It's 2015?? What happened?

2014 was a great year for us . . . and super busy!

This year was a landmark one for Jeff. The Big 4-0 rolled around in June and we celebrated by braving a fabulous local ropes course. Jeff's busy busy working at the College at Brockport. He adores his students, and hates doing research but it's coming along slowly but surely. Although Sara thinks he really ought to have gotten a chili pepper for hotness on www.ratemyprofessors.com! ;) He enjoys his classes--abnormal & child psychology, research methods, and graduate statistics--and is constantly tweaking them and keeping them fresh and fun. He also maintains a small private practice, and although he finds that work truly fulfilling, he never has enough time to meet all the demand--a bittersweet reality. He has enjoyed the last 2 years of serving in the bishopric at church, participating in the Rochester Area Mormon Choir, and serving on a district professional development committee for our local school district. During the summer, between work projects, he runs & bikes, maintains the pool, works in the garden, fixes this & that around the house, and occasionally does some woodworking in his man cave in the garage.

One of Ali's first official "selfies"

Sara's busy busy too juggling many balls in the air. She works a small part-time job tutoring at our
district's tutoring center which services secondary students out of school long-term for medical reasons, or who are at the center temporarily during a special education transition, or (the majority of the students) who have been suspended. Each day brings something new and different for sure and she finds it interesting and fun. She also taught a credit recovery course last winter at our high school for students who are struggling with math and will do the same this winter coming up. At church, she loves serving as the Young Womens President and the stake girls' camp craft lady (for a week in the summer)--the youth are so much fun! She continues to volunteer at Ali's elementary school as well as the middle school, and she serves as a parent representative on the building planning team at the middle school. And of course, she serves as the kids primary chauffeur, social planner, homework supervisor, and screen time Nazi--all of which serve as excuses to avoid cleaning the house and emptying her inbox.

Tie-dyed socks at Girls Camp

On a Rocky Mountain peak!

Hannah has been working her tail off at school. She made it into the most challenging band at the high school as a freshman and she is very committed to her clarinet. She has (amazingly!) been a consistent good sport about early morning seminary--with the side-benefit that Jeff gets her there and then has time to work out every morning. He's getting so buff! Hannah's course-work at school is demanding, but she works hard and stays on top of things in between reading novel after novel after novel. Her favorites this year have included Brandon Sanderson's Stormlight Archive, Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice (Sara had a moment of maternal pride when that one was a success!), and the Rangers Apprentice by John Flanagan. She also really enjoys taking pictures--especially scenery--and she's looking forward to taking photography in school next year. Last summer, she participated in her first (and probably her last!) Pioneer Trek with church. She's looking forward to a solo trip out west this summer to attend EFY at BYU with one of her dear Snarr cousins and takes babysitting jobs to take care of her part of the expenses--anyone need a sitter? When did she grow up??

The hair just keeps going . . .
and going . . .

Megan keeps her fingers in just about everything. She will be in her school's production of High School Musical in the spring in a supporting role. She serves on the student council. She plays the trumpet in band, jazz lab band, and the jazz ensemble group. She participated in a fabulous Christmas jazz quintet that a ward member put together for our Christmas party. SOOOO cool. She takes piano lessons and particularly enjoys playing pop music. She continues to enjoy gymnastics for fun with a session or two a year. She has an etsy shop full of creative perler bead creations here. She held a VERY successful lemonaid stand during a village event this summer when foot traffic past the house was at it's peak. And she is currently distributing free samples of this product. Shoot me an e-mail if you want to get in touch with her. She has done a lot of beginning coding on Scratch this year. She may or may not be COMPLETELY OBSESSED with Minecraft. She may or may not have her own server. She still LOVES drawing. And of course, getting together with friends. And her current plan for her hair is to grow it so long that when she cuts some off to donate, it will still be down to her waist. Always a big thinker!

Bunny cupcakes with
friends & the class bunny!

Ali is our happy-go-lucky one. Everything is fun, and everything makes her smile and sing. But she's a busy girl too. She'll be in her school's play in March as well. She loves participating in Odyssey of the Mind, playing the clarinet in the school band, and taking piano and violin lessons, and being a part of her girl scout troop. In her down time (what's that?) she LOVES getting together with friends and playing with Sara's old dollhouse which we just (finally) set up recently. A highlight of 4th grade has been the class bunny rabbit Sophie. Ali is absolutely in love, and Sara is thrilled that we have an excuse to postpone any response to Ali's pleading for a pet bunny. She has come home with Ali twice for vacations, and Ali even had a bunny party to celebrate with friends. Sara will never cease to be amazed at what an outgoing confident girl Ali has turned into considering what a shy gal she was as a preschooler. Here's a peek at a monologue she performed as part of a summer drama camp:

Cousin time at the Mount
Timpanogas Temple

This past summer took us out to Utah for a wonderful few weeks with family. We spent the first week visiting with Snarrs and enjoying watching Jeff's parents as they serve their full-time church mission from home. It was special to see them doing good and making a difference. Our second week was full of Broadbent time at a family reunion in Heber valley where our Broadbent roots are. We also spent a week in the Adirondacks as usual--although this time we spent it with dear friends from Long Island instead of family since our reunion was out west. Good times for sure! This may turn into a new tradition! We are certainly so grateful for family traditions and the ties that bind us to all of these amazing people.

Our campsite view in the Adirondacks

Megan, Ali, & Adorable
Cousin Silas

We look forward to another year of challenges, goodness, and blessings. We hope 2015 holds the same for you! Happy New Year! We love you and miss so many of you and are grateful for the many dear friends we've had over the years all over the country. Hugs and stay in touch!