Bjorn & Becky November Letter

Here is the November family letter Becky wrote for her family, but the news is the same no matter who reads it.

Dear Family,

Birthday season is officially over. Now I can start thinking about Christmas! September and October at our house seem to be dominated by birthdays, at least in my mind. I enjoy thinking about each of the kids and how to make their day special.

Auriana’s birthday wish was to spend the night at Brenda’s with her 2 Pendleton cousins that are her age. Brenda was so great to take that on and share her Saturday afternoon and evening with three fifteen year olds. She spoiled them as usual and they had so much fun “hanging out” at her house. We gave Auriana a sewing machine for her birthday and she’s excited to learn how to quilt as a personal progress project. She has officially joined Natalie in her bread business. We found a great deal on a used mandolin that is much nicer than the one she’s been using for the last 8 years, so she’s is planning to earn the money to pay for it. She’s been invited to be part of a bluegrass band with some kids from around the area.

The next birthday was Enoch’s. He requested an obstacle course with friends, so Bjorn took over on that one. Enoch invited about 20 boys over and they dribbled a soccer ball around, through, under, and over all kinds of things. They also had a longest kick contest. We gave Enoch a watch that counts your steps, tells the temperature, and tells how fast you are going. I think it even tells the time! He played in his first piano festival yesterday. He played two duets with another boy and got a “superior” rating. He did a great job and said he wasn’t even nervous.

Natalie’s birthday was long awaited. She was the last girl in her primary class to graduate to Young Women, so she watched all of the other girls move on and go to girl’s camp without her. She waited very patiently, but was so excited to “finally” be twelve. They’ve asked her to play her violin in the primary program next week, but then she’ll officially be done with primary. She finished her Faith in God months ago, so her primary teacher got special permission to get her a Personal Progress book early and she’s been hard at work. Her birthday wish was to get new scriptures with tabs. We celebrated that day by taking her to the temple to perform baptisms for the dead. The three younger kids got to hang out with Rachel at her apartment for an hour. They had so much fun!

Yesterday was Ellie’s birthday and we had 20 kids here for a butterfly birthday carnival. Isaac helped me with the cupcake walk. Bjorn played Halloween bingo with the kids. Auriana helped them make butterfly bags. Natalie did a butterfly craft, and Enoch did the fishpond. All the shoes and socks were gone after the party, so I guess everyone found their parents and got home okay!! Earlier that morning we celebrated as a family and Ellie opened a little crib, stroller and a new doll that she quickly named Katie. She looked cute all day in her new butterfly outfit that Bjorn picked out for her. She finished out her birthday with a fun shopping outing with Brenda in the evening! She came home with some bubble gum and a cute new jacket and pants. She went to bed very happy!

Isaac and Miriam get to wait until Spring for our next “birthday season”! Isaac finished up his lawn-mowing business this week when the snow came. He estimates he made over $500 this summer. He’s trying to finish up his eagle project before the end of the year or so. He was recently called as Deacon’s quorum president, which has been a new, learning experience that he has handled very well. He is REALLY looking forward to basketball season in January!

Miriam had fun spending the day with Ellie on her birthday – they are so close in age and so good at sharing with each other, that I’m sure Miriam felt like it was her birthday too, with all the new toys to play with. They’ve been busy coloring and playing all morning. I enjoyed going on Miriam’s field trip with her this week to the new (and very amazing) BYU broadcasting building. We also went to a play at the Scera in Orem.

That's all for now.

-Bjorn & Becky