Elder Joel Syphus 2015 Mission Highlights

It's kind of crazy to think that Joel is so far away serving a mission while we live our lives here at home.  He has missed out on a lot this year, but I wouldn't have it any other way.  The experiences that he is having on his mission will go with him the rest of his life and hopefully make him a better man.  We sure do love and miss him.  So grateful for his sacrifice and service.

These are just a few of the highlights from this year.  He has lost weight, learned to live in a 3rd world country, washed clothes by hand and have loved the people of the Philippines.  

 

2015 Syphus Family Christmas letter

Merry Christmas from the Syphus Family!

Catching up….

*Baby Oliver Robert Syphus was born to Shaun and Katie

*Robert (Kari’s husband) graduated with a master degree in Social work

  *Katie (Shaun’s wife) graduated with a bachelor degree in Music

*Katelyn married her pre-mission sweetheart, Clel Zeigler.  They met, both served missions, returned with honor and are now together.

*Aimmy joined our family for the school year.  She is from Thailand and is a quiet strength in our home.  She loves the babies!

*We survived our tree hunt; however, the younger girls are pretty upset that it’s not tall and grand looking.  I was happy to humor Dan and have it picked out for him to cut down all within 10 min. of arriving on the mountain.

*Erik continues to pursue his degree in Electrical Engineering at BYU

*Kari and Rob have 3 beautiful, energetic boys and still live right up the road from us in Diamond Valley

*Shaun and Katie are in St. George with their sweet baby.  Shaun will be heading to University of Utah in the summer to begin the nursing program.  His passion is still piano performance but he is going to become a nurse anesthetist.

*Kylie and Greg are in Salt Lake City with their cute boys while Greg attends the U in Computer programming

*Katelyn and Clel live in our basement (which we were able to finish for them and future needs).  Both are attending DSU and working.

*Joel has 6 months left in his service in the Philippines as a missionary.  He loves it and can’t imagine himself anywhere else.

*Kambree is a senior in High School and will LOVE life when she graduates. She is my go-to girl and is always helping with daycare or grandsons.

*Kendyl is a junior and sings with the Madrigals and loves it!  She is 16 but hasn’t had time to get her permit…DARN J

*Aimmy is making her stay in the US a great experience by learning and doing everything she can.  We love having her with us.

*Dan and I are getting old J.  It’s amazing how much we slow down once we realize we are 50.  It’s all in the head, I know, but getting it out of there is the hard thing. 

We love the days spent with family.. 

So so blessed!!!

A few pics of Christmas 

                                                                                                                                 

Kambree and Kendyl snuggling in our water bed with dad Christmas Eve

Dad's gift on Christmas Eve

I opened my gift from Joel serving a mission in the Philippines.  What a treasured keepsake it will be.

Erik got the board game, "Forbidden Dessert".  Of course we had to give it a go.

Kambree doesn't like board games :)

Deer :)

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Having grown up in St. George and then living for 20 years in Mesquite, NV, seeing an occasional deer was always such a delight for me.  Now that we live in a higher elevation, we see deer fairly often; however, this year they seem to even enjoy showing themselves in broad daylight.  I was on the phone looking out our dining room window the other day and a deer suddenly loped across our back lawn!  It startled me but was so fun to see.  Today we found 3 of them out in our little orchard just lying around.  I tried to get some pics but scared them off before I could get some good ones

I Just Love Living Here!!!

AND.....here are more....it's now Jan. 13th.  They were trying to find places to eat under the snow.
So FUN!!!

Aimmy's 16th Birthday

Our foreign exchange daughter from Thailand (Aimmy), was able to celebrate her 16th birthday while living with us on Dec. 22nd.  She has been such a sweet addition to our family and is always ready to help out and do what she can for us.  It was fun to have most of our kids with us for her birthday since it was Christmas vacation.  
 She chose bbq pork chops for her dinner :)

We gave her a blanket with many of the different things she has done while staying here in America.

She was on the HS tennis team, color guard and is now on the swim team.  She never sits still!

 And she chose brownies (her favorite) for her bday cake.

Kambree curled her hair and Katelyn and Kambree made our traditional birthday signs and hung them around the house.  

I hope she enjoyed her special day with us!

Shaun & Katie and Rob & Kari took Aimmy out to a Thai restaurant last week for an early bday gift.  She loved it!

 

Our Traditional Christmas Eve Dinner

This year we were going to cancel our traditional 7 course Christmas Eve dinner since it was the "in-law" year and some of our kids would be away; however, everyone wanted to still have it, so we scheduled it for Dec. 20 before everyone left.  It was tasty and fun as usual!!!

 Erik made a yummy drink with juices and Squirt.  He made it up and it was so tasty.  

This boy will make a great husband :)!

 Kendyl was in charge of the appetizers and made delicious spinach puffs....all by herself!

 Katelyn and Clel made a strawberry/spinach salad with home made dressing

 Dan and I had it easy this year and were in charge of the bread course.  

Dan made his famous blue cheese garlic bread.

 Kambree chose my favorite....broccoli cheese soup for her course

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Greg and Kylie made raspberry sorbet for the pallet cleanser course.

Shaun, Katie and Aimmy made a roast with cheese stuffed potatoes and green beans

And Rob and Kari finished the night with mini oreo cheese cakes.

The food was delish but the company was the most delicious of all! 

Family is the best!!!