Merry Christmas 2012

The big news from us in 2012 was of course the birth of our third child, Reagan Sophia Minnich.  Reagan was born on March 15 and tipped the scales at nearly 10 pounds, just like her brothers did before her.

With now three kids under 5, Marshall and Aimee don’t travel like we once did.  We have no gorgeous mountaintop photos to share anymore.  Instead we get to make exciting announcements like “Andy and Liam are sharing a room now!”  Yes, that was a big moment for the boys this year.  The love and friendship they share is really heartwarming to see.  That is, when they’re not wrestling or jumping off of furniture.

We did get to visit the Andersen family at their Beaver Lake house in July.  Both Andy and Liam had fun being pulled on the raft, and Andy got to go out with Daddy on the wave runner.  Liam loves dogs and so one morning the house was woken to Liam feeding the Andersen’s dog Rosie while yelling, “Eat dawbie, EAT!!”

In the fall, Andy (who will turn 5 right after Christmas) started pre-school.  He is advancing quickly, learning to read, and loves to sit at his desk in his room and do ‘homework’. He is a really good big brother who loves to dote on his brother and sister, as well as boss them around once in a while.

Liam turned two in September and is our bundle of cuteness right now.  Words can’t describe some of the outfits he conjures using daddy’s earmuffs, his safety goggles, and shoving every possible tool he can find into his little jeans.  He is a smart little boy who figures out multiple ways to say the same thing when we are struggling to understand him.  He is our early-riser too, up every morning at the crack.

In October, Andy got to go with Daddy to Stockton Lake with a handful of Daddy’s friends and their sons.  It was bitter cold and wet—perfect for a father-son outing.  Andy especially loved the potato-launcher:

Also in October, Marshall and Aimee did manage to take their first trip away without the kids!  Granted it was work-related, but we had a blast just hanging out at a nice hotel in Atlanta.  It was the 30-year anniversary of National Christian Foundation.  On our first night there, Aimee texted our nanny back home to say that we were available to talk by phone if Andy was available.  We got the following response: “Andy says you’re only gone three days and he’ll talk to you tomorrow.”

That little comment was a hit on Aimee’s Facebook page.  And speaking of, if you care to keep up with us throughout the year, ‘friending’ Aimee on Facebook is the best way—we don’t update this site but once or twice a year now.

In November we had a scare.  Our nanny, Faith, was driving the three kids somewhere when another driver pulled in front of and struck her car rather violently.  All were shaken up considerably but no one suffered major injuries thanks to seat belts, air bags, car seats and of course God.  Faith’s car was totaled though—pray for her as she seeks to replace it.

And so that about wraps up the story of the Minnich’s in 2012.  We again are grateful for the wonders God has shown us this year, and grateful for those of you who are a part of our life.  May your Christmas be merry and your new year bright,

Marshall, Aimee, Andy, Liam and Reagan

P.S. We did post some new photos from throughout the year here.  You can also see them on the sidebar.

P.P.S. One other development this year….Marshall’s Uncle Lee has written a memoir about Marshall’s grandfather and is shopping it to publishers.  Robert Matlack Trimble had some fascinating experiences during WWII, most of which were kept secret until his final years.  Among other things, we learned he was the last commander of the American/Russian air base in Poltava, gathered intelligence at Auschwitz shortly after liberation, and was honored for rescuing hundreds of POW during the war.  Lee has started the following blog with excerpts from the book—he would be blessed if you added a ‘hit’ to his counter:  http://fightingbastardoftheukraine.blogspot.com/