Thursday, December 15, 2011

Merry Christmas


          So I had to record our Christmas letter update on our blog....






MERRY CHRISTMAS 2011
Mike:  Continues to save lives on a daily basis. ...One of my friends recently told me that she wondered if Mike were to take off his shirt there would be a superman costume underneath.   Quite a compliment and I have to agree.   
Marie:  I finished updating my nursing license this year....yeah!   Managing the Bateman household (even though it is shrinking!) still keeps me hopping-- also, volunteer work at church and school, walking with friends, reading,  and writing weekly to two wonderful missionary children.   It has been a great blessing during the past year for our family to receive missionary updates each week from Elder and Sister Bateman.   

Bethany and Sean:   Bethany graduated with honors from the BYU nursing program and has nearly completed a year at her first nursing job.  They are excited for their next adventure and will move to Columbus OH in early 2012 for Optometry school.  Goodbye Happy Valley and Wymount Terrace...Go Buckeyes!   

                      


Emily:   Loving her mission on Temple Square in Salt Lake City.  She has made friends with people from all over the world.    She also has spent the past 3 months as a missionary in Athens Georgia, even became a true Bulldog fan.  Home from mission on February 1st!    Emily says  “I am learning so many things about myself and about the world through serving a mission. I am so grateful to be here. The Lord is giving me insight and understanding about His ways as I try to do what He did, which is "preach the gospel." I'm trying to be like Jesus- I'm trying!”

                                               

Christian:   After one year at BYU he left last June for his mission in Mozambique.  He is experiencing 120 degree heat, eating crocodile meat, seeing monkeys, hippos and wild dogs on a daily basis: it’s all just part of his regular life in Africa now.  Recent letter:  “My heart is growing bigger and bigger each day. My capacity to love and my want to love all those around me is being multiplied because of the way I am keeping the commandments and trying to be a representative of Jesus Christ. I love my mission and I love all of you and the support you give me.  Happy Holidays everyone! ”

                     
Katie (16):   Surviving heavy academic year at Curtis HS...successful swimmer and water polo player...loves piano and Acappella choir.  Dating and driving have brought many new adventures and excitements.    Completed her first sprint triathlon last summer and had a blast.

                                  
Hannah (12):  Nurturing babysitter and lover of all babies and children...piano and cello and soccer....reading more than all of her siblings combined (and that’s saying ALOT!) Begs me routinely to take her to the public library where she is in her heavenly place.  
Preston (7):   Social little guy who loves to play with cousins and friends each day.   His life revolves around football, soccer, basketball and baseball.     A lot like his dad, he is curious and inquisitive, his mind constantly dreaming and scheming.   Recently said to one of his favorite people, Cera Edgley...”I just love Christmas because it is when all of my dreams come true!”  Hmmm, we’ll see.  
We are so thankful for YOU!--all our wonderful family and friends.   Merry Christmas to all and peace in the coming year..Love, The Bateman Family  

Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Thankful for missionaries...

During this holiday time we are really missing our missionaries...Christian and Emily.   They are both working hard and doing wonderfully.   Christian has already completed 6 months!   Wow, that has actually gone pretty fast.   Here are a few pictures from in the MTC with best buds Kent and Peter...traveling with a group of 9 to Mozambique...life in Africa has been fascinating--interesting people, hot hot Tete, hippos, monkeys and crocodile meat, making friends with the locals and helping friend Geronimo build a house of mud and bricks.   What amazing experiences he is having and he is growing and learning so much.  We are proud of him. 











 Emily will be home February 1st...we are so excited.  She has spent most of her time on Temple square and now is enjoying the culture of the Atlanta Georgia area, UGA football, had a baptism of a wonderful couple, baked pies for Thanksgiving and visited a local farm.  She is also learning and growing so much and we look forward to talking to her on Christmas and seeing her very soon.






Congrats Kate



 We were really proud of Katie last night at the Girls Swim Banquet and Award night.   She received two major awards which she fully deserved due to her commitment and hard work during the season--Coaches award and Iron Woman award.   Way to go Katie.  


Junior girls


We are so excited for the new Curtis Aquatic Center which just opened.   After two seasons of being bussed all over Tacoma to different pools we now have the nicest High School pool in Washington State.  With 8 lanes,  a full Water polo court, underwater speakers and seating for 500, I'm sure there will be lots of swim meets and tournaments here.   So exciting!




Happy Turkey Day

A few fun shots of our Thanksgiving thanks to Rachel :)   Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!










Saturday, November 26, 2011

Sports: Swim, Soccer and Soccer

Fall 2011 has been full of attending sporting events....
 Katie has had a fantastic swim season and dramatically improved her times in every event.   She made it to the League meet in the 500 freestyle ( 20 laps!)    We are so excited for the new Curtis swim pool to be completed for spring water polo and her Senior year swim season...(ugh I hate to even think she will be a senior next year.)
 Katie and Alissa have had a great time together on the swim team.  

 Hannahs soccer team has turned hard core this year...even changing their name from the Ladybugs to VENOM!   Sounds fierce doesn't it?!  haha  She does a great job playing defender and works hard to keep the ball from getting near the goal.  


 Preston and Hannah getting ready for their games...
our Saturdays have been soccer...and more soccer.  
 This is Preston's first year playing outdoor soccer and it has been a learning year.  He and Braden are on the same team along with best buddy Jacob.   Each game the boys seem to get a little better.  
 So glad to have healthy active kids!