Dear Tate,

 Dear Tate,

Oh my kiddo.  My first baby.  My little lispy encyclopedia.  You're a teenager now.  And I gotta say, I kind of love it.  It makes my heart hurt if I ever slip and think about how few years we have left with you before you are grown, but I'm really loving 12 and 13 year old you.  You are kind, dedicated, responsible, helpful and you're conscious of those around you in new ways this year.  Tate, you're a stud.  

This year has been a good year.  COVID has been a beast this year. Shutting things down, forcing quarantines or virtual school and travel restrictions in phases but we hope there's a light at the end of the tunnel.  

We had a fun year of travel.  For spring break we escaped to Sri Lanka and stayed in a little jungle beach resort in our own little cozy family bungalow just steps from the beach with the biggest waves we've seen yet.  It was incredible.  Plenty of bugs and critters and a huge monitor lizard that lived beneath our bungalow but the waves were huge and the food was so yummy and we all got some feet and leg massages from the masseuse on site.  You and Finn could have played in the waves all day every day.  And we just about did.  We'd get beat up in the waves, debating whether to jump over, duck under or just stand and get smashed, then we'd take a break for lunch and head to the bungalow for an hour or two before more beach time and then dinner.  It was glorious.  We took a couple of day trips to Udawalawe and Kandy which meant a lot of hours in the car but we had some fun audiobooks that made the drives bearable.  

Last summer was very full as we made a ton of stops.  We started in Denver, made a quick trip so South Dakota to see Mount Rushmore and get your dad and I our drivers licenses.  Then we visited the Larsons in Kentucky for just a day, drove to visit Kenzie and Trevan and their kids in Virginia for a day which was far too short.  We got to meet your new baby cousin, Marlee and she was just the cutest little squish there ever was.  You love babies and you loved holding your new cousin and playing with Tucker all day.  

Next we drove to DC and Nana and Grandpa came with us to explore for a few days.  I've been wanting to do some US history stops during our summers for years and we finally felt like your guys were old enough this year to remember and to learn.  I loved those days in DC. We woke up for morning runs, walked for miles all over the city seeing museums and monuments and historical sites.  We ate delicious food and you guys were such troopers.  

After DC we drove to Gettysburg where we met up with Adam and Cami and their kids for a quick tour of the battlefield and then a day in Philadelphia.  It was again, too short, but so cool to see those places in person.  You had done your presentation on the Civil War and it was cool to have a some places to file with those facts you'd learned.  

We spent our last week in the US in New Hampshire which is always a highlight of the summer.  Swimming in lakes, hiking and eating such delicious food.  We all went together to a Red Sox game and I don't think you knew to expect what a powerful experience a game at Fenway can be. You, Finn, Glenn and Uncle Brendaen ended up finding seats down at the front and you sang, "Sweet Caroline", ate all the snacks and cheered with the crowd for the whole game.  You loved it which delighted your dad.  It's such an amazing place to see a baseball game and it was really fun to do as a whole family.

Our last trip of the year was to France with Carson and Mallo.  A new strain of COVID was wreaking havoc on our travel plans so we had to fly into Germany and drive to France where cases were a little lower at the time.  We stopped in Luxembourg for just a day and then to Paris.  We spent two days at Disneyland and two wandering Paris and seeing markets and museums.  We ate a ton of French bread and pastries.  We soaked in the Christmas lights and decorations.  And you, Finn and I rode all the roller coasters multiple times with Carson and Mallo while Glenn hung with the girls and rode smaller rides that they were tall enough for.  Tate, you are so fun to travel with.  You're getting to be more enthusiastic about the fun and unique stuff we see and it's really nice to see you openly appreciate our adventures together.  After Paris we drove to La Bresse for a few days to ski and also take a day trip to Colmar and Strasbourg.  You took to skiing so well and had a great time in your morning lessons and then taking off up the mountain with us in the afternoons.  It was a magical time in the snow.  All you wanted to do was find some powder and have a snowball fight and luckily we got in a few.

Last year during your 6th grade spring your dad started hosting pick up baseball games and then they turned into a short make-shift season.  You played on the team with Finn and your dad as the coach and you liked it.  Sports are not your favorite thing but you tried and had a good attitude which was not the way you used to deal with sports so it was a huge improvement.  In the fall baseball was more organized and we were allowed to officially have a season so you played on the Falcons team again and it was so great.  I loved going to your games every Thursday night and watching you swing your bat as your jauntily walked to the plate.  You didn't always make contact with the ball but you got a lot of walks and a few base hits and you were just happy to be there no matter what happened.  Getting you to stay focused on the game and cheer for your teammates while you were in the dugout was another matter as you would be happy to talk D&D with Reece and Conor every spare second you had.  It was a great season and so fun to see you enjoy the game.  

You joined run club with very little encouragement in January last year and you've been running with them twice a week ever since.  Coach Lindsey Law is just incredible.  She's provided this awesome opportunity to run as a group and some expert coaching along the way.  She plans a speed workout every Monday evening and a longer run on Wednesdays.  You've had a really good time and we have been incredibly proud of your dedication and grit.  Running is not easy and you're doing it independently and enjoying it too.  During the summer, Lindsey challenged you guys to run 50 miles and you had it done on the treadmill before we even left for repat.  I don't even care how fast you run.  The fact that moving your body is rewarding to you and you are motivated to do it makes me so proud of you.  You come home from run club sweaty and smiling.  In November some people in the community organized a set of races and you and a couple of your buddies signed up to run the 10K.  Max and Ben are fast runners and they took off and left you which made you a little disappointed but you kept running.  Your dad and I finished the 5K with Finn and the girls and came back to finish with you and you were a little bummed that your buddies didn't run with you but you were also determined and proud of yourself for running farther than you ever had before.  That was a very proud day, Tate.

Your food tastes have expanded a little bit this year and it's been so fun to see you try new things and get excited about good food.  You still love popcorn chicken and mac and cheese but you also love lemon curd, home made pesto and pasta, home made french bread, creme brulee.  Occasionally you'll have a Deacons Quorum activity or a celebration at school where you can bring treats and you always have an idea of something you want to make from scratch.  Buying something is never your first go-to suggestion.  You want to make confetti cookies, caramel popcorn, your own confetti cake for your birthday.  You're so much fun to talk food with and I love seeing you enjoy and geek out about food with me.  It's super fun.

Your first year in the Deacon's quorum was a good one.  You had great friends in there with you.  Particularly Reece Weitzel, Max Arnold, and Ben Weight.  You were very thoughtful and aware about the responsibility of holding the priesthood and you've really tried to live close to the spirit this year.  More than once you've been reading your scriptures at night and come down stairs to tearfully relate to your dad and I a verse you just read and how it touched your heart and you knew it was true.  You've born your testimony in church more frequently than I have and you're always willing to prepare a lesson or an activity.  It's been inspiring to see you take some initiative with your spirituality this year, Tate.

You have some really great friends and we're totally heartbroken that your two best buddies, the ones you fit with so easily, are moving back to the US this year.  Reece and Max.  We're going to miss their families terribly.  They're both such easy matches for ours as they have great kids who get along well with our family and are at ages that line up with us too.  I think I'm going to miss those two boys the most of all because I just love the kind of friends they are to you.  They are the kind of kids I would pick to be your friends.  They don't get in trouble, they don't push boundaries, they have hearts of gold, they are kind and imaginative and fun.  You have a few other buddies who you have clicked with this year in school and hopefully they'll stick around for a little bit.  Emily O'Reilly is a good buddy from school.  We love the O'Reilly family and have connected with them a lot this year as we've overlapped in kids classes and baseball teams.  It will be interesting to see what 8th and 9th grade bring for you as many kids start to test the limits a little more and feel a lot of angst about their independence.  And many of the kids here start to go to boarding school in 8th or 9th grade which will leave fewer kids for you to interact with.  I pray for you to find good friends who can see how incredible you are, Tate.  You are a goof and you are very much still coming into your own and sometimes miss social cues but you are, as of today, so happy to be you.  And it's such a huge blessing at 13 to just be happy being you.  I pray that confidence and satisfaction with everything you are stays with you through the next few years!

Tate, you are an excellent student.  During the height of the pandemic when you were in virtual school full time you absolutely blossomed.  You loved knowing that all of your work and every bit of information was completely in your control and you were so very responsible with your schedule, school work, practicing and chores.  You were nervous that going to school in person again would be overwhelming but you seem to be tackling 7th grade as masterfully as you did 6th.  You read constantly.  Your D&D manuals, novels from the library or novels on Sora on your laptop.  You finish multiple novels each week and love to tell us about the stories with incredible detail.  You have fantastic grades, you rarely have homework and when you do you get on it without any prodding from us.  You always do some of your family economy work or practicing in the mornings before school.  You are always the first one done with Saturday chores and more than happy to fix something if one of your chores needs a little more attention.  You always help when we ask you to empty the dishwasher or take out the trash.  You are responsible with your laptop and internet use.  You watch your little siblings for us when Glenn and I need a date night out.  You try hard to be patient with your little sisters.  You get along famously with your brother.  You're a model oldest son, Tate.  Honestly we couldn't have designed a more helpful, kind, willing boy.

