Hello, wonderful friends and family.
It’s been another year, another Christmas has arrived, and you have another Christmas letter from us! You’re so excited... I know!
The year 2009 has been a somewhat eventful year. We, like so many, are upside down on our house. Many calls to the bank has produced no help. Thankfully, we are able to afford our payments.. But sadly will not get a more ‘just’ loan. However, our growing family is bursting at the seams in this townhouse, gratefully we are able to buy a second home. (We will be renting out our townhouse.. if you know someone..) We hope to close next month... especially cause we have had an offer on a short sale since August. We are sad to leave our wonderful ward family, but we are anxious to be in a home that will allow a little elbow room for a family of our size.... and gender.
Yes, gender! On June 24, 2009 our family grew 2 more feet... and they are attached to a rather cute little BOY named Jaxon Joseph Ritchie. So, boy #3... 6 feet and 3 loud mouths... haha. I am discovering a lot of cans and cannots. I can write a shopping list, however to shop with 3 boys alone is cannot for me. I can take a shower, BUT I cannot without a quick prayer that everything and every boy will be the same when I get out. I can get house work done during nap time, but I cannot keep the boys from messing it up by dinner time. I can do laundry, although keeping up with it is also on my cannot list... especially when it comes to putting it away.
Derek... I am so grateful for him. Works, cleans, changes diapers, and just takes over when he’s home. He is still employed by Aztech Materials Testing, still is working on his ’69 Cougar, still wears the same pant size as he did in high school, and still loves me... Thank goodness! And he still comes home everyday, although with a buddy.. He picks up Deven everyday from school. (So glad he does, loading and unloading 3.. not so fun. My wonderful father also takes Deven to school. Again, so nice!) Yes, school. Deven is now 5 and in kindergarten. He loves his teacher, friends, music class, and homework.... haha, if he only knew. Funny “shorts” of his first year so far, school and non school related.... *He’s already kissed a girl *Thinks a proper use of a comma is De,ve,n *tells me Jaxon is still so cute and Lukas is still naughty *He lost his first and second tooth *Can read several sight words *Still loves cars *finds shaking his booty hilarious
Lukas.. My little sunshine NOT in bottle. I say NOT because he is everywhere! He’s like a little pinball and about as noisy. This year in September he turned 2, and I now fully understand the meaning, terrible twos. We did not experience this with Deven. My mom told me, “Krista, you just have to understand that Lukas is a normal two year old, Deven was not.” A few words to describe our Lukas.... Evil (Derek’s input), a little chatterbox (although he does speak english words some words are...NOT), tough, He is a proud older brother, but a rotten younger one, a good dancer, relentless, very curious (like George, which was also the theme of his birthday party), but very sweet... (He asks almost every time if you are ok after you sneeze or cough.)
Jaxon... Our LAST boy! I say this because if Heavenly Father wants us to have another child, He needs to send me some help. I need some girl time. I have 6 brothers and 1 sister... I need a little girl. I think I am owed. It’s definitely something He and I discuss often. Anyways, Jaxon who was a bushy brunette at birth, is now a silvery blonde (as Grandpa describes it). A few months of colic produced some tears, but he is a delight now-most of the time. At almost 5 months, he is rather large for his age nearing 20 lbs.
He’s been rolling since 2 months, and is rather enjoying eating food. He’s had rice, oatmeal, peas, and carrots. He seems to like it all, although it would have made for better pictures if he would have made some funny faces like the other two did. He did not make a single sour puss face- just eagerly kicking his legs to give him some more.
We hope you are in good spirits this year, and that your Christmas is all that it should be. Thanks for all the kindness, and love you bring to our family.
Lots of love,
Derek, Krista, Deven, Lukas, & Jaxon Ritchie
