Blubaugh Family Christmas Letter 2014

Dear Family and Friends,

We have made a lot of wonderful memories this year mixed in with challenges along the way, of course. We all continue to pursue our own interests and passions while supporting each other. Eddie and I absolutely love watching Nate grow into a little boy who is becoming smarter and more confident each day. We've also enjoyed the excitement and anticipation of preparing for the arrival of Nate's little brother next year.

Here are a few highlights from our year:

In March, Nate and I flew with my mom to St. Louis to see family. Nate took his first trip up to the top of the Gateway Arch.

In May, Eddie and Nate went with Eddie's mom to visit family in Ohio.

In June we found out we were expecting another baby around March 1st. We found out in September that we are having another boy. Nate is thrilled to have a little brother on the way.

In August, we took a week long trip to Idaho where we stayed in a cabin and visited Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks.

In November we took a trip to Legoland in California. We all had a great time, but Nate most of all. Eddie also ran in his first (and probably not last) Ragnar relay race around Las Vegas.

In December, Nate turned 5 and Eddie and I celebrated our 10th wedding anniversary.

Nathan is always an interesting kid and keeps us quite entertained and proud. In the last year:

• he ran in two obstacle course mud runs (and loved it!) and two 5K runs
• he learned how to swim on his own
• he has become a "master builder" with Legos and builds some very interesting vehicles 
• he started taking some homeschool classes this fall including art, science and Nevada history
• he's made a lot of friends through our homeschooling activities 
• he graduated into a bigger bike with hand brakes and multiple gears and has worked up to riding 2.5 miles at a time
• he continues to use his imagination to be different characters like Harry Potter and Henry from The Boxcar Children books or an army guy

Eddie continues to work at Zappos and stays busy with a lot of physical activity. 

• He raced in 4 obstacle course mud runs this year, Ragnar, two 5Ks and a 12K trail run
• He started mountain biking again recently
• He has taken his Jeep out on several very scenic off-roading adventures
• He has hiked quite a bit around the valley

I have continued substitute teaching and tutoring a few days a week. I've been busy:

• completing my first obstacle course mud run back in May
• taking Irish dance classes all year and continue to dance while I am pregnant
• helping teach a few Irish dance classes and doing some performances here and there
• teaching a Nevada history class for homeschoolers since September
• organizing and hosting nature activities twice a month in our homeschool group
• playing and learning with Nate and growing a very active baby boy

We've had another year to remember and look forward to the surprises the next year will bring.

We wish you all and Merry Christmas & a Happy New Year.

Love, Eddie, Nicole, Nate and Baby Boy