Annual (or whenever I get around to it) Christmas Letter

Dear Friends and Family,


It's been another big year for the Stone family. For those who missed last years update, don't worry, I didn't do it. We moved into a new home in April 2010, and so the last 18 months have been full of yardwork, decorating, and correcting builder errors (like NO insulation over the master suite). We were finally able to finish the front and side yard this year, yay!!

Now we get to move on to the back yard, but first we have to finish the basement before spring, but more on that later. We have enjoyed our new home, and love the area. It's only 5 miles from our old house, but seems so much more removed. We have a constant stream of wildlife visitors, pheasant, quail, deer, squirrels... Some are more welcome than others, but I have been feeding some cats that seem to have adopted us. They do help keep the rodent population down.


We didn't have much free time this year, but the girls, their husbands and I were able to visit Disneyland in May to celebrate Jayme's graduation from UVU. It was Adam's first time, and the first time that Jordyn could remember, so we had lots of fun. It was also good to be able to spend some time with Cassidy and get to know him better.




Speaking of Jayme, she's had HUGE changes this year. As I said, she graduated from Utah Valley University with a degree in Integrated Studies, emphasizing on dance and english, her two passions. In July, she married her best friend, Cassidy Swallow, and they moved to Cedar city for Cassidy to finish his degree in Political Science. We are thrilled for them, and pleased as can be to have Cassidy join our family. They were married in the Salt Lake Temple, and were able to take a short vacation in Park City and St. George before settling back into reality. Jayme is working as a special ed aide at the Middle School in Cedar, as well as teaching dance at a local studio. Cassidy is working for the housing department at SUU while attending school there.


Jennifer and Adam continue to live in wedded bliss in our old home in Provo. They have both been working full time and going to school full time, so they keep pretty busy. Quite often when they come for Sunday dinner, all we see is Adam behind his computer screen, trying to finish his homework. Adam is studying Chemical Engineering, and was recently able to get an internship with DOW Chemical. They will be starting their rotation in January by moving to Marlborough, Massachusetts for one semester. They will then be coming back home for Spring/Summer semester. Since it would be hard for them to find an apartment for just the summer, and silly to pay for one they weren't using, they will be living with us for the semesters they are here, thus the need to finish the basement by spring. They will do every-other semester for three rotations, going a different place each time. I'm only a little (a LOT) jealous of the opportunities they will have to travel and visit so many places, but very excited for them.


Michael left in August 2010 to serve a full-time mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in the Cleveland, Ohio mission. He is doing great, he loves the work, and loves the people. We have seen much growth in him spiritually and as a person. We are very proud of him, and pleased that he is doing so well.

Ammon is a Sophomore at Maple Mountain High School this year, and will be 16 on the 27th of this month. He is a great kid most of the time, and very involved in social as well as athletic pursuits. He can't wait to get his drivers license, but Dennis and I aren't so sure. He's already wrecked my new (to me) van, on the first day we had it no less, and some of his friends were in a more serious accident. Hopefully that has sobered him to the fact that driving is a serious thing with serious consequences. After wrestling for the high school as a freshman weighing 189, and qualifying for and winning a match at the state tournament, he kept wrestling during the team season. For the first time, he attended a regional wrestling tournament in Pocatello, Idaho this summer and was able to place 2nd in freestyle and 3rd in greco.

He worked hard all summer lifting weights and going to football practice. He played on both the JV and sophomore teams this year, and did really well both defensively as a linebacker, and offensively as fullback. That is, until he tore his quadricep, and was out for a couple of weeks. He was able to come back strong though, and even scored a touchdown in his last game.





He is full swing into High School wrestling now, and looking forward to a great season.

Matthew graduated from 6th grade this past year, and is loving being at the junior high. He has made lots of new friends, and is trying lots of new things.

He played basketball last winter, and did quite well. After all, he does stand head and shoulders above all of the other kids.

He played soccer this fall, and had a fun time, even if his team was pretty pitiful. Sometimes it isn't about winning and losing, sometimes you just have to have fun.

This year, Matthew decided that he wanted to give wrestling a try. He's done really well, and we are proud of him for trying something hard and sticking with it. He's learned a lot, and I can see a change in him from this experience.

Matthew still plays the piano, when I make him, and is taking band class in school this year. He's been able to play the piano as well as learn several different percussion instruments.

Jordyn is six, and in the first grade. Woo-hoo! Freedom for mommy!! Shhh, don't tell her I said that! She loves everything. She loves school, her teacher, and her friends. Jordyn is taking dance class and doing super well, she loves that too!

In the spring, she decided she wanted to cut her hair, so we went with a cute a-line, and she was able to donate her hair to locks of love.

Jordyn also played probably her last season of soccer. She had fun, but just kind of followed the pack around, and didn't really understand what it was she was supposed to be doing. I think we'll stick with dance.

Dennis and I are doing great. Dennis is still corporate counsel for DTI and Liberty Press, and I am fortunate enough to stay home. I have been teaching the 3 year olds in primary for the past year and a half, but was recently released and called to work as humanitarian/compassionate service leader in the Relief Society. Dennis has been working with the young men, but will be getting a change in the next week or so. Our greatest joy is having our family around, we love spending time with them, and seeing the lives they are making for themselves.

At this Christmas season, we are grateful for all of our many blessings, especially for the blessing of our Savior, Jesus Christ. We wish everyone a wonderful holiday season, may you all find the peace and happiness you deserve in your lives. We are grateful for having you in our lives, and hope you know how much we love and appreciate you.

Love always,
Dennis, Beth, and family