Merry Christmas

I had the best of intentions to get Christmas cards sent out this year, but alas, I have failed yet again...so this will have to suffice. I will get my act together next year (hopefully!)Here are the Thatcher ABC's of 2008 (in no particular order!):
A - After 2 years of work, work, work...
B - Danny graduated from BYU in April with his MBA. We were (and still are) very proud of him. Way to go!
C - Chicken nuggets have become extinct at our house as we are trying to develop some better eating habits among our offspring. It makes for quite an interesting dinner hour!
D - Dylan turned 2 in August. The terrible two's hit seemingly overnight. Although he can be a little destructive and such, he is so funny and fun to watch. He learns a lot everyday and is growing up so quickly.
E - In June, we learned that we were Expecting our 4th little one...a boy!
F - Got a job with Ford...lost a job with Ford!
G - Over the summer I lost two loved ones, my dear Grandma that we affectionately called GG and my dear friend, Ginger. At those times we were especially Grateful for the Gospel that gives us hope in a joyful reunion to come. (Many G's this year!)
H - Hot air balloons grace our skies daily and the kids never tire of pointing them out. They have become a little less frequent with the colder weather, but we still see them a couple of times a week.
I - After a scary turn of events, Danny was given a job at Intel...we were definitely blessed and looked out for in what otherwise could have been a very difficult time.
J - Jesse will be 7 next month...he's so grown up, I've already rounded him up! He is doing really well in the first grade and his teacher has nothing but good things to say.
K - He is also loving his Karate class.
L - Our new home abounds with Lots of rocks, dirt and overall brown-ness and very Little trees and grass...we Love it anyway!
M - We made a Move to...
N - New Mexico. And we actually love it...who knew?!
O - The kids are looking forward to Opening their presents on Christmas morning.
P - Poppy enjoys her little family and is looking forward to her new addition (and wishes that it wasn't still two months away!)
Q - Danny and I celebrated our 8th wedding anniversary in September and were amazed at how Quickly the time has flown. Time flies when you're having fun...at least that's what they say!
R - Rio Rancho is our new city.
S - Grace just turned 5 in September and missed the cut off for School by a few weeks, so to keep her occupied and socialized we started our Sugar and Spice club that meets once a week. So far, we have baked, made crafts and had a pajama party. Grace loves it. She loves learning to read and has a habit of Spelling out all the words she knows in regular conversation. She also loves her gymnastics class.
T - The kids love their Trampoline (with net, for those of you that were concerned!)
U - Many, many Ultrasounds for this little guy because of my Advanced Maternal Age status and the baby having fluid around his kidneys...what a blessing that he is all right.
V - We feel Very, Very blessed with how everything has fallen into place for us.
W - We love the Weather here in New Mexico although it can get pretty Windy at times. (we're told that we haven't seen nothing yet...apparently it gets crazy Windy in the spring time.)
X - We are eXcited to see what 2009 has in store for us! (I know...cheater, cheater!)
Y - Another Year down and many more to go!
Z - We enjoy our Zoo pass. The zoo here is a lot of fun and it also includes the botanical gardens and aquarium.

OK so that was way harder than I thought it would be and didn't turn out as cute and I wanted it to be...but it's late and it's what you get!

On a more serious note...
We are so grateful for this time of year that helps us to focus on the Savior and reminds us of the great love that He has for us. It is a time to reflect on our blessings and how we can better bless those around us. It is a joyous time and we are thankful to have this time to share the Christmas story with our children and help them to remember the true meaning of CHRISTmas. I love their innocence and their ease of believing. I pray that we can all have that child-like joy that Christmas brings in all its goodness.
Here's hoping that you all have a wonderful and blessed Christmas and a happy, happy new year.

Love,
The Thatchers