Christmas Letter/2011 Update

RILEY HIGHLIGHTS OF 2011
 In January, clean-cut Isaac played a slimy guy and a drunk student in "Les Miserables." We officially had 4 teenagers in the home when Rachel turned 13 .

In February, Rachel sang and danced as a boarding-house girl in “Thoroughly Modern Millie.” On our one Snow Day in Austin, TX, Isaac proved his manliness by lying in the snow in a swimsuit.

In March, we explored Texas over spring break: beach in Galveston, Space Center in Houston, hike at Enchanted Rock, and Riverwalk, 6 Flags, and One Republic concert in San Antonio.

In April, Madi and Eliza were doubles partners on the school tennis team. Eliza also joined the track team and ran hurdles. Lyrad and Isaac spent a weekend in Independence, MO, seeing church sites and eating BBQ. Madi certified as a lifeguard and worked at a local pool. Rachel made us smile when she sang, “16 Going on 17” in a ward talent show.

In May, Josh sported a mustache as Mayor Will B. Friendly in his 4th grade musical, “Howdy Texas.” All Josh wanted for his 10th birthday was a “Star Wars” movie marathon; he watched all 6 movies that day.  Lyrad went along with Isaac’s jazz band to a New Orleans jazz festival to watch Isaac at the piano. Rachel lovingly cared for 2 baby birds who had fallen from a tree; we were sad that the birds died within 2 weeks, but I was glad to stop storing nightcrawlers in my refrigerator.

In June, Lyrad finished his one-year OB fellowship in downtown Austin, and we packed up for another move. Lyrad loves being able to deliver C-sections now. Isaac left home (on his 18th birthday) for BYU summer term, with 70 AP credits under his belt. Not only does he have a large TX flag hanging in his dorm room, but he listens to country music and considers himself a true Texan.

In July, we clocked over 100 hours (and 17 states) in our van on Riley USA Tour 2011. We drove from TX to UT to CA, then from CA to FL, stopping with friends and relatives in NV, ID, UT, CO, and Iowa. When camping in Nauvoo, we enjoyed the pioneer games, musicals, and Church history sites, but we did NOT enjoy the 2 a.m. lightning storm that flooded and collapsed our tent.

In August, Eliza, Madi, and Rachel personalized (painted and decorated) their new rooms in Florida. Josh began collecting pets: lizards, frogs, hermit crabs, turtles, and snakes. (Thankfully, they all quickly escaped.) Madi began Sign Language and Psychology classes. Because Lyrad’s brother works at the same hospital, living near our cousins is the best thing about living here in the panhandle. Rachel is lucky to have 3 classes with her cousin at school (including band, where they both play flutes). Josh loves go-carting, camping, and shooting BB guns with his cousins.

In September, Madi competed on the school diving team, using her gymnastics skills. Eliza and Madi loved attending high school football games, and Rachel loved playing her piccolo with band at middle school football games. Josh began 5th grade band, playing trombone. He was excited to leave his rigorous TX school and to start school “so much later” in FL. But as it turns out, he goes to school even earlier here, as his band, chorus, and competitive Academic Team all meet at 7 a.m.

In October, Rachel hustled on her rec soccer team and scored half of her team’s goals for the season (that would be 1 of 2 goals). Lyrad enjoyed teaching FP residents and taking care of inpatients at the hospital once again. In November, Rachel got braces. Eliza played forward for her school soccer team and traveled to Raleigh, NC, to play in a tournament with her club soccer team.

In December, we’re enjoying Rachel’s and Josh’s band and chorus concerts. I (Alicia) enjoy tennis with Madi, late-night walks with Rachel, speed scrabble with Eliza, texts from Isaac, reading with Josh, and kayaking/bike riding/beach trips with Lyrad. I miss my TX book club but I still love to read old classics (such as The Cloister and the Hearth and The Woodlanders), scrapbook, study for French class, write a litte, and find new ways to cook the zucchini and eggplant from our garden.

We’re all counting down until Isaac (the economics major) comes home for Christmas. We’ll drive up to northern Georgia to hike and relax in a cabin with Lyrad’s mom and 3 brothers. We wish all of our family and friends a very merry Christmas! Love, Lyrad, Alicia, Isaac, Eliza, Madi, Rachel & Josh Riley