Happy New Year to Everyone-We hope that 2014 was a wonderful year full of memories made with those you loved!!! This last year was full of alot of things for our family! It felt like we were constantly on the move and with 5 kids-that probably will always be the norm around here.
Whitney (12) has really grown up. She grew 6 inches since last year and she loves being taller than mom. She is started off the year playing AAU Basketball and then Soccer in the Spring. Again playing AAU Summer basketball and this Fall she tried out for the school Volleyball team and made the B team-having never played before. She has natural athletic ability and was able to catch on quickly to game. She had quite a number of Aces, kills and a block or two at the net. She is going to work hard to make the A team next year. As soon as Volleyball ended, school basketball started and she made the A team ofcourse and enjoyed a wonderful season. Her team beat every team they played against-having lost only 2 games against opponents they also won against. They ranked 2nd in the District. She is now starting AAU basketball again and cannot wait to see how this season goes. When she isn't running around doing sports-she earns money by walking the neighborhood dogs and babysitting. She turned 12 this last year and fully enjoys being in Mutual and going to the activities and loves her Young Women Leaders. She is very close to earning her first Value ribbon for Personal Progress!! She is doing great in school and we are so proud of her efforts. She wants to be an Oncologist.
Amber (10) also had a fun year. This last spring she was in the chorus in her school's musical 101 Dalmations and played basketball that Winter. She scored a few points and was an aggressive player. She tried out for the AAU team for this coming year and made the JV team but decided to focus on Soccer as far as sports. Amber loves soccer and after a 2 year break-was excited to get back into the game. She loves playing Defense and Goalie and had some great blocks. We are excited to cheer her on when she starts Soccer again in the Spring. She loves Video games, Art and dancing. She won an award for Art at school and her entry is in the top 3 for the School's Year Book Cover. She is constantly drawing and creating things in her free time. She was able to go with her school choir and sing at the Boise's Winter Garden Aglow at the Botanical Gardens. She will be auditioning for her school's next musical this month! She still goes to speech therapy and we are so proud that she scored Average in her yearly testing for the first ever. She continues to progress and grow and it's exciting to see how far she has come. Her Map score jumped 20 points!! She is very giving and loves animals. She wants to care for animals -perhaps own a kennel or shelter. 
Brooke (7) is doing so many great things. She started the 1st grade and loves her teacher. She is at the top of her class and is reading everything she can. She loves that she can read chapter books now. She also was in the chorus for last years school musical 101 Dalmations and will be auditioning for the part of Marie in next years school musical of Disney's Aristocats. She played soccer in the Fall for the first time ever and loved playing with her friends. She is working on her basketball dribbling to get ready for next year when she will start that sport. Which is good because she is tall-4'3. For now Soccer will continue into the Spring. She has been a tough girl this year as well-many dr and dentist appointments and her first upcoming surgery on possible skin cancer lesions this month. She is a delight and so sweet. She loves playing with her sister Megan and drawing as well. She enjoys making crafts! She wants to become a teacher and a mom.
Trevor is definitely all boy. He loves to bug his sisters as much as possible but still is super sweet at times. He has fun when we go swimming as a family and can't wait to start swim lessons this summer. He loves the Seahawks much to Dads dismay and is always cheering for them. He loves playing with cars and trucks and singing too. He jumps right in when his sisters are dancing to music and is always on the move. He likes to play video games as well and playing with any type of sport ball he can get his hands on. He started Preschool this year and has loved it!! I get to teach him and it's great to see how his little brain works. He gets to start Kindergarten next year!!
Megan is such a cutie. She is growing so fast and her heart hasn't slowed her down a bit. We feel so blessed that she isn't on any heart medication for her VSD and are awaiting to hear back how much it has closed this next month. It's still there because we can hear it but we are hoping it will continue to not interfere with her development. She is just starting to talk and say things-though she is still so quiet mostly-unless she is mad. She is so curious and creates quite the messes around the house. Her favorite thing right now is to color on any and all surfaces if she is provided the means to do so-and mom isn't watching. She loves playing dress up, dolls and anything disney princess. SHE LOVES FROZEN!!! She graduated out of her crib this last year and now shares a bunkbed with Brooke. I cannot believe our baby is a toddler and growing so fast. She gets extra cuddles all of the time for that reason-whether she likes it or not.
Joe is still busy as a Project Manager/Superintendent with a Custom Homes builder locally and is enjoying it still. He is in his element working with homeowners and schedules. He is great at what he does. He is still the Ward Clerk and that keeps him busy as well. When he can find the time, he likes to work out at the gym and take our family swimming on the weekends or on outings. Arin keeps busy running the home and toting the kids around to school, sports and doctors. She is still a Paparazzi consultant and loves that she can do it in what little spare time she has-mostly from home. She is the Compassionate Service Leader and Activity Day Leader for the 8 year olds in our Ward. As a family we were able to visit Wyoming to witness our niece get baptized in Martins cove. It was such a wonderful experience. I could definitely feel the Spirit of the Lords as we drove into the parking lot. We also were able to visit with the Stoker side of the Family during Thanksgiving and enjoy time with cousins. We have been truly blessed and know that all good things we have received come from our loving Heavenly Father. We are working on doing the little things in our home-Family home evening and scripture study where we can and we know we are blessed by our efforts. Having the strength of our faith has pulled us through tough times and given us joy as well. Our Family wishes yours the best in 2015 and many more fond memories ahead!