{"id":168,"date":"2015-12-24T19:27:00","date_gmt":"2015-12-24T19:27:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/cherylrostek.com\/index.php\/2015\/12\/24\/christmas-letter-2015\/"},"modified":"2015-12-24T19:27:00","modified_gmt":"2015-12-24T19:27:00","slug":"christmas-letter-2015","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cherylrostek.com\/index.php\/2015\/12\/24\/christmas-letter-2015\/","title":{"rendered":"Christmas Letter 2015"},"content":{"rendered":"

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It\u2019s Christmas Eve and the landscape outside my windows changes from a thicket of green to a blanket of white.  <\/span>My babies are sleeping, at least for now, and there is nothing like big snowflakes falling to put me in the mood to write my long anticipated Christmas letter.<\/div>\n

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This is the year that has changed everything.  <\/span>Last Christmas my mom asked me if there\u2019d be more grandkids at Christmas next year.  <\/span>She knew we had been trying to get pregnant for awhile and so my response was : \u201cit depends how hard you pray.\u201d Pray she must have!  <\/span>What a shock to find out we were expecting twins this year (and my sister also became pregnant with her 5th<\/sup>child).  <\/span>Indeed our family is blessed with life this year!<\/div>\n

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We started our year with a trip to Ryan\u2019s parents\u2019 in Florida<\/st1:place><\/st1:state>in January as we often do.  <\/span>This trip was highlighted by a trip to the zoo, trips to the beach, crocodile spotting, and lots of pool time. When we arrived home we switched Rayna\u2019s childcare to a preschool-like daycare called Treehouse.  <\/span>Treehouse has become a wonderful experience for Rayna.  <\/span>She loves the circle-time learning, crafts and art time, and the many friends she gets to play with.  <\/span>Even as I am now on mat-leave Rayna continues to attend Treehouse 3 days a week which gives me a break and gives Rayna special time away from our home.<\/div>\n

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In February we found out that we were pregnant.  <\/span>The pregnancy started off challenging and the answer to these challenges arrived at our 9 week ultrasound when we found out we would be having 2 babies! (You can read my blog for further thoughts on that surprise) With my twin pregnancy limiting my energy we had a bit of a quieter year.  <\/span>We did go out to find snow in February with a trip to Manning<\/st1:placename> Park<\/st1:placetype><\/st1:place>and hiked our last real hike for probably a while up Lindeman lake also in February.<\/div>\n

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Highlights of our spring and summer include a get away for 3 nights to Las Vegas where we slept in, relaxed and enjoyed our last stretch of solo time; extended family time at Harrison Hot Springs Resort (Rayna\u2019s favorite local get-away); and a week at the Shuswaps with 3 other families of close friends.<\/div>\n

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Ryan has become addicted to playing pickleball at every opportunity and attended a number of tournaments in BC, Toronto<\/st1:place><\/st1:city>and near Seattle<\/st1:place><\/st1:city> this year.  <\/span>He is in withdrawal as family demands limit his current playing time!<\/div>\n

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Now our family is learning what the new rhythms of life look like.  <\/span>Nothing is simple! But we have been able to enjoy the Christmas parade, the Christmas Train and a Christmas party with friends and we plan to travel to Florida<\/st1:place><\/st1:state>in February.<\/div>\n

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As my baby awakes I shall close by sending you all the Merriest Christmas wishes.  <\/span>May you find joy and blessing in this wonderful season.<\/div>\n

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Much love from the Rosteks,<\/div>\n

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Ryan, Cheryl, Rayna, Garrett and Allison    <\/span><\/div>\n

<\/b><\/i><\/u><\/sub><\/sup><\/strike><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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