Merry Christmas to all our family and friends! 2013 has been a great year - the kids have grown and changed so much!
William is now 16 months. It's amazing to think he was just 4 months old at this time last year. Last winter was rough on him; he ended up being sick quite often and having to spend a night in the hospital with bronchiolitis in January. He needed medication through a nebulizer for a few months after that. Ear infections were also a problem for him. He was averaging about one every 6-8 weeks and they were-not-fun. But once he turned a year, his immune system seemed to catch up with him. He is now really healthy and hasn't had an ear infection since July.
He is walking/running all over and loves to try to keep up with the "big-kids" at daycare. He is independent, strong-willed and likes to do things by himself. His favorite tricks right now are carrying the step stool from the kitchen to the living room and using it to climb on top of the coffee table, or carrying it into the bathroom so he can reach his tooth brush to the water faucet, taking Jules' toys and running while she is shrieking "WILL-WE-UM!!!!" after him, and hiding behind the curtains in his room. And, we are having to start spelling words already... we don't dare say the word M-I-L-K or he will run to the fridge and whine at the door until we get him some milk or B-A-T-H and he'll whine and pound on the bathroom door! And speaking of whining ~ he isn't talking yet, so we get a lot of grunts, whines and finger pointing from him! He's shy around people he firsts meets, but soon warms up. He's got a goofy side to him also and always has a smile for you!
Julianne is 4 1/2 going on 15. She is a sweet girl and is always looking out for her little brother. She is a little mommy, but she also doesn't like it when Will gets into her stuff. She's still quite stubborn at times and hates nap time and bed time. It's a struggle most nights! I personally think it's a control thing - she doesn't like to be told she has to do anything! But she is a smart, independent girl who will go far in this world. She amazes me daily with the things she remembers or says. She's still extremely shy around people she doesn't know, but once she's comfortable with you, she'll talk your ear off!
She is in her 2nd year at preschool at King's Kids in Hutchinson. She attends three days per week in the mornings. She has the same teacher and a lot of the same kids are in her class. School has been a great experience for her! She is also in Sunday School this year. We joined Faith Lutheran Church in Hutchinson this spring and Julianne is in their program this year. She enjoys her "shorter" school just as much as preschool! She also took Swimming lessons in the summer and participated in some of King's Kids Summer School sessions.
Like our card said, nothing has really changed with Nick and I. I still run the kids everywhere and still manage to work full-time. Most days I'm in bed by 9:30 pm and up at 5 am. But I am thankful I have an amazing place to work for and that I love with my job. Nick continues to farm soybeans, corn and sugar beets with his dad. He also raises cattle. He again went to Montana this fall and picked up 220 head of cattle to raise. I feel like I say this every year, but this is his biggest group yet. He also enjoys fishing when he can... he just got back from a weekend ice-fishing trip to Lake of the Woods. He works so hard most days, it was good to see him be able to get away with his friend for a weekend.
During the summer, we spend just about every spare weekend at Big Kandioyohi Lake at Nick's parent's lake home. We enjoy the area and company so much! Plus, now that we have enough room for everyone to sleep, we enjoy it that much more!
Well, there you have it - an update from the Frank family for 2013. All I can say, is that we are a very blessed family! We wish you the same for 2014!
Seeing Santa isn't "picture perfect" with my shy kids!
MERRY CHRISTMAS!
