Our Every Memory

Family and Friends,

This year has been another exciting chapter in our little family. Mylie turned one in July, Braden started first grade, Bob packed in a non-stop year of school, and Julee has experienced being a home school mom and a public school mom all in one year.

Mylie the Explorer (17 months)

Mylie has grown a lot this year. She trots around swinging her hands back and forth finding fun things to do and experience. She loves playing with her big brother, Braden. Between the chasing, wrestling, and coloring it's hard to keep them apart. Mylie is a talented dancer. Almost any tune will get her to swing her hips. Some times she throws in this hand motion that is a real crowd pleaser.

Braden the Scholar (6 years)

Braden is enjoying the traditional public education experience. He was home schooled for kindergarten so first grade has been much more social for him. Everything from the school bus, recess, lunchtime, assemblies, and learning is a joy to him. His favorite subject is reading. He's always flipping through books and wanting us to read with him. Braden continues to surprise us with his imagination and unique sense of humor. Since starting first grade he's embraced singing more. He comes home singing songs he's learned and has been more open to learning the songs in Primary at church too.

Julee the Thrifty (Ageless)

Julee still typesets from home for my employer. She has enjoyed volunteering at Braden's school and getting involved. Julee gotten more serious about couponing this year and scours the internet and newspapers for savings. This has helped us in our grocery costs as well as building up our food supply. Julee is an avid blog reader and Facebook user. She finds many great ideas for cooking, sewing projects and a dozen other topics. Julee keeps her own blog at http://every-memory.blogspot.com. Julee and I celebrated our seventh happy year of marriage in March.

Bob the Workaholic (Age undisclosed)

I (Bob) still work at All-American Sports Posters in the marketing department. I develop our online presence and design various kinds of marketing materials. I am half way done with my classes at University of Phoenix online. I've been going non-stop since January. I will have a two week break for Christmas that I am very excited about. Come January 2011 I will complete my Bachelor's in Business Management. Besides family, work, and school I still find time to squeeze in designing a website for clients here and there. I keep a blog on my web or design projects as well as other Internet and tech related interests at http://71creative.blogspot.com.

Noteworthy Events

In March, my brother Brent, who I hadn't seen in a few years came to visit with one of his five daughters, Anya. It was a memorable week. For a day we had the entire family (all eight of us) in the same room. That had not happened for over 10 years.

In May, Braden and I saw the best movie of the year, Disney/Pixar's 'Up'. Every year I count down the days to the next Pixar movie. I keep a blog about my interest in Pixar at http://www.pixarology.com.

In September, during a camping trip in Cascade, Braden and I shared a first. There was a small lake with public kayaks. We both kayaked for the first time. Braden paddled by himself in his own kayak. He was very careful and in control.

Braden lost his two front bottom teeth in the fall. It was somewhat devastating to him when the first one fell out with no warning. The second came out after I bribed him to let me pull it out. We went to the dollar theater the next day.

We wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

With Love,

Bob, Julee, Braden, and Mylie Irish