Happy New Years!!!

Happy News Years!!! One of my new years resolutions is to update my blog or at least keep it a little up dated. I may go back if time allows, but over a whole year has passed and I never did a thing. So I promised myself I would keep it updated as well as I can with 4 kids. I think 4 kids threw me off my schedule a little, but finally I feel like I am getting it together. I want to share our family newsletter for 2011 which will bring us up to date on the happening in our family thus far besides the most obvious one...our little baby boy Noah...who I can't believe will be 1 year old in 8 days. Time sure does fly.

Our Family Christmas Letter 2011

This year has been Amazing for our family. We were blessed to have a Baby Boy come to our family in January. We loved spending time with Noah’s family for Memorial Day camping at Noah’s sister Rachel’s house in Boulder Creek near Santa Cruz, CA. It was fun spending time with her since she will be moving to Japan for 3 years in January. Anissa and little Noah also had the opportunity to spend time with her family and attend Anissa’s sister Amber’s college graduation from BYU-Idaho in Rexburg, ID. Little Noah enjoyed his first plane ride and snow. Noah and the 3 girls enjoyed camping for the weekend at Del Valle while they were away and fished and endured temperatures below freezing at night. This summer we had the opportunity to take a two week, 3,000 mile road trip to Colorado and back with stops in Utah and Las Vegas. We enjoyed visiting both sides of the family in Colorado and had the special opportunity to reunite with Anissa’s 3 Aunts and Uncle and their families that we had never met before during a Martinez Family reunion. Anissa’s dad had not seen 4 of his siblings since he was 9. For fall break we enjoyed a week at our favorite spot on the north coast at Manchester Beach

Noah celebrated 11 years working for Neil O. Anderson & Associates. He still enjoys his job and this year was the most profitable for his office since opening the bay area Branch in 2006. His office grew enough this year to move to a new office building double the size. The company continues to bounce back from the downturn in the economy and has grown over 20% in the last year. Noah was released from his calling as 1^st counselor in the Young Men’s Presidency at church after serving for 5 years. He is now teaching the Gospel Principles class. Noah was able to coach Aubrey’s soccer team “The Tremors” this year.

Anissa gave birth to a beautiful baby boy this year and has been adjusting to life with 4 kids. Despite the 4^th child she has been able to help in Aubrey and Autumn’s classes at school. Anissa was released as the Activity Day leader this year and is now serving as a Visiting Teaching Supervisor. She enjoys spending the little free time she has scrapbooking, playing with Noah, and socializing with her good friends.

Ashlyn is ten and is in the 5th grade. She had a great experience running for Student Body President this year although she didn’t win. However, it gave her time to volunteer in Aubrey’s kindergarten class and the Hawk Helpers Club. Ashlyn has been taking piano lessons and is in the school band where she is taking after her mom and playing the flute. She loves increasing her musical talents. Ashlyn has really enjoyed having a little brother and takes good care of him.

Autumn is seven and in the 2^nd grade. She enjoys school and continues to excel in her reading. She has also been writing stories. One story based on Cinderella about a butterfly was even considered for publishing. Autumn surprised us this year when she joined the Kindess & Caring club at school. She has really enjoyed serving and doing things for other students. Autumn started taking piano lessons this year and is playing very well.

Aubrey turned five and started Kindergarten this year. She is doing very well in school although she continues to demand attention by being the class clown. She is very outgoing and constantly breaks out in song with whatever pops into her head. Aubrey started playing soccer this year and enjoyed having her dad as her Coach. She scored lots of goals and looks forward to playing again next year.

Noah Thomas Elias was born this year on January 9. Noah was named after his great grandfathers. He is definitely a boy and different than his older sisters. Noah has a great spirit about him and loves to play. He is already a smart boy and started walking at 9.5 months. He appears to have a future in sports as he already dribbles the soccer ball around the living room and loves to shoot a ball in his basketball hoop. Noah is easy going and that is good given the nature of his older sisters.