Happy Holidays from the McCoy Family!
Here is what we have been up to:
Bryan: Is keeping on his toes and there is never a dull moment when it comes to his work life. From rentals to residential real estate and land to commercial our Bry has a full plate and is an amazing one man act! That is pretty much all he does is work, but he does enjoy it when he can steal a few moments away with his family (most Sundays). He also joined a soccer league earlier this year and plays soccer in the backyard with Con man whenever he can. And just so that he can keep that creative side of him alive he takes time once a week to jam on the guitar with a friend. We will see if Jenna can convince him to run another 1/2 marathon with her. She's working on him! :)
Jenna: Is busy trying to be the glue of the family and keep things running smoothly (most days). She is finishing up her fall semester at the Academy of Art University for Interior Architecture and Design, and through blurry eyes from sleepless nights, is almost done with finals just in time to be hit over the head by the Christmas holiday! Even with all of the juggling, Jenna still manages to enjoy school and the projects that go along with it. She is going to work with her mom this next year and open up an Etsy store (we will let you all know when that happens). So she will be spending her short break off of school getting crafty projects together to sell. And those dusty running shoes will finally be laced up again so that she can start training for 1/2 marathons again (the last 4 years she was either pregnant or breastfeeding the girls which made it difficult to commit to training). Her first one will be at the end of January, if all goes well!
Conlan: Is 7 now, in 2nd grade and will be turning 8 in March. He has been doing excellent at school, and recently made the honor roll. And according to his teacher has become a wonderful leader in his class. His school is a charter school that emphasizes the "7 Habits of Highly Effective People" by Stephen Covey. They are striving to contribute the well rounded leaders of tomorrow. Conlan also joined a local club soccer team this spring and just finished up his first half of the season and he is happy to report that he scored his first goal. He loves it (although that my be too light of a word, maybe more like obsesses over it would be better) and if he is not playing soccer in the house, he is living, sleeping and breathing soccer outside or in his dreams! :) He also has had the opportunity to play in 2 tournaments already, one up in Flagstaff and one more locally in Mesa. Conlan has also discovered girls (does it really happen this early?). He currently has a girlfriend in his class. It is so cute, they pass notes back and forth and it is still very innocent and sweet (we know that the drama will begin soon enough, so we will just enjoy these adorable little interactions for now)!
Aislinn: Is 2, almost 3 in January. Our little impish girl is growing into a big kid. Her words are easier to understand now, but there are still some that we refuse to correct just yet cause they are so cute! She still calls her sister Damana. :) She has really become a girly girl, oh my! Tinkerbell is now taking a backseat to the princesses. Pink can never be worn or used enough in our household these days, neither can purses, sunglasses, tutus, hair clippies, fancy shoes that light up and lip gloss (gobs and gobs of it, mommy has been missing hers these days too...hmm wonder where it is going?). Aisy is a joy to have around and she is mommy's big helper! Our little princess is showing an insatiable appetite for learning, she can count to 20, can say most of the alphabet, knows most colors (even the offbeat ones mommy tells her like fuchsia and chartreuse). We have also been working with the "Your Baby Can Read" Program and she really enjoys that too! As for potty training....she was really excited at the beginning of this year and then she got really bored with it. We are going to try again and hope she doesn't pull a Conlan on us and decide to wait until she turns 4 to do anything in the potty. It is going to be a long year, so we are trying to stay positive and keep our fingers crossed!
Damara: This has been a banner year for little Demi. She just turned 1. She learned to: smile, coo, kick, move her arms, grab things, turn over to her tummy and back, laugh, sit up, crawl, eat solid foods and everything else she could get to her mouth, stand, walk along furniture, scream, and is now showing some interest in walking (not quite there yet, but we know it will be in her own time). All of us in the household get a kick out of her. She has quite the sweet temperment, most days. Although being the youngest of 3 she has had to find her voice (and boy can she hurt those eardrums, whew). She loves to play with blocks to sort and stack them, turn off brother's video games and when Aisy will allow it, she likes to eat her sister's princess dolls. We have also been showing her "Your Baby Can Read" as well and teaching her some basic sign language so that she can communicate and not be so frustrated when trying to tell us what she wants. This next year should be full of fun in her next phases of development!
May you all have a most wonderful holiday season and wherever you are enjoy the time you have right now! Many happy thoughts and warm wishes to all of you!
Love,
The Merry McCoy's
