Our New Years Card (in lieu of a Christmas card)

We had a very busy 2009! So much so that I still have my Christmas decorations up as I type this. I claim that I’m stretching out the holidays and enjoying the lights on the garland too much to take it all down. Do you think anyone’s noticed that the lights haven’t been plugged in for a week now? How soon do you think we’ll get a letter from the homeowners association citing us? I do think Christmas came and went much too quickly this year and we had a brief period of mourning that the holidays are already over.

Here’s a quick rundown of what’s been going on in the Bell household…

Doug: Still working hard and wishing he could play as hard as he works. We spent Thanksgiving in Utah, catching up with extended family on both sides. Almost all of his immediate family met us in Salt Lake, which is no small feat. His favorite Christmas gift this year? The Wii. I surprised “the boys” with one, and that included Doug. He claims he’s up late playing Mario Kart so new races and vehicles will open up for the kids when they play, but I know what’s really going on.

Bode: Started kindergarten in August and loves it. All I ever really hear about is recess and PE, but those are the important things, right? He’s excited to be reading and loved playing real golf with Doug this summer. He stopped all programs and therapies for his sensory processing disorder and is doing so well. He’s come out of his shell socially to the point that I sometimes find myself cringing over his goofy antics. My friends assure me that he’s just behaving like a typical boy, which is (sometimes) fun to see! He adores and always wants to hold his baby sister. I think we may have a future baby whisperer on our hands. He will be 6 years old on the 28th of this month.

Keegen: Started preschool this year and it’s fun to watch him make his own friends, rather than always being Bode’s third wheel/tag-along. We skipped the “terrible twos” but are in the throes of the Tyrannical Threes. Holy attitude, Batman! He’s playing soccer this winter. And his wish for 2010 is “to run super-duper fast all the time.” He thinks his baby sister is “awesome,” enjoys trying to slingshot her out of the bouncy seat and loves flying his airplanes right.in.her.face. He will be 4 in April.

Soren: Born on September 28th, she’s got us all wrapped around her little finger. She’s this fat, happy, cuddly little thing which makes being up with her at 4 o’clock in the morning nearly tolerable. We’re so happy she joined our family. I didn’t think I’d be into the whole “girl” thing, but I love dressing her up and putting bows and flowers in her hair. I actually look forward to Sundays and going to church! Is it a problem that my 3 month old has more (and cuter) shoes than I do?

Ashlee: It’s been a year of gestating and lactating. And now, I’m just plugging along with the day to day of trying to keep everyone alive. It’s quite the balancing act. My dad commented that Soren sounds like an “easy baby.” I thought about that for a sec and realized, yes, she is an easy baby. But as I told him, in hindsight, it wasn’t that the boys were so difficult. I just think now that I’m on the third kid, I’ve finally figured out how to do this Mom gig. I’ll start saving now for my boys’ future therapy sessions. I quit work in June to be home full-time. I may have to rethink that one.

We wish you all a happy, healthy New Year!