Dear Friends & Family,

I'm going to use the excuse that "I just had a baby" so I didn't get Christmas cards sent out. Never mind the fact that my baby was born 5 months ago. So, to ease my guilt for not having sent any in the mail, I'm going to use our family's blog to wish you all a Merry Christmas and update you on the happenings of our year. But, if you are a regular reader of our blog, I'm sure you already know more than you wanted to about the life of the Stokers in 2009, so consider yourself loved and read on if you want.

2009 has been a busy and eventful year for us. The begining of the year marked the begining of my second trimester of my third pregnancy. Owen George Stoker arrived one day after his due date on July 22, 2009 weighing in at a healthy 9 pounds 3 ounces. He is a very happy, content little boy who has been a wonderful addition to our family. He loves cuddling and being in the water, sweet potatoes and pears are among his favorite foods, and he is spoiled with hugs, kisses, and being held by his two older brothers. Owen is working very hard at getting his teeth and he chews, chomps, and drools on anything he can get his hands on.
Kamden celebrated his third birthday this year and is still as busy and rambunctious as ever. He loves dinosaurs and the movie 'CARS' and is anxiously awaiting the warmer weather so that he can run free outside again. He enjoys counting things and doing puzzles, reading books, and looks forward to being a Sunbeam in the coming year. Kamden loves being with friends and playing with his older brother, but he is also perfectly happy to do his own thing.
Ethan is a wonderful big brother and a great helper. He started preschool this year with a group of 7 other kids and has made some good friends and had the opportunity to go on a lot of fun fieldtrips. Some favorites so far have been going to the pumpkin patch where he got to go on a hayride, learning about letters at the post office, sitting in an ambulance at the EMT building, and learning about wildlife and the outdoors at a local nature center. He enjoys Primary each Sunday and is very excited to start Kindergarten in 2010, though I am deffinitley having mixed emotions about it! In 2009 he made his first trip to the ER when we weren't sure if he'd broken his arm or not; thankfully no cast was needed. He was also able to be the ring bearer in his Uncle Jeff's wedding in March. Ethan had a lot of fun playing on community soccer and t-ball teams and looks forward to doing so again. He will be 5 years old later this month.
The boys keep me busy and entertained and I have also taken up photography, though I am still learning. We have been in our home for 3 years now and still have several projects to occupy our spare time. This summer we were able to fence in the backyard which has been really nice, especially since the boys practically live outside during the summer.
Jeff is now working with Wells Fargo as a Business Specialist and deals with commercial accounts, he is enjoying the change from insurance and we are grateful for all he does to provide for our family. He was recently called to be the Young Men's president in our ward; he works with the boys ages 12-18, mainly the 16-18 year olds, and is having fun planning camping trips and other activities with them.
The year has also had some low points as I lost my grandmother just days after Owen was born. She was an amazing woman and a great example. She is missed but left behind a legacy of love and faith that has been a strength in my life.
Some fun things our family was able to do this past year were: taking the boys to their first hockey game, going to Utah and spending a day at Lagoon, riding in grandpa's boat, and celebrating 6 years of marriage.
We have been so incredibly blessed throughout the past year. Among our greatest blessings are our wonderful friends and family members. We are thankful for this Christmas season and for the opportunity to celebrate the birth and the life of our Savior, Jesus Christ. May the new year bring you blessings and joy.
Love,
Jeff, Holly
Ethan, Kamden, & Owen