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| Tanner, Kamryn, Kaylee, Brady, and McKenzie (left to right) at Temple Square. |
Kamryn turned 4 years old last August. She loves to play with her older brothers (Brady, in particular). She has been busy with dance and swimming lessons and really enjoys her preschool class.
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| Kamryn holding a chicken. |
Brady turns 10 years old just a few days before Christmas. He has been busy learning the piano and is very dedicated to practice. He had his sights on the football season starting, but a broken arm changed his plans (ironically, he was playing football with some friends when he broke his arm). He is doing really well in school.
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| Brady and Tanner. |
McKenzie turned 14 years old in May. She enjoys sports and was planning on another year on the track team, when she was sidelined after breaking her leg playing soccer in PE. So, she spent her time focusing on piano practice and has worked hard on developing her piano skills. She tried out for and made the Concert Singers, an advanced choir in school, and really enjoys singing with them.
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| McKenzie |
Kaylee turned 16 years old ---ugh--- and is driving and dating now. Despite the regular teasing she has to endure, she is actually a pretty good driver. It has been nice to have her run various errands for us as well as chauffeuring her siblings around to their various activities. Once again, she played Tennis for the America Fork High School Varsity team in first position. She met some tough competition, but that only made her more determined to practice. Kaylee also loves to sing and enjoyed going on tour this year to San Francisco with the American Fork High School Choirs. This year they took 1st place in the state competition.
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| Kaylee |
Melissa had an extremely busy year. She picked up running and participated in the Salt Lake 5K, Freedom Festival Fun Run, and the Snow Canyon 5K! She has set a large goal next year to run in the St. George Marathon in October! After 3 years she was released from the Primary Presidency and now enjoys having a church calling that is not as demanding on her time. We had a bumper crop of peaches of which she cleaned, peeled and bottled them up for storage. On top of it all, she endured surgery on her sinuses.
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| Melissa and Kamryn. |
Joe turned the big 4-0 this year and can't believe where the years have gone! He completed 4 marathons and various half marathons during 2010, reaching a goal he set in 2009. Just before Thanksgiving, he had surgery to remove his gallbladder, which had been giving him fits for quite a while. You could say that we are done with hospitals this year! Joe keeps busy with work and church responsibilities and enjoys his family and friends.
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| Joe after finishing the St. George Marathon. |
We should mention something about the new addition to our family, rather 15 new additions! Reports differ on how and when the decision was made, but somehow we ended up with 15 baby chicks, nine of which are now mature and are producing very fresh, delicious eggs. The other 6 are still growing (three of them are called "silkies" and are the weirdest looking critters imaginable).
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| Baby chicks. |
We are very grateful for family and the many friends who bless and enrich our lives. This Christmas, as with all other Christmases, we hope that the spirit of this great holiday will permeate our homes and our thoughts and that the true meaning will shine through us all by our words and deeds.
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| Merry Christmas! |
Wishing you warm greetings,
The Shimanek Family
