Kate's Blessing

We blessed Kate this morning before church. It was a great event - I felt the Spirit was really present, and I felt so blessed to be Kate's mom. I feel she has a really beautiful spirit. Brad did a wonderful job with the blessing. Several times he mentioned that she would serve others and bring joy. She already brings our family so much joy. We love her! Grandma Fern (for whom she is named) was able to be there, as were Grandma and Grandpa Winder. That was really fantastic! My parents were able to listen in through Skype. I desperately wished they could have been there, but Skyping in was a good alternative. 

Here are some photos from the morning. 

All of the Tanner grandchildren

Grandma Fern with Katie Fern

Kate with Grandma and Grandpa Hunter

Kate with Grandma and Grandpa Winder

All of the Hunter grandchildren

Hunters

Christmas Card 2013

I'm feeling a little sad I didn't send out a letter with our Christmas card this year, so I thought I would just put the letter part of our card on our blog. If I had sent out a letter, this is what it would have said.

Annie is in a universal pre-kindergarten for five days a week (!!!) and loving it. I've really noticed how mature she's getting this year - she is such a good helper with Kate. James is a completely mischievious and darling two-year old. The other mornig we got out of bed to find him naked and COVERED in my make-up (we're talking eyeliner in his bum - needless to say that make-up got tossed). Kate joined our family in September, and I cannot overemphasize what a dream baby she is. She's mostly content as long as she can see someone and lights up if anyone gives her the least bit of attention. She regularly sleeps from 10 to 5. Brad is interviewing all over the country for residency right now.He's doing internal medicine and then will likely do a fellowship in oncology. So far, his two favorites are Mayo Clinic and UCSF. We'll find out where he matches on March 21! Finally, I'm keeping busy with the 3 kids. We recently joined the Y and I'm totally hooked on the fun classes and exercising with friends. As per normal, I'm loving my book club. We are currently reading Anna Karenina - I love that I'm in a book club that chooses to tackle this kind of book.

We chose a scripture to focus on this year as a family, Psalms 118:24. "This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it." Accordingly, each night at dinner we shared a "rejoicing" from our day. Here are some of our rejoicings from the year:

Kate: When someone talks to me
James: See the birds and Daddy home (literally what he said every single night - and for the record he actually talks much better than this sounds)
Annie: Visiting Utah
MaryAnne: Having Kate join our family and my new iPhone
Brad: A new baby and almost being done with school

Love to you all! We hope that things are going well for you and your families!