It’s our second Christmas here in North Ogden. We’ve settled in pretty well and are still working on getting to know our neighbors and getting involved in the community.
Jared is not currently working for the ski resort that brought us to this area. In fact, he’s working down in Utah County most of the time, but so far all the jobs have been for temporary contracts. We’re not sure what the next year or so will bring, but we’re doing our best to bloom where we’re planted. Jared has plenty of work and enjoys what he does. Get your requests in soon if you are planning to use him for tax help this year! Also of note, Jared is serving as the ward membership clerk, a job Jessica enjoys immensely as she often gets to sit on the stand with him while he counts attendance.
Jared has been able to travel for work several times this year, and he took Krista and Kylie with him to New York for one of the trips. He just returned from a week in Korea where he “ate everything”. He’s been back and forth to California and has gone to Vegas and Idaho as well.
Amy volunteers at the school a couple of afternoons a week. She enjoys helping kids in the reading programs and spending time in the school library. She is also a gospel doctrine teacher in Sunday school and serves on the Family History Committee.
Krista is a Sophomore at Weber High this year. She is doing well in school. Krista is learning to drive and has really improved since her birthday in August. She has very creative parking skills and is working up to freeway driving. Krista broke her elbow this summer while dancing and had to have a pin put in her arm. She’s recovered nicely but as the pin sticks out from the joint a bit she’s hoping to have the hardware removed. Krista has been told she will be getting her braces off in six weeks; the orthodontist has been saying that since August, but hope springs eternal and her smile will be lovely and well-aligned.
Kylie is a sixth grader at Bates Elementary. Kylie has a teacher who is taller than her for the first time in a couple of years. Ms. Wallace is over six feet tall and Kylie is approaching six feet very quickly. Ms. Wallace has encouraged Kylie to really push herself in school and gives the advanced students challenges to work on beyond their classroom work. Kylie is also taking piano (under duress) this year.
Krista and Kylie were both in the Nutcracker at the Peery Theater in Ogden in December.
April is in the third grade and is doing well. She still loves to draw and be creative. She’s come out of her shell a lot this year and participated in a few of the school and church performances without as much anxiety as she felt in past years. Her reading skills are improving and she’s learning how to cook a few things including brownies and hot chocolate. April is taking piano and enjoys it. She was one of the few kids in her class to get her piece memorized for the recital and play it through without errors.
Andrew is in the first grade Chinese – Mandarin Immersion program at Bates Elementary. He loves the program but does get frustrated some days when Mrs. Liang (who he has figured out does speak English) still just speaks to them in Chinese. Amy volunteers with the first graders (several hours a month are requested from the parents to facilitate the program) and is so impressed with the teachers and how much the kids are learning. Andrew is also taking dance this year. Andrew managed to grow out of his entire school wardrobe in less than three months, including shoes, and is an adorable beanpole who loves video games.
Jessica is a KINDERGARTNER! Yup, all the Stone kids are in school! Jessica does PM Kindergarten, so noon to 3pm. Her teacher, Mrs Koer, had a baby last week so she’s got a sub, Mrs Buck, for a couple of months. So far Jessica is still working on her not-talking-in-class skills, but she’s a chatterbox all the time so it’s an uphill battle. She loves her class and has learned a lot of new things. Jessica also takes dance. The weekend of Thanksgiving Jessica accidentally swallowed a quarter and ended up at Primary Childrens when it lodged in her esophagus. All turned out well, but it was more excitement than Amy needed.
Amy’s grandmother passed away in March and Amy and Jessica went to North Dakota for the funeral. They had a lovely time with the family and were grateful to go despite the sad occasion.
We took a family trip to California in August and had a great time at the Disney parks as well as going to the beach and spending time with friends and family from California.
Jared’s mother retired and moved out here to Utah from New Jersey in September. Jared flew out to New Jersey and drove back cross country with the moving van. Our family has enjoyed getting to see Jared’s mom more often.
We’ve been very blessed this year. Merry Christmas & Happy New Year.
