MERRY CHRISTMAS 2011 !

After a busy 2011, we end the year in a new home, meeting new friends, and in good health. As Julia would say, it’s random. Matthew would call it boring. Allison would call it awesome. Amanda would be ignoring the conversation.

Since surviving another NY winter (only 127 inches of snow), we were excited to trade snowplows for rockplows (just like it sounds, found on the PCH). After visiting family and friends in the Wisconsin, Iowa, and Minnesota, Kelly and the kids arrived in California just in time to meet the moving truck. Todd, traveling with Bucky, arrived a few weeks later.
With kids begging daily for In-N-Out Burger, mom able swim laps OUTSIDE all year, and Dad able to jog anytime he wants on a California beach I think it’s safe to say we’re feeling at home in SoCal.

Just to make everyone up north feel better, yes we are so wimpy now that we could never handle the north ever again. But, that’s okay. Did you know we can swim at the beach and ski in the mountains the same day? If we knew how to ski this would be even more exciting. But, yeah, it’s those difficult decisions that consume our time now instead of shoveling snow, falling on ice, or just plain freezing all the time. But, we acclimate and adjust just as we always have. (Sigh) It’s really been hard this time. Did you know it’ll take an entire HOUR to get to the Rose Bowl and see the Badgers play on January 2nd?!? So, so hard…

This year, the letter is a little shorter and loosely based on “The most interesting man in the world” commercials. All descriptions are (mostly) true 

Amanda
She never feels hurried, no matter how late she is.
8-year old boys are in awe of her Pokemon knowledge.
Not afraid to dance in public at a pep rally. Yeah, that’s right, you heard me.
The entire Twilight series is based on a series of nightmares she had as a child.
Turns into Julia when given laughing gas.


Julia
She sleeps so deeply that she’s been declared legally dead. Twice.
Is offended when people tell jokes she doesn’t understand. Wait, what?
Introduced legislation to have sarcasm declared an official language.
Finds platypuses suspicious, but adorably so.
Believes no shorts are ever too short.
Cannot not talk.

Allison
Has successfully face-planted more than any other living being on the planet.
Finds Boxers irresistible.
Never open her closet door. Just trust me on this one.
Has never found a sport she didn’t like.
Dreams of a Justin Bieber-free world.
Has everyone convinced she’s legally blind.


Matthew
Spins socks with a flair that makes drum majors weep.
Finds school, broccoli, and girls … boring.
Has filed a patent for fanilla ice cream. (It’s like vanilla, but better.)
Plans to be sexy, but not until he grows up.
Never, ever give him a deck of cards.

Bucky
Eats books to digest their knowledge.
Finds lizards intriguing.
Can clear a room without moving a muscle.
His cuteness is intoxicating. Ask anyone.
Would rid the world of cats with his tail and a can-do attitude.

Kelly
Not afraid to throw shovels at snowplows.
Feels sad for Vikings fans.
Chuck Norris is afraid of her driving.
Wallpaper removes itself in her presence.
Has never been to Lambeau Field. Or New Mexico.

Todd
Was able to convince Brett Favre to retire on his birthday.
Signs his name “arghh,” and nobody questions it.
Can solve ANY yard problem with a chainsaw.
He can fly to Hawaii. Just because.
Believes all disputes can be settled by a “Tough Mudder” competition.

Best quotes of the year:
"Mom, are there any sicknesses in our family, like back problems or cankles?"
Matthew got off the bus and said, "A girl told me on the bus that babies DON'T come out of your tummy. They come out somewhere (pointing) 'down there.' We get to find out where that is in 6th grade."

New things we learned:
1) You can’t legally abandon a sibling at the grocery store.
2) You can run away to your imagination, just not during school.
3) Breaking bones will not get you out of school.
4) Bad brakes + mountains = screaming
5) Kelly + wallpaper = screaming

Have a wonderful holiday season and a safe and happy 2012!


Todd, Kelly, Amanda, Julia, Allison, and Matthew