Tate, we love you so much.  You make our family more fun, more peaceful, more happy. You've grown into a wonderful young man and I have a feeling teenager-hood is going to suit you just fine.  I love you and admire you and learn so much from you.  I feel very lucky to be your Mom, Tate.  

Happy birthday, Tate-o.

The world is yours,

Mom

Dear Taryn,

 Dear Taryn,

Oh little Miss T, I love you so much.  I just cannot believe that you're 7 years old.  That in one year you'll be old enough to be baptized!  You are a bundle of energy and fun and sass and silliness.  You are so darling and loving and we just adore you.  It's been a full year for you and we're excited to see what the coming year brings for you, little miss.

We had a busy year this year in our family.  Activities after school slowly started becoming available again and with you and Kenna old enough to be more involved we've had very busy evenings.  But it's also been really fun to see you and your siblings develop new talents and grow in new ways.  So I guess we'll put up with being really busy if we get to watch you shine.

We traveled more this year than last year, thankfully.  We had a great spring break trip to Sri Lanka.  We spent a week in a bungalow just off the the beach.  You loved petting the dogs that lived on the property, finding hermit crabs, and trying to spot the huge monitor that lived beneath our bungalow.  You did not love the massive spider that made an appearance in the bathroom one night but you were surprisingly brave and cool with all the little critters and bugs.  You LOVED seeing the huge waves and could have played in them all day every day.  They were the biggest waves we've seen yet as a family and we had to be a little careful with you and your sister.  You'd come out in the water with your dad and I in our arms until we were too tired to hold you and get smashed by the waves and then you'd head back to the beach and play in the waves where you could touch.  You loved collecting shells and building creations in the sand.  We visited an elephant preserve and made a trip up to Kandy to explore.  It was a lot of driving a few days and a lot of time on the beach others.  You were so happy in the car as long as we had an audio book.  You've really grown to love audiobooks this year and prefer to always have one playing, even in the house.

Our summer in the U.S. was busy this year.  We went to Denver then saw Mount Rushmore in South Dakota, then we visited the Larsons in Kentucky for just a day.  Then we drove to Virginia where Kenzie, Trevan and Tucker were spending their summer to meet your new cousin baby Marlee.  She was the cutest little squish and you were absolutely thrilled to have a turn holding her.  You came into your own singing voice this summer and sing loud and proud in your exaggerated operatic voice with plenty of vibrato.  You almost died of happiness when I was holding Marlee and she was fussy but you came over and sang, "Somewhere over the rainbow" to her and she fell asleep. You were beyond proud.  

Next we drove to DC where we spent a very full few days with Nana and Grandpa exploring all the museums and monuments.  We'd done some research projects to prepare and I have been so looking forward to taking you kids to DC and learning about American history.  You did your presentation on the the space program in anticipation of going to the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum.  We walked miles and miles every day in the hot summer sun but you and your siblings were troopers.  At the end of one long day we found a shallow pool to splash in and you and your sibling had such a great time cooling off and making friends with new kids.  You learned how to cartwheel this year and you cartwheel every moment you can.  It was fun to take pictures and videos of you cartwheeling all over the country this summer.

After DC we went to Pennsylvania to tour Gettysburg with Adam and Cami and their kids.  Then after a quick day in Philadelphia we drove to New Hampshire for the end of our repat.  It was a very full summer with so much driving but you guys were so amazing.  

Our last trip of the year was to France with Mallo and Carson.  With a new strain of COVID on the rise things were starting to shut down left and right but we made it in and made it home just in time.  We spent one day in Luxembourg and then drove to Paris.  We explored museums, spent two days at Disney, and wandered around Paris seeing the sights and stopping frequently for snacks.  After a few days in Paris we went skiing in La Bresse.  Taryn, you have no fear when you have skis strapped to your feet.  It is astounding to me every time we take you skiing how quickly you can pick it up again!  You had lessons a couple of mornings and then you went up the mountain with us for the first time this year in the afternoons.  You were so fearless. You were beyond proud that you were old enough and advanced enough to join the whole family on a few runs.  You just liked to point your skis down the mountain and go.  We tried to convince you that turning to burn off speed and maintain a bit more control was the ticket but you didn't always want to ski that way.  Mallo and I mentioned many times how amazing it was to see you and your sister tackle something that is so unnatural to us with such abandon.  We ended the days so tired and so satisfied.  There's something really filling and exciting about learning something new and getting better at it. 

Taryn you are a pretty good eater for a 6 year old.  You love fruit.  Mango is probably your favorite.  You don't especially care for bananas but you'll eat most any other fruit.  You don't like most vegetables and when they're on your plate you usually ignore them.  We can convince you to eat bell peppers, especially if there's a dip of some kind, and salad if there's a yummy dressing.  Otherwise, you'll pass.  Usually politely so that's a win.  You love pasta with white sauce, pancakes, mac and cheese, and your favorite meal is a quick crock pot chile with cans of veggies, chicken, and cream cheese which you call "cheese chicken chile".  We usually have it at least a couple of times a month because it's helpful to have something done in the crock pot on busy nights and it's a something everyone will eat.  You love to help in the kitchen but you don't have to be present for every step like you used to.  You've got other things to do!

Kindergarten was a good year for you.  Your teacher, Ms. Ami was a good fit.  She tried hard to make the most of a really challenging year and she loved you.  She loved your spunk and energy and found your personality delightful which, as a parent, was so wonderful.  You were noticeably behind in reading at the end of kindergarten and your dad and I had started to wonder if something was going on in your little brain that made it extra challenging for you.  We did some research and a lot of your challenging moments and the heightened emotions you seem to struggle with sometimes seemed to line up with ADHD symptoms.  We talked to our doctor in CO and she agreed that it sounded like ADHD.  When we got back to Saudi we had a couple of appointments, did more research, and prayed a lot and decided that trying some medication felt like the right step for you right now.  You took it all really well and seemed to understand that every body and every brain is a little different.  You liked the analogy of having a race car brain with bicycle brakes and having some tools and training to strengthen your brakes has helped you enormously not just academically but socially as well.  This year you've been able to remember friends' names from school.  You've been able to relate more details about your school day at lunch and at the end of the day.  You still struggle with big emotions and sometimes you have a hard time controlling those impulses when you're overwhelmed with big feelings but you're doing so much better and trying hard. 

1st grade has been great so far.  Your teacher is Ms. Auchterlonie.  She adores you.  She loves the energy and fun you bring to class.  She gushes about how grateful and helpful you are.  She's seen your huge improvement this year and she knows you and loves you.  We've been so lucky with your teachers, Taryn babe.  We had a parent teacher conference with Ms. Auchterlonie just 6 weeks into the school year and we knew she understood you when she told us how much she loves your "exuberance".  What a perfect term for 6 year old you.  

You've been incredibly lucky, like your brother Finn, to benefit from morning tutoring sessions with Ms. LeNae Boyett.  She is a treasure.  She agreed to meet with you last fall and we talked about some things that we were worried about.  You struggled to remember names and sounds of letters.  Sounding out words was overwhelming and writing was just impossible.  She agreed to work with you every morning for 30 minutes before school and you have loved every single day.  She lets you pick a prize at the end of every work week and you live for those Thursday prize days.  She's helped you in so many ways beyond just reading and writing.  You have more confidence and tolerance for reading and writing when they get hard because you know you can do them now.  It has been a huge blessing in your life to have Ms. LeNae help you get on top of reading and writing and now you love it.  You love reading and you are so proud of your writing from school.  It's been an incredible blessing.  

This year you tried soccer in the fall of your 1st grade year and absolutely loved it.  Your dad coached your team which made you so proud to begin with.  You LOVED running and you were so happy to get right in the mix and get the ball.  I think it's a great sport for little you.  You also started choir with Ms. Kellie this year.  You're in the same choir as Finn and Kenna and I love doing the pick up car pool from choir because you and your buddies come out of choir so happy and singing all the way home.  

You have good little buddies.  When I come to you classroom at school everyone knows you and you seem to get along with everyone.  When it came time to make your birthday list it was really hard to narrow down how many kids from your class you could invite.  You and Kenna chose to have an arts and crafts birthday and had such a good time celebrating and crafting for a couple of hours with your buddies.  Your best buddies are probably Addie Weitzel and Lucette and Clara Arnold. Both of their families are moving back to the US this year so it will be difficult next year without them.  Their families have been so good to us and we'll miss them so much.

