A Christmas Hello

I hope this posting finds everyone healthy and happy on this wonderful day. I sit writing this at my in-laws house in South Carolina, enjoying the Christmas tree lights and a fire as the whirlwind morning of gift-opening comes to a close and calm returns. It rained this morning - a good southern downpour for quite awhile. I hear there is snow awaiting us back in Utah, and although the snow holds a magic of Christmas, I am truly enjoying the wet, warmer weather that reminds me of many good things I love - mostly my family.

We have spent this past week with Mike's family, and it has been so fun. The kids have been playing with cousins or as little Michael calls them, his friends. Tomorrow we'll trek down to Aiken, SC, to spend the next bit with my family. On Sunday, which is also our little Becca's 4th birthday, we'll have all of us kids there except Marianne and Joey. I am excited for that.

This year has been a busy but wonderful one for us. We bought our first home in May and now live in Clearfield, Utah. We have a great new ward and are loving making new friends. I am, of course, still involved with the music in the ward, serving as the ward music chairperson and the organist. The organ is a challenge for me, but I am getting better and usually enjoy it :) Michael is the ward Sunday School President, and is having fun training teachers.

Michael and I are also super busy with our jobs, which are both going well, and we are both very pleased and content with our work situations. I also had the incredible opportunity to be hired as the director of the new Clearfield City Children's Choir, which has been a fun challenge to get started, but is going well. I love working with kids and making music, so I'm just having a blast.

I also began composing music towards the end of last year. In April, I was able to direct a performance of an Easter canata I composed. It was an amazing experience. (I am working on a website with my music. www.shurtleffnotes.com. It will also include music arranged/composed by my mother-in-law and sister-in-law. It's still in progress, but let me know if you'd like updates once it's completed.)

The kids are great. Becca is learning to write, and she loves to draw faces. She is sure to include all the details, including eyelashes and cheeks. She's also an avid colorer and living room-dancer. I think Becca is also working on her acting skills, as she can be very sneaky and likes to twist around things we say to work for her interests. She is just full of personality, and we are enjoying watching her grow up.

Michael is an amazing helper and is the best of us all about putting his dishes in the sink when he's done eating. He is also a boy through and through. His favorite toys are matchbox cars, which he frequently carries around the house, sometimes even in is pockets. Second favorite toys are balls. Preferably ones that bounce. He is a very routine-oriented boy. He must sleep with all of his blankets (usually 5 or 6) and has to have his cup of water and particular stuffed animals. When we got here to SC, he had a hard time at first, because he only wanted to sleep in his own bed back home. It is cute to see the nuances of personality in both kids.

Well, I think that's about it for an annual update. Please feel free to browse the rest of the blog. Since returning to work at the office, my blogging has taken a nose dive, but there may be a bit there to read.

Merry Christmas to everyone!
Beth