It's a Jolley New Year!

Oh happy, happy, joy, joy! It’s time once again for the Jolley family yearly newsletter! We know you look forward to this each year as much as we do.

Kiriana is still the center of attention. At 18 months she is into just about everything and talking up a storm. Kiriana loves going outside, putting rocks in her mouth, playing with her dolls and animals, and reading books. Her favorite thing to do is watch “Signing Time” videos. She asks for them the minute she wakes up. The videos teach vocabulary using sign language and fun songs. She has learned so many words and it has really helped her communicate with us. Jen is grateful for this because it means she can actually understand what Kiriana wants! Fewer temper tantrums! Yea!!!

Jen is really glad to be home. People ask her all the time if she misses teaching. Her answer: parts of it, like the students and learning new things. But, she definitely doesn’t miss the planning, grading and faculty meetings! Entertaining Kiriana is a challenge and it’s been harder since the weather outside is cold, but luckily there are wonderful friends and family who she can plan fun outings with. She is teaching the 16 year-olds in Sunday School and enjoys working on video editing projects, watching movies and reality TV shows like “Dancing With the Stars,” “The Biggest Loser,” and “American Idol.” She also has high hopes for losing 25 lbs. this year.

Kennion is still adjusting to being the full-time breadwinner. He started a new job with PayOutOne in May. It’s a start-up company that loans money to buyers or investors looking to purchase a property. The job has been very challenging and not as rewarding as we had hoped. It has also been a stressful year trying to do 3 jobs and serving as 2nd Counselor in the Bishopric. We finally realized that something had to give, so he’s taking a break from teaching group guitar lessons in the evenings. This has been a tough decision to make since he loves it so much. He will continue to do sing-a-longs at Senior and Assisted Living Centers in the area. He loves blessing their lives and is really good at entertaining them with jokes and music.

As a family we had some wonderful adventures. We went Mesa to visit family and friends for Easter and to Oceanside, CA with Jen’s family in October. It was a trip full of firsts for Kiriana. She loved the beach and digested plenty of sand. We also took her to Disneyland. We wanted to be sure to get her addicted while she’s still young. Jen and Kennion also took advantage of Kiriana’s great sleeping schedule (she sleeps from 6 pm–6:30 am) and left her a couple of times so that we could be alone. We even camped at Duck Creek near Cedar City. We spent Thanksgiving day eating on the patio in St. George and Kennion golfed Christmas day! Isn't it wonderful to have family that lives in a resort town?

As you can see, 2006 had its ups and downs, but then what year doesn’t? We are very grateful to have such wonderful friends. Your love and faith help us to keep going, in spite of life’s obstacles. We hope this letter find you happy and healthy. Please keep in touch! We love hearing all about you and your adventures. May God bless you throughout the coming year!