The Aardema Kingdom's Exploits of 2009

Once upon a time, in the great land of Aardema, the royal family lived and flourished. King David and Queen Gisela (whom her close friends had dubbed "Giselle") lived in a lovely palace neighboring many other kingdoms in which they had many friends and allies. Their five beautiful sons and daughters often joined in many of their exploits while having many adventures of their own, including everyone's favorite venture to the great land of Disney during the end of the summer vacation time. For each regal member, life held moments of excitement and tedium. As it would not be fitting nor captivating to hear of the tedium, we will focus on the excitement.

For King David, the year flew by as each day was just as filled with royal business and household duties as the next. Through the general chaotic nature of his days, he found time to exercise his vocal strength in auditioning for the well-known Mormon Tabernacle Choir. He faced many obstacles while battling for membership, and made it through the first trials flawlessly. However, he was eluded by the second trials (Darn music theory tests! Whoops...I'm out of character...Ahem!) but he and his subjects hold on to the hope that he will prevail next year! Due to his valor and unfailing work ethic, the kingdom in which he did his work bestowed upon him more power in making him the Program Manager. Though this honor presented many more trials, King David faltered not and survived.

Queen "Giselle" Gisela also was immersed in the day-to-day responsibilities of royalty. Though the year seemed to gallop at full speed, there were also times when she was able to hold the reins and slow it to a trot. In the midst of the mayhem, a large dragon loomed in front of her: MRI Boards! Feeling no fear and honing her keen intellectual and social skills, she slew the dragon and even used its bones to help her continue building her career in MRI. She begain working at the Tanner Clinic in Layton as a result (to a degree) of these marvelous exploits.

Both King and Queen were also overjoyed to see their eldest daughter, Princess Melissa, joined in marriage to her Prince Charming (also referred to as Robert Jansen). Both they and their parents traveled to the faraway land of Holland to witness and take part in the wonderful event on April 24th. Taking part in the wonderful ceremony was only one of the joys amongst the many of their trip. They were also delighted to drink in the beauty and sights of Holland.

Speaking of Princess Melissa, aside from being married and finding great joy in wedded bliss, she was also able to graduate with a Bachelor's Degree from Utah State University. Since she was focused on moving to Holland and marrying her Dutchman, there was not much time for other exploits throughout the year, though she did stay as busy as the rest of the family.

Princess Jessika was able to have quite the year as well. Continuing to struggle against the grind that is a secondary education, she was required to fulfill the last part of a Music Minor by giving a Junior Recital in October. Though very happy to play her viola, she often felt fear and nerves overcome her as she undertoook this task. However, with the help of her roommate Princess Nicole ever at her side (most especially as she was required to fulfill the same requirement as Princess Jessika), they enlisted two most talented pianists and gave a gloriously wonderful Recital (which naught but perhaps two subjects fell completely asleep during). Otherwise, she has been most busy helping other students to write masterworks (as the one you see presented before you) in the Writing Center of Weber State University. In the midst of all this, she also somehow found time in her busy royal schedule to date a strapping young prince named Joshua.

Princess Tess, being the most tropically inclined of all the royal children, decided to start her schooling at Brigham Young University in Hawaii. She enjoyed nearly everything about Hawaii, including being there with her fair prince, Colton. The beach was frequented often by her and her prince, and she misses both the beach and him (as he went forth to serve the Lord for two years in Kentucky) very much. The void has not remained empty, however, as she has obtained employment at America First Credit Union and is working hard, and acheiving as much as such a princess would, at Orthodontic school as well.
The eldest prince of the family, Niklas, spread his exploits across many arenas this year. From guarding precious life at the North Shore Marina to defending his school's honor and good standing on the Weber High Tennis Team and Drumline, he also had time to relax. Having obtained a fiery-red Jeep chariot (as he had passed the threshold of his sixteenth year and gained his driver's license), he felt quite inclined to spread his wings in many social and extracurricular endeavors. Among these were Band Camp at Lomondi (at which he had a blast. Not literally, however, for cannons were forbidden) and playing in the pit for the high school production of "How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying."Youngest of all is Prince Mitchell, who had his fair share of happenings as well. Reaching the momentous age of 12 this August, he not only began his middle schooling at North Ogden Junior High, but also started to play the cello once again and became a deacon. Among his most proud achievements of this year was his ability to play Super Smash Brothers Brawl (a type of moving-picture game. Quite bewitching) for 12 straight hours with his friends. Not suffering from the toll this had taken on him, he also watched all three extended version of the Lord of the Rings movies.

Overall, these many occurences were individually quite astute, but collectively contributed to a rather hive-like environment in the Aardema kingdom. As mentioned in the opening of our tale, the land of Disney (as well as Las Vegas) was visited in August. Whilst the King and Queen enjoyed the revisitation of their childhoods, all of the your princes and princesses (except Princess Melissa, who was by that time enjoying her happily ever after) were beguiled with the roller coasters, virtual rides, and adding their voices to some of the characters of Disney.

Aside from the running to and fro of all the inhabitants, much joy and love was felt by all when
Princess Melissa left her Prince for a duration in November to spend Thanksgiving at the royal palace.

Now they are all looking forward to the festivities of Christmas and anticipate a very happy ending to this year!

In addition, the moral of this story is that they wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!