This is our Christmas letter...

It was more fun before I copied it here, because some on the words were colorful and fun, but I guess that can't copy over.   Merry Christmas!  Hope you enjoy this wonderful season.



Dear Family and Friends,




Tis the Season to procrastinate and now there are only 4 days left until Christmas. If I don’t get this letter written today, I’ll have to use a sharpie to cross out our “Season’s Greetings” and write “Happy New Year”. Wait, does “Season’s Greetings” include the New Year in it? Maybe I’m okay, then!



We’ve had an eventful year. The main thing was moving. Last May we thought we were at the end of our efforts to sell our house. We took it off the market, our realtor accidently put it back on, and that day(!!) we got a call to show it to the people that eventually bought it. Lucky for us, the house of our dreams was on the market and we could afford it (mostly?). We figured in extra money for heating and water bills, but not that we would have 40 extra mouths to feed. We are in a great neighborhood with lots of other kids who are constantly coming over to our house where our children generously offer them food! We also have a cow farm behind us, so we spent the first few months feeding them as well. Then we got our first bills and decided to kick the cows out of our grocery bill. We actually love that the kids come to our house and feel so happy to be here.



I am sad to report that Brandon is still in his MBA program. The end is in sight, though! Next June or July we will be only 6 months away from repaying his loans. It has been a long road with him either at school or doing homework. But he has been doing great in school and is bound to get his dream job after all of this effort. He sure does deserve it. He is still with the State Auditor’s office and it is as unfulfilling as it sounds for him.



Riley is in the 4th grade this year. He just recently got to be one of the town’s folk in his schools production of Tom Sawyer. He had a lot of fun with it until they told him he had to wear makeup for it. Luckily, his cheeks are naturally rosy, so no one noticed much. He really has enjoyed his dad being his coach for baseball and basketball this year.



Anna is really enjoying 2nd grade. She has made some new friends. We are close enough to where we used to live that she still gets to attend her Tap dance class. She is so cute when she’s dancing. This year she has discovered Taylor Swift and knows all of the words to her songs.



Evan is growing up so fast. He’ll start Kindergarten next year! He is enjoying preschool this year and spends the rest of his time killing all of the bad guys that are constantly invading our home. They must be invisible, because I never see them. But he is always shooting something.



I’ve been keeping busy with trying to keep this house clean. I’ve also been working with the Cub Scouts that Riley attends. That has been quite an adventure. The kids keep me busy with all of their activities and homework. I am starting to think about what I will do next year when Evan starts Kindergarten. I’m thinking Bonbons & Lifetime Movies! Maybe I’ll take a class or two. We’ll see.



Well, this is probably going to be late, but I’m going to try to get this out today. Hopefully, this will get there in time to wish you a Merry Christmas, but even if it misses the 25th, we hope you enjoy this wonderful Season and that the Spirit of Christmas will fill you long into the New Year.



With love,

The Kirkwoods

Brandon, Pam, Riley, Anna and Evan