The return of
normalcy can be a beautiful thing. This year has felt different to the past
few, yet familiar. We have awakened to a rebirth of relationships, friendships,
and activities. While we are very glad to move away from masks, we are still a
little over eager with our hand sanitizer. We have been reminded of the
importance of friendships, church, and welcoming people into our home on a
regular basis. We have much to be thankful for this past year - Eric's
job, a few lovely vacations, a great school for the kids, and wonderful
friends and family.
Eric finished his
seventh year as a statistical analyst at Citizens Bank. He has been given more
responsibility as a manager this past year and led the summer intern program
for his organization. While he is mostly back in the office, we enjoy that he
has the flexibility to work from home. He has continued his hobby as a suburban
farmer and resident deer feeder. He volunteers in the Children's Ministry at
church and helps the boys with Cub Scouts and sports. He still plays in
his annual church softball league, provided for our family, and is
often found snuggling the girls to bed and listening to them chatter.
Anna continued her job as a home economist for her busy family
of six. She was finally successful in potty training her last child. She spends
her days cooking, cleaning, exploring, and loving the kids. She joined her
second year of Bible Study Fellowship and helps volunteer in childcare. She is
on leadership with the Highland Lakes Mom's Group where she plans service
projects for families in her neighborhood. She also volunteers in the
Children's Ministry at her church, volunteers with the kid's school PTO, and is
helping lead Clara's Girl Scout Troop. In her limited free time, she enjoys
yoga, reading, drinking coffee, and photography.
Edmund turned eleven this year. Edmund is now in 5th grade at
Walnut Creek. He continues to be thoughtful, independent and a natural problem
solver. He loves reading books and can almost always be found reading, building
with Lego, or running around outside with his siblings. He was diagnosed this
year with ADHD, which has been very helpful in working with him on his
executive function skills. We always knew he was a dreamy child, but are
grateful to be able to put our finger on what that actually meant. Edmund loves
reading Harry Potter, books on animals, or non-fiction books on machines. He
has sparked a love for Snap Circuits and is always building a new electrical
circuit. Edmund said goodbye to Snowflake the hamster and now has a new pet - a
gerbil named Joey. Edmund also enjoys climbing trees and riding his bike. He
joined the swim team over the summer, competed in his school's spelling bee,
plays violin with the Strings program at school, and played soccer this fall.
He also started his 5th and final year in Cub Scouts as an Arrow of Light.
Nathaniel turned nine this year. He is now in 3rd Grade at Walnut
Creek. He loves reading the Magic Treehouse and listening to Mom read the Harry
Potter series before bed. He is social, kind, and is a natural helper. He is
also strong, athletic, and full of energy and loves playing sports. Nathaniel
played his fifth year of baseball this past spring and joined the swim team
over the summer. He also is playing basketball through the OYAA school league
and he plaid soccer at Genoa Baptist. He is now in his third year in Cub Scouts
and won 2nd place in the Pinewood Derby and first place in the boat race, the
Raingutter Regatta. He loves playing football with this friends, singing
in the Christmas choir at church, building with Lego, playing
outside, climbing trees, and going places.
Clara turned seven this year. She is currently a 1st grader at
Walnut Creek and now goes to school full time. She is an excellent reader and
loves all things artistic. Clara finished her first year of tap dance at Straub
and is now taking ballet lessons. She also joined the swim team over the summer
and swam a 50 meter race at the end of the season. Clara has also joined Girl
Scouts and is excited to craft and make new friends. Clara loves running around
in her princess dresses, unicorns, having tea parties, drawing, and reading
books. She is outgoing, extremely verbal, and is always chatting. She loves
helping with everything and is always dreaming up creative projects to work on.
Emmalyn has turned four years old. She is darling and loves it when
people thinks she is funny. She can often be found making a crazy face trying
to get others to laugh. Emmalyn started her first year of preschool this fall
where she is making friends and loving being independent for a few hours each
week. She also loves going to BSF with mom, or as she calls it Bible School.
She loved going to her music class this past spring and swimming lessons. She
started her first year of dance this year. She loves playing games, drawing,
taking care of her stuffed animals, singing, dancing, and reading books. She
loves listening to Charlie Hope and Diane Patton. She is quiet in group
settings, but she can be wild when she is comfortable. She can often be found
washing her hands, building with magnatiles, and trying to keep up with her
siblings.
- Family vacation to Chicago
- Vacation to Northern Minnesota see the
Plantenberg Family
- Family vacation to Charlevoix
- Family mini vacation to Mohican State Park
- 4-H Camp with Life Group
- Outdoor Games birthday party for the boys
- Princess Tea birthday party for Emmalyn
and Clara
- Swim Team for the summer
- Trips to the pumpkin patch, apple
orchard, and local farm
This year has been busy. While always trying to limit our involvement, life goes by so fast with all there is to do. We are grateful for more togetherness with our kids, our health, our family, and all of our friends. We truly have so much to be thankful for. We are also thankful for being able to celebrate the birth of Christ, especially as we join together with all of our family this year.
Wishing all of you a
very Merry Christmas and hope your year was also full of connection,
friendship, and more time with loved ones!
<3 The Grashorns
