Hogwart's Express - Universal |
Dear Family and Friends, December 2012
We hope this letter finds
you all well. This year was a big
adjustment to everything American. We
are getting back into the groove of Mac & Cheese and less expensive most
everything, but are always wondering where are money goes. Our year was super packed!! Now that the holidays have come
it’s slowed down a bit, but we still manage to be busy. Michigan weather has been extremely
strange. It seems mother-nature is
confused and it is very warm for this time of year. I don’t think we will have a white Christmas
but you never know.
We spent spring break visiting Chris’s sister in Virginia. On our way we stopped at Shenandoah National Park and
spent a couple days in the Appalachian’s hiking. The LONGEST and toughest hike I’ve ever been
on. There was much wailing and gnashing
of teeth but we made it and are better people for it. Once we got to VA we planned days to see
Gettysburg, Jamestown, and many other historical sites including a trip to DC,
of course. There is so much to learn
and know about American History my mind was completely full by the end of the
week. I think our favorite spot was
Gettysburg. It’s so big you cannot just
take one day like we did. We would love
to go back.
On the last day of school we took a
week to go to Florida with my family for our Bulkley Family Reunion. In July we took a week and a few days to drive to
Idaho with Chris’s family. Both family
reunions were great. Florida was
sweltering and our clothes were soaked daily from the heat. Disneyworld and Universal Studios were places
we visited and we had lunch at the Three Broomsticks with Butterbeer to
drink. Kids enjoyed that a lot. The one nice thing about Florida was we got
to swim in the pool daily. In Idaho we
spent time ice skating, white water rafting and horseback riding. Such a busy summer!
Chris is still at
Jackson National Life Insurance. His job
has changed a little bit for the coming year so we hope that will help with the
slow audit times. He will be managing
and directing multiple audits and providing communication between teams in the
US and UK. Bishopric duties still keep him
very busy. He was also volunteered to
help put together the Ward Christmas Party this month.
He still keeps involved with his boys and the scouting program which
takes up most of his down time. He is a
very busy and stressed man.
I have changed my work schedule
around and work three days a week 8-1. My piano students have increased – Yay! I now have 7 students. It’s been wonderful teaching all these children. Also, I was recently called into Primary as the 2nd counselor in the presidency. I look forward to working with the young children in this capacity. My other duties still include Pack Committee Chair (to be released soon) and I help on the scout committee over training. I have learned to say no, but this month I’ve been very busy playing piano. My skills have been requested to help at voice lessons for a friend (and I get paid). It’s been really fun. I do practice more than I ever did which keeps my brain a workin’.
around and work three days a week 8-1. My piano students have increased – Yay! I now have 7 students. It’s been wonderful teaching all these children. Also, I was recently called into Primary as the 2nd counselor in the presidency. I look forward to working with the young children in this capacity. My other duties still include Pack Committee Chair (to be released soon) and I help on the scout committee over training. I have learned to say no, but this month I’ve been very busy playing piano. My skills have been requested to help at voice lessons for a friend (and I get paid). It’s been really fun. I do practice more than I ever did which keeps my brain a workin’.
Jonathan keeps up with
school quite well. He has not has any
major issues which means he is maturing. His teachers love him and think he is the hardest working student. Science Olympiad is new on
his plate. He doesn’t know how it will
go, but we are glad he is trying something new.
His favorite class in school is World History. His teacher has stated Jonathan remembers
everything to do with dates and events.
He’s brilliant! Well, the teacher
didn’t exactly say that, but memorizing those dates and events would make
anyone really really smart. He has been
taking practice tests for the ACT and SAT this year. His mind becomes more and more involved in
future thinking. One of his classes had
a project to put together a resume and an idea for a career. He’s thinking Chemical Engineering. After this decision was made, we found out
that Great Grandpa Wells was also a chemical engineer as well as Grandpa Wells
and his Uncle Steve. Jonathan feels that
it would be a good career for him. We
shall see…
Mikael has started
karate recently. We hope this will be
really great for him. His sometimes shy
nature and anxiousness make certain things difficult for him. The karate course we have signed him up for
will help him overcome these things. We
are happy we can do this for him and he really seems to like it! His grades are good and he enjoys most of his
classes. He still loves being outdoors
when he can and is still talking about the Boundary Waters trip this coming
summer.
The children and Chris built a tree house at the end of the fall
season. They haven’t had much time to
use it in the warm weather; if it is still there in the spring, many days will
be spent there. The kids love it! Our yard is still a work in progress. We did get all the weeds cut down and the
raised beds fixed before winter set in.
Hopefully that will cut down with weeds in the fall.
Happy
Holidays to each and every one of you.
May God Bless you in all you do!
Love,
Chris, Karen, Jonathan, Mikael and Elizabeth Wells