Christmas Letter 2008

Annual Stephens’ Family Christmas Letter– 08’

From Pine Trees to Palm Trees...

This year has been one of many moves and changes. In October of last year, we moved to Palm Beach Gardens, FL for 6 months, only to move back to Lake Tahoe to fulfill our two goals of having a baby and selling our house. We stayed there only 6 months, had baby Claire and then moved permanently back to Florida. Each year I try to pick a topic to express what has gone on in each of our lives over the past year. I decided that this years topic would be ‘wheels’. So let me take you on a little ride through our life over the past year.
I’ll start off with Brian who has been very busy. He passed his exam for his California Contractors License, and started working on his own in late September. Unfortunately, starting his own carpentry business was a little difficult when all he had to drive was his ‘work sedan’, the 1995 Nissan Maxima. He was so gracious about driving this car for so long, and in the end, ended up with a real “man’s truck” and bought a bright red 2007 Toyota Tundra. He now fits the part of a true Contractor and is currently studying to pass the Florida Contractor’s Exam in mid-December. We are so proud of him and his accomplishments over the past year. We are also impressed by the amount of miles he logged driving across the country with our stuff 3 times in one year. Thanks Daddy!

Next on the list will be me, Kristen. My biggest accomplishment this year was having our second child, Claire Joyce , born naturally on June 13th. I am so blessed to be able to stay at home with my children and hope to one day become a doula to encourage other women in the tremendous blessing of birthing a child. As for my wheels, I am currently utilizing the double stroller and doing a great exercise class called “Stroller Power.” Don’t let the name fool you, it hard work! Sometimes I wish that it was a Triple Stroller and I could somehow be pushed around, but that’s for another letter. We traded in my Jeep for Brian’s truck, but it was worth the sacrifice. I am now driving a car on loan from my father that is both unpredictable and pretty finicky. You never know how fast you are going (speedometer is broken), which doors will open or close, which windows will roll down, or how much gas you have, but boy does this 1987 BMW have some spirit. Aside from all of its faults, it gets me from point A to point B and I couldn’t be more thankful to have it!

Lily turned 2 in September and is so excited to explore the world ahead of her. This summer, her father bought her a bike that helps her learn to balance. It has no pedals and is pink. She went from being indifferent to the ‘cute decoration with wheels ‘ in the living room corner, to riding her bike around every chance she gets. Its amazing what a difference a few months makes in a two year-olds life and she is thirsty for more. She is a great big sister and loves to give big kisses and bear hugs to Claire.

Claire Joyce, our newest edition to the family, aptly nicknamed “ Care Bare” (in 2 year old language its pronounced- ‘tare bare’) has yet to receive a set of her own wheels, but she has formulated some opinions about other family members’ wheels. She dislikes facing backwards in any moving vehicle and has no problem verbally expressing that. She is beginning to enjoy daily walks in the double stroller as long as she gets to sit in front and has recently been fed. She loves to watch every move her older sister makes and is well on her way to following closely on Lily’s heels. Overall, she is a joy to be around and has the sweetest smile you could ever imagine.

Each of our ‘wheels’ have taken us many places this year. We’ve had a great year with lots of memories. We are starting to feel settled in Florida, but still miss the Tahoe family we love so much. We are blessed to be so close to grandparents and now that we are on the East Coast, we look forward to many trips to the North East to see extended family. We miss everyone this letter goes out to in some way or another and pray that you all have a very exciting and blessed 2009. Have a wonderful Christmas and New Year!

Love, Brian, Kristen, Lily and Claire Stephens

Matthew 2:10- “ When they saw the star, they were overjoyed.”

Our new address: 418 Woodview Cir~Palm Beach Gardens, FL ~33418