Merry Christmas/Happy Holidays 2013!

2013 was an incredibly exciting year for us!  Okay, not really, but we’ll just pretend it was.  Here are a few highlights:   

·        Todd successfully grew a garden and, in related news, became an adept rat-slayer.

·        Bucky, the world’s laziest dog, somehow managed enough activity to tear his ACL.  

·        Kelly spent a few months recovering from foot surgery directly attributed to being what is medically termed “old.”

·        Julia discovered Marching Band.   Allison plans to yet again copy Julia by also joining when she is in 9^th grade. 

·        Allison decided to try French Horn.  Did you know you could buy a small country for the cost of a French Horn???

·        Kelly & kids enjoyed a vacation at Wilderness Lake with family and nearly all the mosquitoes and biting flies in the Northern Hemisphere.  Todd enjoyed two exciting excursions to Bahrain (motto:   “Better than Qatar!”)

·        Matthew started gymnastics and swim team, most likely in an attempt to drive as many coaches insane as possible.

·        Kelly finally got to go to Lambeau!  The Packers WON!  And the Wisconsin Band was there!  And the Bears LOST!

·        Amanda got her driver’s license.  Our insurance bill could now buy us a small country .  Or a French Horn.

Todd took an extravagant 2-day trip to Phoenix to become a certified “ATP.”   What that means is after flying for nearly 20 years in the military he took a test given by the government that says he MIGHT be able to fly airplanes.

Amanda – 11^th grade – “Troll 1”

Developed The Six Degrees of Anime - where she relates ANY subject in ANY conversation to an episode of anime.

Her food pyramid is more like a large, doughy ball consisting of pasta, bread, cheese and any other food devoid of color.

Although she doesn’t like to finish last, she’ll tell you to keep the  12^th place ribbon.

Is officially the hardest person to shop for or with in the entire world.

Puts on bandaids to prevent wounds.

People with OCD think she’s crazy.

 

 

 

Julia – 9^th grade – “Troll 2”

If she were an animal, she’d be a hyperventilating giraffe.

Wants an Australian Possum.

Aspires to be a motivational speaker (example:  “Congratulations on sucking!”).

Is petitioning the IOC to make Jazz-Running-with-a-Sousaphone an Olympic event.

Any activity you do can be compared to marching band, and it will be found lacking.

Is considering moving to England to watch Dr. Who since mom is too cheap to spring for BBC.

 

 

Allison – 7^th grade – “Princess Grumpy Pants” (“PGP”)

Likes to confirm gravity by continuously dropping her phone and/or falling down.

Injures herself every place she goes.  Example:  She got a black eye doing sit-ups.

Has never actually brushed her hair out completely.

Loves fruit.  Except for apples, bananas, berries, melons, apricots, mangoes, oranges, and any other fruit-shaped food.

Loves puppies and polar bears.  No, seriously, she says that on her Pinterest account.

Will carry on conversations with you while she’s completely asleep.

Matthew – 4^th grade – “The Boy”

His notes to family and friends are a special kind of demented, misspelled, and strangely poignant poetry.

Prefers to smile in a way that makes everyone think he’s being electrocuted.

Has been named the next backup for the Packers if this Flynn guy doesn’t work out.

Will disagree with himself just for extra practice.

When verbal sarcasm fails, he will employ visual sarcasm.  (See below)

Thinks nude statues are “inappropriate” and will let everyone within earshot know it.

 

Bucky – age 6 ½ - “Bumpasaurus”/”The Tongue”

He will show disapproval in all from a comfortable distance.

His “can do” attitude often mistaken for clinical death.

Prefers the mucky bouquet of ditch water to all other beverages.

Protects all from the terrorist threat posed by lawn ornaments.

Believes that every human carries treats in his/her pockets and is not afraid to check.

Was forced to wear a bra by his older brother and sisters and yet still loves them unconditionally.