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Saturday, December 19, 2009

Cheap Christmas Card



Dear Friends and Family,

We have had a too eventful year!

Our family was in a car accident in January. We feel very blessed that we all walked away from the scene, but we certainly weren’t without injury. Kate spent the night in the hospital since she was 9 months pregnant, and Dave missed 2 weeks of work. The seatbelts and airbags saved our lives, but they sure can make a person sore.

In February Braden Poteet Mills was born a healthy 8 lbs 9 oz. (9 days after the accident). He has been so fun to have in our family. It is so fun to watch his big brothers love him and be excited for every new thing he learns. And, he keeps right up with his brothers, crawling stink-bug style the day he turned 6 months old, and already taking his first steps this month at 10 months old. Dave is sure he will be running by Christmas.

Colton is 3 ½ and is our comic relief. He is the funniest little boy with always something hilarious to say. And his facial expressions are the best! We never wonder what he is thinking because his face shows it all. He is learning to write and has his alphabet and numbers all figured out. He is excited to be a Sunbeam in January and go to Primary. Luckily we had a new family move into the ward with a boy Colty’s age, so now he isn’t the only boy in his class.

Tanner is now 4 ½ and is growing up way too fast. He started Pre-school this fall and has really enjoyed it. He has his alphabet all figured out and is spelling things phonetically too. Tanner is a shy boy, and I am still not sure he has ever talked to his teacher. He is our little artist and draws all day long. The problem with it is that we can’t figure out what to do with 15 different drawings everyday, each one worthy of being kept. Besides his teeth that are rotting out of his head and need extensive work done, he is a good boy and definitely a keeper.

Kate was just released from 2nd Counselor in Young Women’s at the beginning of this month, and put in as a primary teacher. On top of being a stay at home mom with 3 wild boy, she has made and attended a million and three doctor’s appointments, made and sold scones and homemade jam at the Farmer’s Market, had a garden, enjoyed socializing in the ward, participated in a Zumba class, worked VERY part time for the insurance agency in town, canned pickles, beans, apple pie filling, apple juice, applesauce, pearsauce, salsa, tomatoes, peaches, and tried to keep a clean house.

Dave continues to work in Driggs at Intermountain Aquatics, and we are really praying the company can hold on through this economic mess. His hours have been cut way back this winter, so Kate will go back to work 3 days a week and let Dave be the mom. In April and May he had surgeries to remove a cancerous thyroid, and then did radiation treatment after a 3 week no-iodine diet. He is now regulating his thyroid via medication, and it is has been a little tricky getting things regulated, but as of this month his levels are where the doctor wants them. His diabetes has been great the whole time, thankfully. He is the 11-year old scout master, and although he’ll never admit it, really quite enjoys it.

Although our year has been full of lots of unpleasant surprises, we feel so blessed. Heavenly Father has worked many mighty miracles in our behalf, and sent angels in many forms to our aid. It is hard to complain too much when we realize the many blessings we have.

We are wishing you a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, and are hoping that we all enjoy a very UN-eventful 2010.

With love,

Dave, Kate, Tanner, Colton and Braden Mills

Friday, December 18, 2009

Christmas

One of my favorite things about Christmas is the letters and pictures we get in the mail. And I have always been so good about getting mine done and out. But this year, the hand of cards we have been dealt is going to require us to do our Christmas letter electronically. I am really sad about it, but I hope you enjoy it just the same. Merry Christmas!!