You are a good sister and daughter, little one.  You have a lot of energy and enthusiasm.  You aren't afraid to tell someone if they're bothering you, you know your siblings buttons and you occasionally relish in pushing them over and over.  But you also love writing kind notes and drawing pictures for people.  Any time you have treats from a holiday, we find you for the next week writing notes to people you care about and taping pieces of candy to them until all of your candy is gone and you are thrilled with the choice you made.  You could wrestle for half an hour and you can just as easily sit and color a coloring page for half an hour.  You do not love doing chores and sometimes it takes some mentoring and re-checking to get things done the right way but eventually we get there.  You know who you are and you seem to like it. You are strong and determined and any pushing or directing is not usually welcomed.  I love your strength, Taryn.  You have so much confidence and spark.  It's a thing of beauty.  

Taryn, this year has been difficult in new and old ways.  But you've weathered the storm with our family team and we're better for it.  We love you as tight as your hugs and as big as your smile.  You're a treasure to our family, Miss T.  

Happy birthday, little girl.  

The world is yours,

Mom

Dear Kenna,

Dear Kenna,

Oh my little brown-eyed lass, how I love you.  I loved 6 year old you and I think 7 year old you and I are going to get along just fine.  You are a gentle, kind, huge-hearted girl and you make our family so much more fun with your silly faces and your incredible hugs.  You're an absolute treasure and everyone who meets you falls in love with you.  

This year has been a great year for our family.  We had a super fun spring break trip to Sri Lanka.  We stayed in this snug little bungalow steps from the beach.  You made friends with hermit crabs and soaked up so much sun on the beach.  You could have played in the enormous waves all day every day.  They were the biggest waves we've seen yet as a family and we had to be a little careful with you and your sister.  You'd come out with your dad and I in our arms until we were too tired to hold you and get smashed by the waves and then you'd head back to the beach and play in the waves where you could touch.  You found countless shells that you piled up on our porch.  You built sand castles and motes and swimming pools in the sand.  We had a really restorative trip as a family.  

Our summer in the U.S. was really busy this year.  We went to Denver then saw Mount Rushmore in South Dakota, then we visited the Larsons in Kentucky for just a day.  I think Ziggy remembered you and Taryn and tried his best to stay out of your reach.  Cute little pup.  Then we drove to Virginia where Kenzie, Trevan and Tucker were spending their summer to meet your new cousin baby Marlee.  She was the cutest little squish and you were spellbound holding her in your arms.  She's very lucky to have you as a big girl cousin and you're so lucky to have her too.  You adore babies and you'll be so good to her as she grows up.  

Next we drove to DC where we spent a very full few days with Nana and Grandpa exploring all the museums and monuments.  We'd done some research projects to prepare and I have been so looking forward to taking you kids to DC and learning about American history.  You did your presentation on the Lincoln monument and were so proud of all the little facts you learned.  We walked miles and miles every day in the hot summer sun but you and your siblings were troopers.  At the end of one long day we found a shallow pool to splash in and you and your sibling had such a great time cooling off and making friends with new kids.

After DC we went to Pennsylvania to tour Gettysburg with Adam and Cami and their kids.  Then after a quick day in Philadelphia we drove to New Hampshire for the end of our repat.  It was a very full summer with to much driving but you guys absolutely adore audio books so we made our way through a couple throughout the summer and you guys were fantastic sports about all the car time.

Our last trip of your 6th year was to France with Mallo and Carson.  With a new strain of COVID on the rise things were starting to shut down left and right but we made it in and made it home just in time.  We spent one day in Luxembourg and then drove to Paris.  We explored museums, spent two days at Disney, and wandered around Paris seeing the sights and stopping frequently for snacks.  After a few days in Paris we went skiing in La Bresse.  Oh Kenna girl you took off this year.  It it astounding to me every time we take you skiing how quickly you can pick it up again!  It's not a natural experience for me but you kids just get better every time even though we ski so infrequently.  You had lessons a couple of mornings and then you went up the mountain with us for the first time this year.  You were so fearless.  I was more worried about your ability to control your speed and direction than your dad was.  You just liked to point your skis down the mountain and go.  We tried to convince you that turning to burn off speed and maintain a bit more control was the ticket but you didn't always want to ski that way.  We ended the days so tired and so satisfied.  There's something really filling and exciting about learning something new and getting better at it.  

Kenna you're a pretty good little eater.  You can do without most vegetables but you LOVE fruits.  You eat bananas every day.  You love pears and mango and papaya most of all.  You'll eat handfuls of berries when we buy them.  You're not super excited about meat.  It just takes you so long to chew and you always chew with your front teeth, a habit we're trying to adjust.  You've started to get a little bit feistier about foods for dinner than you don't enjoy but usually you'll just sit with us and not eat if you don't care for what we're having.  You love juice but don't like soda.  You love cookies but can't stand marshmallows.  You like cake but don't love frosting.  You're a funny little lady.

This year you've absolutely taken off in reading.  You started picking it up last year in Kindergarten with Mr. Graham.  Man, he was such a great teacher.  He navigated all the ups and downs of a complicated COVID school year with such determination and positivity.  There were phases of virtual school for every class but that last month or two of school I think your class was in quarantine three times.  It was so hard.  And you just made it back to school for the last two days of in-person class of the year.  Eesh, I'm glad that's over with.  It was really fun to have just one kiddo home to spend time with after their few hours of virtual school was done, but the constant uncertainty of whether or not you'll be going to school was really hard for everyone.  This year you're in first grade with Ms. Michie.  She's such a good fit for you, Kenna.  I feel like we've been oh so lucky.  She adores you, as she should, and she also knows how to push you just a little outside of your comfort zone so you can grow.  At the beginning of the year she told you that you were ready for writing paper with more lines and smaller pictures and that you were capable of writing more than two pages in a book.  She said she circled back to you a few minutes later and you looked a little teary.  She helped you get started and expressed her confidence in your writing abilities and then you just took off.  You've become such an incredible little writer this year.  It's so fun to see you come alive with ideas and just HAVE to get some paper to write a new story RIGHT NOW!  You're also constantly reading.  Your dad and I have started taking pictures of different items you use around the house as bookmarks when you're in the middle of a book and have to go somewhere you just grab whatever is nearby to stick in your book because you are loath to lose your spot.  You've used remotes, bowls, rolls of tape, a container of quinoa, anything and everything.  It's darling.  You always have a book in your hand.  On the bus, in the car, often at the store too and you really try to sneak them to the table for mealtime.  Every day there are more books scattered around the house as books from the library migrate down in your hands.

This year you tried coach pitch baseball in the spring with Coach Paul as your coach.  I think you liked hanging out with your friends just as much as you liked playing baseball.  You weren't super serious but you enjoyed having something to do.  You loved when Finn or your dad would make time to play catch with you or throw a ball so you could swing a bat.  It makes you feel so important to be part of a fun sport.

You have good little buddies.  You often come home from school with notes from classmates saying that you're the best friend ever and it makes you so happy.  You write notes and draw pictures for people constantly.  Being kind to people is a natural gift and something that just lights you up inside.  Once you came home from school practically leaping through the door, flung your arms out wide and shouted, "I have so many FRIENDS!!!!"  It was so sweet.  And true.  Anyone who knows you, loves you.  You've had a few best buddies here in Saudi who have been easy friends because our families line up so nicely and they'll all leave this year.  I think that will be a challenge for you and for our family to lose the Arnolds and Weitzels.  Addie, Lucette and Clara have been your buddies practically your whole life.  But I know you'll be okay because you are so good at making friends.

Kenna, you are a special little lady in our family.  You always have a sweet note or a big hug and kind word for anyone who is struggling or sad.  You can read the mood in the room and I can practically see you soaking it up.  You've gotten a little more defiant and assertive this year, which is so frustrating at times but I'm also a little proud of you.  You've been so easy going and it's nice to see you standing up for yourself and putting your foot down a little more, trying to figure out how strong you can be and how much you can do.  It's been good to see the strength with the sugary sweet.  You're a good sister.  You and Taryn get a long most of the time and sometimes you're non-stop arguing because there's no one in the world who knows you better and knows how to push your buttons faster than Taryn, and you, miss Kenna, know just how to push hers too.  You two could craft for hours together at the table.  You love to read books and often get lost in the library and we find you surrounded by a pile of books you've been through.  You get a long really well with your brothers.  You love when they play with you.  You love playing card games together, especially cover your assets and sleeping queens.  You also love to watch them play video games and comment on how good they're doing or suggesting their next move.  You're a supportive and kind sister and we are very aware of how lucky we are to have you on our little family team.  

Kenna, we love you so much, babe.  You're growing up to be such an incredible little lady.  You love to dress up but don't love the time and inconvenience of curling your hair.  You love fancy dresses but prefer cozy leggings and tee-shirts.  You are energetic and playful and you also love to snuggle up under a quilt and watch a movie.  Alone time with Mom and Dad makes you so happy, and you're also a great family team player.  It's so hard to believe that you'll be 8 years old and ready to be baptized next year.  It's been a phenomenal year, miss K.  I'm excited to see what you'll do and how you'll amaze us next.  

