Has it been a year already? What a year it's been. Because of the normal/abnormal craziness, I asked each of the families/individuals to write their own blurb this year (and added some of our thoughts too).
Vance
Marly
The Thieme’s had a fun year! Hayden graduated from optometry school and is now working with his dad in their family optometry practice. Marly started grad school at BSU this fall and is loving it! James goes to Pre-k and loves it. He is so social and loves to read books to his brother. Alexander is easygoing and loves going to gym daycare and nursery to play with friends! His vocab has exploded and he surprises everyone with his conversation skills. Ben and I want to add that this family is Lego crazy and we love seeing the creations they put together. We are so proud of them and all their sacrifices for their family.Drew
To start off 2023, Kaycee started in nursing school and Drew began a new career as a Business Development Representative and a Financial Advisor. In March, they took a well deserved, kid-free trip to Aruba to celebrate their 5 year wedding anniversary! Brooks turned 3 in May, and Adelynn turned 2 in September. After a severe reaction, they discovered Adelynn has an allergy to bee stings & ant bite! Overall, 2023 has proven to be a great year - filled with Brooks’ love for his bike, superheroes, dance parties, playing fetch with their dog, Maple, Adelynn’s baby doll obsession, making food in her play kitchen, and swinging at the park. Their days are full with active kids, mom deep in the textbooks, and dad who works full time, but they always do their best to prioritize family time! Dad and I are so glad they live near us so we get plenty of grandkid time. Drew and Kaycee are always willing to lend us a hand with their siblings still at home too.
Skylar
Katy
This year Katy completed her first full year in Juneau, Alaska! She spent this year with her boyfriend and they were able to travel to various places around Alaska including Talkeetna, Wasilla, Anchorage, and Haines. They adventured around via bush plane, snowmobile, boat and car. Although, her favorite trips they went on were the two times they were fortunate enough to go home to Arizona and spend time with the family. Katy is currently managing a local coffee shop and still taking personal training clients in person and online. Stacy wants to add that she has an adventuring spirit but her roots are firmly planted in family and building relationships. It's not always easy when you're so far away and we miss her tremendously.
Tawny
Tawny and Kelsi both started this year with new jobs at Premier Learning Academy, where Tawny has since been promoted to lead teacher. Kelsi got her CNA license and is excited to start nursing school soon! They moved out on their own for the first time and love having an apartment. Dad and I are so proud of the beautiful woman Tawny is and are grateful for her and Kelsi's work ethic. They are a good example to all of us. She and Kelsi both love the nieces and nephews so much and we love when they are able to join us for family activities. We simply love them.
Anny
This year was very busy for me. I starred as Willy Wonka in Willy Wonka Jr. and was in Lion King Jr with a community theater. I started high school as well.
Stacy adds, she also plays the viola in the school orchestra, is a voracious reader (yay!) and is the best helper around the house and best big sister to three little brothers, she's fiercely protective of them. She is a beautiful young woman trying to navigate her world and we absolutely adore her vivacious personality.
Derek
I'm an 8th grade kid with the mind of Einstein and the touch of Michael Jordan. I have many friends including Drexton Clare (because he hates when I say he's my friend). (He's also super confident -Stacy)We appreciate how Derek honors his priesthood and helps out even when it isn't his job. We enjoy seeing him lead out and grow into a young man. Derek is always willing to try new things even when it is uncomfortable. He has grown physically so much this year too, he's taller than his mom by a lot now! He can't wait to be out of middle school. He might like to read now that he found Michael Vey books.
Joey
I played tackle football for the first time and I loved it. I also went to Utah and California. Playing at the park with my friends is what I do everyday.
Stacy wanted to add that he made the choice to be baptized a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints back in January. He looks forward to getting the priesthood this January and joining the youth program at church. He plays percussion in the school band and he is a good friend. He loves both his families fiercely. We are so glad he's a part of our family.
Ryker
What can we say about this cute kid? He also chose to be baptized back in January of this year with his brother and we are proud of his decision to follow Jesus. He is crafty and enjoys doing things with his hands. He loves to create art and eat chips. His love language is gift-giving. We adore him even if he drives us crazy sometimes acting like a 10year old, ha ha.
Ben
2023 was a busy year. Let's see, I am still coaching football and basketball, which might never change. I enjoyed a successful basketball season and enjoyed a rough (we lost a lot) football season. I still had fun with the young men and I hope I was a positive influence on many of them. The Summer months were great. I enjoyed taking the camper out and staying a few nights at Fish Lake in Utah. It was colder than we expected, but were happy in our camper that had a nice heater. Later in the summer, I was able to take three of my sons and go to Southern New Mexico and go golfing. We spent a day golfing in Ruidoso and then another day in Cloud Croft. The golf was great, but the time together was even better.
Stacy
Bella!
Bella joined our family this week! After losing Petey almost two years ago, we've been lonely for another pet but it took some time to be ready and then the boys came so I'm glad we waited. With Stacy's surgery coming up soon, she wanted a pet to sit with at home and go out for walks with. We adopted Bella from the Pinal County Animal Shelter. She's four and we decided her birthday is September 13th in honor of Bella Swan from Twilight (OK, maybe Stacy decided that). She has the softest fur and she has a lame right paw so she walks with a limp just like Stacy:) She's very calm and sweet with the kids too. She follows Ben and Stacy around the house all day and enjoys riding in the car. We adore her.
This time of year may be busy and stress always leaks into our lives, but it is also the time to remember that families come first, quality time is important and memories are better than possessions. We love the holiday season so that we can remember that the birth of Christ is important as it started his mission here for us and we are celebrating His life. We are looking forward to 2024 being even better than ever. Our family is forever changing, growing and evolving. Exciting things are always happening. Have a great Holiday Season. - Ben Johnson family
Katy
Joey
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