Merry Christmas 2017

Hurtado Family Christmas Letter 2017

Looking back over 2017, what stands out is the fact that this year marks the year that all of our children officially became teenagers.  Living in a household of young people creates a lot of new experiences and first time moments that make a parent completely unprepared. 

Ellie (13) learned how to make Power Point presentations in school a long time ago and ever since she has used the skill to create in depth slide-show presentations of the gifts she wants/needs for her birthday or Christmas.  For the first time, her recent presentation consisted exclusively of clothes and art supplies.  Gone are the days of wanting the newest Disney doll or toy.  Ellie doesn’t like for us to recognize the fact that she is a teenager - too close to being an adult - but she is, in fact, acting like one.  She is a diligent student, singer, viola player and artist.  This year, she surprised us by singing a solo of Elvis Presley’s song “Can’t Help Falling In Love” in the school talent show.  She also took up cross country and would like to continue next year when she starts High School.  We think she could also do well in drama or debate as those are recent skills she has been practicing on the family since becoming a teenager. 

Davey (15) is really looking forward to turning 16.  Both he and Rainer are working on getting their drivers licenses which definitely falls into the category of first-time moments for us.  It is seriously nerve-wracking. Besides occasionally getting the gas and the brake pedals confused, Davey is coming along.  But he is actually more of a natural at riding scooters.  He takes our scooters out riding whenever he can, usually without our knowledge.  Besides getting his license, he is really looking forward to dating next spring when he is 16.  He is having a sophomore year of crushes- full of hopes and disappointments - just like it should be.  He is already planning out his first date which will take place in 5 months in which he will pick her up on a scooter.  This year Davey started working at our shop for the first time as a legit employee.  He has an aptitude for mechanics which isn’t surprising considering his name sake.  He takes small engine and auto classes at school and has already fixed our leaf blower that we thought was retired.  Other interests he has are playing the Euphonium, writing post-apocalyptic stories, reading, and doing push-ups. 

Rainer (17) is in his junior year of school.  He just had his 17th birthday on the 17th of December in the year 2017.  All those seventeens must mean that this is going to be a great year or something.  We asked him what has been his favorite year of High School so far, and while it is hard for him to think that any of his High School years merit being called his “favorite” he admitted that this year has been better than the rest.  One of the things that has contributed is that Rainer started dating for the first-time this year.  He has some great friends that seem to understand him pretty well and don’t mind his political orations.  Rainer also started working at our shop this year as a legit employee and he had a little side job landscaping.  He doesn’t care about spending money on himself at all but he takes joy is spending it on his friends.  He enjoys running, creating games, reading, and being in the outdoors.  He also has a lot of great ideas about the perfect society and how to set that up.  If you are curious, just ask him and he’ll tell you all about it. 

Kaerlig and Dave had a few first time moments this year besides being parents of three teenagers.  To name a few, Dave picked up the Vespa and Piaggio brand at our shop for the first time.  Kaerlig went on backpacking trip in the Uinta Mountains and pulled off Young Women’s camp at the ward level for the first time.  We went camping in the Tetons with the family and our scooter club for the first time.   We took the family to Knotts Berry Farm, visited the Mormon Battalion and Old Town San Diego for the first time. 

Throughout this past year, we have certainly felt gratitude to God, but not for the first time.  Year after year our debt to our Savior grows as He sustains us through challenges and new learning experiences.  Year after year we feel thankful to be parents, to have great children, and to have our faith.  We hope you are also enjoying your first time moments and are having a very Merry Christmas.

Love, The Hurtado Family