We love you so much, Kenna girl.  Happiest birthday, little lady.

The world is yours,

Momma

Dear Finn,

 Dear Finn,

You are 10 years old now.  Ten.  Two digits in your age now.  All of your fingers.  Finn you are such a great kid.  It's been a crazy year and while there have definitely been times when the uncertainty and stress have gotten to you, for the most part you've just kind of rolled with the punches, chosen to look for the positives and made goofy faces and silly voices all along the way because that's just who you are.  It's a gift, kiddo.  You have a gift for bringing positive energy into whatever space you enter and making it more happy, lighter, and more easy going.  

COVID is still very much a part of our lives this year.  You were finally able to go back to school for full time in person in September which we were thrilled about!  Everyone still has to wear masks and for the first several months things were very restricted with spacing and supplies and such.  Vaccinations for kids weren't quite on the table before you turned 10 so there were all sorts of restrictions at the elementary school in order to keep school in person.  But we survived it and you rode the waves like a pro-surfer.  You were bummed when baseball would occasionally be cancelled for COVID related reasons but otherwise not too bothered by the whole thing.  My heart still tugs a little bit every time I ask you if you have your mask as you head out to school because it's just a crime to cover up that happy little face all day.  But at least you get to go to school and hopefully masks won't be around too much longer.  

This year we didn't travel as much due to crazy restrictions and worry about getting those darn PCR tests in order to re-enter Saudi.  For spring break we spent a week in Sri Lanka.  We stayed in this crazy beach resort in our own little cozy bungalow and made friends with all kinds of critters.  You got the most outrageous collection of bug bites on our first day there and we were much more careful to wear bug repellent for the rest of the week.  You definitely had the most and you were so uncomfortable feeling itchy all week, poor kiddo.  Your favorite part of the trip was probably playing in the enormous waves on the beach just a few steps from our bungalow.  Or maybe it was the massive platter of mango you could eat for dinner every night.  We had such a fantastic, low key time together.  

We had a super busy summer and planned a whole US history road trip as a family.  It's a trip I've been wanting to take for a really long time and your dad and I finally felt like you were all old enough to appreciate it.  We spent some time in Denver and then flew to visit the Larsons in Louisville, Kentucky where you visited the Louisville slugger factory and thought you'd died and gone to heaven.  It was so fun to see the Larsons and how easily you reconnected with Abby again.  They're such wonderful people.  From there we drove to Virginia where Kenzie and Trevan were living for the summer to visit for just a day.  We met their new baby girl, Marlee who you fell in love with instantly.  You love babies and little kids and they all love you with this undeniable magnetism that sometimes makes your siblings jealous.  Tucker was SO happy to see you and the two of you played hard all day and you kept him constantly giggling with your antics.  We said a sad goodbye to them after not enough time together and drove to DC where we spent a few days visiting sites and museums.  You kids had all done research projects on US history or sites in DC.  Those few days were my favorite part of the summer.  We had such a great time exploring and learning together.  Nana and Grandpa came out to play with us and it was so fun to explore the city, eat yummy food, and play hard.  It was hot and we walked so much every day.  You guys were SO tired by the third day but we had a great time.  Your favorite without a doubt was the spy museum.  It was so fascinating to see actual artifacts used by real life spies.  You were totally into it.  After DC we drove to Gettysburg and Philadelphia where we met up with Adam and Cami and their family and then off to New Hampshire.  Last summer you went to three baseball games, the Rockies, the  Nationals and the Red Sox.  Man, it was fun.

We had planned a Germany/Austria vacation this year before Christmas to revisit some of our favorite markets and sites but just a few weeks before our trip yet another new strain of COVID erupted in Germany and Austria and they started rolling out crazy restrictions. Especially for people who were unvaccinated.  So we changed our plans and drove from the airports we had to fly in and out of in Germany, to France.  We explored Luxembourg for a day on our way to Paris and then spent two days at Disney and two days wandering the city and seeing the sites.  Finn you're an awesome traveler.  You've got a ton of energy, you generally get along quite well with your siblings, and you're happy any time you're moving.  You loved playing at Disney but really just wanted to ride the big roller coasters over and over.  We walked a LOT those days and everyone was exhausted but happy.  THEN, dear Finn, came your favorite part of the trip.  Skiing in France.  We drove to La Bresse and spent two days skiing and you were in heaven.  You look like a natural on skis, like they're just an extension of your body and your dad just eats it up.  You'd do ski lessons for the mornings and then either take off with your dad or the whole fam for the afternoons.  The girls got quite good and were able to go up the lift with us this year.  When they wore out we'd play with them on a sledding hill or the mountain coaster and you and your dad would head up the mountain for just one or two more runs.  You were so tired by the end of the day but so happy too.  The last run of the trip was a little challenging for you but your face lit up with pride when your dad told you it was a black diamond.  You were SO proud that you skied a black and it was the cutest thing.

You've had a great year in school.  Last year you finished 3rd grade with Mr. Hjereson who ended up moving to the US after the school year.  This year you have Mr. Denton for 4th and he's a great fit for you.  You are a hard worker and only slightly discouraged when it occasionally takes a little longer for you to pick things up than it does your peers.  You are enjoying reading and writing more which is so wonderful to see.  Math isn't your favorite because memorizing math facts isn't easy for you, but you're doing just fine and you work hard.  We've loved to watch you enjoy reading more this year.  You've really gotten in to zelda graphic novels and anything about baseball.  You got a box set of historical fiction books about famous baseball players and you've just loved reading those stories.  Most nights we still have to tell you and Tate to turn the lights off and stop reading to get to sleep.  Many nights Tate has a book he reads out loud to you when you're both in bed.  I love watching the two of you get along so well.

Finn you're such a good eater.  You definitely have foods you would prefer not to eat but you're more polite about it if they appear at dinner time than others of your siblings.  You love carrots and tomatoes but don't like bell peppers.  You LOVE mango, pears, peaches, grapes and apples but you don't like kiwi or papaya.  You're happy with most anything we have for meals with the exception of muffins which you're picky about.  

You still play the piano every day and we had two recitals this year.  In the spring we ended up having to call it off in person at the last minute because Tate was sick the night before so we had a zoom recital instead.  And then our usual Christmas recital.  You don't seem to get nervous and you play so well.  It's so fun to see you grow.  

They had a set of races on camp this year they called the "Dhahranathon" and you ran the 5k with your dad while I ran it with the girls and Tate ran the 10k.  You smoked it, Finn.  You came in faster than anyone.  Miss Lindsey Law was so impressed she asked if you wanted to join the run club even though you're not really old enough yet.  That made you pretty proud.  

This year was a big year in baseball for you.  Your dad took over as the league president and it made for a lot more events and fun.  He has been a devoted coach to you and your brother, making sure you understand not just the mechanics of the game but also what it means to be a good sport, a good winner and a good loser.  How to work hard and the discipline and time it takes to improve and make changes.  You absolutely love the game.  You're one of the youngest kids in the majors league but you're also one of the best players and you're one of the most encouraging leaders.  All the parents just smile as we listen to you cheer your teammates on from the dugout or from the field.  "All right, get your head in the count!  Anything good I wanna see you take a rip!  You're a hitter!  You can do it!"  It's just the sweetest thing and makes everyone so happy.  It's been a once in a lifetime season being able to watch you and Tate play on the same team coached by your dad.  Tate isn't as into baseball as you but he shows up and tries his best and you're so encouraging and positive to him.  You and your dad have a special bond in this or any sport.  You are hard on yourself, especially when you're pitching and he's had to get on the mound with you once in a while to help you get out of your head.  You're such a kind-hearted, hard-working, enthusiastic about life kid that it's just impossible not to root for you on and off the field.

We started going to Rugby this year on Saturday evenings.  It's been so cool to watch you kiddos learn a new sport, associate with new kids, and just get out some movement on a Saturday night before it's time for bed and school the next day.  The Rugby group has held a couple of small tournaments and you live for those days of team tee shirts and scored games and winners brackets.  

In Dhahran Hill school there are opportunities to serve on student council in 3rd and 4th grade.  With the odd schedule of last year you only had one trimester to try out by writing and giving a speech in your classroom.  You didn't get voted in and it crushed you.  This year you tried again and lost out first trimester and finally got voted in second trimester.  Every loss had you really down for a day or two and you were beyond thrilled when you won.  Making promises to your sisters about special spirit days you were going to rally for in student council.  You were a little disappointed when, in your first student council meeting, it became apparent that you weren't quite going to be able to have the power and influence you had imagined.  But you still loved serving in student council.  Having lunch time meetings, volunteering during spirit days, giving speeches and making videos.  It was totally your jam.  

