2012 Christmas letter

In case you didn't see our Christmas card and letter this year: 

Dear Friends and Family,

As you all know, 2012 was an important year for our country. We had the opportunity to research candidates, including those for president, and vote on who we thought would best represent our interests. Similarly, we would like to elect a president for the Trapnell Family, and need your help. Here we will present the candidates for president, with their qualifications (and critics’ remarks) highlighted. Please review each candidate and cast your vote as to who should be the next president of the Trapnell Family!

Candidate #1-Jeff. Jeff, who loves to travel, is very good about planning fun vacations for the family, including a fun trip to Colorado during the summer and another to New Mexico for Fall Break. He encourages every member of the family to be active, promoting hiking and camping as opposed to sitting at home. He shares his love of sports with us all, letting us each have a turn to attend BYU and Utah Jazz games with him. He would make a great president for the family, especially since he is the one who works hard to pay for all the things we enjoy. However, the critics will tell you that just because he is the obvious choice for president doesn’t mean he will be the best one.

Candidate #2-Krystal. Krystal had Lasik eye surgery in June, and her 20/20 eyesight serves the family well, as she still is expected to find anything that is missing. Now she can just find things more quickly (and at all hours of the night). She is also not afraid to try new things, as a good president should. After having never run more than 1 mile at a time, she decided to run a 5K in July, and recruited Damon to train, and run, with her. While she is grateful for the experience, she doesn’t feel that running is her calling. She’d much rather be president of the family. The critics believe she isn’t the best for the job, however, as she may be too emotionally involved in the lives of the other candidates.

Candidate #3-Damon (10). Damon feels he is best suited to act as president, as he is the Family Thermometer. Everyone else feeds off his mood and adjusts their behavior accordingly. If he is silly in church, everyone is silly in church. If he is somber and well-behaved, everyone is somber and well-behaved. He is well-rounded, with hobbies that include soccer, chess, reading and shooting BB guns. He is responsible, hard-working, and a fantastic tumbler. Just as every president should be.  The critics would caution you, though, that he doesn’t like to brush his teeth very often and cleans his room by stuffing things under his bed.

Candidate #4-Allie (7). Allie appeals to a number of voters, as she is on her way to being fluent in both English and Spanish, thanks to her second grade dual-immersion class. She is up to date on current events and pop culture (including which boys in the band New Direction have tattoos and which do not). She also looks fabulous in photos, as she recently had some orthodontic work done to improve her smile (and to prevent problems later on). She is energetic, eager to please, and was the top goal-scorer on her soccer team. However, the critics will tell you that she doesn’t always wake up on the right side of the bed, and is wildly unpredictable first thing in the morning. 

Candidate #5-Kyla (5).  Kyla is a great candidate to consider. She has become a fantastic reader and can hold her own during family scripture study. She loves to take care of her little brothers and our new puppy, and everyone loves to be around her, as she is rarely in a bad mood. The critics warn that she is a bit mischievous and not always 100% honest, focused more on getting what she wants than worrying about the consequences. Some would argue that this makes a good president, although her mother tends to disagree.

Candidate #6-Carter (almost 3). Carter’s biggest strength is his independence. He potty-trained himself in a matter of days and is capable of doing most things for himself. He is dedicated and loyal to his constituents (especially Buzz Lightyear, Papa Smurf, and Thomas the Train), and says the best prayers in the family. He is also a quick learner, as he discovered that if he will still take a nap, mom will let him play Letter School on the iPad, and never complains out having to go lay down. He is occasionally criticized for his attachment to his binky, but has promised to get rid of it, if elected.

Candidate #7-McKay (almost 2). McKay would be a great president because he knows how to get what he wants. He is sweet when the situation calls for sweetness, but will stubbornly hold his ground when he is unfairly opposed. He is eager to please, tough, and doesn’t mind getting dirty whenever possible.  However, the critics will argue that his lack of verbal mastery may hold him back, in addition to the fact that he still sucks his thumb and routinely falls asleep on the floor, instead of in his bed.

While we go about the business of electing a president of our family, we would also like to acknowledge the influence of another in our lives. This Christmas season we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world. Nothing else gives us more peace than the knowledge of his divine mission. This year, and always, we vote to keep Him the center of our lives!

We love you all, and wish you a very Merry Christmas!

Love, the Trapnell’s: Jeff, Krystal, Damon, Allie, Kyla, Carter and McKay

p.s.I did receive one vote in the mail from a friend in Florida for Carter. And so, by a vote of 1-0, he is going to be named the president of our family. :)