Holiday Letter ...

Seasons Greetings from Snowy Colorado

The year started out a little hectic with two full months of minor touches to complete our new house. It took longer than expected but we finally moved in early March. We all love the new house and are thrilled to have lots of space. We’ve had several house parties, shop parties and even hosted Thanksgiving here with 19 people and room for more. Our only complaint is the upkeep, more to clean and more to mow! Neither one of us realized how much work it would be. The landscaping alone was Dwight’s full time job this summer.

Justin will turn 6 in January and started Kindergarten this fall. He is in a Core Knowledge program and is advancing academically each week. The best part is he loves school and is eager to go. Aside from school Justin is fully enjoying our new house. This past summer he learned how to ride his bike and spends hours riding around outside or inside the shop when the weather is bad. Currently he is fascinated with pirates, army toys and Batman.

Makenna turned 2 years old in November and is finally starting to talk. She is stubborn, adoring, independent, loveable, difficult, full of energy, in to everything, and a super helper. I’m not sure how we will survive the next sixteen years, but I can bet we are in for an adventure. She loves her baby dolls, Elmo and anything Justin has.

Dwight is very close to being retired. We still own Michael Trucking and have great guys that drive the trucks so Dwight is free to work on his own projects. Luckily we haven’t had any major breakdowns leaving truck maintenance and payroll his only major business responsibilities. The lack of driving hasn’t slowed Dwight down. He finds plenty to keep him busy and always has a project or two in the works. Fishing and enjoying our boat is his warm weather get away! Justin was his best fishing buddy this summer. The two of them make a great team.

I am so blessed to have the opportunity to be a “stay at home” mom. I love my free schedule and enjoy our family time together. I spent most of the past year organizing and unpacking. My craft room still needs some attention. I hope to have it in order soon so I can get back to scrap-booking, quilting and working on other craft projects. I was inspired by a friend to start a blog … now I am an official “blogger”. It’s been very therapeutic and enjoyable for me to write, take pictures and share stories about our family with others.

In October we took the boat and made a road trip to Branson, Missouri. We spent a week with my dad and his special friend Bobbye at his lake front condo. The week was full of sight seeing, fishing, shopping and much needed R&R. Even with a twelve-hour drive both directions this was one of the most relaxing vacations we have had in a long time.

Joyfully we welcomed a new niece and a great nephew into our family. My sister Lori gave birth to her fourth child, Emily Ann in July and our oldest niece Amanda delivered Memphis Jess a month early on Halloween night. Both babies are adorable and healthy. Sadly Dwight lost two very special friends this year. One of his best friends from high school, Vince Lucero who was also a groomsman in our wedding passed away in May. Craig White, Dwight’s very special cousin, passed away in October. Once again we are reminded that life is so precious. Embrace the ones you love!

Warmest wishes this Holiday Season … From our family to yours… Happy New Years!
The Michael Family

Dwight, Bonnie, Justin and Makenna