Dickson Family Christmas Letter 2009
At this special time of year we reflect on the year gone by and the many experiences we’ve had throughout the year. Like all of you, we’re busy and I’m getting a late start on this Christmas letter, but since I always enjoy reading about how all of you are doing and this is kind of like my own journal record of the events of our lives, I’ll attempt to put into words some of our many activities of this past year starting with the youngest and going to the oldest.
Emilie is 3 and has been enjoying going to the Center for Child Studies in the morning and then pre-school at Alma Schrader Elementary in the afternoon. She loves to say all of the letters, sing random tunes, write her name, and suck her thumb (we’re working on that one). Her favorite foods are yogurt and blueberry mini-wheats. She also loves our cat, Lexie, throwing balls, and spending time with her brothers and sister. 
Hyrum is 8 and was baptized this past year by Kevin. He loves cub scouts and took first in the Rain Gutter Regatta again as well as 4th in the Pinewood Derby. In May, we figured out he was having trouble seeing far away and he got glasses on the day school got out. He loved being involved with the Soap Box Derby and riding in a go-cart this past summer. He is in the 3rd grade. He graduated from Speech classes recently and participates in the Gifted Program.
Reed just turned 12 and is in the 6th grade. He is enjoying his 2nd year of being in the African music ensemble Shere Khan at school. He got 2nd place in the Pinewood Derby and has moved on to Boy Scouts. Like Hyrum, he participated in his first Soap Box Derby and had a thrilling first ride down the street when his brake did not reach the ground! Reed was in a Regional Math Contest and forgot that he was allowed to use his calculator, that made it a little (lot) harder. This past summer, he got to go to his first Cardinals baseball game in St. Louis with a friend. He also became a certified baby-sitter and soon after got his first baby-sitting job. When Reed turned 12 last month he got the Aaronic Priesthood from Kevin and earned his Faith in God Award; that same Sunday he gave his first talk in Sacrament Meeting. He loves to read and excels in school. In his spare time, he is in Science Club, Truman Club, Math Olympiad, Mission Possible Team, Triathlon Kids Club, Chess Club, and takes piano lessons. He is also in the Gifted Program. 
Mallory is 14 and started high school this past fall. Before she left Jr. High she played the piano for the Jazz Band, lettered in cross country and track, and earned her 1st cup in piano (it is earned by getting a perfect score in Festival for three years). In high school, she is finding the academic load to be more challenging and is taking Honors Geometry and Honors English. She loved running on the Cross Country team and earned her Varsity letter. She continues to be 1st chair in cello in the Freshman Orchestra and is currently on the high school girls swim team where the backstroke is her specialty. She also is in Beta Club (a service organization) and Spanish Club. She starts each day by getting up at 4:45am and then going to Seminary before school. This past summer she got braces and had blond streaks put in her curly brown hair.
Kevin was called to be the 1st counselor in the Bishopric in February; he flew out to California so his dad could set him apart as a high priest. In March, he flew to Ireland and then Denmark where he spent a week as visiting faculty. The highlight of his year was being awarded tenure! In August he flew to Chicago for the Academy of Management meetings and more recruiting for faculty positions in his department. In October, he flew to Los Angeles for his 20 year high school reunion.
Brynda just finished 1 year as Relief Society President in October. A few days after her birthday, she got a “new” 2007 Toyota Sienna which she lives in for much of the day as she takes kids places and picks them up. She had her first surgery this past September as she needed to have a cyst removed, thankfully it was benign. She works hard to keep up with all the kids’ activities. She enjoyed seeing many old friends at her 20 year high school reunion in Twin Falls, Idaho this past summer and spending time with family.
Other happenings this past year were that we were blessed to have Greg and Stephanie Dickson come out to visit us from Arizona. Bryn’s parents came out from Idaho for Hyrum’s baptism and they enjoyed helping us get ready for the Soap Box Derby as well as our friends the Dodds. We were thrilled that the Cape library was completely remodeled and re-opened in May; the kids were there on opening day.
Mallory and Reed both placed first in various events at the local Hershey’s Track and Field Meet and went on to place at the state track meet in Jefferson City. Mallory, Reed, and Hyrum also enjoyed swimming with the Gator Swim Team over the summer. Mallory attended her 3rd year of Girls Camp and then in July our family drove across the upper states to Idaho. Along the way we drove over a mountain to see Bryn’s brother Shay who lives in Eden, UT. It looked like a scene from the Sound of Music. When we got to Idaho we had a big family reunion to celebrate Bryn’s parents 40 year wedding anniversary and her mom’s 60th birthday and her dad’s 64th birthday. We convinced Kevin to come with a large group of us to his first drive-in movie experience. We also enjoyed visiting the new Twin Falls Temple. Brynda was able to spend a night out at the races at Magic Valley Speedway with her dad and got to see her cousin Johnny who was racing that night.
Finally, it was time to come back to Cape and we made it home just as a huge storm hit which knocked out our power and flooded our basement. We were able to keep the water on the tile and off the carpet with constant mopping and decided afterwards that it was time to bite the bullet and have the back yard re-landscaped to prevent water from getting near the house. After lots of $ we have a new back yard and no more flooding.
These years go by too quickly. Mallory is already starting to get college letters in the mail. So far she’s thinking maybe BYU-Idaho? We love Cape and our many friends here, we miss all of you who live so far away and thank you for taking the time to stay in touch with us and keep us updated on your lives.
Lots of Love and Wishes for a Merry Christmas and Marvelous New Year.
Kevin*Brynda*Mallory*Reed*Hyrum*Emilie
