THE Witty Christmas Letter - 2009

Well folks, here it is, the labor of my extreme laziness this year. A Blog Post/Christmas Letter, for those of you who care to read it...

Merriest of Christmases to ALL of our Friends and Family!

I've been sitting eating Tacos while watching A Muppet Christmas Carol with the kids waiting for Brian to come home so I can walk out the door to do my last visit with a friend who is moving, and realized, I love A Christmas Carol. It has ghosts...It's a tiny bit spooky, in a Muppet way, and it fits right in with the spirit of my most favorite holiday, Halloween. I did a bit of soul searching this year to figure out if I'm just overly morbid, (I am), or if there was actually something else to it. There was, (thank goodness.) I love Halloween because it's a time when we get together as a nation and GIVE, really without thought of reward. We give candy, we give merriment, We give creativity, we give light, and warmth, and the occasional potty break to little kids all over our neighborhoods, and usually we do it without getting in return, in fact we spurn the gifts received. "I don't need anymore candy, but thank you for offering..." I love Halloween! And then along comes Christmas, bullying it's way right past Thanksgiving, (and I'm afraid if we don't start being MORE thankful we will ruin our chances at good Karma forever.) and STRESSES ME OUT! This is the reason for the Blog Post this year, too much to do, and not enough time or energy to get it done. So NEXT year, when you get our Happy Halloween letter, please don't be concerned. I just have a lot more energy and fun in October than I do in December.

SO... off of my soap box...

We are actually celebrating a new first this year in our family. We have now lived in the same home for four years. We haven't moved, it's amazing! We are thrilled! We are stable, we are no longer nomads...We NEED to sort and throw away stuff...

Brian is still with Microsoft, we love Uncle Bill and are so very thankful for the job. Brian is with the services group and he does something really important, I just don't know exactly what. He is still serving in our Church in the bishopric and is enjoying that calling. We are enjoying all of the many blessing we receive from his service. Brian also spends a bit of his time working with a company called Unitus. If your interested in learning about changing the world through micro-finance, they have a very informative web site. http://www.unitus.com/ Brian is an avid church basketball player, and a wonderful father and provider. We love him very much.

Elleory (11) is a flutist, piano player, composer, actor, choralist, and a smart 6th grader. She has a ton on her plate and generally loves every minute of it. We, as her parents, seem to always tell her to pull back a little, but she just keeps busy. It will all look very good on her college applications. She is really enjoying this year in school. She has for the first time ever a male teacher, whom we love, and whom really inspires her to reach for the stars. She is going into her last year in Primary in Church and will shortly be going into the youth group. I'm ready, I don't think Brian is. Having a teenager makes you old, fast...

I hate to lump Anders (4) and Liam (so close to 3 I'm just saying 3 now) into one paragraph, but they ARE a unit, both amazingly enough, wear the same size shoes and are a scant inch apart in height. So in reality, you just can't separate them. They are in pre-school together at Duvall Montessori. They are both so happy to be learning. Anders is really into writing, and Liam is into the songs at school and church. They are both really active boys, and there is hardly a time when I'm not cleaning up some mess or another. We are truly blessed to have them as a part of our family. I have thoroughly enjoyed boys so far. Can't wait to have one more!!

NO, I'm not expecting... Just really want another boy.

I've had a great year! Looking back I can't believe all of the things I've done despite being a really busy stay-at-home mom. I've run in two races this year, a local 5k, and a 10k at home in Colorado, certified to teach spinning classes (these are an amazing exercise classes, not a needle craft), teach a yoga class two times a week. It's no wonder I don't get a lot of my at home chores done! However, it's what I have discovered I love, so on with it! I started out the year working in the women's group at church, then was asked to be in the Primary with the children as the Secretary, and then asked to actually teach a class. I now have the 9 year olds, and will be switching again to teach Elleory's class next year. Never in one place very long...

We are happy and healthy, which is a great place to be, We are really enjoying living in Washington. As always, our door is open, please visit if you get the chance. We are incredibly blessed to know of our Savior Jesus Christ and to celebrate him at this time. May the peace of the season be with you all,

Much love,

Brian, Kate, Elleory, Anders and Liam