Welcome Back Shultis Family!
So... it has been so long that I forgot I had a blog until last week when something reminded me. People have been talking about blogging a lot more lately and it must have jogged my memory! Also, it could have been the fact that I remembered the story about the evil emperor flooding our last house. Well, at the very least I have a lot of catching up to do! I guess a good way to start back up to is to give you the big picture first and then fill in the blanks!
Tristan, who turns 15 in a couple of weeks, is a freshman in high school and is already talking about driving. Yikes! In junior high he decided he wanted to play the clarinet and did so for three years. However, the magnet high school he picked did not have a music program, so he is not playing anymore. He did very well in junior high, made honor band and also received the student of the year award in 8th grade! He is a very good citizen, helpful and almost always in a good mood. He decided long ago he wanted to be a fire fighter and tried to get into that program at his magnet high school. Unfortunately, the program ended up being full. Maybe his dream won't start quite yet, but I'm sure he won't give up that easily! Tristan is also in the scouting program and attends early morning seminary. With all the traveling to his school that is in a land far-far-away, his schedule is pretty much full when you factor in scouts and mutual! He is a busy guy, but happy doing it!
Jake turns 14 next Tuesday and is in 8th grade this year. At 5 foot 11 inches tall he is the second tallest in our house hold now and towers over most kids his age. He started playing the saxophone 3 years ago and is doing amazing! He received Superior ratings at his solo/ensemble competitions two years in a row, is currently playing in band, jazz band, and drum line. He loves music and also auditioned to get into the Las Vegas Academy of Music and Arts (LVA High School)! We hope he gets accepted! Jake is funny, loves his friends and is up for most any adventure! He is still a straight A student (since Kindergarten) and we are very proud of him in that department! Jake is also in scouts and enjoy attending mutual weekly with his friends from church. He and Tristan completed a super difficult backpacking trip in 110 degree heat a couple of years ago in AZ and we are so proud of both of them for toughing it out. They learned a great lesson by being the only ones who were 100% prepared (thanks Dad and Uncle Steve for all your years of beating that into my head).
Talon is 9 and in 4th grade this year! He has grown so much and enjoys school and creating things with his Knex toys. He is very imaginative and is always coming up with interesting stories and games. The previous "unicorn" comment rings true, although he doesn't make up stories about unicorns anymore! He loves to draw, drum, play outside and try new things! I can honestly say he rarely, if ever, complains, which is an amazing feat for any child! Well, unless he's fighting with DJ! Talon also loves to cook and will gladly help in the kitchen! He watches dozens of cooking shows and is getting quite proficient at the cooking "lingo"! I expect great things from him in the kitchen as he gets older! Talon is has also been in scouts for a year and loves it! I am so glad that all of our boys are interested in scouting! Too bad boy scouts don't sell cookies though - or maybe that is a blessing!
DJ is in 2nd grade and doing amazing! He was a little wild at the beginning of the year, but due to his amazing teacher he has found his groove and is excelling! He reads several levels above his grade and still wants to read every night before bed! He is funny, witty, and silly and we all enjoy his personality - he can even make most adults laugh! He genuinely understands and "gets" adults and surprises us all the time! He is loving and sweet and loves our dogs to death! He also loves stuffed animals and takes great care of the hundreds he has collected, although, I'm a little worried this has become an obsession! DJ started playing the electric guitar last year at School of Rock and is doing so great! He loves his teacher and doesn't want let him down, which is good thing since sometimes practicing doesn't sound so fun! His silly personality is perfect to be onstage, once he gets over the stage fright! In just two months he will also be joining scouts - and he is so excited that his friend Aiden from school has decided to join our troop!
Now on to us:
David is doing amazing owning and running his own IT Consulting business here in Las Vegas, with some help from me to keep the paperwork moving! His clients are happy and he hasn't lost a client since he opened his business two years ago! This year he also became certified in computer forensics and looks forward to working that into his business. David has found a new appreciation for working out, since Lifetime Fitness is such an amazing place! He like his trainer and is doing great! He even tried that crazy hot yoga that almost killed me! One of David's passions is food and cooking and a week doesn't go by that we don't watch the food channel and end up ordering some amazing treat from somewhere around the country! He loves adventures and comes up with amazing ideas for our yearly family vacations! Looking forward to Washington D.C. this July!
As for me, last, but not least, I have enjoyed helping Dave set up and run his business and now work full-time at one of our client's offices, who is also a long-time friend of David's! Additionally, I have continued to tinker with my guitar playing over the years and also own an electric guitar so DJ and I can jam together! I rarely have time to spare, but somehow I inch along with my writing, taught myself to create websites, bucket-drummed with my boys at the ward talent show, and picked up my old love of skiing again this year from almost a decade ago! I enjoy being busy and there is never a lack of that with a family of 6! This year I am looking forward to getting more involved in scouting, preparing DJ for his baptism in a couple of months and spending time with family near and far! I love keeping in touch with new and old friends and look forward to keeping this blog going! Not only to update you on our family, but to notice the funny and joyous side of life daily and to share that with you!
his must all sound like a lot, but this is just an update on the family over the last few years. Quite a few years that is! The kids have changed so much, but our zaniness and love the the unusual, new, and fun have not changed!
PS: I noticed a lone shoe in the desert the other day and I still wonder: how does one lone shoe get all the way out there...?
