CHRISTMAS 2022

MERRY CHRISTMAS from the Garlands!

Thanks for dropping by to see how the Garland family is doing! We're going with more pictures and less writing this year. Here we go!

CAYLA (14): This girl... The school photographer must have been very patient, as this gem of a school picture came after 10+ tries, and we LOVE it! Almost every picture she's taken at school has her eyes crossed, so we were excited to get this one. She's in her final year at Pella Middle School as an 8th grader, and she continues to have such incredible friends and peers and teachers (especially Miss Hilary)! Cayla has been challenged and encouraged so well in school! Dad gets to teach her in his 2nd Period History class, and he is loving it. He often hears her whisper, "Wow." during a video. Every period ends with a hug and kiss.

She has loved doing Special Olympics this year! Mrs. Parton is AMAZING! 

 Cayla had SO MUCH FUN with her first Night of Stars put on by Launching Arrows in May! Much to her delight, she was pampered very well leading up to the dance as people did her hair and helped her get ready. It was a fun night.

We have been so blessed to get involved in some hippotherapy for Cayla and therapeutic horsemanship for Eliana with Grace Therapeutic Riding (https://www.facebook.com/gracetherapeuticriding) and Kinetic Edge! What an incredible opportunity for both Cayla and Eliana, and Zoey's hoping she's next!

 

ELIANA (11): She's been rocking her final year in 6th grade at Jefferson Elementary, and just recently she began sporting these braces! She continues to love playing soccer and singing. She even wrote a sang her own song at our church's Original Works Night! She is a great sister and great friend.

Jerod began doing dates with each of the girls earlier this year, and they have all so enjoyed their special time with Daddy! Wendy's, Culver's, and Applebee's were popular picks from the girls.

ZOEY (8): She kicked off the Garland's final year at Madison Elementary in August! She got to try her hand at some basketball last January! She has a passionate spirit and loves helping Mom bake and cook in the kitchen. She also loves playing games (UNO, Ticket to Ride, and Azul are her favorites) and is starting to get a little better at losing. A little. :)

Zoey and Eliana had fun playing soccer again this fall! Cayla was a great support from the sidelines, although her favorite thing to shout was, "Come on, push 'em down!" 

We SO enjoyed a special trip to Texas in July to see Grandpa Pat and Grandma Nancy, as well as to finally meet our niece/cousin Maryn and see the wonderful Mangan clan!!! Although it was far too short, we loved spending time with them! 

Cayla enjoyed celebrating her 14th birthday at Cantarito's with our lovely Grandma Jill! And we all 6 got to see an Iowa Cubs game in honor of Tim's birthday on August 14!

All 3 girls did so well with the Klompen Classic 5K in May! And now already reaching December, the girls are having so much fun decorating and preparing for Christmas!

We were blessed with a special trip as the two of us to Arizona in February! We celebrated 15 years of marriage in July, and we are grateful for the many blessings we have continued receiving over the course of these years! The Lord is good! Merry Christmas!