Its that time again...: 2015 Newsletter

2015 Bateman Adventures

Evan's Highlights
-Turned 8 years old and got baptized!
-Started cub scouts and won the "Safest Driver" award at his first pinewood derby.
-Summer cub scout camp.
-Finished up 2nd grade and started 3rd grade.

Makiah's Highlights
-Ballet lessons last winter.
-Graduated from Kindergarten and started 1st grade.
-Lost her first tooth!
-Turned 7 and had an epic Spy Party with awesome friends.

Daphne's Highlights
-Started primary in the sunbeam class at church and performed in her first primary program in church.
-Started preschool this fall!
-Turned 4 years old and had Grandma Johnson here to celebrate with her.
-Dance and Cooking classes with friends.

Dallas' Highlights
-Went to Texas for a conference, and enjoyed the yummy southwestern food.
-He started taking yoga (and other classes) at a local gym.
-Planned our trip to Europe
-Learned to play the didgeridoo, pan flute, and bodhran.

Jessica's Highlights
-Turned 30 and went zip-lining with Dallas to celebrate.
-Babysat for two great families, this school year and last.
-Ran a 5K mud run with friends
-Refinished furniture (a desk, two end tables, a dining table) and built a bench and a small table for the kids.

Family Highlights
-Attended the Indianapolis Temple open house and dedication.
-The kids all did awesome with swimming lessons and now feel very comfortable in the water now that they are able to really swim.
-We worked hard in our yard to get it cleaned up (we haven't paid much attention to it until now...).
-Purdue volleyball games and a football game.
-Had a camp out in the backyard and spent multiple evenings by the fire pit roasting marshmallows.
-Dallas and Jessica celebrated 10 years of marriage!

Trips and Vacations
-Jessica and the kids took a trip to Utah in February to get out of the house. The weather was awesome there that week and Jessica got to help her sister Bethany start to plan her wedding!
-Our family went to Utah again in April and May for Bethany and Sheridan's wedding. We got to see both Johnson and Bateman families and friends.
-Jessica spent a day in Chicago with Kristen, a friend from college, and the kids enjoyed Lincoln Park Zoo with their dad.
-We visited several State parks and trails throughout the summer. We visited Indiana Dunes, Turkey Run, Shades, and Prophetstown state parks. We enjoyed hiking nearby trails including Potholes.
-Dallas and Jessica celebrated their anniversary by going to Croatia, Slovenia, and Venice.

Visitors!
We are so grateful to have such amazing friends and family who came to visit us this year. It really was wonderful having you all here. We love visitors!
-Dallas' parents, sister Candi and her girls Sophie and Chloe, Jessica's mom and sister Cami all came to be here for Evan's Baptism in January.
-Jessica's uncle Duane stopped in for a day to hang out while working in Illinois for a week. Our kids sure love him (and his buddy Floyd)!
-Jessica's sister Shannon and her kids, Sophie, Demi, and Otto came in June to visit during summer break. Our kids and hers just love their time together.
-Dallas' Parents and niece, Sophie came in September to watch the kids while Dallas and Jessica escaped to Europe for their anniversary. They were soooo amazing to come and stay for two whole weeks. We cannot thank them enough!
-Jessica's Mom came for a weekend to be with the kids on Halloween and Daphne's birthday.
-Our good friends Matt and Megan Hebdon and their kids, Madden, Maggie and Myles, came for Thanksgiving. They moved away this last summer and we were so happy to have them back for a week!
-We look forward to having Dallas' sister Lark here the week after Christmas!