Merry Christmas

December 2011

Here we are at the end of another year, wondering where it went and hoping that you are doing well and enjoying this holiday season.  We are on the downhill slope of our time in Korea, and will be leaving this coming June.  We have decided to leave the Army at that time as well, and will likely return to New Mexico - but you never do know with us!

Hunter is in the fourth grade and loves to challenge us and his teacher.  He is a stellar reader and a big help around the house and with the little ones when he wants to be.  He started reading the Harry Potter books about a month ago and is sailing right through them.  He loves to play board games, swim, and wrestle with all the boys.  He and Kyler had 8 weeks of swim lessons in the summer.  We have had a few “bleeds” with him and Tristan while here, due to their mild hemophilia.

Kyler finally got to start Kindergarten and has a male teacher who must be the most structured person on earth, which is great for Kyler.  He has enjoyed being in Tae kwon do for the last year.  He is very loving and enthusiastic about life.  He always wants to save any treats he has to share with his brothers and dad.  He makes friends where ever he goes.

Tristan is a sweet little imp.  He is almost two and a half, and says new words every day.  He is now potty trained.  He has been able to model a bit here (clothing, head wear, etc.), which is fattening up the Lavallee Mission Fund (Kyler and Cambria have each done it once as well).  He loves to play, hang with his dad and brothers, cut paper with scissors, go anywhere and eat treats.

We have had the amazing blessing of welcoming little Cambria Rose into our family this year, on June 14.  She is a pure delight and full of smiles.  She already has six teeth, and is an accomplished sitter.  The Koreans especially enjoy her, as she smiles and engages with them.  We hope she will have a calming influence on her brothers.  Kyler particularly loves to hold her, and Tristan has been more interested in her of late as she is able to interact with him.  My mom was able to be here for two weeks when she was born, which was a huge relief!  We only wish she had stayed longer.

We go sight seeing when Dean has time off.  We recently went to Jeju Island, Korea’s version of Hawaii.  Traveling with all these children feels much like trying to move a military division.  It is awkward being swarmed and stared at by Koreans, as they give the kids lots of treats and touch them. “Normal” here is for the Koreans to come take Baby Cambria from us.  They bring her right back when she spits up all over them. 

I continually lower my personal expectations, as it leads to less disappointment over how much I am actually capable of doing these days.  I do try to get a little sewing and crafting in, and am slowly learning about quilting and photography.  Dean is kept busy by the Army, and has one more trip to the U.S. for continuing education before we move back.  He is a district (stake) clerk at church (dealing with finances, primarily), and I was released from primary recently and put in relief society, which was a welcome change.

We wish you a very Merry Christmas!

Dean, Becky, Hunter, Kyler, Tristan and Cambria Lavallee