted a new position as a GSM Manager overseeing expanding Adobe’s technical consultant business in India. This has probably been Adam’s most challenging job yet, but one he finds great joy in.
Adam has really enjoyed traveling to India this year, and he has fallen in love with the food, people, and culture. This is really good news because with Adam’s new responsibilities has come the opportunity for our family to possibly MOVE to India this coming year. We haven’t made any concrete decisions yet (we are still waiting to find out what sort of package is offered), but we will say that we are REALLY excited about the idea of living abroad and the adventures that would most certainly come with that. đ Its an exciting time in the Egbert Family!
Adam at a park in Bangalore India in May
Adam riding an Elephant for the first time in India (August).
This year Adam continued his work as Ward Mission Leader in our church and has found great joy in serving along side the missionaries assigned to our stake. Adam usually goes out on visits every Wednesday with either the full time missionaries or ward missionaries and loves meeting and making friends with new and less active families.
My handsome Adam on a family reunion cruise we took with the Egberts in June.
Adam also continues to enjoy being active and this year was able to run a half marathon, try out bull riding for the first time (see below), and still loves exercising by riding his stationary and road bike, playing basketball, and getting in the occasional soccer game every chance he can.
One of Adam’s biggest highlights of the year though was when his awesome wife surprised him by renting a Mustang for their anniversary trip! He was in boy HEAVEN! đ
Sarah (age not necessary). As for me, life is pretty much the same. I get to be home with perfect little people all day and it doesn’t get too much better than that, does it!? ha ha. Although my kids test me in ways I never imagined, they also are my greatest joy and I truly do love being home with them (most days).
But even if I do have a hard day, I have a wonderful husband who knows what I need to fill my “love bucket” and who will go and be silly with me at a ward Valentines party so that I can spend an evening doing my true loves passion…DANCING!!! đ I love this picture of us from this last years party!
I also take my job of “travel director” “vacation planner,” and “activities coordinator” very seriously and always have fun planning our next family adventure! This year some of our favorite activities included a cruise to Mexico for the Egbert Family reunion, visiting Uncle Clint and Aunt Carol in California, a 12 day trip to Washington to visit Cam and Erin, A trip to Leavenworth WA to stay in our condo, several camping trips up Payson canyon, a Quick visit to our condo in St. George, visiting my Aunt Nellie and Unlce Joe in Idaho, a 5 Day backpacking trip to the Wind Rivers Range (Wyoming), several trips to our Logan cabin, Fall break in Steamboat Springs Colorado, and a couples get-away to Daytona Beach Florida! We sure do love making memories, visiting family, and seeing so much of the beautiful world God has created for us.
The highlight of the year for me, vacation wise, was actually a trip I was able to take with my Mom! This past March my Mom and I did our first ever Mom and daughter girls trip where we went to an all inclusive resort down in Xcaret Mexico for a week of peaceful bliss! It was seriously such an amazing trip for us both and an incredible gift for me to be able to spend that kind of quality time with my mother. I just absolutely adore my Mom and came away just feeling so eternally grateful to have been raised by such an incredible and wonderful woman! We sure had a ball together!
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In addition to taking lots of fun trips, this year I also stayed busy with my calling as a Sunday School teacher. Originally I had been called to teach an adult gospel doctrine class, but after only 1.5 years teaching that I was asked to instead teach the youth (ages 15-17) using a new program called “come follow me.” I was a little nervous at first, but quickly fell in love with the new program and with the kids in my class! And now I love it! In addition to teaching I also love doing family history and have really gotten more into that this year. I have found some amazing stories about my ancestors, and have found hundreds of people just from looking in a book someone in my family put together and then connecting that book to work others have done on ancestry.com. It has been such a fun experience for me and I have found so much joy discovering where I come from and the rich history my family has.
I also love volunteering at my kids schools, going on field trips with them, and helping out in their classrooms. In addition my hobbies include digitizing old journals and pictures, blogging, weightlifting, trying new healthy recipes, working in my yard, gardening, planting flowers, camping, hiking, and being in the sun every chance I can get! đ
We hope that your year has been rich and rewarding and filled with many moments of love, peace, and joy. Although life is full of ups and downs and many of our friends and family have suffered unimaginable trials and heartaches this year – we know that the sun always come out after it rains, and that love and joy live on. It is the rain in our lives that helps us to grow and we know we have a Savior who will help us every step of the way. We pray the Lord will bless and keep you this coming year and that you will feel of his love, his joy and his peace this holiday season!
All our love,
The Egberts
Please enjoy some random family pics
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