A Lazy Man's Christmas Letter

I think this year is going to be no different than years past in that we probably won't send out Christmas cards.  Every year my wife tries, but she doesn't always quite make it. I guess we still have some time, though, so you never know.  However, the one thing that we've never done is send out a Christmas letter update - you know, where you write to everyone about the various things that happened to you during the previous year. For people who can't really get out a simple card with maybe a family picture, that just always seemed like a lot to think about.

This year, though, I have a blog. 

And, so that means, we can just write the Christmas letter as a blog post and post it on Facebook or email the link out.  For those not "tech savvy," we can just print it out and mail it to them. Or just send them a regular card. Or just make a phone call. Or if/when we see them, tell them what's going on in person.

Tacky? Maybe. Lazy? Definitely.

But that's what we're doing anyway.  So, here goes.

Dear Family and Friends, 

As 2014 comes to a grand finale with the flurry of Christmas morning gift-opening and a tidal wave of Christmas cookies and eggnog, I would like to wish you a hearty Merry Christmas! This year has been an blessed one for our family, and I'd like to give you an update on our humble lives.

Scott started out 2014 by deciding to write and direct a play, The Last Rose of Innod, mostly for the kids at the local Christian school.  It was successful, and was also the first real play that Katie and Annabelle had ever been a part of. 

It was actually on opening night of this production that he was contacted by a publisher offering him a contract for his book, Scar of the Downers. WiDo Publishing will release his book sometime next year. Since then, Scott has spent the majority of his writing time editing his book, and planning for the release. 

Meanwhile, he's also still homeschooling the girls, and managed to fit in many weekends of hunting the elusive white-tail deer.  

Liz still manages the Medical Library at the nearby Army Medical clinic. She finds the work slightly interesting, but still feels that a creative part of her dies every time she is forced to read a new Army regulation. Her method of combatting this phenomenon is to work on a play here and there, teach art and music to the older girls, and get some good work out of her sewing machine.

Katie is in the 4th grade, and says that her favorite subject is history. She loves writing and illustrating stories, and most recently, reading The Babysitters Club books. Legos, Minecraft, and Webkinz are three of her favorite pastimes.

Annabelle is in the 2nd grade, and her favorite subject is science. She loves to dance and sing, and even has her own microphone and amp!  She is a favorite among her sisters because she is always up for a good time. She also loves Legos, Minecraft, and Webkinz, but mostly CANDY.

Caroline is almost 4 years old, and is quite a little character. She is the most Type A of all of our children, and is also the most competitive. This year, she learned how to ride a bike (still with training wheels, but not for long, I feel), and also work the computer. She loves horses, the movie Frozen, and playing with her sisters.

Emily is 20 months old, and is getting very, very good at climbing on things, and just general destruction. Sometimes she is good at picking up, but only if she can dump everything back out again right after. Her newest words that she's learned are "princess," "pizza," and "chips." 

Overall, it's been a great year. Thanks for sharing it with us, whether in person or through the blog. God bless you, and have a wonderful Christmas and New Year!

Love,

Scott, Liz, and the girls