Christmas Card

Due to high demand, I am not sending out quite as many Christmas cards this year (just kidding about the demand part). Those of you who read my blog know more about my life and my kids than you'd probably ever care to, so I am not sending many out to my blogger friends. If you would like a copy in the mail, leave me a comment and I would love to send you one. The letter is not my best effort, but Jeff liked it, and rather than spend any more time on it, I opted to just send it out. So, there you have it.

Merry Christmas 2008!

Amazing that another year has come and gone. It seems like a lot has happened in the Trapnell household, yet things remain basically the same. We moved back to Utah, the kids are growing up, and Jeff and I have a few more wrinkles around our eyes than we did last year.

To recap 2008, we present the First Annual Trapnell Family Awards for your reading pleasure:

Dentition Award

Nominees:

Jeff-Perfected the art of straightening teeth in the clinic at Jacksonville University

Damon-Lost eight teeth, making the perfect Dracula for Halloween

Kyla-Survived the eruption of 12 new teeth, including those nasty molars

Winner:Kyla, in a close vote. She would like to thank her mom for giving her lots of popsicles during the teething process.

Hobby Lobby Award

Nominees:

Jeff-Bought a new camera, took amazing photos of the Grand Canyon, Arches, and Canyonlands.

Krystal-Started digital scrapbooking, actually stayed caught up with the family's activities

Damon-Learned to ride his bike (finally) and cruised around the neighborhood.

Allie-Realized she can entertain herself by playing with toys, dressing herself and trying on lipgloss.

Kyla-Training for a career in competitive eating by consuming enormous quantities of food
Winner: Allie. Keyword=ENTERTAIN HERSELF!

Higher Education Award

Nominees:

Jeff-Finished his orthodontic residency, capping 10 years of college

Krystal-Said good-bye to one book club in Florida, got together with friends in Utah to start another

Damon-Learned to read and write, add and subtract.

Allie-Learned to write her name. Practices writing it on everything!

Kyla-Learned hundreds of new words, including her favorite, “no.”

Winner: Jeff. Although learning to read is a major feat, Damon ultimately couldn't compete with the years it took Jeff to finish school. Jeff would like to thank the government for funding his education, which he will be paying back for many years to come.

World Traveler Award

Nominees:

Jeff-Drove cross country from Florida to Utah twice

Krystal-Flew to Las Vegas for the weekend with no kids for Time Out for Women

Damon, Allie, Kyla-Dragged on numerous trips, including The Smoky Mountains; Temecula, CA; and spending our 7 hour layover in NYC exploring the city.

Winner: Krystal. Anytime a mom can go anywhere without kids for more than a day, she wins.

Physical Health Award

Nominees:

Jeff-Hiked several peaks in Utah, including a 8 hour hike with Damon to Fish Lake Hightop

Krystal-Lost all the “baby weight” gained during pregnancy, earning a new wardrobe

Damon-Was the most improved on his soccer team, even scored a couple goals

Allie-Took a weekly gymnastics class, always dressing in a flashy leotard

Kyla-Took advantage of Allie's gymnastics class by learning to hang on the bar and do a front roll

Winner: Damon. A year ago, no one would have believed that he would actually enjoy playing sports.

We had a great 2008 and are so happy to be back close to family (living in the basement of Jeff's parents, we are REALLY close). Jeff is really enjoying his job as an orthodontist, while the kids love living next door to cousins.

Life has been very good to us and we are incredibly grateful for good friends and family who have helped us every step of the way. Happy Holidays! May the spirit of Christmas better your lives this year and always! Love, The Jeff Trapnell Family