We're On

We saw Jeff and Kim's blog and just could not help ourselves. As everyone knows we are one of those families which have been in "hibernation." We hope that this will provide a way for us to keep everyone more up to date with the goings-on of the Shatzer Family.

What a whirlwind this year has been! It is hard to believe that summer has come and gone and that the holiday season if fast approaching. As everyone knows, we recently returned from Los Angeles where Michael was overseeing the renovation of the LA Temple. We thoroughly enjoyed our time there (especially on the beach and at Disney Land) but are very glad to be closer to what we consider home. Michael is currently very busy orchestrating the pre-construction activities on two major projects (Manwaring Center Remodel/Addition, Auditorium) for BYU-Idaho. The Manwaring center is the student life building, much like the Wilkinson Center at BYU. The project consists of a 140,000 square foot addition and extensive remodel of the existing 100,000 square feet. The Auditorium is a new 350,000 square foot building which will seat 15,000 people in one half and house 10 full-size basketball courts and a suspended track for running. Both projects are by far the largest buildings on campus and the probably the biggest thing Rexburg has ever seen.

Sarah and Hannah are growing up fast and keeping us on our toes. Sarah is quite a "big girl" now; she loves coloring, playing with Play Doh, being a helper for Mom and Dad, and going to her Nursery class (among other things). Hannah is walking (sometimes seems like running is more accurate) everywhere and loves playing with her big sister. She is a very tenderhearted, loving girl and will often give a hug to almost anything she gets her hands on -- books, toys, and even her Daddy's cell phone. She has also become more interested lately in books, looking at them or listening to someone read, or simply "reading" them to herself. Both girls love to sing, dance, and listen to music. They bring us much happiness, and we learn a lot from them.

Emily has had her hands full keeping up with the girls. She has a lot of fun reading and playing with them. She has really enjoyed participating in the ward Relief Society, has found many new friends there, and has truly felt a part of the sisterhood there. She has just recently been called as the Bear Den Assistant Leader in Cub Scouts, and is excited to learn about and participate in Cubs. She will also soon be learning to play the organ, as our ward is particularly short of organists at the time. She looks forward to the opportunity and challenge (though the thought of accompanying for a congregation is terrifying), and the fact that such an undertaking will require playing / practicing music more.

We have all really enjoyed living close to Cher and Aaron and being able to do things with their family. Sarah loves playing with Malcolm, Michelle and Ashley, and both girls love to see little Eli. We have also had a lot of fun visiting with our family from afar since our return from California -- Cara & Cory and their family when they visited the Salt Lake area, everyone who came to see Lowyn when he came home, and those who were able to come to Idaho Falls for little Ellen's blessing. We feel so blessed to be a part of such a wonderful, large family.