Red Rock Canyon

On Christmas eve morning we visit this beautiful State park just outside of Las Vegas. Christian and Sean climb to the top of the huge rock mountains. The rest of us enjoy exploring the lower rock valley.

Fun with family in Las Vegas

Brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, cousins!

A Danish Christmas

We all dress up and take pictures in Danish costumes...professional pictures to come.

Ellie Mae and Preston play Mary and Joseph

Santa visits and hands out gifts on Christmas Eve....hmm who is Santa?

Sean finds the almond and wins the Marzipan pig.

On Little Yule(Dec. 23) we do have all sorts of activities: Gingerbread house making, sugar cube house, cookie making, woven paper baskets, marzipan creations, aepleskivers--lots of busy activities organized by Grandma.

Grandma directs the children in "The Smallest Gnome" play complete with singing. Preston and Boston play the two little gnomes and Hannah is the narrator.

Of course FOOD was a major part of the festivities

Cute cousins, Preston, Boston and Annika.

Merry Christmas 2010

Bateman Family

Merry Christmas Letter

December 2010

Mike and I feel very blessed with 6 wonderful children who are productive and happy and following their dreams. Hard to believe that half of our children are grown and gone. Besides a busy family practice, Mike is still involved with University of Puget Sound's athletic teams. He teaches the Priests quorum (16-18 year old young men) on Sunday's and weekly activity nights. I enjoy walking with friends, book club reading, and try to keep the household running smoothly. I'm also taking a refresher course to get my RN license updated. We are headed to Las Vegas for an old fashioned Danish Christmas and we are excited to spend time with our Bateman Family.

Preston, 6:

My school is called University Place Primary. I am in 1st grade and I like to play sports like baseball and soccer and flag football. Math is my favorite subject because I love numbers! I do not enjoy the library because it gets boring. The Curtis Vikings are a good football team because they won soooo much games that leaded them to go to the state playoffs. They are 4th in the state 4A rankings. I like to call Christian at college. Merry Christmas!

Hannah, 11:

6th grade has been lots of work! I'm getting used to staying up late to finish up my homework. I am looking forward to turning twelve in February because I will be in Young Womens at church. I enjoy singing. I have been in Narrows View Advanced Choir this year and participated in a children's choir for my stake. My soccer team's season just ended this past Saturday, I play defense. Merry Christmas and have a happy new year!

Katie, 15:

(...I dont like pictures.)

In the spring, I played water polo (2nd in varsity state tournament). The highlights of summer: efy, stanford swim camp, girls camp, youth conference, trips to "the island" and swimming hole, and metro swim team at 6 outdoors every morning... Besides the homework load, I am loving the high school life this Fall. I start Puget Sound Polo this winter in preparation for my school's spring season. I continue to play the piano (and organ) for my church and for fun. It really is a wonderful life! Merry Christmas.

Christian, 18:

I finished up high school! Had a great summer working, and now I'm at BYU. I love it and love the atmosphere and have made a lot of really good friends. I'm looking forward to turning in my mission papers in January! I'll be finishing up my second semester at BYU and leave hopefully soon after. Life just gets better and better each day.

Emily, 21:

I am is currently serving on Temple Square in Salt Lake City as a missionary and having a fabulous time. I give tours to those who visit the square and bear testimony daily about the gospel of Jesus Christ. During the holidays I have been directing the Missionary Christmas choir. Each week is a new adventure! I meet people from all over the world. And the other sisters I serve with are from all over the world as well. I love spreading the good news of the restored Gospel of Jesus Christ!

From Bethany and Sean Cudahy, Newlyweds:

This has been a big year for me! Sean and I were married on August 13th, and then went on a wonderful honeymoon trip to Costa Rica. We're now in school together, living at married student housing at BYU, and I graduate in December. I will be looking for nursing jobs in Utah so I can work while Sean finishes up with school. He's doing prerequisites for optometry, and looking at applying to Pacific which is in Portland, Oregon. Marriage has been a wonderful adventure and we are loving this new part of life!

Happy Halloween

Hannah made for a stunning witch with her wild red hair. Preston was so proud to be a BYU football player even though they are in the middle of a losing season...a true fan.

Halloween 1974, me at age 10 with my cute little brother Ben, age 2. Uh.... I think I was going for the gypsy look.

Katie and Friends

Katie is always having fun with her friends. Here are a few pictures from the last couple months....fun with cousin Kelsey, swim team, EFY at UPS, Stanford swim camp, Girls Camp, Curtis HS Football games, train trip to Portland with Madison and Savannah, 4th year hike, dinner at Stanfords with Bateman cousins. Ahhh, the life of a busy and active teenager.