Dear Christmas Letter readers,

(I know not everyone reads these, I even hear some people have strong negative feelings about the “Christmas Letter” so this is addressed to the ones who actually enjoy this type of stuff)  As we begin this wonderful time of year (ok so it’s only 9 days until Christmas and I just ordered the pictures!)  We want to update you on the events of our family this year (No, not really, just the good stuff & that stuff that makes people think “Oh, what a darling family” or “I'm going to be sick” depending on the readers mood and generosity at the time of reading).  Mark is still a Chemist, Jennie cleaned the house and did the laundry too,  Megan & Camille went to school.  Lydia lives off of cold cereal and pancakes.  We wish you and yours a season filled with family and friends, well, the ones you like of course!

Love, The McLaws Family

That was so fun, and really I can only send it to a few select people but, if you got it I hope you laughed your butt off!

Here is some good stuff, I really have nothing against sharing the bad stuff but I do such a great job of blocking it out and I really don’t want everyone to know that I can lose my temper with the kids,or that they fight, or that Mark sometimes likes the TV more than the family. Ah crap, now you know, but at least I didn’t say anything about the ... Ohhh, so close.

Mark has been busy, he is in demand at work, he is a good supervisor to some, and he can make some at work really mad too, he just tells it how he sees it, always dangerous.  He likes to be busy, it gives him something to complain about, that is not true he rarely complains.  Mark has begun the kitchen remodel this year and it is AWESOME!  

Me, Jennie, I hate this part,  I don’t do anything that sounds dynamic but I like my life (most days).  I like the mom life and I think I do ok at it (most days)  I have served in primary again for the past year and I LOVE IT! I love the book club I go to.  Some favorite books this year “A Christmas Carol”, “Left to Tell”, “Eat,Pray,Love” and  “Twilight”(me & half the world, the female half) I have no memory for the other books but I liked most of them.  I did get to travel to Georgia, met up with my sister and stayed with my favorite Dad’s twin and his family.  I started a blog and am on facebook - big year!  I get giddy over each new thing Mark does for the kitchen and I really do have a wonderful family and beautiful home.  

Megan is 11, She started middle school, continues harp & piano, started violin.  Made the “ high achievement list” her first quarter of middle school - VERY COOL!  Meg is becoming an almost teenager is desires, her christmas wishes included a “chocolate” cell phone and a laptop, “a Mac preferably”  She has a few great friends, Meg, had a surgery, another bone graft - Success!  And the doc also changed her nose a bit too, gave her a little tip, it looks good!  

Camille told me yesterday:  “I need to find my husband” me: “You are 7, how old are you going to be when you get married?” Camille: “18”.  Me: “You will still be in high school, let’s rethink that plan”  Camille: “OK, how old can I be?” Me: “over 20” but you all know I was thinking (50)how much fun this child is going to be if she is already picking out husbands!  Camille is fun, fun, fun!  She can make friends with a shoe and whoever is wearing it!  She started piano and girl scouts.  And she really likes her family,  Her indian name was “She who loves her family”  I was thrilled.  She wants to be like Megan and play piano, harp, and violin.  

Lydia lives up to her middle name “Joy”  Joy, when she sleeps!  She just turned 3 and she likes things her way, I’m going to send her to Burger King!  Lydia started preschool and she likes it, at least she is happy when I pick her up and talks about her friends there.  But as contrary as a three year old can be she tells me “I don’t like preschool.”  She does like her sisters, her friends,Josh, & Myra!  She likes animals, babies, reading, disney princesses, and chocolate!  And she gives amazing tight sueeze hugs that I love!

Alright, there it is, done for another year.  We really do love you immensely and are so grateful for you!