Christmas Letter 2008

Dear Friends and Family, 1 January 2009

We hope that you are enjoying a happy new year and had a great holiday season. Although this may be the last Christmas letter you receive this season, we still wanted to give you an update on our growing family.

This has been a year of change for the Chen household. We started out this year in Irvine where Reuben was officially working as Dr. Chen for his internship year in internal medicine. We moved in June to a great townhouse in Saint Paul, Minnesota where Reuben is working in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at the University of Minnesota residency program.

Besides moving, this year has brought a lot of other fun adventures. Reuben and I were still able to go to the Sunrider Convention in Anaheim for a weekend in July. Afterwards I went to the Bleazard Family Reunion in the middle of Idaho. I was a bit nervous about camping with Ariana, who was about 18 months at that time but Ariana had an absolute blast. She is a social little girl and loved being with so many people and the freedom to get dirty.

In August we were able to go to the Beijing Olympics with Reuben’s family and attended the opening ceremony. We had a lot of fun and I have no doubt that it was the best show that we have or will see ever!

In September we took a quick weekend trip to farm country in Katie’s home town, Pasco Washington. We were able to see Katie’s cousin Kara’s wedding reception and visit with family and friends. When we left Minnesota for the trip, it was summer. When we came back just days later, fall had arrived and there was no turning back. It was a beautiful season and the forest right behind our house turned colors of red and yellow. However, the drawback of fall was that winter was coming. And come it has!! We’ve had to buy a totally new winter wardrobe including our family’s big Christmas present this year: new boots for everyone!!

Reuben- Was happy that when he turned thirty year old this year that he was officially no longer a student. He worked long hours in Irvine and sometimes the whole family was together just for a few minutes a week. It was good training in a boot camp sort of way but we could all see that his confidence and knowledge in medicine increased. His schedule is much better now that he’s practicing in his specialty and he enjoys his time with family and in his church calling in the Elder’s quorum presidency. Reuben continues to practice Judo and work out and has already gone to the ER twice since we moved to Minnesota for sports related injuries. The upside is that he is able to really connect with his patients!

Katie- Did her first Olympic length triathlon in Las Vegas this year and ended the race sun burnt but happy. She decided to continue taking Chinese classes at the University level, starting off this year at UC Irvine and now at the University of Minnesota. She likes to continue to learn and being active and has been challenged in her calling as primary music leader at church. Being a mom has become a lot of fun with a toddler- but with a lot of messes to clean up! Things aren’t going to get any easier- we’re expecting a baby boy in May!

Ariana- Just when you thought that she couldn’t get any cuter, she does. Her favorite things are juice, books, baths, the alphabet song, shoes, dolls, hugs, and of course, Mommy and Daddy. Although she has a lot of toys, it seems she can be occupied forever with a doll and a blanket while she tells her “baby” over and over to “sleep” and “be good” in Chinese putting it to bed. Ariana parents speak to her in Chinese and she also goes to a Chinese preschool but she talks quite a bit in English too. Overall, she’s a good girl who just likes to have fun!
We are grateful for you all and hope that you enjoy a fabulous year!

The Chens- Reuben, Katie, and Ariana