2011 Christmas Newsletter

2011 has been a wonderful year. We had a week stay-vacation early February, where we went to the Exploritorium in San Francisco and ate out, got some home maintainence done and made time to relaxed.  It was a great week.  Later in February, on the 26th, Ellie Jean was born.  She had a tough start, but she is stronger for it, as are Mark and I.  I bet we could say the same for many of you reading this letter!  Prayers and fasting work miracles.  We welcomed home Mom and Dad Lewis, they served an honorable mission in Germany.  We have had a missionary year- with Mom and Dad serving in Germany, our cousin Kyal Allphin who is serving in Northern CA, his first area was San Leandro, he ate at our house his first day on the mission.  We were able to feed him a couple times a month sometimes more.  It was so fun having him in our ward.  And my Brother Paul Edward Hinkson is serving in Sweeden as a Full time missionary!  We get to communicate with him via email.  We continue to rent out our home, on Durant Ave.  Just a few blocks away from where we live.  We have so enjoyed our 8 plus years of living so close to family.  2012 will bring a new adventure, with a move to come.

Hank turned 2 years old on March 5th.  He is such a smart kid!!  We go to story time at the library most every week.  He loves to suggest to Miss Tina the Story time librarian to sing "row, row a boat".  He surprises me with how many songs he knows.  It is amazing how well he speaks.  When he turned 2, he could say one word maybe two words at a time.  Now he says things like, "no, Mines not sleepy, Mom, can I watch a show".  OR, "Please, mom, kill Pirates with me".   It is amazing.  He loves his Nursery class at Church, he has a great imagination, loves to play with Legos, to watch shows, to play at the Park, and go to the Zoo (which we do lots, sometimes 3 times a month!)  He loves his little sister Ellie, he gives her kisses everyday.  We are lucky to have Hank!

Ellie is just 6 days away from being 10 months old.  She is so much fun.  She is a big ray of sunshine!  Her smile brings more love and happiness than we deserve.  She can sit, roll, bark, oh wait no that is the dog next door.  Well she can sit, roll around, pivet on her tummy, she just started to pull up onto small things like a low toy box, to see what she could grab.  She loves to make a mess while eating, she loves it when we sing songs!  She is litterally the best!

Mark is enjoying his time off from school before his last semester of electrical apprentincing.  He has worked so hard!  Getting pretty much straight A's during his 4.5 years of schooling.  Half a year to go.  Keep him in your prayers while he is finishes up this January thru May!  Mark has tackled a big project this past summer- The Chevy.  He and our friend Jack worked on the Malibu for hours this summer.  Hank was there to help out the guys too.  It is still a work in progress, but it is getting closer to being his dream car.  Mark keeps busy with Church being the Sunday School Pres.  He just headed up our wards Christmas party, which was awesome.   I am so lucky to be married to him.  He loves me so much!  I am blessed.

OK- I had a great year.  I got used to being a mom of two so quickly, it was like I always had two.  Well, I am sure I am forgetting a weary day here and there.  But I seemed to slip into a good routine with Hank and Ellie.  I am still always trying to get things organized.  I have donated more things to CARH and the DI trailer than I can count- this being the reason we could fit back into the apartment.  Which we are so blessed to live in.  I turned 30 this year and had a wonderful celebration.  I accomplished almost all my goals, still need to make a family tree display!  I keep busy with trips to Costco, Target, Safeway, the Zoo, the many Parks in good old San Leandro,Tuesday night YW activities, doing my Personal Progress, keeping and caring for home and family, playing and pretending with Hank!  My life is good!

We wish you a Merry Christmas and the BEST new Year!  Take some time to Thank your Heavenly Father for your blessings and for his son Jesus Christ.  We are so blessed because of him.  Be thankful for the reason for this wonderful season!  Our Savoirs birth is worth celebrating!  Our family goal and Gift for Jesus this year is to have FHE every single week! 

Love the Lewis Family