Happy Holidays to you all! Thank you so much for staying in touch with us every Christmas. It is so fun to see pictures and find out how everyone is doing. The Brown family has been busy this past year and we thought it would be fun to let everyone have a little say in this year's letter.

This year has been really exciting for me. One of my favorite parts of the year was the Olympics. I loved watching the events on tv and going downtown. During spring break we got to "redo" our rooms. My room ended up being painted purple (to match my tie-dyed bedspread) and white and I got a new desk. In the summer, we drove East to Nauvoo and Missouri. In Nauvoo, we stayed two blocks away from the temple and got to go to the open house. In St. Louis, Missouri, we got to see my great grandma and we got to go up in the arch. When school started in September, I was surprised at how fast Middle School came. I'm enjoying Middle School with its changes from Lower School: locker, lots of teachers, choices of what you take, longer lunch, no recess, and Dining Hall privileges. Thanksgiving was really fun at my grandparents' house and another one at our house. Now it is one of my favorite times of the year: Christmas!! I love to go shopping for everyone and get presents for my friends and family. Along with snow, one of my favorite things about Christmas is the Sweet Rolls. I love the Orange Rolls. Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

This year I'm a senior in high school, and it has come as quite a shock to me. College used to seem so far away, and now I'm filling out applications and waiting for acceptances. Besides worrying constantly about college, I have also found some time to pursue my other activities and interests. In school I am in my second year of AP art, working hard to finish my portfolio. Music is also a significant part of my time with my string quartet, playing in the school string orchestra, and continuing in private lessons. I have also had the opportunity to be Editor-in-Chief of Waterford's student newspaper, the Wire, which is fun as well as stressful as deadlines approach. Overall, I've had a fun year and I look forward to next year on a college campus.

People (except for Madeleine) say that I'm the cutest in the family. A lot of big things have happened to me. In March, I got my braces off. During the summer, I turned fourteen and attended my first dance and went to Especially for Youth at BYU with my friend Amy from Arizona. This fall I started seminary, and made the JV volleyball team as a freshman at Waterford. This year, our team was undefeated and we took first at regions. At the beginning of the year I started studying with a new piano teacher and I recently competed in two competitions.

My senior year has been great so far. It has its perks: the senior lounge, senior priority, and senior parties. This year, I have also been able to do more the things I like to do. I am taking graphic design, AP art, strings, and quartet, so I get a lot of art and music. I am also taking AP French, which is difficult but enjoyable. I have two callings: Seminary council and Stake Youth council, which are both great. I am thinking about college, but I am also trying to enjoy my last year at Waterford. I spend my free time drawing, writing, and listening to my many CDs. I hope to go on more dates, but it is hard to do with a busy schedule.

I am 5. I am in Kindergarten in Mrs. Yule's class. Mrs. Yule is a good teacher. My favorite thing to do in school is art. I also like to play with my friends and play Legos and Rescue Heros. This year I am playing soccer and I learned to ride a bike!

I'm in third grade and I'm 8 years old. This year I was baptized and I started piano lessons. I love math, piano, Harry Potter, and reading. I love to build with Legos. I love sports (especially basketball). Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!!

It has been a great year! The highlights for me were enjoying the Olympics with our friends from New Hampshire and our trip back to Nauvoo and to St. Louis to see Alan's Grandmother. I also have to admit to very much enjoying the get-a-way Alan and I took to Laguna Beach. I'm still serving in the Young Women, but as the Laurel advisor instead of the secretary. I stay busy trying to keep the family life running smoothly and taking lots of pictures - yes, I'm still enjoying my digital camera!

I've had a rough year at work (my company has serious financial difficulties), but the rest of my life is wonderful. I enjoyed driving to Nauvoo and St. Louis – it was the longest driving trip our family has ever taken, but the kids were great and it was so nice to see my Grandma Louise. The Nauvoo Temple was heavenly (in more ways than one!) and it was a great experience to be able to see it inside and out. I continue to serve as an Assistant Executive Secretary to the Stake Presidency, which keeps me busy, especially when we got a new Stake Presidency in October.

So, there you have it. If you managed to finish reading this lengthy letter, and you are still interested in seeing photos, you are welcome to visit our web site at brown8.com.

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