You've made some great friends in school and through baseball this year which has been SO good to see.  You haven't had an easy fit in our ward thus far.  A few kids who you are friends with but not that click really naturally with you.  You had a huge spy themed birthday party and you absolutely loved having a huge crew of buddies to pal around with.  Conor, Nino and Ricky, Michele, Benny, Max, and Milo are probably your closest buddies and all such good kids.  

Finno, you are a treasure.  You have your days when you just wake up grouchy and tired but for the most part you're just so good.  So kind.  Everyone who interacts with you comments on your good manners and how grateful you are.  Your dad and I are very proud of you and the boy you're growing into.  Next year you'll be a deacon.  It's so hard to believe that this will be your last year in primary because sometimes you seem so young still.  But we know you'll be ready.  You're a good brother.  You are always willing to help out if I need a hand.  You read with your sisters and practice piano with them sometimes too when I've got something going on.  You recognize the spirit and want to do what's right.  You're in a really good spot, little man. We love you with a love that makes us all squishy inside.  Thank you for being the kid you are.  9 year old you was a pretty fantastic you.  But I think we'll like 10 year old you just as much.

Happy birthday, my sweet boy.

The world is yours,

Mom

Dear Tate,

 Dear Tate,

You're 12 now.  I have no idea how that happened.  And with all of the madness right after you turned 11 I missed writing you your birthday letter last year.  I'll make this a really good one, I promise kiddo. You are just the best first child, oldest brother, role model, guinea pig that we could ask for, Tate.  You are a gentle, kind big brother.  You are always willing to play games or read books or wrestle with your little siblings.  You jump on any job I ask you to help with whether it's taking out the garbage or emptying the dishwasher, or making the kids lunch with an immediate, "Absolutely, Mom!"  You are patient and forgiving of your dad and I when we make mistakes and admittedly bumble through this parenting thing.  It's amazing and baffling and I'm grateful every day for the way you lead our family and your siblings.

Fifth grade was a little tricky for you but not nearly as difficult as I would have imagined for your first year of middle school.  I wished that your teachers were just a little bit gentler with your little tender heart at times, but they both seemed to appreciate the unique qualities you brought to their classrooms and both of them wrote me emails on occasion letting me know things they saw in you that they liked and appreciated.  You played percussion in the band until we left in March and seemed to enjoy it but weren't ever able to play in a concert since they were cancelled.  You didn't choose to stay with band and elected not to take choir in school this year too.  I said it was okay as long as you were progressing in piano and continued singing in miss Kellie's choir but as it turns out, miss Kellie hasn't been able to run her choirs this year anyway...  I was a little surprised that you didn't choose any music for your 6th grade electives but I didn't get in your way.  You did choose drama which surprised me a lot as you can sometimes be VERY shy when asked to be silly in front of people.  As it turns out, most electives were sort of cancelled this year any way so we'll see if you sign up again next year.  

We had such a crazy year, Tate.  We left for the states to go to Mallo and Carson's wedding on March 11th for what we thought would just be a few weeks with Dad meeting us at the end for the wedding and we'd just go home together!  It didn't turn out that way.  We got stuck apart until July and it was oh so hard.  We were so lucky to have ward members here who allowed us to stay in their homes while we were stuck.  We stayed in the Dibb's townhouse in American Fork for a month and then moved to the Bourne's home in Lehi for three more.  We really struggled doing virtual school, dealing with the constantly changing pandemic situation, being away from our home and without Glenn.  We all took our turns having sad days and break downs but the others always picked us up and helped us cheer up.  

There were so many tender mercies during those four months.  We were able to spend tons of time with Uncle Carson and Auntie Mallo.  You guys fell in love with Uncle Carson and it was so fun to see you guys get along so well.  We spent a lot of time with them and Nana and Grandpa and Kenzie and Tucker and Trevan.  It was very unusual in our expat life to have so much time to spend with family and we made the most of it.  We saw family at least a few times a week.  

Paul Weitzel introduced you and Finn to Dungeons and Dragons last year and it's taken over your life.  You pour over the books of monsters and characters and memorize all their stats.  Create story lines in your head and love to DM for your siblings.  While we were away he set up a Saturday morning game where you could play with Reece and Amelia and Glenn over zoom.  It was the highlight of your week.  You even asked Paul to DM for your Dungeons and Dragons birthday party this year with some of your friends.  You had the greatest time making labels for your chosen food items that were D&D themed and were so excited to share D&D with your buddies.  

It was a huge tender mercy to be able to be there for Mallo's wedding.  The temples were closed by the time her wedding date rolled around and that meant that you kids could attend her wedding!  It was a very special day.  Not at all like any of us imagined. But kind of perfect none-the-less.  I hope you remember the spirit we felt as we watched our sweet Auntie Mallo marry her sweetheart.  It was so cool, Tate.

We spend a LOT of time outside while we were in Utah.  Luckily, we were staying close to AF canyon so we would hike at least once a week.  You guys were at just the ride ages to be able to climb and hike for a few miles and not get too tired or grumpy.  We saw animals and bugs, you were constantly searching, especially at the beginning of our stay before it warmed up, for patches of snow and begged everyone to have a snowball fight with you!  You didn't care how freezing you got you just HAD to have a snowball fight!  

When things started to open up a little bit we took a day trip to Goblin valley and you guys had the greatest time climbing around and hiking for a few hours.  We also went to the aquarium with Mallo and Carson and the Thanksgiving Point farm with Kenzie and Tucker.  Lots of walks, lots of time on the trampoline.  We also had a wildfire near the Bourne's house while we were there and an earthquake as well!  It was a wild ride, Tate.  And while you had days when you just couldn't cheer up, most of the time you did a pretty good job looking at the positives and trying to see the blessings in the muck.  

Virtual school was okay last spring.  Not your favorite, but it was okay.  You'd watch the videos, do the work and send in pictures of worksheets and writing that you did.  You were sad to be ending the school year that way and worried about all the what ifs.  What if we didn't get home before school started again?  What if we never get to go back to school in person?  What if we're stuck here for Christmas?!  It was a lot for a kid to digest.  Especially when the situation was changing day by day.

We finally got to go home on July 7th and it was just the best trip across the world we've ever had.  In spite of the worry and all the luggage and flights and little sleep and having to wear a mask all day, you and your siblings didn't complain at all.  You helped me and each other.  You practically skipped through the airports.  You were patient as we figured out the bus situation in Dammam and waited anxiously for the bus to pull up at our house where you ran off the bus and into your Dad's arms.  You'd grown a lot in those four months and he was surprised to see how tall you were.  It's been a BIG could of years for your growth Tate.  You'll pass me up not to long from now, kiddo.  

We spend the next two weeks in quarantine and it was heaven.  Your dad bought a switch while we were away because he was SO bored without us so you guys played a lot of video games together and we read and swam in our backyard pool and snuggled for games and movies.  It was the most blissful two weeks all to ourselves.  

The rest of the summer was spent doing our morning routine and then swimming in the pool or playing with friends.  This year we added exercise to our daily routine and you took to the treadmill like a fish to water.  Your dad and I were so surprised at how we never had to ask you to get some exercise and how we'd even find you on the treadmill on your day off on Saturday.  Some days you'd run for just 2 miles and sometimes as much as 4.  Just because.  We've been so excited to see you find something physical that you enjoy, Tate.  It's such an important part of keeping your body healthy.  I hope you always have some way of moving that you like and for now, it's definitely running.  A few months ago you joined the run club that Lindsey Law set up on camp.  Kids from 5-12 grade get together and run twice a week.  One slow run and one speed work.  You do not love the speed work day.  No one does.  But you're doing it.  And even though we tell you you don't need to, you often get on the treadmill on days you have run club too!  You watch a show while you run and I think it's a fun little zen part of your day.  You look forward to it and I'm just so glad.

This year you've progressed a lot in piano as well.  You're in the level 5 book and learning those songs pretty capably on your own.  I help sometimes with counting but you're doing really well.  More than once Glenn has walked in and expressed surprise that you are the one playing the piano when he thought it was me.  You've learned a few theme songs from star wars or zelda and you love to play those when people come over or when there's a piano at someone else's house.  

We started the school year online and it was a LOT of time in front of a screen.  You'd have class from 9-3 every day.  We were beyond thrilled when we finally were able to go to a hybrid schedule in November.  You go to school four afternoons a week for your core classes, science, social studies, language arts, and math.  And then you have your specials classes in the morning on google meets which are, art, Spanish and PE.  You also have a D&D club with Andrew Redmon once a week at lunch that you look forward to all week.  We're hopeful that more will open up before school ends but we'll just have to see how it goes!

