Merry Christmas from the Autreys!

Seasons Greetings from Nevada!

As we look back and give a recap of 2008, we hope this letter finds you all healthy, happy and of good cheer! It has been a mighty fine year for the Autrey family and we hope that it has been for you as well.

Last December we welcomed our new little man into our lives, Hyrum. He has been healthy and happy, and shares his love through loud noises and smiles! Hyrum is sooo close to taking his first steps, but gets into whatever he wants anyway. He looks up to his big sister so much and loves to clap his hands. He helps fill our home with happiness.

Selah is such a big girl now! She is 3 ½ years old and has such a huge imagination! She was Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz for Halloween as well as the rest of the year. She loves to play with Hyrum and help cook and do things around the house. Selah constantly dances around the house and makes up songs in her own language and in English. She has mastered the art of being potty-trained and is doing so good at getting ready all by herself!

We moved into a nice townhouse towards the end of April and have loved it. We were living with the Clauson family (Jared’s mom) up until that point. Jared’s brother Travis lived with us for about a month during the summer and was fun to be around. Jes’ sister Emmy has been with us since September and has been a huge help as well. Emmy works for PacSun and is hanging out while deciding what the next step in her life will be. We’ve been blessed to have some of our family so close and truly love them!

Jessica has been busy with two kids this year. She is a great mother and loves to spend quality time with our family. Jes finds new activities to keep the kids happy and learning good things. She has been a huge support to Jared as he has led a busy life as well. She continues her love for cooking and always has great new recipes. She also had fun making costumes in October and helped everyone look great! She currently prepares the bulletin for church each week as well. Jes is the heart of our family and helps spread the love every day!

Jared is a loan officer for Ensign Federal Credit Union, and has loved going to work each day for a little over a year now. He has finally found the field that he feels he belongs in and will start school again in January at the College of Southern Nevada for finance. He enjoyed teaching the gospel essentials class at church for a few months and is now learning the ropes as the ward clerk. Jared participated in a “Biggest Loser” contest for a few months at work and lost over 30 lbs. He’s trying to get re-motivated after surgery for a double-hernia in October. He loves his family and feels incredibly blessed to have such a great one!

We feel like we’ve had a pretty good year here in Nevada. We never would have dreamed that we’d end up in Vegas, but we really like it here so far. (We do miss Idaho a lot though). We’re trying to become better people and serve others. We have found the definition of “true happiness” as we’ve done so as a family. Some of the things that have strengthened us this year are: going to church together every week, reading together every day, trying to spend more time talking instead of watching TV or playing on the computer, having time together outside of the house weekly, and saying “I love you” as often as possible.

It is so important to stand together and be strong so that we don’t have to stand alone while we face the storms of life. We firmly believe that we have a loving Heavenly Father that will stand with us if we will stand up for what it true and right. We are thankful for each of your examples and love, and wish to send our love your direction this year! Merry Christmas!

Love,

The Autrey Family: Jared, Jessica, Selah and Hyrum