Merry Christmas from the Garrin Ellis Family

Dear Friends and Family, Merry Christmas from the Ellis Family!

We thought we'd catch you up on the happenings in our home this year. It's definitely been a year of challenge, change and growth for us...but hopefully we're better for it! Garrin has had a LOT of change this year--most of it work related. Earlier this year, we found out that the Utah Dept of Transportation was taking our business property for the new freeway interchange. As a result, we decided to shut down our current business and split off from our partner. This change will happen at the end of Dec and we will open up Garrin's Automotive on Jan 1st. This will be a great change for our family, but not without a ton of work, stress and worry. Unfortunately, we were unable to find property with a current shop so we have decided to build one. We have been working our way through city meetings, offers on properties and all of that and hope to be able to start building by February. In the meantime, Garrin will work out of our home garage to keep his customers happy until we can finish our new shop. By the way--the new shop will be 1 1/2 miles from our home in Lehi--we are so excited! Wish us luck! Garrin still teaches the 11 year old boys at church.

Stefanie changed jobs in April, now working for The Orthopedic Specialty Hospital (TOSH) Physical Therapy dept as a Patient Service Rep. She works 3 days a week there, and usually the other 2 for Garrin--especially with all the changes happening. At church, she plays the piano for the Primary (3-12 year olds). She started a family blog this year and trys frantically to keep up AND post all the family happenings. Visit us at http://everything-ellis.blogspot.com/

Devin is 19 and moved back home in April from college in St George, UT and back out again in November. He's always on the GO! He is currently living in Provo with friends....about 30 min away. He first had his car broken into and things stolen, and then totalled the same car this September. It was his first car. He is currently working at Anderson Window Well Covers and installs window well covers. He usually works in Denver, CO even though the company base is here in UT. He leaves on Mondays early in the morning and gets home Thursday night/Friday morning---depending on how you look at those wee hour arrival times. He's working on saving lots of money for the future---whatever that may be.

Shawnee turned 16 and began driving and dating. She's in the 10th grade and enjoys being at the High School. She continues playing the violin and has a steady babysitting job 2 days a week in our neighborhood. She joined the ballroom dance class this year and just had her first performance.

Kaylee will be 14 in a matter of weeks and is in 8th grade. She loves soccer and has been on several soccer teams over the last year---most recently Eclipse. She enjoyed being in her first school play "The Comedy of Errors" by Shakespeare and was Luce and a Player. She loves "hanging out" with friends and having fun.

Jaycee is 9 and in 4th grade. She loves playing with friends daily! She has been in the school choir and we just finished up the 4 performances in the last 2 weeks.

We went to on a family camping trip to Goblin Valley with Stefanie's family in April, and to Garrin's reunion above Logan, UT in July. It was lots of fun! We hope that 2009 will be a great year for you and we'd love to hear from you! Email us at stampinstefanie@gmail.com

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Stefanie, Garrin, Devin, Shawnee, Kaylee and Jaycee