A Christmas Card to You!

Dear Family and Friends,

Merry Christmas! Are you and your elves busy getting ready for the holidays? My family sure is! This is Cai, by the way…I have been learning so much this year! Even though I was born on Leap Day; I don’t know how to leap yet. I’ve learned how to crawl. Now, I am standing, while I hold onto furniture. My mommy says I look like a “monkey” walking around. I try to walk to Mommy and Daddy, but get a little scared and my knees buckle.

I love living in Franklin, Virginia. I especially love sitting on my Daddy’s lap while he drives his lawnmower. I’ve learned to eat big people food. My Mommy and Daddy love playing games with me. They turn off all the lights, except for the Christmas Tree-- while my Daddy holds a small flashlight up to his hand, I chase my shadow around and around in circles trying to catch it! It’s really funny and makes us all laugh. Well, I’m going to take a nap, but I love you!

Merry Christmas! Jarad and Jewels are writing to say THANK YOU. We were reading about the Ten Lepers with Jesus Christ; there was one who went back to thank Him for all He had done. We’re here to thank you for all you have done and do. WE are so thankful for great family and friends-- For the way you have live your lives so we know Christ by knowing you. We are thankful for this special season, Cai’s first Christmas and ours, as parents. It’s worth every minute of it!

Jarad is working on his Thesis right now. He’s getting his Masters in Aviation Science from Everglades University.

Jewels is working on her Thesis. She’s getting her Masters in Motherhood : ) . Jarad is the 12-18 yr olds Sunday school teacher. Jewels is the 2nd Counselor in Primary at Church.

We love living in Franklin, Virginia, having our own four walls and some dirt for the first time in our lives. We have been very blessed. We’re working on “reclaiming” our land - we have about 2 acres that we are cleaning up, pruning, and burning the dead wood and weeds. There’s lots of it. We dug 600 sq ft for a planting garden this spring and just put the fence around it. We’re just happy as wannabe farm folk can be. It’s a beautiful time of year to clean out the old and begin a new year.

We recognize the Lord and His love in all things. We are grateful for our blessings and weaknesses that bring us closer to Him, relying and trusting Him more and more. Give Him your heart, might, mind and strength. “Christmas means giving. The Father gave His Son, and the Son gave His life. Without giving there is no true Christmas, without sacrifice there is no true worship…Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift 2 Corinthians 9:15.” - Gordon B. Hinckley, Stand a Little Taller

We love you very much! Have a very merry Christmas!

Jarad, Jewelene and little Cai

p.s. It’s hard to get Cai to look at the camera!

FIRST THANKSGIVING

The Canal Riverwalk in Richmond is one of the most beautiful riverwalks we've done. We went after Thanksgiving lunch at the Convention Centre in downtown Richmond.



I always love how Jarad stops to smell the roses. He seriously does...even when we are running for exercise! He's teaching Cai early.



James River in November, on a beautiful Thanksgiving Day. November 27, 2008



The bridges were burnt from 1865, where the Confederates had left Richmond they burnt the city and bridges so the Union was at a loss.



Cai is such a trooper! I love the kid! He's so good and fun. Jarad once said, so excitedly, "Jewels, he loves the same things we do!"

FIRST THANKSGIVING

Cai had so much fun playing with Bailey and Joshy! He learned so much from them, once he warmed up! He started crawling on his hands and knees after seeing Bailey walk around every where! He had to keep up with her.


Okay, it was cold our "Thanksgiving" day, Jarad and Tucker left early on Saturday, the 22nd, to help clean up the yard at the Church. Then, they came home and cleaned up some more!

We had fun roasting some marshmallows after lunch, burning leaves, and taking Josh and Cai in the tractor for a ride around the yard. It was a great day~ especially that evening, mmmm...Katie's rolls and pies! Scrumptuous. My favorite part was everyone lying around the Christmas Tree afterwards while listening to the Utah vs. BYU football game. Just being with family is the best!

FIRST THANKSGIVING

Friday, November 21, 2008 The Bradley's Arrived!

"Who are these people my size?" At first, when my cousins arrived, I was a little nervous...I mean, there's a little girl smaller than I who walks up to me and touches my face?!

"Yes! I'm cute, I walk, and pick up pumpkins all at the same time!"

Joshyboy, he's so fun! I love this kid! He brought out this toy and asked, "What does it do?" I said, "I'm not sure!" His response, "Hmmm." We're putting batteries into it for Christmas and giving it to Cai to find out what happens when you turn it on."

Trying to get pictures of the kids under the tree. Ha ha! Cai kept running off and wouldn't look at my camera! Makes for fun memories!