Roper Family Christmas: What a Year! 2012

Another year is about to come to an end. It's been a great year. We started the year with many family members doing marathons. Rob and Annie and Millie all did the Phoenix Rock & Roll Marathon. Katie ran the half-marathon. Abbie and Kim and I tried to move through the race to cheer them on while taking care of Annie's 3 kids. They all did really great and it's always inspiring to watch such an event. Jacob couldn't get away from his schooling so didn't get to participate this year. Brandon had planned on running with Katie but he had the opportunity to go to Ecuador and do his Senior Project at the OSSO orphanages where Abbie had spent 3 months a couple of years ago. He hated missing the race but that was a no brainer! :)

In March, Abbie moved into a cute little house down in Provo. I think she has enjoyed being on her own. The only problem, Ginger wasn't allowed to go with her so guess who has a new dog! Esme turned 1 in March. Of course, Katie had a very wonderful and fun party for her with all the O'Neils and Ropers and a few friends.

For Spring Break, Kim and I went to Surprise, AZ and spent 5 days with Annie and Rob. It was Easter weekend so we went to their community easter egg hunt. It was even warm enough we got to go swimming in their pool. What a fun weekend we had. Then we flew to Denver and spent the next two days with my parents. It's always great to "go home" even when you are old and it's not really "home". It's just your mom and dad. Brandon graduated in April!! YAHOO! I'm not sure who was more excited, Brandon or Katie.

Kim got to go to National Principal's Convention this year. It was in Chicago. We ate the best pizza I've ever had and some great hot dogs. We loved Chicago.

Early in May Abbie drove with some friends to Vegas and took a flight to Hawaii. (much cheaper that way!) She spent a fabulous week in the sun and on the beach. Now she's whining to go back! haha Kim finished his 34th year in education and 3rd year at North Point in Lehi. I finished my 1st year at Cascade and my 12th year as a Reading Recovery Teacher and my 20th year in education.

This is the Provo YSA 251st Ward back in April before many of them went home for the summer. We are so privileged to work with such great kids!!!

Meggie, Ellery, Robi, Aayla: Pool time at the Guillena's in June

Summer is always a time we look forward to. In June, I went to Arizona with the Webbs for a quick weekend with the Guillenas. Then Kim and I took a trip to NYC. We took a 5 day Disney Cruise to New Brunswick and Nova Scotia and then back. There is nothing like Disney and cruising!! Then we spent a couple of days in the city. We were able to see Wicked (SO AMAZING!) and Mary Poppins. We had a backstage tour of the New Amsterdam theater before the production of Mary Poppins. That was pretty fun too. We went to the Freedom Tower and saw the new monuments for 9-11. Words can't express the spirit that is there. We also rented bikes and biked through central park and walked across the Brooklyn Bridge. It was a great trip.

Annie and Rob and the girls came to visit for the 4th of July and for her birthday. We love it when they are here! The Freedom Run has now become a family tradition. We even got Abbie to run the 5K with us this year. She ran with Brinley and they both did it! They were pretty proud of themselves. Even Meggie ran the whole thing. She really slowed Annie down but that's what happens when you're a mom. I ran the whole thing with no walking this year and pulled ahead and beat Kim across the finish line. haha! So I made my goal! Afterwards we had a breakfast at Lanai with our ward members and a few of them that we got to run as well. While visiting, Rob decided to give Ginger a hair cut. I guess he thought he was helping Abbie out. Well, let's just say she still hasn't had another one. But she didn't have to worry about the hot weather. Brandon had his big 30th birthday so we celebrated with a "WIPE OUT" party in the backyard. We got really messy but had a fun time doing it.

5k in Provo

4th of July Bar-B-Q @ Uncle Paul's

Before the Wipe-Out Party

Rhonda

Katie throwing water at her dad!

