Our First-ever Christmas Newsletter! - Merry Christmas!!

Dear Family and Friends,

While we are not really the "newsletter type", we have so many inquiries as to how Nolan is doing that we wanted to be sure to include an update this Christmas. And, well, we can't really give an update on just Nolan, so the update grew to something more resembling a newsletter. *he-hem* So, without further ado – our newsletter:

Andrew is now in second grade! He has a passion for reading, still loves to build with K'Nex and Lego's, and has found a new hobby in building model airplanes. He loves his brothers and sisters and is very helpful with them. He is very engaging and interested in the world around him. He has a big heart and longs to help those in need. He is fond of his role as a protector, being the young man that he is. He and Nolan have fun dressing up as knights and protecting us from the dangers lurking in our closets!

Mia is in Kindergarten this year. She taught herself to read sometime last year while I wasn't looking, and she devours books like nothing else. She usually has three to four books going at once, and that's not including the ones she reads for our school day! She is a sweet and cheerful little girl, and ever-so-helpful around the house. She loves to cook, and makes lunch almost entirely by herself just about every day. She is a delight.

Riley is 4 ½ and quite a little character. She loves to take care of Gabriel and Nolan, though sometimes her "care" can be a little over-zealous. For the most part, though, they enjoy her mothering them. She is best friends with Mia and wants to be like her big sister in every way. She has a very lively spirit and is very humorous and quick to laugh. She loves to do any kind of art or craft, and is enjoying the early stages of learning to read.

Nolan is doing so very well! We are forever grateful to all who helped us get Nolan to National Jewish Hospital two years ago – it was life-changing for him and all of us. His skin is mostly healthy, with occasional upsets and is still incredibly contact-reactive. He suffers from multiple food allergies, but this year we were able to increase the foods in his diet to the point that he no longer needs a supplemental formula – which was a huge accomplishment! He also has asthma, which is quite scary at times with such a little guy, but he takes his treatments well when he needs them. He is a very cheerful, active three-year-old and we couldn't imagine life without him. We call him "the monkey", which, well - you just have to see him climb stuff to fully appreciate!

Gabriel is 15 months. He is often called "little bear", which is because he is so big and cuddly. He has a very sweet disposition and a huge, contagious smile. He loves to be outside, so these winter months will be long from his perspective! He is constantly babbling and into everything. He loves music and watching him dance is a hoot! His favorite *word* is "no thank you". This is communicated with an aggressive thrusting of the head from left to right in true Lester fashion.

Brian is doing well after a long year of trials in business, and an appendectomy on the side. I keep myself quite busy being his wife, managing our five kids, home-schooling, and blogging in my vast amounts of spare time. We celebrated our 10^th anniversary this year with an overnight trip to an amazing bed and breakfast in northern Indiana, and had anniversary pictures taken at the Indiana Dunes. It was refreshing and fun to reminisce over the last 10 years, and we are looking forward to many more together.

We wish you a very Merry Christmas!