I know, I know it has been a LONG time since I've posted anything on our blog.  In an attempt to reach all our friends and family I am posting our Christmas picture and letter here.  Have a very Merry Christmas!!  We love you all!

 

 

It’s official, 2012 was the fastest year ever … that is, until next year I suppose.  But it certainly has deepened our appreciation for the gifts of family, work, and faith.

Jana and I both turned 30 this year, and for some reason this seemed to officially close the chapter on our youth.  So I guess we are grown-ups now.

Jana continues to do an amazing job as our homemaker, and has fine-tuned her skills and knowledge in working with our food storage and emergency preparedness items.  Perhaps her favorite discovery this year was her sun oven.  She has used it to make all kinds of dinners, breads, desserts, and even our Thanksgiving Day turkey (which was superb by the way). 

I entered my eighth year of working at Namify, running their Marketing Department, and feel blessed to be a part of an expanding team.  Between that, my church responsibilities, and family time … I’m managing to stay out of trouble. J

Our oldest, Daylen (6), graduated from Kindergarten in the Spring and then anxiously plunged into the full-time schedule of 1^st grade.  He is reading so well – even tackling

many of the tricky old-fashioned words found in the scriptures – and he continues to surprise us daily with how “grown-up” he is.

Kate (4) started pre-school this Fall.  She likes her teacher and is making lots of new friends.  Like her siblings, she has really taken to art and drawing.  She is also well on her way as a caregiver … she loves to mother her dolls, change their diapers, put them down for naps, etc.

Brooks (2) has exploded with personality this year … one minute, he makes us laugh hysterically and the next he tests the limits of our patience.  His smile is infectious, he keeps us on our toes, and we wouldn’t trade him for the world.

Our newest addition to the family, Tucker, was born on September 16^th.  We marvel at the miracle of birth and absolutely felt the tender mercies of the Lord surrounding his arrival into our family.  The adjustment from 3 children to 4 was quite noticeable, but luckily Tucker has been a very happy baby, and has already taken to a good routine.

With the way our world is changing so rapidly, it brings us great peace to once again celebrate the birth of our Savior – the one constant exemplar, our sure rock.  Our witness is that He lives, He loves us, and He desperately wants us to trust His commandments in order to return safely home.

Have a very Merry Christmas!

The Gasaways
Brad, Jana, Daylen, Kate, Brooks and Tucker