Merry Christmas!

 

Highlights of 2013

2013 has been an awesome year for the Bright family. I think we can all agree (which is a little harder now than it used to be) that the highlight of our year was our first ever road trip as a family. We traveled through New Mexico, Colorado, and Utah covering over 3000 miles. We spent several days in Moab, Utah, where we hiked, biked, swam, climbed, and really enjoyed being together. We found out Cameron isn’t fond of heights, Kayden loves pancakes (wait . . . we already knew that), and Karston loves, LOVES jumping off natural diving boards into cool mountain water! Some of the more important stops—visiting old friends, John Grimes, the Rollins Family, staying a night in Albuquerque at the Burgin’s home, BYU, Salt Lake City, Durango, and of course Roswell (no aliens)!

Cameron started junior high this year—the seventh grade! She continues to play violin, but had to upgrade to a full size violin this year. She has also started babysitting, and has become quite the desired babysitter in Corpus.

Josh ran his fourth marathon in 40°, rainy weather. And, completed the Amasa Trail Run in Moab, UT!

Karston’s big accomplishment this year was being selected to be on the All Star Team for National Little League. We enjoyed cheering for Karston and his team during the tournament. Through Karston’s persuasion, a new member of our family joined us just last month, Dug (a Rhodesian Ridgeback puppy). Dug fits in with us and our lifestyle quite nicely. Now if we can just get him potty trained . . . .

Kayden tried playing softball this year, and well . . . she never could get used to the uniform. She hated the tall socks, and never quite got the need for long pants when it was so hot outside. Kayden also lost most of her teeth this year. We have sure enjoyed her toothless smile, and her unique sense of humor.

Josh & I, for the most part, just try to stay above water keeping up with our kiddos and their different activities. Josh is still with GEICO, and I still teach science (and, yes, I did spend a week at the NASA Johnson Space Center this year too). We definitely find happiness being together as a family, and find this time of year to be the merriest and brightest! Merry Christmas from the Bright Family!

Above was our Christmas ‘newsletter’ this year.  :)  Below are pictures from this past weekend when we were able to join Josh in Austin, TX (he was there on business).  We enjoyed playing in the hotel—which had swans, a pool, and the kids got their OWN room—all of which made for a fun weekend before Christmas.  And, yes, I’m very happy to report that 7th grade history has done the same thing to Cami as it did me—you cannot study TX history, and not become overly proud, respectful, and thankful to be born in a state with such a rich heritage.  This was her first time seeing Austin through her new history knowledge—I couldn’t help but smile as I saw Cami so in love with Texas, Sam Houston, Stephen F. Austin, Jim Bowie, David Crockett, and all the other heroes of Texas.  We also got to explore the Bob Bullock Museum of TX History. 

 

So, Christmas morning Cami got her wish . . . a ‘Come and Take It’ flag from the battle of Gonzales that started the TX revolution.  :)

And, she got a long board, and so did her dad.  :)

 

Kayden’s favorite gifts included fake fingernails, Barbies, Equestrian girls, and Goldi Blox of course.  :)

Karston couldn’t believe his eyes when he saw he got an Ipod!  :)

All in all it was a perfect Christmas.  :)  We sure do love our kiddos, and this time of year.  Merry Christmas!!