You went from really hating to write in 4th grade to LOVING to write in 6th.  That transition started in 5th grade and getting so much faster at typing.  Hand writing has never been your favorite but as you've progressed in typing it's opened up so much more fun for you in getting those amazing ideas in your head down on paper.  You love to write books and have a few in the works.  You'll get an idea in your head, always fantasy or fan fiction, and just take off, writing page after page.  I feel very lucky that we have such a good relationship and that you want me to read them and give you feedback.  It's been such a fun glimpse into your creative mind this year.  

On November 30th we went to the states to visit the Makechnies for a week and a half.  It was so nice to see them all, especially Grandpa Arthur.  You family loves you, Tate.  Uncle Gregor played games with you and came up with crazy questions to ask you about D&D.  Amy wants to know about the books you're reading.  You could sit and snuggle with those two puppies all day long.  It was a great visit with the Makechnies and I'm so glad we went.  I love seeing you kids in New Hampshire.  It's such a beautiful and ideal place to be a kid.  So much to explore and people who really love you.  

We surprised you guys after our NH trip and spend a week in Disney World together.  It was the most wonderful trip, Tate.  You and Finn could ride everything and were excited and brave.  You encouraged your sisters and cheered them on when they were nervous.  You shared treats and rode smaller rides to please them.  It was a truly magical week together as a family and so healing in many ways too.  Disney did a fantastic job keeping things safe and clean and we felt totally relaxed and able to play and just be together.  I hope you remember moments like those, Tate.  When we build stronger bonds as a family because we just like to be together.  We're as different as 6 people can be, but we've got each other's backs and we just like each other and have fun together.  We are an awesome team.

I should really keep track of how many books you read.  The problem is, that now you have Sora, which is a book library through the school on your laptop so you read books on there every week and I never even know!  You borrowed the Hobbit a few months back and read the whole thing in less than 24 hours.  You're on the two towers now and we'll watch the movie as soon as you're done.  We're still getting through book 7 of Harry Potter.  It's taken us a long time because we don't get to read together every night and I want to read it with you!  You would have finished it on your own long long ago.  It's incredible how fast and how much you read, Tate.  Absolutely incredible.  It's something you truly love and that you're proud of as well.  

I've watched you grow SO much this year, Tate.  You have become so responsible and calm.  You still have moments when you let your worry spiral out of control but they really are fewer and farther between than they used to be.  Something magic happened with virtual school.  There was something about the degree of ownership and responsibility required, paired with a maturity and readiness in you.  You stay on top of your work, you're getting good grades, when you don't understand something or a link isn't working, you write professional and respectful emails to your teachers.  You still have things you're working on but you're trying really hard to balance reaching your potential with recognizing and dealing with your stress level.  It's been so amazing to watch this year.  I'm so proud of this 12 year old kid you've become and the maturity you carry all of a sudden.  

You were a little nervous to receive the priesthood, just knowing that it was a responsibility and knowing that you wanted to bear it well.  You do, kiddo.  It's been so wonderful to see you pass the sacrament to our family every week in the family room. To see the spirit you carry with you and the contributions you make to our come follow me discussions.  I've loved the way your YM leaders have planned activities to help you grow and enjoy the awesome group of youth we have here.  It's a camelot for the youth in so many ways.  Lots of boys your age and great leaders in a protective environment where nearly every member of our ward are active in the church.  It's crazy and awesome.  You'll never see another ward like it.  

Your memory is absolutely amazing, Tate.  If I ever forget a fact or detail I just ask you.  Once I was quoting something from Elf and you actually corrected me.  "It was 11 cookies, Mom."  What?  "It was, 11 cookies that he shoved into the VCR, Mom."  Seriously, who remembers things in that detail?  You do!  Last week your toast fell "lemon curd side up". Yeah Tate, you love lemon curd so much you actually got some in your stocking.  And I said, "Tate how did that happen?!  It's statistically impossible!"  You replied, "Actually mom, toast falls butter side up 2 times out of ten.  So while extremely rare, it's not statistically impossible."  I said, "WHATTT?!" And you responded that you had read that fact on a poster at the Denver museum of nature and science a few years ago.  Seriously, Tate.  It's incredible.

You're becoming a better eater and I can usually convince you to eat a few bites of whatever I've come up with for dinner.  But you'd still prefer sandwiches, mac and cheese, pasta, or pizza if given the choice.  But you really love breakfast.  Pretty much any breakfast I make just makes you so happy.  You're easy to please at breakfast time.  You've started to really enjoy cooking too.  You made your own birthday cake last year and once in a while on Fridays you just decide you want to bake sometimes.  Sometimes it's creme brulee, sometimes it's a batch of cupcakes with piped frosting.  It's adorable.  We're working on following recipes, but you'll get there because you really love food so I think it's good motivation for you to figure out how to make things on your own.

Tate, boy do I love you.  I love reading with you in bed.  I love movie nights with the boys.  I love riding rides with you and baking with you and cleaning while jamming out to loud music with you.  I love seeing you play with your buddies, get super excited about video games, practice pieces of music until your work out problem spots.  I love seeing you share your books with your sisters because you can tell that they just want to be like you in any way they can.  Tate, I love you to bits.  I don't know how I got so lucky to be your mom but I truly am grateful for it every single day.  I learn so much from you and I love you fiercely.  You are going to do absolutely incredible things with your brilliant mind and your matchless heart, Tate and I cannot wait to watch.  

I love you so much, my Tate. Happy happy Birthday!

The world is yours, sweet boy.

Love,

Mom 

Dear Taryn,

 Dear Taryn,

Oh little missy you are 6!  You were so excited for your birthday.  Last spring just a few months after your 5th birthday you started asking frequently to list the holidays until your birthday.  You were pretty frustrated until the list got shorter this Fall and it sounded like, "Thanksgiving, then Finn's birthday, then Christmas, then New Years, then your birthday!"  You LOVE holidays, but you especially love the holiday all about you!  Your birthday this year was fun.  We ate all your and Kenna's favorite foods.  Cinnamon rolls for breakfast, cheese bread for lunch, and mac and cheese at Chili's for dinner.  You love to look at pictures of cakes in my cake cookbook and you've had your eye on a very pretty bubble gum cake for a year.  You wanted to change the frosting and drip colors and choose your own sprinkles.  We brought back gum-balls and bubble gum flavoring and spent days cooking together.  But then you took one bite and didn't love it.  It was very bubble-gumy in your defense.  Which you were unaware you didn't like very much.  So you ate a piece of Kenna's mint chocolate cake instead!  It was so funny.  

Your birthday party was a mermaid soiree with just a few of your and Kenna's favorite little people.  Lilly, Lucette, Clara, Amelia and Addie.  You had so much fun playing with them and I think it was the celebration you've been excited all year for.  And when you're excited, little miss, you have excitement bursting from your fingertips!  It's all-encompassing and rather exhausting and also really magical.  

You've had quite a year, little T.  You've grown so much in every way.  You're taller, stronger, your hair is longer, your tenderness softer, and your temper just as fiery.  You had a wonderful teacher in K4.  One of the saddest things about virtual school last spring for me, was knowing that you were missing out on a few more months of class with Ms. Nina.  She was SO good for you.  Positive and kind and fun and creative.  Always ready to intervene with a song or a mantra.  My favorite of which is, "Talk it out to work it out."  Which we say ALL THE TIME now at home.  You loved her so much because she loved you back.  It was so fun to come to class and have you be so excited for me to be there.  See you working hard and making buddies and trying SO hard to sit still and listen when you just wanted to wiggle or speak up.

Last year was a hard year, hon.  We left in March for Auntie Mallo's wedding, thinking that your Dad would be able to meet up with us in Utah for the wedding.  But the day after we arrived in Utah, Saudi closed the borders and we were stuck.  Every week we thought, "surely things will change and go back to normal and we can go home."  And every week, they didn't.  We spent 4 months away from your Daddy.  Kind ward members from Saudi let us stay in their homes in Utah while we were stuck.  We were so grateful for their generosity and care of us.  We stayed in the Dibb's house in American Fork for a month, and then in the Bourne's home in Lehi for 3 more.  The Bournes had closets full of toys and a trampoline outside and two beds for you girls and it was just perfect.  

We did virtual school every day, which for K4 consisted of watching a few videos and doing a craft or writing a few letters or numbers or going on a hunt to take picture of certain shapes or patterns or colors.  You loved those videos every day and did not so much love the letter or number flashcards or the bob books that I added for you just so you could keep some sort of progress and learning.  You missed being in class.  You loved the independence of getting on that bus, wearing your backpack, filling up your own water bottle and grabbing your own snack just like your brothers.  And having me in charge of all of the learning again was a step back you did not love.  But we made it.  It is very frustrating to you that you learn differently than your sister so we make sure to do things separately and differently as much as we can so you know you are doing well and I am proud of you!

