Merry Christmas from the Rays.
2023 has been a year of change and growth for us. The year has been so dynamic that as we write you we are sure to still have highlights of this year yet to come in December, including a trip to see family in Florida.
Matt and Christine celebrated their tenth wedding anniversary this year. They marked the milestone a season early with a trip to an AirBnB in downtown Kansas City. It was a long weekend filled with barbecue, Italian food, Austrian cuisine, spending a day with family, jazz, exploring, sleeping in and not cutting food for anyone.
Jamari had an especially change-filled 2023. He worked hard and finished school early in February. In May he graduated from high school. In August Jamari moved to Georgia to work and continue to pursue his entrepreneurial dreams. Before leaving he was able to have one final family trip with us to the Ray Reunion in Minnesota. The house is so different without him but we're excited for him and proud of the man he's become and is becoming.
Joshua started the first grade this year. He loves it and is an exceptionally good and willing reader. He's enjoyed swimming lessons, T-ball, soccer and rock climbing as well as becoming a charter member of the local Trail Life chapter. Joshua is our outdoorsman and has discovered a love of shooting guns and catching fish. He spends most days playing outside with the neighborhood boys.
Anna is in her final year of preschool. She loved swimming lessons in the Winter and Summer, tumbling in the Spring, T-ball this Summer and rock climbing this Fall. She is the family monkey and will climb anything. She could also draw or color for hours on end. Anna also enjoys wearing dresses when she can and pulling off outfit combinations no one else thinks possible, whether they are or not is another story.
Gideon is two and is not yet in school. He's earned the nickname he got in utero: Mr. Wiggles. The boy loves to be able to move. He loves doing whatever his older siblings are doing. He's a headstrong boy and more determined to do things himself than his older siblings ever were. Gideon can't wait to be big. He's also so sweet and caring toward his little sister, especially when the others are away at school.
Faith was born in August. She is hitting all the usual milestones and mostly avoiding being trampled by brothers, sister, dog or cats. She loves being talked with, showered with love from her siblings and especially loves napping in her father's arms.
As you can see 2023 has been a tremendous year for us. As we look back at 2023 we can see how immensely blessed we are. We hope you can say the same.
This Christmas as we look forward to another year we are comforted and confident knowing that Christ has come and He will come again!
