Heading into 2010...

sixwises 2010, originally uploaded by 84037wise.

Ten things you should know about our family in 2009:

1. Steve made it to the big five - O...and I don't mean Hawaii.

2. Marie went to Peru - again...and is planning on it in 2010...again.

3. Melissa is still working at Home Depot in Layton, Utah and telling people where to go. (She works at the service counter and quite often has to give directions to lost folks.) She also tag team wrestles with her 3 kids ages 2-3. Except during the days she has no one on her team to tag her out.

4. Robert's boyhood dream of serving a mission in China when he grew up came true...kind of. He did go to China in 2009 but only for 2 weeks instead of 2 years and represented Volume Bike Co instead of the Lord.  He had a great time and made some money in the process.

5. Stephanie reached 3 milestones in 2009 - finished her first year of college at Weber State University, cut her long hair short, and got her first boyfriend. She gets to sport her cute 'doo' while she is working at Fifth Avenue Tuxedos.

6. Kelsie's long time boyfriend, Chase, should be concerned for their future together at the close of 2009. She met a young man at the school where she works who professed his love and desire to marry her. He told the bus driver "I'm going to marry Miss Wise someday". When Chase gets back from his mission, this new suiter will almost be done with 4th grade. Kelsie works at Tolman Elementary.

7. Everybody in the picture above had an awesome time at Magic Mountain in California. The only thing faster than Goliath the rollercoaster was the trip itself...out and back in 44 hours.

8. Grandpa Steve (see #1 above) finally put a lock on the kitchen drawer which holds the knives. Of course, this was just barely after two of the three aforementioned kids (see #3 above) aerated 2 of our couches with the butcher knives in said drawer.

9. Kelsie got a new car. Two weeks later Stephanie got a new car. Kelsie drove Stephanie to the place where Stephanie bought her car. On the way home they got in a wreck...with each other.

10. Steve and Marie are still happily married...after TWENTY SEVEN years...especially because of 1-9.

Our family has been tremendously blessed over the years.  We are grateful for this great country, for the Gospel of Jesus Christ, for each other and for our many family members and friends scattered across this great land - most of whom we rarely get to see.  But we think of you very often and still feel close in our hearts.  We pray for God's greatest blessings on all and for the time to see each other soon!