The Robertson Family 2009

Merry Christmas!

Elden, 0 : With all the easy pregnancies my mom has had, I thought it would be fun to come in with a

bang. Mom needed a 5 week break from everything, and I knew bedrest 2 hours from home was the

only way she would get it. I was pretty tiny born at 2 pounds, 9 ounces, but I am now over 14 pounds.

When I came home after a two month hospital stay—my mom in tow, I decided to calm things down and I am easily soothed and sleep pretty well—if I could say so myself!

Shanna, 2 : The first part of the year Haley and I visited the Erekson’s for two months. I had fun banding with Kirsten and trying my hand in the art of facials and temporary tattoos. I have opted to call both Clark and Cal Wa-wa. Why didn’t mom and dad name them that in the first place? I still enjoy the occasional eating-sour-cream-in-the-shower rendezvous with Cal and Haley. I am mommy’s little helper and daddy’s little shadow.

Haley, 2 : Shanna and I love baby Elden. I like to remind mom often that there is a baby in the house. Much to my parents’ delight I am one of the better eaters in the family. During the day Shanna, Cal and I enjoy playing together. (Did I mention I like eating plain sour cream?)I am not a fan of cleaning up, but I do enjoy a nice bath. Mom’s conditioner in the water makes for extra soft water and skin!

Cal, 4: When it’s snowing we play outside and watch a movie. I go with Daddy and Clark outside in the snow. My favorite part [of my birthday] was eating my cake. My favorite part was seeing elephants at the zoo. I go to the park with Sebastian.

Clark, 6, 1^st Grader : I went to Six Flags. We had a fire at my house when Grandma & Grandpa Robertson were here. We roasted smarshmallows. Last year when I was in Kindergarten we put on our pajamas and watched Polar Express and ate popcorn [and he will do the same this year in 1^st grade]. Last year when there were birthdays we got to have cupcakes.

Mercury Villager, 12 : I think I will be the closest thing to a pet, ever, for the Robertson’s. We’ve been through a lot together! Since February I have been sporting my newest transmission—my owners are hoping three times the charm. Besides my many trips from here to Columbia, my wheels drove a couple of times to Oklahoma, Tennessee and Texas, once to Mississippi and Louisiana, out to North Carolina and Maryland, plus all those places in between. If I can keep chugging I’ll taste more pavement next year; even New York possibly.

Lee, <30: My first full year in the Army; so far so good, especially thanks to Elden, who allowed me to experience the beautiful winding roads from Ft. Leonard Wood to Columbia…and be a single Dad for three months; I had a LOT of help from family and friends, who likewise supported us as we paid off our student loans; I helped by earning money, not buying anything, and riding my bike to work [speaking of which, my parents sent me my old road bike – SO much better; let’s just say that road bikes are made for the road and mt. bikes for the dirt (although I would argue the mt. bikes do better on the road than road bikes do on the dirt)] and Ruth helped by keeping a STRICT budget—but not too strict as we spent a little extra in gas to go down to Texas twice so that I could get laser eye surgery and dump the glasses. Well, that’s 2009 in a run-on nut shell. Lastly I was an assistant Scout Master all year up until last month. I am now serving in the Elder’s Quorum.

Ruth, days from 30 : Last year I thought my 2008 happenings were hum-drum to write about. Not so this year! I have a deep appreciation for the blessing to be at home with all my children and husband. Being torn away from them was heart wrenching and painful, and I am glad that chapter of time has closed. The last part of the year I enjoyed the final steps in paying off our student loans. We are so glad they are gone! I also found out our little movie of cutting up our credit cards made it on Dave Ramsey’s Fox business show. I am currently the Relief Society Secretary.

We hope and pray you all have a very merry Christmas and a wonderful 2010. Heavenly Father has blessed us in many ways this year—especially with the opportunity to have Elden join our family thanks to wonderful medicine, healthcare, doctors and nurses. Christ the Lord is King!


Love, Lee Ruth Clark Cal Shanna Haley Elden