THREE winners!!

Three people commented on my giveaway post, so I decided to make all three winners.  Tracy, Elena, and Friend from Taiwan, please send me your mailing address and I'll send you a Parisian print!

 

2023 Christmas Greetings

*I just realized I hadn't added this to my blog last year.  I know it's not chronological, but that hasn't stopped me before.  I'm getting ready to type this year's letter, so I thought I should add last year's here first ;).

Seasons greetings beloved family and friends!

As you may have guessed, we did not move to China this summer. Grandparents' prayers are powerful!

Leonard is now working as the chief of staff and senior advisor to the director general of international organizations. He is enjoying doing multilateral work again.

Jennifer went back to school! Well, she took an acrylic and mixed media class from the Ottawa School of Art in the fall and is looking forward to painting more in the coming year.

Kaleb completed his mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the spring, then spent the summer at Brigham Young University. In the fall he transferred to the University of Notre Dame where he is studying classical architecture.

Noé is half-way through her senior year at Brigham Young University-Hawaii. She is studying Hospitality and Tourism management and is set to graduate in April. We're all hoping to join her for that important event!

Gavin is in his most important year of high school (grade 11) and his favorite subjects are computer programming and communication technology.

Teague started high school (grade 9) and his favorite subject is wood shop.

Hiram started middle school (grade 6) and his favorite subjects are math and gym.

Ali is in 4th grade and her favorite subjects are art and gym.

Macy is in Senior Kindergarten with great classmates that love her, Down syndrome and all.

We had a busy summer with trips to Philadelphia, Las Vegas, New Hampshire, and Indiana.

Next year looks to be eventful too as we are moving to Paris, France in the summer! We have decided to sell our beloved home, so if you know anyone who may be interested please let us know.

God is so good and we are so grateful for His blessings, especially the gift of His son, Jesus Christ, whose birth we love celebrating every year. We hope you are enjoying the beautiful holiday season with your loved ones, and that 2024 will bring you and yours many wonderful surprises and blessings.

Much love,
The Reil family
Leonard, Jennifer, Kaleb, Noé, Gavin, Teague, Hiram, Ali, and Macy

Seventeen! And a giveaway!

Seventeen years ago today, I started this blog.  We were living in Taiwan and I thought it would be a fun way to share our happenings with our family and friends living on the other side of the world.  But, the main reason I started it was to slurp my posts into a book maker to have yearbooks made with all the best of our digital pictures in them.  I did do that... for 2007 and 2008.  Then I had a fourth baby, we moved back to Canada, and life continued to happen.

I love this blog.  It's been a part of me for so long.  However, I'm over a year behind on it now and not sure when I'll be able to catch up.  And since my "free" time is limited, I think I should finally start making those yearbooks, so my own children (the stars of this show) can actually look at them and remember their growing up years.

I'm not going to shut it down, and I will still make posts (at least the yearly Christmas letter and family photo), but I'm going to focus on making the books and we'll see how blogging fits into it.

Now for the giveaway part.  For several years, I had a giveaway to celebrate my blog anniversary.  I decided to do it again this year.  To enter to win, all you have to do is leave a comment below.  Next week, on October 23rd I'll randomly select a winner.  I'll announce the winner, and once they've made sure I have their mailing address, I'll send off this beautiful watercolor print from Paris.  Good luck!  I hope you win!