Christmas Letter 2011

The Family Photo That Made The Cut

This year has presented a lot of changes and challenges in the Woodward household. Despite unexpected obstacles, we have grown and our family has gotten stronger. Our greatest joy is our children. Therefore we will begin our letter by focusing on their accomplishments.


Madeline (age 10) has entered 5th grade. She is still a natural leader and involved with many activities. She had a great opportunity to join an orchestra that begins before school. She is learning the violin. She is continuing to develop her artistic and singing skills. She is a tremendous reader and devours books. She has also started a blog and records many of her observations about life. She aptly named the blog My Words My Life. She loves comments and would love for you to visit her website. The address is: http://myfavoritehamster.blogspot.com/

Liam (age 7) is in 2nd grade. This past fall he was allowed to be on a flag football team of 4th and 5th graders. He was the only 2nd grader. He was a little intimidated, but he did well and learned a lot. In the end he said that he liked soccer better because in football he felt like there was too much standing around waiting for the offense(he played mainly on defense) to finish their plays. Starting next month he is going to begin YMCA basketball. We are just excited that it is indoors! Liam has also become a reader this year. He is a good example to others of being patient and compassionate, and his teacher and fellow classmates love him.

Genevieve (age 4 ) is in a co-op preschool taught by her mom and 4 other moms. She is our happy girl and is always smiling and laughing. Evie doesn’t walk she dances and skips. She adores her older sister and wants to be like her in every way. Evie reminds us a lot of Maddy at the same age. She has also started singing and making up her own songs. She loves her friends and likes play dates. She loves horses and was able to ride a miniature horse for the first time.

Finn (age 21 months) is our wild child. He has a ton of energy. He is loud and feisty and able to hold his own with his siblings. He has decided that he no longer needs a nap, which means that he is in to everything all day long. Finn has also learned how to climb out of his crib (we have video of him doing it), unlock any door, and climb into or onto almost anything he wants. He definitely knows what he wants and how to get our attention. He is also extremely funny and has established himself in the family as being a bit of a clown. He has got some killer dance moves, likes to sing, and loves to show people his attempt at doing the splits.

Kirsten (age younger than Ken) is continuing to balance being a mom (cooking, cleaning, attending field trips, monitoring school projects, teaching children life lessons, loving our sweet kiddos), being a wife (going on a date once every 6 months with my awesome husband), doing her church calling (relief society meeting leader – just completed the 15th activity but who’s counting), and work (her school closed last year and she is now teaching 7th grade history and language arts for the first time). She is happy and looking forward to the new year and exciting adventures that are coming up.

Ken (age the big 40) is continuing to balance being a dad (cooking, cleaning, being the homework task master, keeping Finn from dragging everything we own out from the cupboards and closets, being a running coach to Maddy) being a fantastic husband, doing his church calling (high councilman for 2 years), and work (another crazy year in the stock markets). Ken thinks his family is hilarious and has learned what the most important things in life are really about this past year.

We hope this season finds you happy and healthy and we look forward to reading updates about your family.