Jacob after his turn

When August rolls around we never see Kim, especially this year as he not only prepared for a new school year but he prepared for a new group of kids to move into the ward, a total of 105 to be exact. I think he felt a little overwhelmed at times, but he pulled it off. We have a great new ward with some wonderful kids that didn't dessert us and some great new kids as well. We really enjoy serving these kids. (FYI for those that don't know: Kim is the Bishop at a young single adult ward in Provo at the Lanai apartments.)

I took a quick trip over Labor Day weekend to stay with my mom while she recuperated from back surgery. It was pretty tough on her but I'm glad to report she is slowly but surely getting stronger and better. It was hard on my dad as well but gratefully his health stayed together and he has been a great support for her. Jacob started clinicals with his physical therapy schooling in Roosevelt. A little too far to try and drive everyday so my kind brother & his lovely wife , Hollis and Cindy, opened their home to him. They are in Vernal which is only about 30 minutes away. They have been life savers. He will graduate on December 14 with his doctorate in physical therapy. YEAH!!

In October we went on another Disney Cruise. Crazy I know! This time we took Brandon and Katie with us. They had the option to bring Esme but opted to leave her home with Millie. Abbie helped out when Millie had to work. We drove to LA and stayed a night with my sister & her husband, Kim and Lupe. It was great to see them since we don't get to very often. Then we went the next day and got on the cruise. We spent 2 days in San Francisco. We got to see my nephew, Joe and Liz with their 2 cute boys. We biked across the Golden Gate Bridge and all around. We went to Alcatraz, road the trolleys and walked the wharf, saw the sea lions and shopped at Pier 39. We also got a private tour from my nieces husband of the Pixar Studios. That was fabulous. I love San Francisco! Then we went to San Diego where we spent the day at Sea World. Then on to Ensenada Mexico. Not such a great stop but that was OK. We had a fabulous time on our cruise. We love the characters and the shows and the relaxation and of course the food.

The Granddaughters are growing up way to fast. Annie's kids: Brinley just turned 11 and is in 5th grade. She loves school and is doing very well. She has joined the school band is learning to play the flute. Meggie is 7 and is in 2nd grade. She loves school as well. Her teacher doesn't know if she is always paying attention but when she asks her questions she always knows the answer. Robi is 2 now and is as cute as can be. Katie's: Esme will be 2 in March. She talks and talks and talks but no one knows what she says. She does really good with her sign language and she loves to dance. Her latest is with the Korean guy?? with the gang.... whatever that is. You know what I'm talking about. You can watch her on this link. Be ready to laugh. She also has become "scared" of everything--but so cute. Millie's: Ellery is 5 and started school this year. She is in a Spanish-Immersion kindergarten and is loving it. She's always using her spanish numbers and a few other spanish words and sings some spanish songs. She is a super good reader and has a brain that remembers everything. She loves taking gymnastics as well. Aayla is almost 3. She gets to do preschool with some neighborhood kids and loves it. She is a funny girl. She knows what she wants and she is great at glaring at you. We love these girls to pieces and miss the Guillena girls every day!

Robi

Esme

Aayla (She's a puppy!)

Ellery

Meggie

Brinley

Annie: RN in a 2nd level Nursery @ Dell Webb Hospital in Sun City, AZ.
Rob: last semester in dental school @ Northwestern Univ. in Glendale, AZ.
Katie: stay @ home mom but will be the part time music teacher @ Geneva Elem. in January.
Brandon: works full time at North Star Alarms & part time at Costco.
Millie: RN @ Newborn Intensive Care Unit @ Utah Valley Regional Medical Center in Provo.
Jacob: newest physical therapist Dr. in the family! Now to pass the boards and get a job. :)
Abbie: Imaging clerk in the radiology dept. @ Utah Valley Regional Medical Center & student @ UVU.

So that pretty much wraps up the year as we move into the holiday season, the best time of the year. We have had a wonderful year. Life is good to us. We are very blessed. We have testimonies of Jesus Christ and try to live our lives as He lived his. Still trying! :) May you be blessed in your families and May God's love be with you throughout the year.

Love,
Kim & Rhonda

Merry Christmas

More Pictures from the year: