The (Utah) Gerke Family End of Year Newsletter, 2013 Edition.
Hey everyone, it's that time of year! The time to sit and enjoy a cup of hot cocoa, the time to build snowmen, but more importantly- the time to catch up on what the Gerkes of Utah have been up to. It has been a real roller coaster of a year, we've each seen a sibling married this year and traveled to be a part of both weddings, we've both changed jobs, celebrated 8 years of marriage and have watched our son grow into quite the interesting character.
Isaac
Disc golfed until the snow hit the ground, and in 3 different states this year- always taking the opportunity to seek out a local course wherever we were. Isaac picked up cycling and got a nice bike of his own, and is hoping to ride to work on nice days in the coming year. Started the year still working for InfuseMed, designing iPad apps for the medical device industry. Changed jobs in November to explore a new career in User Experience (UX) and Interaction Design for Xactware, a software company based in Orem. Xactware is finishing a large, brand new building in Lehi, (about 10 minutes from our house) and the company will be moving in February 2014. Isaac is loving the new job, really digging into the UX field, and already making a good impression.
Lia
Nothing slows this girl down. Not a two year old wrapped around her leg, or juggling her several work-related commitments with taking care of the boys in her life. Lia continues to help people buy and sell their homes, and design them on the inside. She is currently the Design Center Coordinator at Gough Homes, a local custom home builder. Partly through this year, Lia left Gough to explore an opportunity selling new production homes again- but after leaving, got another offer to come back to Gough under even better terms than before. They love her over there. She is also doing real estate and interior design on the side, as well as being a fantastic mom.. Lia picked up running this year, and has completed three 5k runs! Her goal next year is to conquer the 10k, and start cycling with Isaac too.
Nash
This little guy surprises us every day by how sharp, incredible, and hilarious he is. Well into his "terrible twos", he isn't living up to the stigma at all. Currently he is mastering potty training, and already wears underwear all day, and will get up from naps or sleep to go on his own. He has his own style and for now likes to sit backward when he goes, but hey- whatever works, right? Nash spends 2-3 days a week with a his friend Savannah (Savi), whose mom runs a small daycare out of her home. Nash has a great time over there, which is a great relief to Mom and Dad while they work, that he's in good hands. He has lots of time to play, learn things, do crafts, and sing songs and play games but is always excited to go home too. Nash is very well spoken and will talk your ear off about just about any subject you get him going on, and sometimes surprises people with his little responses and stories. His imagination is growing by leaps and bounds and it has been fun to see him start to pretend, and play more independently. He has loved being introduced to disc golf, and played with Daddy all year. He has his own full-size bag and likes to carry his own gear and some of Dad's from hole to hole, and will play a full 9-hole course no problem. He has a practice target at home, and loves to even watch YouTube videos about disc golf but would much rather be out with Dad, smashing the chains! In fact, Nash pretty much loves anything his dad is into, and loves to rock out and is already asking when he can snowboard.
edit: decided to embed the actual newsletter, if you wanted to see what it would have looked like.