We spent a lot of time in the mountains and you loved being out in the wild.  Climbing rocks in goblin valley, hiking in the woods, roasting marshmallows over a fire, throwing rocks into a stream, picking every wildflower you saw even when we had JUST asked you not to, finding bugs to watch and squirrels to tip toe towards just thrilled you to the core.  You have such a delicious sense of adventure, little T and it's contagious.  It also scares me just a bit as you're not usually nervous to be out of my sight or get too close to an edge, or look around before you throw a rock off a cliff just in case someone is below you... You just can't stand to be held back and I really try to do it as little as possible because watching you just go after life is an amazing thing to behold.  Being out in the sunshine and mountains was so good for us during our time in Utah.  We all had days when we just woke up sad and being away from your Dad was so hard.  But even when everything else was closed, we had the mountains and we made good use of them to get some exercise and take some deep breaths in the peaceful air.

We spent a lot of time with family in Utah which was unusual for us.  Most summers we only get a week in town with them so being around Mallo and Carson, playing with cousin Tucker, and visiting Nana and Grampa was so fun for you.  Any time we were bored you'd ask who can come over to play or if you had an idea to go somewhere you asked who was coming with us.  It was nice to have so many memories built with people who just love you during what could have been solely a yucky and dark time.  When things opened up a bit we went to the aquarium, spend a couple weekends playing in Park City, did a couple of escape rooms, played at parks, rolled down hills, flew kites, made sidewalk chalk masterpieces, and raced snails across the sidewalk.  

Finally on July 7 we were able to get on a plane to go home.  It should have been a really difficult day, flying across the world with all the worry and uncertainty of a pandemic with so much luggage, wearing masks all day, and very little sleep.  But Taryn, I will never forget that day.  I will never forget how kind you and your siblings were to each other.  How patient and positive and happy to be alive you were all day no matter what obstacles we faced, how few options we had for food, how many cranky people we interacted with, how many hours of sleepless travel, we were all so happy to FINALLY be going home, nothing seemed to phase us for long.  

When we arrived home and you stepped off that Aramco bus you practically flew into your Daddy's arms and hugged him so tight.  You watched him shave his beard he grew while we were away and went to sleep in your own bed for the first time in four months with the sweetest peaceful smile on your face.  We spent the next two weeks in the greatest quarantine.  Snuggling and movies and games.  Lazy mornings, so many books, and so many hugs.  It was blissful.  

We spent the rest of the summer just laying low.  We went to the beach almost every week, swam in our little backyard pool every day, sometimes multiple times a day, played video games and board games, did our workbooks and chores, and just relaxed together.  School started too soon, virtually as we expected.  Your teacher, Ms. Ami, seems to be a really good fit for you.  She's kind but firm and you really like her.  We did virtual school from August until November when we were finally able to go to a hybrid schedule which means you do a little video specials class in the morning and then you go to school for a couple of hours in the afternoon with half of your class.  You love getting on that big bus with your brother Finn and sister and you always get off it so happy and excited to tell me about the things you learned and did.  

It'll be interesting to see how school goes for you next year.  For everyone, really.  Because this year has been such a different experience for school.  A lot of virtual followed by just not enough time in person.  I'm so grateful for the hybrid schedule but I just know there are some things that you need that aren't quite able to happen this year because of the limitations of COVID and the school.  You're a smart girl and a strong girl.  I know you'll be just fine if you set your mind to it.  You almost always get what you set your mind to little lady.

On November 30th we went to the states to visit our family in NH and it was so wonderful.  We spent a day skiing and playing in the snow, did some shopping, and spend every night at the Emery Road Makechnie house playing with the dogs, wrestling with cousin Nelson who was doing his at home MTC, reading books with Grandpa Arthur, baking with Uncle Gregor, taking walks with Auntie Amy and cousin Paige, or painting nails with cousin Cope.  It was a wonderful week of reconnecting and deep breaths of cold winter air.  You couldn't get enough.  The cold or mud didn't bother you one bit.  

On our last day in NH we surprised you and told you our next week would be spent in Disney World.  We had the most amazing time riding rides, eating yummy food (your favorite was the Gaston cinnamon rolls!) exploring and playing together.  There were just a few rides that you were a touch too short for.  And while I'm not sure if you would have loved them as you're still just a little nervous about wild rides, you were none too keen on being the one left out because Kenna was just that magic one inch taller than you.  While we rode those rides you'd take off with your Dad and get a treat or ride something else just the two of you.  Taryn, you have the greatest dad.  He is such a softie in your hands.  He loves you so much and wants you to be oh so happy.  One of my favorite things about Disney World was watching how your brothers interacted with you while we were in line for a ride you didn't remember or hadn't been on before.  They'd put their arms around you, change the tone of their voices to a gentle and animated tone to describe what would happen on the ride in great detail so that you would know what to expect and not feel afraid.  It was so sweet to watch them become your mentors and to see you listen to them in a special way because they're your big brothers.  You rode some big rides, and while I'm not sure if they were your favorites, you were so brave and just loved the adrenaline of big dips and fast corners.  It was a magical and healing week for our family to be able to have such a grand adventure together after such a hard year.  

We got home a week before Christmas and it was a wonderful Christmas.  You asked Santa for a lollipop and he brought you a whole package of lollipops and it might as well have been the moon for how excited you were.  We spend some time in the states shopping for Finn who you gave to this year and you picked out the most thoughtful gifts for him.  Your excitement watching him open his presents might have been the best part of your Christmas.

Oh my Taryn, what a year.  It's been so full and hard and really great too.  You ask all the time when COVID will be over and I wish I had an answer for you.  Most of the time you've been able to roll with the punches this pandemic throws your way, but once in a while you get socked down and reminded when you see that basket of ballet clothes in the closet that we can't have ballet class right now, or when you want to sell lemonade on the corner that we're still in the middle of a pandemic and we really can't pass out lemonade right now.  I know honey.  I want it to be over too.  But we're all together.  And if we learned one thing this year, it's that our family can do pretty much anything together, babe.

You, little lady, are a whirlwind of creative energy.  You love to pull paper out of the closet and color or water paint or stamp or create a colored pencil masterpiece (rainbows are your specialty of the moment) and then write a note on the back to give to someone you love, usually with some small treat taped to it and sometimes tied with a curling ribbon.  You leave a shower of things in your wake but I try hard not to slow you down because watching your brain create is a feat to behold.  You have very little patience for sitting down for reading practice, but you and your sister can spend hours over days creating and decorating a box to turn it into the perfect doll house or stuffed animal house.  And hours scheming over the perfect design for your fairy house or welcome sign to put in the flower pot next to the fairy house.  You love to create, you love to pick out your own clothes, and you love anything with sparkles or shine or glitter.  You ask me at least once a week if you can wear my makeup yet and having painted fingernails or fancy shoes shifts the way you carry yourself entirely.  

You love to eat.  You have a real sweet tooth.  If we let you I think you'd eat lolly pops all day long.  But you also LOVE macarons (especially when you get to make them with me.  Basically you like to stick your finger in the batter and choose the colors and flavors of cookies and frosting).  You love ice cream and any kind of cookie.  You also love any kind of fruit, you'll tolerate a potato or cauliflower, but you'll eat chicken and rice without much complaint.  You love fruit juice and that's usually your treat of choice when we go to the com together.  You prefer your pasta with white sauce and your apples sliced and with peanut butter.

Taryn girl, I just adore you.  Your enthusiasm about things that make you happy is so sweet it makes my sweet tooth hurt.  And your fury is so quick and hot it burns up anyone who's too close.  You feel big and much.  It's a gift. And I'm sure it feels so hard sometimes too.  You're working on it.  You're trying to stay in control and you have many moments of beautiful spontaneous kindness.  You gave away almost all of your halloween candy taped to notes to anyone and everyone you could think of.  Last week you started doing your chore and then you just kept the vacuum out and vacuumed everyone else's zones too.  You have a big heart and a strong soul.  It's a marvel to behold, little one.  

Every so often I look at picture of you as a teensy tinsy little baby with a fuzzy head and calm clear eyes.  I miss tiny baby you.  Being able to hold all of you in my arms and meet all of your needs with just a snuggle or a song or a bottle of milk.  You are an incredible girl, Taryn.  So very smart, so very creative, so very strong.  I wish meeting all your needs was as easy as it was when you were that teensy baby, but just know, my girl that I love you fiercely.  I want you to be so very happy in your life and I am doing absolutely everything I can think of to meet your needs and to teach you what you need to know to be happy and successful. I am proud to be your Momma.  You are going to do incredible things and I, as always, am just glad to be along for the ride, sweetheart. 

Happy Birthday, little Taryn.  I love you so very much.

The world is yours, my girl.

Love,

Mom

Dear Kenna,

 Dear Kenna,

Oh my sweet girl you are 6!  I procrastinated writing your letter last year when you turned 5 until March and then COVID happened and we were stuck.  So this letter better be extra amazing after missing one year of letter-writing to the marvelous Kenna Makechnie!

