The Barrett Family Christmas Letter 2015

Merry Christmas!

Greetings to family and friends! We hope this message finds you happy, healthy, and enjoying the holiday season. We had a busy but wonderful year. So busy, in fact, that we never had time to take a formal family photo. You can probably guess that from our sweaty clothes and squinty eyes in the picture above. This picture was taken from atop Picacho Peak, which we climbed in November. It was steep, dangerous, and exhausting, but standing at the summit was an incredible moment. Even though we may not look great much of the time, it is nice to know that we can face challenges together as a family and overcome them.

Nathan is still plugging away at his job as a senior transportation planner for the metropolitan planning organization.  He enjoys the work, and enjoys being able to look at the “big picture” and not just at transportation in a single city or town.  In January, he was called as a seminary teacher, and finished that school year with the junior and senior class.  This school year he is teaching the Old Testament to his class of sophomores.  Over the last year and half, Nathan has been focused on his goal of losing weight.  Since he started in the middle of 2014, he has lost close to 60 pounds.  The weight loss, the hiking, and his new obsession with golf have all combined to make him more active and healthy this year than he has been in a very long time. 

Adrianne has had a “transitional” year, in which she has gone from being a mom “home with the kids” to being an “empty nester” of sorts. At first, she applied to a few local jobs. None of them panned out, but she is planning on continuing her search when the time is right. For now, she is keeping busy teaching piano lessons, reading, exercising, cooking, and staying involved in church activities. She started out the year as our ward’s choir director; now, she is an Activity Day leader. Adrianne’s also volunteering for various service projects around town. She helps out at the girls’ school once a week, and is a volunteer library assistant once a week at another school. Having always wanted to work in a library, these few hours of service every week have been a dream come true for her.

Lorelai turned ten last August; to celebrate, she got her ears pierced. In every way, she continues to become less of a “kid” and more of a “young woman.” She is our most curious child; each day, she has new questions for her parents about every subject you can imagine. She also loves to crack wise and has a very sly sense of humor. Underneath her sarcastic exterior is a thoughtful, helpful girl who gladly volunteers to cook breakfast for other family members and who can now baby-sit her younger sisters with ease. Lorelai is the most voracious reader of the family; she always has ten or more novels “on rotation” in the house, and rarely goes anywhere without a book.

In school (she’s now in 5^th grade), Lorelai has joined the advanced jazz band ensemble; she loves playing the trombone! Last year, she had a role in the school’s production of Beauty and the Beast. This year, she is working as a crew member for the school’s next play. Somehow, she also finds time to practice piano, take dance classes, and attend Activity Days at church.

Celeste has grown in many ways this year. She is no longer our “tiny” little girl; she’s had a big growth spurt recently and is now almost a head taller than several of her friends in 2^nd grade. However, she is still “young at heart”; she is a cheerful chatterbox who loves to talk about just about anything (as long as she has an audience!). She has also been known to sing loudly in random locations just for the fun of it. Celeste is not shy about sharing her opinions, hopes, and dreams. At times, she seems fearless; she gets up to bear her testimony every fast Sunday, and she is beyond thrilled to have a part as a Munchkin in her school’s upcoming production of The Wizard of Oz.

Celeste is also taking a ballet/jazz dance class in our local dance studio, and started taking piano lessons from Mom this year. Clearly, this girl likes to perform! She also loves to go to church and participate in the activities there. This month, Celeste is turning eight years old, and she has chosen to be baptized in January. We are very proud of her and are excited to help her prepare for this big milestone in her life.

 

Aurora is an incurable “cuddle-bug” who is always happiest when sitting in someone’s lap, snuggling up next to a friend or a big sister, or being held in mom or dad’s arms. She knows how to turn on the charm, and she has her parents, Primary teachers, and schoolteachers alike wrapped around her finger thanks to her sweetness and good behavior. She is quick to offer help when asked, and her enthusiasm and friendliness has revealed her as the “social butterfly” of the family.

 

Aurora started kindergarten this fall and has thrown herself into her studies. She is one of the best readers in her class, and she regularly helps her teacher pass out papers and even help other kids with their classwork. Underneath her charm is a tough, bold competitor who loves to succeed, and we’re sure she has a lot of success ahead of her in the future! She will turn six years old in January, just in time to try out soccer for the first time; she’s very excited!

This year has been full of challenges, changes, and fun. We've traveled to Utah, Arizona, and Colorado; we've camped on beaches in Mexico; we've done our best to serve our communities and each other. Through all our experiences, one constant is the joy we feel in being an eternal family. We are humbled and grateful for our blessings, and we want to wish blessings, love, and peace to all of you as well in the coming year.