2014 Christmas Letter

Dear Family, Friends and Random Blog Stalkers,

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

2014 was such a great year and our kids are such perfect ages that I wish I could push a pause button on life. Alas, that is not a viable option; so all I can do is try to capture this year in a Christmas letter.

Prefers bow ties.

Will turned 8 this year and was baptized in June. Will wakes up every morning bright and cheery and says something like, "This is going to be the best day ever!" He likes to read, play legos and is a demon on the ski slope. He also likes to play the piano--especially "We wish you a Merry Christmas" over and over and over.

Bug and Lizard catcher extraordinaire.

John is 10 (almost 11) and just as awesome and hungry as ever.  He always brings in the groceries. When I ask him to do something, he answers, "Sure thing." He likes Ted Talks, math, Legos, robots and Mine Craft. Most nights he stays up way too late reading.

This spring Zoey took her 8th Grade parent trip with me to Paris. She was a delightful traveling companion and learned quickly how to navigate a foreign city. She was thrilled to finally finish middle school and finds high school slightly more tolerable. In September, she ran her first Ragnar with Lizzy and I.  She plays piano and viola, loves to read, eat chocolate and take long naps. 

Leaving on a backpacking trek at Philmont.

Lizzy is a senior in high school. I know, I know. It's terrible. She's pretty much set on going to BYU and studying to be an actuary.  She'd also be happy going to Utah State. She's senior class president and spends lots of time planning school fundraisers and activities. This fall she started a vlog, which I am in full support of because I'm terrible at phone calls and texting and want some method to stay in touch with her next year. Also, she's very entertaining.

Bill's still crazy busy with work and his church calling. Just thinking about his schedule makes me tired. He's getting better at managing his time and staying cheerful on little sleep. Also, the hospital keeps hiring more doctors for his team and that helps. He's been biking more this year, a habit Lizzy endorses wholeheartedly; because she gets his car.

My life is pretty much laundry and dishes or ignoring said laundry and dishes to write. I also spent a lot of time planning and preparing for our family's epic road trip. In July, we drove from San Diego to New York City in the minivan.

We spent a week in Philmont, New Mexico;

Dressed in our Sunday best while camping.

Spray painted cars in Amarillo;

Cadillac ranch.

Visited old friends in Dallas;

 Ate beignets in Shreveport;

Hiked and slid down rocks in North Carolina; 

Saw Gettysburg;

Where brother fought brother.

and spent a fabulous weekend in New York.

On the way home we visited church history sites.

The Sacred Grove.

Kirtland, Ohio

Nauvoo, where the kids learned to walk on stilts.

In Utah, we visited family and mountains.

Zoey and her cousin Lyla

Both Bill and I were sad to see the trip end. The kids were great all 6,000 miles. The most arguing  in the car was Bill and I bickering over directions and  even we improved at that. The whole trip deserves its own post but this will have to do. I haven't been blogging because I've been spending my free time on my own writing. More on that in a future blog post--stay tuned.

All in all it's been a great year.  Thanks for reading this letter. Only the most devoted friends (and stalkers) get this far. Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. 

Much Love, 

Ruth and the rest of the Mitchell Family


P.S. If you are in need of a little extra Christmas cheer, watch this clip it'll put you in the true Christmas spirit and it always makes me tear up.