Family and friends,
Our 2009 has seen many wonderful experiences and we look forward to many more in 2010. As a family we have grown, served, pioneered and been challenged in different areas, but we have done it all together.
We have hiked through Kilen Woods State Park (and toted Clara on our backs part of the way); explored the world of animals during a day at the Minnesota Zoo; climbed, balanced and vaulted around a gymnastics floor with the LaMotte cousins; walked a picturesque Halloween trail with cousin Reagan; enjoyed the fun and food of a few days at the county fair with Auntie Angie; dug into numerous gardening endeavors at Grandma Leah's; and often strolled the meandering trails in Jackson.
Clara, our just-turned-2 sweet pea and snuggle bug, prefers to spend her days on Mom's or Dad's lap with a pile of books. She can keep up with Juleah in most areas, including counting. She did not like the idea of pursuing hockey until she saw the boys playing and realized more of the action and checking that was involved. So do not be deceived; our innocent little blonde-haired, blue-eyed "shy" girl could talk your ear off and has a wild side in her that often comes out in daring tricks, including jumping and turning anything into a balance beam.
Juleah, nearing her fourth birthday, started hockey this year in nearby Windom and progressed from holding a chair to tip-toeing to skating with some glide in a matter of a few weeks. In the moments she gets off the ice to give her doll a hug and then returns to skate, we try to remind ourselves that she is only 3 years old. As Clara has grown up, we have seen her and Juleah develop a deep companionship. They are the best of friends and each others' No. 1 competition. Including vying for the chance to open the door for Dad first or to get the next turn of dancing with him in the living room.
Juleah also gets her thrills in the AWANA Cubbies club her mom directs, in her Sunday school hour and running the hallways at church with her buddies. She enjoys weekly visits to the library too, especially because it's just walking distance from our house and offers lots of movies to pick from.
Ryan, as news editor of the Jackson County Pilot and Lakefield Standard, got to shoot hundreds of photos of the city dam being ripped out, ride in a snowplow during a blizzard, roam the race track pits during the Jackson Nationals, join the set of a Duracell commercial that will air nationwide on New Year's Day and join controlled burn specialists in the middle of a prairie as they set it afire. After work hours, he directed the weekly AWANA game times, participated in a Men's Fraternity at church, topped several of his cousins in regular season fantasy football play and thoroughly enjoyed spending time with his family. On one outing to the river, Juleah finally let him try fishing after she caught two catfish before he ever got his line in the water.
Jody, who closed the daycare chapter of her career halfway through 2009, found an avenue to turn her passions in health and nutrition and helping others into a family-friendly career that kicked off with a trip to Baltimore this fall. She also enjoyed her weekend away at the Hearts at Home motherhood retreat, which was highlighted by speaker Kevin Leman and opportunities to visit with Iowa friends. She pioneered the AWANA Cubbies ministry at our church with a small group of kids and has enjoyed reliving her memories as a long-time AWANA clubber.
Our family eagerly awaits a little boy who is expected Feb. 26 (however if he waited until March it would keep the birthday months even). It has been a very healthy pregnancy and we are blessed with a like-minded doctor. Our little boy is sure to receive lots of love from two motherly big sisters when they are not running off with his pacifier, the prized posession of our house.
Merry Christmas and may you have a fulfilling 2010!
Ryan, Jody, Juleah and Clara Brinks
What a fun place to play! An indoor playground saves a cold day!
Summer fun at the Jackson County Fair!
Clara our sweet pea!
Aren't we sweet!
Here is the Doug & Leah Brinks Crew growing every year!
This is quite a crew of Great-Grandchildren in 3 years 
Look at those love birds celebrating 7 years of bliss!
