Our Christmas letter 2008

Here is our Christmas letter from this past year...

This year has changed our lives forever. Since last Christmas, we have two wonderful additions. First and most importantly, Caiden Christopher came into our family on August 11. We LOVE him, of course, and our family feels much more complete with two children now. Chris and I each have one to hold and I NEVER have a spare minute to be bored. Secondly, Chris and 2 partners started a security company here in Orem, Utah called "Five Diamond Protection". Things are going really great with it and it looks like we will be staying in Utah for a lot longer than we had ever thought when we moved here for school at BYU three years ago. We really love Utah and don't mind staying here at all. We do miss Washington, though, and hope to be able to move back to our families someday.
Well here is our year in review:
Exactly one year ago Addysin turned one and we found out I was pregnant . We were so excited. After the holidays Chris started a new semester at BYU studying business. I had gotten the hang of things with being a mother to one and couldn't wait to have another. With the cold weather, Addysin and I sat inside. Maybe I should say "laid inside". I was so sick during the first couple months, but thank goodness for TV to occupy Addysin. In March we went to Las Vegas for the first time for a company retreat. It was really fun. What made it even better was that we left Addysin with Chris' Brother and his wife and kids for the 3 days. That was our first time leaving her so it was hard, but made the trip so relaxing. In April my family came for my sister Kara's graduation from the MBA program. At the end of April, Addysin (about 16 months old) FINALLY learned how to walk... and crawl. She just skipped crawling, but not because she was so anxious to walk, it was because she figured out that scooting around in the sitting position worked good. In May Chris moved to Las Vegas to sell security systems and manage a group of guys. That was a very hard summer since I didn't move with him. Addysin and I stayed there 3 weeks in May and 2 weeks in June. When I wasn't in the most deathly hot desert, I went to Washington to visit family, and Chris came home to Utah a couple of times. We both had a hard time being away from each other and I felt like it was never going to end. That was a good trial to go through. It made us appreciate being together and was a witness that all bad things come to an end, you just have to keep on pushing through. In July Chris' whole family came to Connell, WA for a Lee family reunion. At the end of July we had to miss the Bleazard reunion because I was 9 months pregnant. In August Chris moved his sales team up to Tri-Cities, Washington where sales picked up a lot. He finally was able to move home a week before Caiden's birth. I was induced a week early because Chris' job was so far away and we didn't want any surprises. Just like my first, this labor was easy and quick (thanks to epidurals). He was 7 lbs. 10 oz. and 21 inches long. He was, and still is, perfectly healthy. My mom and two of my sisters came to help out. The rest of my family came for my sister Kara's marriage to Adam in the Salt Lake Temple. The day my family left, we followed them back to Washington for the reception and another wedding the next weekend. Chris' sister Becca married Caleb in the Columbia River Temple. While there, we blessed Caiden with most of our family present. Our life returned to normal for the first time in about 6 months when we returned to our home in Utah in September. That is when Chris started his company. He put school on hold to do so and turned out to be a good decision because he has been so busy. Caiden was a month old when we got back and that was the very first time that I was left alone with both children while Chris went to work. It was HARD! I have adjusted now and so has Addysin, which is great because she hated having another baby around. (Note to young mothers-just because your only child likes playing with baby dolls and looking at other babies, does not mean she will like a new baby in HER family.) I didn't see that coming. After Caiden's birth, Addysin decided she needed to start talking to get attention and it has been so fun and cute to see her communicate and express herself. We have had so much of our family come stay with us this fall. We would only go a couple weeks without someone coming to visit. It has been so much fun. In October we went to Rexburg, Idaho for Chris' brother's wedding. Tony and Rachel got married in the Rexburg Temple. That was a really fun weekend getaway for us. We LOVE seeing our family. For Halloween, Addysin and Caiden were Minnie and Mickey... soooo adorable! In November we went to Florida with another couple, and our children . While there we saw Chris' sister Anna and her family, stayed on the beach, and went to Disney world. It was an unforgettable vacation, and I know as our children get older, our vacations will be even better. Chris and I are Christmas fanatics and as usual we decorated for it before Thanksgiving. (Meanwhile, we are still having friends and family stay with us almost every week.) For Thanksgiving we spent it here with family. On December 7th Addysin turned 2! Caiden is now 4 months. I cannot believe how our lives are speeding by. I can still remember being a kid; how can we already be parents? The circle of life is amazing.
We have had a great year with so many blessings from our Heavenly Father. We are so grateful for Christ and this time of year to celebrate his birth. This amazing season reminds us of the reason for life, and that is to become more like Christ. May you have a joyful holiday season and wonderful year ahead of you. We love you all and want you to know that you have a place in our hearts.

Chris, Andrea, Addysin, & Caiden Lee

Just for Laughs. Here are some funny things Addysin likes to say:

"Stop it Chris!"
(fake cry or whining) followed instantly by "Sorry Chris" to whoever is nearby.
8,9,10....or......10,9,8.....or ....9,10,9,10,8... etc. Sometimes she'll say "two, tree!" but never says one.
"Peas!" = Please.
"eyes, beet, eyes, nose, toes". Beet =feet.
"teat, teat, teat" = eat.
"go, go to church" whenever I say let's go anywhere. I guess she loves church!
"Caiden! Mommys! Daddy!" Yes, I am plural to her. No, Chris doesn't have more than one wife.
"Dance! Dance!" while running in place. That's the way she dances
"oh, my!"
"Stary" = Scary. She is scared of most everything.
"Ewe, Sick, gross, stinky!" or "owie" when she needs her diaper changed.
"Oh no, what do I do?"
"I got cheese" She likes to say at any random time.
"Who's that?" when a phone rings.