MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!
I guess I should have cooked dinner tonight, but instead I get to write this letter. Last August we moved to Oahu, Hawaii and surprise, we’re still here! It’s great. We can wear shorts every day of the year and complain when the ocean water turns a frigid 75 degrees in the winter.
After many trips to the hospital and a month of bed rest, Beckett David John Kemper (and you thought EmilieAn was a mouthful) was born on March 7th. He looks just like Brenner, but on many days all I can see is David in those big eyes with cheeks nearly reaching his eyes. He’s dying to walk and loves eating solid foods, like refried beans.
Brenner completed Kindergarten and is now a great first grader. He loves to read, catch geckos, collect bugs, boogey board, play in the surf, jump on the trampoline, go camping, play T-ball, and race everywhere. He’s got lots of good friends in the neighborhood and the herd has a great time just walking (or riding on various modes of wheeled, child powered transportation) to school.
EmilieAn taught lots of scrapbooking classes before she had the baby and was quite popular with the local scrappers. Her return has been requested but the strain of child rearing has so far kept her from teaching. She helps outs with Brenner’s Tiger Scout den and helps her husband study for the eternal onslaught of military boards. I couldn’t have done it without her.
I’ve had a busy year with those military boards and leadership schools. This last month I’ve just really been enjoying the time with my family. I’m supposed to be helping the young men in our church ward but my frequent absence has not been helpful.
All in all our family is doing well. We think of and pray for our far away friends and family often but have met many great people here in Hawaii. We love visitors from the mainland but you must apply if you want to stay at the Kemper Inn. Some family has come and it has been great. We truly hope you are all doing well and send you best wishes for the New Year.
With much love and aloha
!!HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!
P.S. This was all mounted to the back of a very cute door hanger that Welcomed Christmas. I should have gotten a pic of it before I mailed them all out. I'll remember that next year; and to start as soon as the stores throw up decorations and selling the candy. Maybe then I'll be on top of stuff for next year.
