For several years, we kids have been suggesting that we write a family Christmas letter. However, Mom, with the intention of doing so, has found that her schedule never allows her to do one. As a result, she proposed that we do it ourselves. Here is a glimpse into the Mentink family life.

Mom and Dad (we will graciously omit their ages) have done many projects this year. With Dad working a full-time job in Columbus, along with the careers of farmer, electrician, and father; Mom offered to do some of the chores around the farm, and has even committed to milking a cow twice a day! Together, our family has worked to fix up the farm; made several road trips around Nebraska; and had many adventures. This has made our parents realize that while they are not getting any younger, all of these kids keep them moving! This summer we took an eight-mile bike trip on a hot, Sunday afternoon, and the next week we took a canoeing trip, which was supposed to be relaxing. However, after hauling the canoes down a trail to get to the river, and getting that feeling of “when is it ever going to end,” (it was getting dark and we found that our route was several miles longer than anticipated), we discovered that this canoeing trip was a lot of work! Even so, the next week we made plans to do something relaxing – a hike! But in the end, we didn’t – because we were too busy napping!

Alena, seventeen now, is busy finishing up school and deciding what to do after she graduates. She really enjoys upholstery, which she is learning from Grandma; and also loves reading and writing. It is nearly impossible to tear her away from her pencil and notebook. She also likes helping with the little ones; and is teaching Annika to sew.

Kailey is in eighth grade. She has spent much time outside this year, riding her horses; learning to drive a tractor; reading away summer afternoons in a hammock; learning to play the piano; and chasing runaway goats back into their pens. One of her recent projects is training a young horse, and she is excited to start riding it regularly.

Caleb, a sixth grader, has kept himself busy this year. He has done some trapping and hunting, although, unfortunately, his traps have yielded nothing but opossums. He has a new partner to hunt with – a bouncy, rat terrier puppy named Snowball! Caleb is also interested in fish, and is excited to have a new seventy-five-gallon fish tank. He has started a You Tube channel (‘Caleb’s Aquatics’) featuring his two, fancy guppies, Lemon and Tang, and their ‘fry’.

Aiden is in fourth grade. He is really interested in model train sets, and has been working on a large, model train station in the basement. He also likes to build things, especially toys; and enjoys taking broken things apart, before rebuilding them into something else.

Annika is four. She is presently learning to read, and is great at counting. She is really enthusiastic about horses, and has been imploring for one of her own. Our piano is definitely one of the things that she like to play with. She often takes a coloring book and sets it in front of her to “play” it. We might just have another piano player in the making!

Asher, now three, is beginning to learn the basics of school, really liking the colors and shapes. He loves to help Mommy or one of the older kids cook. He is fascinated with tractors and combines, accepting a ride on Dad’s whenever possible. Half of his shirts display a tractor!

Abigail is the latest addition to the family, and just turned one in September. She is a busy, sweet, little girl, who is very pleased when she accomplishes climbing up onto a chair – or up the stairs! She is getting fairly good at communicating what she wants, and, when asked, can correctly tell you what a cow and sheep says.

As we celebrate the birth of Jesus, we reflect on all of the blessings God has bestowed on us, and hope that all of you have a merry Christmas!

Sincerely,

The Mentinks (i.e. Caleb and Kailey)