Merry Christmas!!!

Note: Not sure I love this background but it's time to go...we'll look into fixing this later!!!

I PROMISE now that the chaos of the last few months is over I will update my blog on a regular basis again!! :) For now...here's a Christmas letter for all of you...with more pictures to come later (after Christmas!!)

Merry Christmas!! (I’m actually getting these out before Christmas…miracles do happen J )

As expected this has been a big year of change for our family. Jon graduated in December of 2008 from UC Davis with a PhD in Cell and Developmental Biology and continued to work in his lab until June. During that time he was able to get his work published and was even a “feature article” in the journal J We were very happy and proud! We then moved to Pleasant Grove, Utah to live with Jon’s parents while we waited for his job to get worked out. Jon had been talking to Dr. Westenfelder at the University of Utah and although it took a little time to work out the research funding he was able to begin working in July in Dr. Westenfelder’s lab, Allocure. They just completed phase 1 of a clinical trial where they inject stem cells into a patient just after heart surgery to prevent kidney damage. Phase 1 had 16 patients and the patients did better than normal! Jon is so happy to be in this lab and doing the research he has dreamed about doing. Jon also enjoys his family history hobby (he has been making a family history website to share all the stories and photos he has found), and having fun with the family (tickle tag, guitar hero on the wii, and reading stories to cute little girls).

The kids knew that after Daddy had graduated we would be moving but they were thrilled to learn that we would be moving a few days after school got out to be close to their grandparents and cousins! We had a fantastic summer camping, having princess parties, going on outings and just being together!

Mary (9) started third grade this year and is enjoying her new school and loves her teacher, Mr. Alm. She loves science and continues to read everything in sight! Some of her favorites are the Puppy Place series, the Rainbow Magic series and she is enjoying some of my favorite books such as Anne of Green Gables. She has enjoyed the book club at school and enjoyed singing in a children’s choir that sang at a Christmas concert.

Emily (7) started second grade and was happy to make some new friends and really enjoys her teacher, Mrs. Hays. She has become a fantastic reader and is enjoying math. Emily really enjoys the Rainbow Magic series and the Big Apple Barn series. She loves to play to play Super Mario Brothers on the computer (and is hoping that Daddy will get the new Mario Brothers game for Christmas!!) Emily also likes the school book club and enjoyed singing in the children’s choir for Christmas.

Meagan is growing up so fast! She just turned 5 a few weeks ago and is looking forward to kindergarten in the fall. She really enjoys a going to a preschool once a week here that has gymnastics and cooking and crafts and another preschool once a week with her mommy and her cousin. She is starting to read and play with Amy a lot! She is still my cuddly little girl and I love having her around! She loves animals, especially cats and dogs and loves to be mommy’s big helper.

Amy is our high energy 2 year old J She is sooo much fun although you can’t take your eye off of her for a minute or she’ll be up climbing on something or running off for more fun! Her sisters have trained her to be the family dog and she loves it…she imitates EVERYTHING her big sisters do and she is so much fun to watch! She loves to be with other people! Amy loves animals and loves to dance and dress up and do anything her sisters are doing.

I’ve enjoyed working with my mom the last several months putting all of our family history stories and pictures into books. I have enjoyed it although some days it seems to go so slowly!! We have met so many “new” extended family members and it has been like Christmas every time we get mail or open an email with a new family history picture or story! I continue to enjoy my crafts although there never seems to be enough time! Jon and I teach music to the 3-12 year old children at church and we absolutely love it! We all continue to miss our friends and family in California but have enjoyed getting Christmas cards from many of you! We hope you have a wonderful year! Love, the Ahlstrom’s

Jon’s family history websites: http://ahlstrom.weebly.com http://petersonhistory.weebly.com