Friday, January 4, 2013

The Christmas Letter

In an attempt to send out our Christmas Greetings before the 12 days of Christmas are over...I am afraid this year we will be doing so electronically....otherwise it may be Valentines day before you get it!
Merry Christmas...Here you go...

 Merry Christmas & Happy New Year
We hope that this letter finds you having a great close to Advent and Christmas season! We have been busy getting ready for our Surprise Mystery Trip that we are taking the kids on for their Christmas this year…lots to do, but always time for a “little” update letter from the Browns!  This year has been full of fun and adventures and below are a brief summary of some of our favorite adventures:
·        We traveled and had many fun adventures to Chicago, New Orleans, North Carolina, South Carolina, Houston, St. Louis, Indiana…just to name a few!
·        Malia is now 8 ½ and in 3rd grade.  She loves to read…and do science experiments. She is taking gymnastics and acro (a combination of dance and gymnastics) and is doing really well.  Malia loves music and we plan for her to start piano in the new year.  She made her first communion this past year…such a beautiful celebration! Mema, Grandpa Jim, Nanu, YaYa, and Paw Paw Tommy came up to celebrate with us! Malia is mommy’s helper, she is always trying to find ways to help out with the house and the other kids…her thoughtfulness is a true blessing!
·        Gianna is now 6 ½ and in 1st grade. She is really excelling at reading, and determined to read chapter books by the end of the year! She is also taking gymnastics and acro and hopes to take up ballet in the upcoming year. Gianna has really excelled in art…she is so creative and unique.  We are so proud of her and joke that she is the giggle princess in our family! Her laugh lights up the place! She and Malia had a great “daddy/daughter” trip as they went to Houston this past summer together to visit MiMi and Bapa!
·        Jeremiah is our Gentle Giant! He will be 5 in February and is doing great in Pre-k…It is hard to believe this little man once struggled to talk…he now loves to share stories and at school “write’ books about his adventures at home .  Jeremiah played soccer in the spring and fall and is now taking a tumbling class.  He is a ball of joy and energy…always watching out for his momma and brothers! He got will be joining his sisters in the fall at St. Gertrudes for Kindergarten!
·        Isaiah is our wild man! He loves wild animals, especially sharks. Most kids sleep with a blanket or lovey, this kid sleeps with a great white shark! He is all smiles and dancing…Any time there is music he busts a move! Isaiah does  mommy and me tumbling while Jeremiah takes gymnastics. He is a ball of energy as well…and loves to play wrestle with daddy!
·        We welcomed our newest member this past July 17th at 12:41 am .Tobias Charles-Marie weighted 8lbs and was 19 ¾ inches…He is our Captain cuteness! We had lots of great visitors after he was born…Grandma Beth, the Angelette Crew, Mimi, Mema and Grandpa Jim! Tobias is Always smiling, sleeping well , and eating great! He is now 5 months old and weighs over 16 lbs. He is rolling over and grabbing for everything! It looks like we may see some teeth soon too! He is a welcomed blessing to this family! We all love to take turns snuggling him!
·        Courtney continues to do great speaking, teaching, and coordinating/running retreats! They just hired him an assistant to help him keep up with all the requests that he is getting.  He took a break from training, but plays basketball weekly up at Church and is beginning a 60 day INSANITY program to jumpstart his training for a few races this year! Kelley is busy…can you imagine! 5 kiddos keep her on her toes. She is also starting INSANITY and plans to run a half marathon in May.  Kelley started a book group that meets once a month and is involved in two other prayer/book studies at Church.  She is enjoying the business of her life, and likes to take a break now and again to work on her new hobby…crochet!  We celebrated 9 years of marriage this past June…9 years…5 kids….not bad!
·        This year we said goodbye to Kelley’s grandfather, Ganga. It was a blessing to all be able to go to his funeral and celebrate his life.  This holiday season seems very different without him here! He and Moga were married 69 years…and we ask you please keep them in prayer this Christmas!
Kelley has also started a family blog and we invite you to sign up to receive updates on all that is going on in our life from day to day and to see pictures of the crew! cutechaosX5.blogspot.com.  Merry Christmas everyone! We pray your Holiday is full of the joy and hope found in the little Baby Jesus’ birth!
Love, Courtney, Kelley, Malia, Gianna, Jeremiah, Isaiah, &Tobias

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