Merry Christmas from the Peytons

It is a little embarrassing that I have not been on here since April but we have been a teensy bit busy to say the least. It is unbelievable how a year can go by so quickly!! I thought this might be a little easier to recap our year rather than sending out a trees worth of paper to each of you:) The Lord has blessed us so richly. If you read the previous posts this can get you caught up the first few months of the year.
D had stayed busy with work but can never have enough free time to suit him. With the new Harley he acquired for his 40th birthday, he is literally in hog heaven. He likes to occupy his early Saturday mornings with a ride with his crew the Forgiven Sons. On occasion I have taken a ride with him (when we can find a sitter that is crazy enough to take on 5 kids) and let me tell you a great time is had by all. The kids keep trying to convince me that I need a pink sportster to ride but I think I will stick with being co-pilot for awhile.
The kids are all growing like weeds. H and MA turned 10 this year, followed by J turning 8, A is 6 and C is 4. We are still homeschooling and really having a blast doing it. D was a little concerned for me as he thought he would have me in a mental hospital by now but we are plugging right along. Needless to say this Christmas break is much needed and much appreciated!! A and MA are working neck in neck on 1st grade material. It is amazing to see how in under a years time MA is speaking and understanding a new language and is now reading books on her own. She is quite bright and continues to have a hunger for learning. In her spare time she has taken to doing crafts, playing with her sisters, and enjoying time with friends. In October, we had a luau in the backyard for her 10th birthday. She is quite the queen of limbo. It has been really fun to see how she takes everything in for the first time. I can't tell you the number of times she has inquired why we are doing something. For example, why are we sitting in a bunch of vegetables taking pictures (pumpkin patch) and why are we going around begging for candy.
H leads quite a busy life herself. She attends a fine arts school on Mondays to make sure she isn't turning into an awkward homeschooler and receiving all the appropriate socialization (note the sarcasm in my writing). She auditioned for the Con Spirito choir and was accepted. Along with choir she is taking drama and ballet. I cannot tell you how proud she makes us:) Not only does she excel in talent but she is a terrific helper to me. I don't know how I would have survived this crazy year without her help! Her studies are coming along so well that I think sometimes she had no need for me at all. I guess that is one of the perks of homeschooling- to self teach as much as possible and I just assist in her learning process. Some of her other loves right now are horses, horses, horses and spending time with friends now that she is a big preteen.
Our little A is also taking some classes at TAFA. She loves her ballet, music and Bible classes. This has been really good for her to come out of her shell. Her stature is still so petite ( a whopping 36 pounds at almost 7) and she makes the most adorable ballerina! They will have their recital in the spring. She has taken more of an interest in school this year. Reading has really been a struggle for her but I am so proud at how hard she tries and she has made tremendous gains in the last few months. This year she finally lost her first teeth and was even able to lose her two front teeth at the same time. Yes, I did capture that adorable snaggle-tooth on camera.
J and C are like two peas in a pod. Neither one seems to notice the 4 year age difference:) It has been really good for C to have an older brother around. He has become a lot more fearless and way more daring. He is now riding his little bike without training wheels. If J can do it then by golly so can he. He attends Little Learners preschool a couple days a week and I am amazed at the things he has already learned this year including an adorable version of Jingle Bells that will for sure make that carol your all time favorite after you hear his sweet rendition. He cannot get enough of playing with his brother, riding bikes, and of course what we call "daddy time".
J is certainly all boy and has been so great for C to have around. His English is coming right along and we are starting to work on academics for the first time in his life. It was a little concerning at first when he wasn't retaining as much as I thought he should and was tempted a few times to pull out the special ed handbooks, from what seems like a lifetime ago, and become a diagnostician. He is finally making great strides to becoming a productive, little student. His enthusiasm for anything he is doing is quite contagious. He enjoys being outdoors and was thrilled when we took our first camping trip to Lake Brownwood. All the kids were ready to abandon our city life for a more simple one of hiking all day and roasting marshmallows at night.
As for me I am always a little too busy for my own good but I wouldn't have it any other way. I am still directing the childrens choir at church, serving on the praise team, and assisting David in anyway I can with his Worship Ministry. Our goal this year is to really get going with our adoption ministry at the church called Mosaic. I still enjoy my Bunco group and my wonderful group of girlfriends. An old hobby made new again is my love for reading. D was so thoughtful and bought me a Nook for my birthday and I am so excited about trying out my new toy!! Hopefully my computer will be revived and I can begin to keep you updated on a more regular basis all the Peyton pandemonium that is happening around here.

We are so blessed beyond measure and look forward to seeing God continue to work in our lives in 2011. We pray blessings on each of you and hope that we are fortunate enough to cross paths with you in the coming year.

Love to All,
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year
The Peytons