Kenna girl you absolutely lit up in K4.  You weren't nervous in the slightest about getting on that little bus or going to school and had the best time in class with Ms. Allison.  I loved coming to "work" in your class every other week because you were so proud and happy to have me there and show me everything you were doing.  Your favorite spot in the classroom was the "maker table" where Ms. Allison brought milk cartons, take out containers, toilet paper rolls, tissue paper, anything and everything in a big box and you used it to make new creations every day and brought them home just glowing with pride at your new robot, mailbox, minecraft guy, etc.  It was a lot of stuff Kenna girl.  But it made you SO happy!  You loved coloring and often drew pictures for people and you loved writing stories and being able to read them to the class on the projector.  

In March we left for Utah to be at Auntie Mallo's wedding and we ended up getting stuck.  For four months.  Away from your Daddy, your toys, your craft closet, your bunk bed, your life in Saudi.  It was really hard.  You were so happy for your Auntie Mallo and you absolutely adore her man, Uncle Carson.  He is endlessly sweet to you and you poured a lot of fatherly affection on him while you were away from your Dad.  He couldn't sit down without you or Taryn climbing into his lap like you belonged there.  It was so sweet for you and your siblings to be able to attend Auntie Mallo's wedding since the temples were closed.  You wore a beautiful dress and had your own little bouquet which made you feel so special.  

We spent a lot of time in the mountains while we were in Utah.  We stayed in the Dibb's house in American Fork for a month where you shared a room with your siblings and then we moved to the Bourne's house in Lehi for another 3 months.  They were SO good to us and we were so grateful to have a place to stay while we were stuck.  Both houses were close to AF canyon.  We went hiking at least once a week as everything else closed down and we desperately needed to be in some nature and feel some sunshine.  We haven't had much opportunity to hike as a family living in Saudi except for the one or two hikes we take each summer in NH.  It was wonderful to see how you and Taryn have grown and the stamina that you had to keep going and climb steep trails without too much whining.  Finding flowers, looking for bugs and critters and sometimes snow, made the whole experience so magical.  Sometimes we went alone, often we had company from Aunts, Uncles, Nana and Grandpa.  I loved holding your little hand as we climbed in the mountains together.

We did a lot of fun things in Utah.  When things opened up a bit we went the aquarium, we ate out or got takeout, went on lots of walks, colored with chalk, rolled down hills, flew kites, played at the high school track with Mallo and Carson, played on the trampoline in the Bourne's back yard.  You, Taryn and Finny raced snails you found in the garden.  You and your siblings were rock stars last summer.  You each took turns having sad days and worry days but you helped each other and played together and loved each other.  Seeing your relationships and how much you've all grown together is one of my most treasured takeaways from this year.

We did virtual K4 for almost all of those four months and it was not ideal.  Lots of crafts and maker challenges, lots of little number games or finding shapes, or coloring pictures.  We'd watch the few little videos and take pictures to send to your teacher back in Saudi.  But we also got a set of Bob books, made some number flashcards, and did a little school work on our own.  And all of a sudden, Kenna, you turned into a reader.  Letters and sounds started to click.  You took so much pride in finishing bob books with me or on your own and couldn't wait for our daily facetime with your Dad so you could show him your new skills.  On our last day in Saudi as I was packing boxes, you sat down with Auntie Mallo and asked her to help you write a note to me.  That was your first note, Kenna babe.  It said, "I love you, thanks for letting us go home."  It was a moment for me.  Feeling so stressed about all the cleaning and packing with such short notice.  So frazzled at how fast it all had to be done and worried about the trip across the ocean in such an uncertain time. And so excited to finally be going home again.  And you, little Kenna, you sensed all that.  And you just had to do something sweet to make it all feel less stressful.  

On July 7th we FINALLY were able to go home.  It was the easiest and happiest 24 hour trip we've ever had.  You and your siblings were exhausted but no one complained because you were just so happy to be finally going home.  You fell asleep on the Aramco bus the last ten minutes of the drive so your siblings rushed out before I could get you up but once we left the bus you ran, sobbing into your daddy's arms.  So tired and SO glad to finally be home.  Those next two quarantine weeks were just wonderful.  All together.  So many movie nights, game nights, afternoon snuggle parties.  It was a warm and cozy quarantine.

We spent the summer doing our workbooks and chores in the morning, swimming in our little backyard pool, playing games, playing with friends, and we went to the beach almost every weekend.  Even with all of the stress in the world and in our little corner of the world after all of the lock-downs and trauma of surviving covid in Saudi, our family was just so happy to be together, not much could bother us for long.  

You started writing notes and it's like you were doing it your whole life.  Mostly "I luv yoo". sometimes the o's are hearts.  You know how to write everyone's names in our family and you get very hurt if someone points out a spelling error because you put your whole heart into every kind gesture.  You're a deep feeler, Kenna love.  If anyone gets hurt, you're running for an ice pack or a bandaid.  If mom is stressed you say, "Thanks for being our Mom.  I know you're feeling stressed right now.  It's hard to be a mom, isn't it?"  You're very thoughtful and you notice details a lot of people miss.  I learn a lot from you, sweetheart.  I feel like I understand you at your core.  It's heavy sometimes to feel so much, isn't it?  But it's also a gift you have.  To notice and lift where you can.  But I must say, I'm pretty proud of you when I see you stand up for yourself or what you want because far too often you yield your own wishes to others.  I hope you know that you are important, and you deserve to be taken care of and have what you want too.

You are a good little eater.  You like sweets but you're usually fine with a bite or two.  You could eat fruit all day, especially bananas.  You know fruit is always okay so whenever you start to say, "I'm hungry.." you stop yourself and say, "Can I have a banana?!" You probably eat at least one banana every day.  You also love yogurt drinks, nectarines but not plums so much, apples but only if they're cut, any kind of berry, and you'll also eat bell peppers.  Your recent favorite is a crustless quiche that we've made a lot recently.  It's got a ton of broccoli but you can pack away at least two slices easily.  

We started virtual school in August and it was fine.  Fine but not great.  It's hard to sit in front of a screen for kindergarten and stay engaged but man, your teacher Mr. Graham sure did his best!  He had puppets and songs and silly games and you just adore him.  We were all celebrating when you were able to go back to hybrid school in November.  You do chores and one virtual special video in the mornings and then you go to school just for the afternoons four days a week.  Even with the distance and the masks you still love going to school. I'm SO glad you are able to go in person.  So many people still can't.  You've become such a great reader this year and you love sitting down with a pile of books.  If they're at your level you read them word for word, if they're not you just tell the story, whispering to yourself or to Taryn as you turn the pages and admire the pictures.  

On November 30 we were able to get out to NH to visit family.  Watching you run up the street to give Grandpa Arthur a big hug will be one of my favorite memories.  You just held him and he bent over to hug you for probably a minute.  You loved playing with cousin Paige and you had the best time going for snowy walks with Artie and Tenny, and Auntie Amy, completely undeterred by the snow and wind outside.  We spend one day skiing but you were only out there for a couple of hours and the rest of the time we played together in the snow.  You were enchanted by icicles and have the most creative ideas of imaginative play.  

We surprised you and took you guys to Disney World for the last week of our time in the states.  It was wonderful.  You were just tall enough to ride nearly every ride now.  An inch taller than Taryn so she missed out on a few and you completely surprised me by being a real dare-devil.  You loved the speed, the drops, and weren't bothered in the slightest by the darkness on some rides.  It was a shock to me to look at my little baby girl and realize that you're now a big kid who can play with me and your siblings in a whole new way!  You loved it all.  The music, the Christmas decorations, the characters who came by in unscheduled cavalcades, the rides, the shops.  It was all magic to you and watching you and your siblings be grateful and soak up the Disney magic made your Dad and I so happy and so proud.  It was a healing trip for us.  Being together and playing so much. 

Christmas was lovely this year.  We wished that Mallo and Carson could have visited us like they had planned but no visitors were allowed into Saudi so that wasn't possible.  We had a sweet, quiet Christmas at home and even went camping a couple of times over the long break.  You asked Santa for a locket with a K on it!  You gave very thoughtful gifts to your brother Tate that you picked out at Target and watching you and your siblings be excited to share those gifts was the sweetest part of Christmas by far.  

Kenna, I love you.  Your siblings love you.  Your Daddy is smitten with you.  You have the most gentle eyes, a sweet smile, and a heart that feels with others and wants to make the world a happier place.  You are a treasure to our family, my little lady.  It's been a hard year in a lot of ways, but it's been a good year for you.  Lots of growth.  Lots of love.  Lots of adventures.  And you have loved it all as only you can.  

I love and admire you so very much, my little one.  Happy Birthday, sweetie.

The world is yours, Kenna.

Love,

Mom