Our 2008 Christmas Letter :)

For those of you who didn't get to read our Christmas Letter, Here it is...

A Very Merry Christmas (2008) to You!

It has been quite a year—filled with great things and not so great, but we’re thankful for our many blessings and especially for the Savior at this time.

Dad was released recently from his calling as the Primary 11-12 teacher and is now the ward mission leader. He is also now the president of the Nevada State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners and was awarded “Veterinarian of the Year” by Merial and Dairy Quality Assurance at the last AABP (American Association of Bovine Practitioners) meeting in Charlotte, North Carolina. He ran the Tahoe Xterra again this year in hopes of keeping young. (It’s not working!)

Mom was released as the Primary President and was called into Young Womens. She was then, once again, put into Primary as the Stake Primary President. She came up to Girls’ Camp at Buck’s Lake with me and had a lot of fun. Crammed into a “3-man tent”, she was convinced that it was not the same as a “3-woman tent”. She went down to take care of her mom in L.A. in November, who had cancer surgery. (The surgery went really well—she is almost fully recovered!) Mom has really enjoyed this year full of happiness and joy.

Jared, Zoila, Matthew, and Jacob have a new, little addition: Alysia Joanne. She was born on August 22. Jared is still working at a nuclear energy plant in Arizona, where he is now a controller. (Don’t worry—he doesn’t glow in the dark yet!)

Brandon, Camille, Easton, Lily, and Talon still live in Cedar City, Utah. Brandon is starting up a Maggie Moo’s Ice Cream Parlor in January, which is like Cold Stone, just yummy-er.

Darren and Marie now live in Henderson, Nevada, which is near Las Vegas. Darren still works at Kaforey Armstrong, an accounting firm, passed his CPA exam, and really enjoys his job. Marie continues to work for Bank of America and plans to graduate from UNR (online) next August.

Nathan is an eleven-year old seventh grader and is loving it. He is the ward organist (self-taught) and really likes it. His favorite class is jazz band, where he plays the piano. He also loves reading and listening to books on tape.

As for me, Chelsie, I am now officially a teenager at age thirteen. I am in eighth grade, and my favorite subject is (still) math. I have just finished taking an online class at Western Nevada Community College (Fallon’s local college) and hope to take another again soon! I am the Beehive President in our ward. And yes, I still play the piano and violin. I am a total Twilight fan, and I love the movie.

Each day is a gift and blessing, especially during this Christmas season. May your new year be a blessed one!

Love,
Chelsie
(and the Schank family--Craig, Debbie, and Nathan)