It’s that special time of year when everyone’s a little kinder, family is kept closer, and I say whatever I want on the Saville Christmas card. Let’s dive right in. We all (barely) survived the longest, snowiest winter we’ve ever seen by going on a ski trip with my brother Ben and then going on a cruise to Mexico with Devri’s mom (not at the same time). We kept up our usual traveling escapades by going with Ben and his family to Disneyland (yes, again) and “camping” (in cabins - my favorite type of camping!) in Wyoming with the Chadwick clan. And, of course, we decided to build some desks and cabinets in the house, because honestly you couldn’t force us (read: Devri) to just leave the house alone for one year.
Gabe (7.6) is excited to get baptized this next year. He is in his last year of Let’s Play Music and loves singing and playing the piano. He composed an original song (Hey Coin) about a coin that cheers someone up and won an Award of Excellence™ from the school for it. We’re pretty sure it’ll hit the Top 40 pretty soon. He played his first year of flag and tackle football this year (also not at the same time), and is killing it in soccer as well. He is our bear cub and is always good for a great cuddle and an even better growl. We believe he will pass Rachel in height this next year, loves everything that his siblings love, and, of course is a wiz in school.
Rachel (7.7+3.25) is a big deal in dance but not as much with the growth charts. No, Gabe and her are not twins. Yes, his feet are bigger. We’re hoping that she’ll move up a shoe size this year. It’s bound to happen eventually, right? Most of her free time is taken by dancing (and she has the awards to show it!), but her ever-growing love of musical theater may see her stop dancing competitively this next year in order to balance her passions. She choreographed a dance for school and earned an award of merit for it. She also loves reading, hanging out with and texting her friends, and crafting. She remains, as always, our favorite daughter.
Michael (7.7+3.25+3.25) has, against all odds, become obsessed with sports. I believe his most favorite sport is either football or anything with a student section at the games. He played flag football in the spring (his newly formed team nearly took down the best flag football team in the league), and played tackle football in the fall. He loves watching and listening to BYU sports, despite disappointments that I don’t want to mention (but just did). He also loves shop class, is working on acquiring his own tools, and loves visiting his Papa to work on the lathe with him. He is almost as tall as Devri (and will probably pass her in height this year). He keeps us laughing through life with his quick wit and dry sense of humor.
Devri (7.7+3.25+3.25+24.3) has grown even more beautiful this year. As for her heart, she ended up getting a cardioversion (clear!) in February, and a second heart ablation at the end of April. You would think that would keep her down, but it never seems to (despite what she thinks). After the second ablation, she has been feeling much better, but she still gets down sometimes about how easily she gets tired. Don’t worry; it hasn’t stopped her from taking two architecture classes this fall. She’s decided to put that on hold for next semester, however, and I’m excited to see what new adventure she decides to embark on. I mean, seriously, you can’t stop her. I tried! Her loves include learning, digital design, architecture, <349 others omitted for brevity>, and most especially her family.
Brian/I (still not 40, no matter what my sister Lara thinks about it) just finished my 9th year at Adobe. I’ve been also keeping myself busy kickboxing at the gym, working on my workshop in the garage (now with heating installed), and sometimes actually making something in the workshop. We made new desks for our office and cabinets with doors for the mudroom. And despite nearly swearing many times while making cabinet doors, they actually don’t look that bad. Unless you look close. Or you made them. (From Devri: He keeps getting better with age. He remains my hero, keeping everything going when I’m too worn out, and he’s the best co-captain for Team Saville!)
September 1st marked 20 years since we met at BYU, and we even found time to spend together with just the two of us for her birthday staycation and a trip to Outer Banks for a reunion with my roommates and their wives (thanks Mom and Dad for watching the kids!). We’re looking forward to an anniversary trip over New Years to Disney World and an Eastern Caribbean Cruise to celebrate 15 years of marriage and 16 years of dating, in January and Leap Day, respectively (Thanks to Devri’s mom for watching our kids!).
A quick roundup by numbers. This year we’ve done 30 football games, 8 dance competitions/recitals, 2 music concerts/recitals, 16 soccer games, 4002 practices, 3 schools, and 0 hours of yoga. We’ve also had 5 MRIs between Devri and I (just to keep date night interesting), 3 ER visits, 1 heart surgery, 2 InstaCare visits, and 2.3k chiropractor and physical therapy visits. And finally, we made 8 cabinets, 10 doors, 2 desks, 5 desktops, 3 pens, 4 costumes, 1 hair clip, 2 aprons, 1 pillowcase, 139 paper airplanes, 376 bowls of popcorn, and at least one more dinner than we wanted to.
Finally, we have to admit that we are only able to make it through each day due to the peace and love of our Savior, Jesus Christ, and are so grateful for Him this magical season. We love you all and hope that you have a very merry Christmas and a great 2024!
Brian, Devri, Michael, Rachel, and Gabe Saville
2023 Year by the Numbers
Our family turned 7, 10, 14, 38, and 39 years old in 2023.
By the end of 2023, we’ll have gone on 2 road trips to California, 1 to Wyoming, uncounted to Idaho, 1 ski trip to Eden, 7 days cruising as a family, 2 days cruising as a couple, 3 days at Disneyland (and 2 final runs down Splash Mountain–RIP old friend), 1 day in Universal Studios, 1 day in Disney World as a couple, 3 overnight trips to grandparents’ houses for the kids, and 3 couple get-a-ways (1 birthday staycation, 1 college reunion trip to Outer Banks, 1 anniversary trip to Florida and the Bahamas).
30 football games, 4 dance competitions, 4 dance recitals, 1 band concert, 1 music recital, 16 soccer games, countless practices, 3 schools (elementary, middle, and UVU), and 0 hours of yoga.
3 ER visits (2 for Devri, 1 for Gabe), 1 heart surgery (Devri), 2 InstaCare visits for injuries (Michael), countless chiropractor and physical therapy (Brian and Devri), 5 MRIs (Devri & Brian).
Collectively, we made 8 cabinets, 10 doors, 2 desks, 5 desktops, 3 pens, 4 costumes, 1 hair clip, 2 aprons, 1 pillowcase, 39 paper airplanes, 376 bowls of popcorn, more dinners than we wanted to make, and 1 flat tire.
2023 also marked 14 years of marriage (in January), 20 years since graduating high school (Mayish), 20 years since Brian & Devri met (September), 15 years since we started dating (end of February) and got engaged (September), 9 years at Adobe, 2 wards, and 3 years in our Highland House.
I love the Tetons! 
I wasn't feeling super stellar, but it was good to talk to my mom. 
The kids played games. 
I feel like we took the tree down that morning. 
