The Bangert family has had a good year. Not too boring and not too exciting, just the right blend to leave us laughing and happy and expectant for the new year.
In January, Eden had her 2nd birthday. Isaac turned 4 in April. And in May, Jeremiah turned 6.
Jeremiah:
Jeremiah graduated from Kindergarten, at Howard A. Yeager School. His school had a big graduation ceremony that was a lot of fun, and the kids put a lot of hard work into it.Jeremiah loved his Kindergarten teacher, Mrs Criswell.
Now Jeremiah is in 1st grade at Forrestal Elementary. His teacher this year is Mrs. Sabor.
He is doing a great job in math and science, but his best subject is reading. He's in the yellow group, which is reading chapter books! At home he loves to read all kinds of books to his brother and sister, as well as reading the Book of Mormon for family scripture study. He loves getting up in Fast and Testimony Meeting to share his testimony and does so almost every month. He also enjoys superheroes, action and comedy movies, gymnastics, Wii sports and Lego games, and anything he can do with his dad. Jeremiah also lost his first 2 teeth this year! He is a great helper, he keeps the toys picked up and does the vacuuming as his regular responsibilities, and loves to find other ways to help his family. His mom doesn't know what she would do without him.
Isaac:
Isaac finished his first year of preschool, at Howard A. Yeager School. Isaac loved his teachers Mrs. Cress and Miss Habercamp, and happily, has been able to keep them for this, his second year of preschool.
He has learned so much this year. He has learned to write his name. He has learned sign language for all kinds of pets, and the first letters of the names of everyone in his class. He memorizes really well (ask him what John 14:15 says) and remembers stories and lessons almost word for word, such as the stories of Jesus calming the sea, and the Good Samaritan. Tell him a story once and months later he can repeat it back to you. Isaac also loves to compose songs, they often sound like Mike Myers poetry readings from "So I married an axe murderer," but they are so creative, and they make his family laugh. Isaac is a good friend and loves to make people happy. He also enjoys gymnastics and loves riding the bus to school.Eden:
Eden has been tolerating being at home with her mom, while her brothers are in school. She is hoping to be able to go to preschool next fall.She has been learning everything she can from her brothers and considers herself fully capable of anything anyone else in the family can do. She loves counting, and can count to 10 with or without her fingers. She loves coloring. She doesn't like to be helped with anything, I even caught her pouring her own milk (thank goodness the jug was almost empty!) And she is an expert covert operative, she can sneak off with anything as stealthily as a pickpocket, she always remembers what she has hidden where, and she can stay hidden in the simplest of places for up to 20 minutes without being found. But mostly she loves her brothers, they are her best friends.
As a family we have had fun this year. Grandpa Bob came to live with us, in July. He has had quite the adjustment coming to Illinois from Monterey California's climate. (He got to throw his first snowball a few days ago.)
As a family, we have been on outings to the Children's Museum at Navy Pier, in Chicago;
the Cottonwood Farm, in Crest Hill, Illinois;
as well as the Dinosaur Museum and Kenosha Public Museum, in Kenosha, Wisconsin.
We have also had fun doing science experiments, things like learning about magnets, building soda can robots, and experimenting with soda and Menthos.
The kids had fun riding their tricycle and big wheel when the weather was warm.
James has been very busy as a Recruit Division Commander at the Navy's Recruit Training Command (Bootcamp). He is pushing his last division now, and looks forward to serving with Fleet Quality Assurance for the next year, beginning at the end of February 2011. He looks forward to seeing more of his kids and getting a lot more sleep. James has also been busy as the Elders Quorum President in our ward, and has been blessed in abundance by the Lord ever since receiving this calling, for which we are very thankful.
Leah has been busy keeping the family sane, fed, clothed, and relatively happy. Leah is also pleased to report that she has lost 10 pounds this year. It has been hard work and challenging, but definitely worth while. Leah has also been accepted into a Master of Science program in Forensic Psychology, at Waldon University. It is an online program and hopefully will take no more then 1 1/2 years to complete. And at church she is enjoying her calling as a Relief Society teacher.
So now at the end of 2010 and the beginning of 2011 we would like to wish all of our family and friends a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
