Holidays at the Juchaus, 2008

I used to be really good about getting everything prepared and ready for the holidays. This year I still have my Christmas letter on the computer waiting for me to buy new ink, and my Christmas cards in stamped addressed envelopes...is it too late to send them out..... probably, maybe I'll just post it on my blog. We had a wonderful holiday, it was a whirlwind of commotion and excitement.




I knew that starting my degree was going to require sacrifice and hard work and that some things would suffer. I need to delegate more, and not take on so many projects. I have really enjoyed my winter break and school resumes next Saturday for me with an online computer class on Power point, followed by Monday night with a lab in Geology; Geologic Disasters and the Environment, and then, Tuesday night is History;1492-Present, and finally on Wednesday night, lecture for the Geology class. After this semester, I only need six more classes, or two more semesters before I complete my Associates in Arts in Elementary Education. Then I will move on towards my bachelors and hopefully in the next 4-6 years, I'll be teaching.

Happy New Years 2009
The Juchau Clan

Seeing how the holidays are nearly over, I contemplated on even sending a letter with my late Christmas cards, but then decided on sending everyone a Happy New Years wish.

In May, our son Kris married Jamie and they became an instant family of nine!!! We have really enjoyed the added addition of five more grandchildren to our four.

We enjoyed a reunion with the Debbie’s family in Oregon over July 4th. They live right on the coast in a quaint little tourist town called Warrenton, and boy does that town know how to celebrate; fireworks were going off all over the beach, it was quite spectacular. It was our second time experiencing the 4th of July there.

Kirk is going on seven years now with GE Healthcare Services. He travels occasionally to Kingman Arizona, Durango Colorado, Ft. Defiance, Arizona and Farmington New Mexico for his job. Debbie went with him on one of his trips to Durango and had a nice weekend getaway; the colors of fall were fantastic, something we don’t get here in Phoenix. Kirk is the Gospel Doctrine teacher in our ward and still enjoys teaching. In his spare time, he keeps busy with all the many big and small projects that home ownership provides and of course, his grandkids.

Debbie is busy with grandkids, day care kids, her own kids, and her church class of 12 year old kids. She is still attending Estrella Community College and will have her associates’ degree in the spring of 2010. She plans to pursue a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education. In her spare time…ha, ha, ha, she tries to add a little to her blog. Our blog address is juchauclan.blogspot.com; check it out to see what our family is up too.

Aubrey (29) and David (29) have been married now for a year and a half. They still act like honeymooners. Aubrey is working for the University of Phoenix and enjoys her job as a Document coordinator and Insight specialist. She looks forward to receiving her one year raise in March and she and David hope to be able to move out. David is self-employed and is working on building his computer business. He keeps all our computers virus free and running smoothly. They have a cat named Twix, who is a year and a half and is their temporary child. In their spare time they enjoy trying out different restaurants, going to the movies, and playing video games. They are expecting their first child in September…YEAH!! We are very excited for them and can’t wait for another baby to snuggle.

Kris (28) and Jamie were married this past May. They have seven children between them starting with Tyler (11), Sierra (8), Kaleb (7), Kylee (6), Ashlynn (6) Tristen(5) and Cameron (3) next month. Kris is working for AT&T in the IT department. The kids love to play the Wii with Kris. Jamie is not only a full time mother, but is watching a few day care children as well. They enjoy camping, boating and four wheeling with Jamie’s family and friends.

April (27) and Devon (21 months) have had a year of trials and are currently living back at home. April started a new job with the University of Phoenix and works right across from her sister, Aubrey. She loves her new job and the pay raise, and hopes to be able to move out next year too. April enjoys spending time with her son, her horse, Scooter and all the hotties on ldssingle.com (If anyone knows of a hot, 28 year old fire fighter, send them her way.) Devon is a very loving little boy, who has discovered the word Mama, and hollers for her all day. He also loves motorcycles and cars.

Ashley (22) Graham (26) and Regen (18 months) have also had a year of trials. Graham was deployed to Afghanistan in May and hopes to be home in March of 2009. During that time Ashley moved from an apartment to a rental house, and will have to move again due to foreclosure and an auction in February. She is now a full time mommy, and can’t wait for Graham to return home safely. She enjoys working out in the gym, reality TV, and shopping for Regen. She is currently waiting patiently for her name to be called to start nursing school to receive her RN. Regen is a little “who” from “whoville”. She is the most petite, cutest thing. She loves playing with her cousins, and aunts and uncles. She loves all her dolls and pretends to feed them while making eating sounds for them.

Alanna (13) is in the 8th grade at Garden Lakes Elementary School. When we moved to Phoenix seven years ago, she started the first grade here, and now this coming spring, she will graduate. Where has the time gone? She has made straight A’s and is on the Principals List for all three quarters so far this year. She was also inducted into the National Junior Honor Society. She enjoys riding her horse Charlie with her sister April, playing on the YMCA volleyball team, and her dog, Rylie, her two rats, Princess and Penelope and her three goldfish, Billy Bob (the mini-whale), Thing 1 ( Frank) and Thing 2 (Hubert). She hopes to learn how to play the guitar this year and will start piano lessons again in January.

Alanna's 8th grade school picture

Life is full and very busy, we are grateful for all that life brings our way, especially for all of our family and friends. We have enjoyed all the Christmas cards, letters and pictures that everyone has sent. We hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and hope that this New Year brings peace and happiness to you and your family.

Love to all, The Juchau family