It's a great feeling to sit down and write you all this time of year. We started the year with some goals we wanted to accomplish. When we bought our home in February 2012, we knew we needed to get the backyard leveled out so the kids can have a place to play. If you have visited us, you’ll remember how tiny our cul-de-sac is. So this year we set out to get the backyard done for the kids. Work started in April, and today, we have a big area leveled out for the kids to play, several areas for our gardens and another area for a firepit in the future. The deck is almost completed also. Thank you to Dad (Les Ward) for single handedly building it for us. We are truly grateful to him and his hard work.
The children are all growing fast. Sina is 11 and a 5th grader. She is independent, loves reading and is doing great in school. She loves spending time with friends, attending Activity Day and doing late night with friends. Leilani is in 4th grade, loves creating things from boxes, leftover fabric and anything she can find around the house. However, the girl hates reading. We hope that someday, that interest will finally be there. Tai is 8, in 3rd grade and is making lots of friends. Tai has always struggled with socializing with others but this year she has been able to make friends without too much problems. She loves to draw and will spend hours each day, alone, just drawing.
Lota is 7 and is in 1st grade. He loves school. According to Mrs. Haviland (his teacher), Lota is always the first to listen, first to start on each assignment, is helpful and follows the rules very well. She wishes everyone is like Lota. During our parent, teacher conference Mr. Haviland asked “This is nothing new to you guys. Right? He is like this all the time at home. Right?!” We both laughed. “Nope!”. We both responded. Lota loves school but he sees it as schoolwork is done at school and home is where he plays and have fun :o) Well, at least he is listening and doing what he is suppose to be doing at school.
Sefa is 5 and just missed the Kindergarten cut off. In Utah you have to be 5 by September 1st to get into Kindergarten. So he has 1 more year with his sister Tifa and Mom at home. He loves playing with his cars, monster trucks and trains. He and Lota both look forward to go to the Monster Truck show each year with Daddy. This year they went with Poppah and they had a blast. Sefa and Lota both love camping and this past May they made sure Keith did not forget about the Father and Son Campout. Tifa is 3 and is a little fireball. She loves to climb, swing, and do her own gymnastic moves on the bannister. She loves to play on the rings at the gym and is not afraid to sing in front of an audience. She loves spending time with her brother Sefa and loves watching Dora The Explorer. If she’s quiet, she’s either sleeping or causing havoc somewhere in the house. The older kids have learned to keep any special treat they may have, hidden up high from Tifa. If not, she will find it.
Keith has been working 2 jobs this year to pay for the backyard. Just last week he resigned from his job at ARUP Lab in Salt Lake. He now only works his Deer Valley job as the Maintenance Manager at the TrailsEnd Lodge. He recently opened up a CrossFit gym with two partners in Kaysville. He coaches 2 morning classes and continues to do his running. Rowena is our ward's 8-9 year old Activity Day girls leader. She still likes to scrapbook when she finds the time. She loves olympic and powerlifting. The kids keep her busy and working out keeps her sane.
Another wonderful year is coming to an end and our family would like to wish you all a Very Merry Christmas & Happy New year. We hope that this season brings to you much joy and happiness. And that you will feel the Saviors love during this busy time of year.
"It's ironic that at the same time our bellies are gaining weight during the holidays, our wallets are going on a diet and losing weight. Happy Holidays"
