By the authority of motherhood, I gathered my children, Henry (3), Ethan (9) and Alexandra (19) around for the purpose of this holiday newsletter. Ok, you got me, the only reason they sat down at the dining table was the bribery of ice cream and pies for breakfast. The father of this home knew better and was already at his spot waiting for the conversation to start.
Mom aka interviewer: What were the most exciting things you’ve done in 2011?
Henry: Kisses lights. (Translation: Christmas lights. But you need to say it with a “kissing” sound. Relevance to the question? None.)
Ethan: Las Vegas trip with Dad; went to San Francisco in spring break; family reunion in July and the Disneyland trip. Oh, and went to a Ducks’ game with my A1 friend, and playing Pop Warner championship football game at Autzen stadium and was cheered on by mom, dad, aunts, uncles and a cousin/photographer.
Xan: Nothing too exciting for me! I graduated from high school and started college. This year was just a stepping stone towards my future. I also started dating a pretty fantastic guy named Zack and got a job at one of the last Sam Goody stores in the country.
Don: Family reunion in Waldport. Regular participation of “occupy bathroom”. Got a flat screen tv and HD cable. Went to a Ducks game in the Club at Autzen with Deb (free popcorn!)
Deb: I started a vegetable garden for the very first time this year! The exciting part was that I planted pumpkins and got acorn squash instead.
Interviewer: What was the one thing (or two) that you wish you had done different or not at all in 2011?
Henry: I be good, no time out! (It’s a response after his mom said “Get off the table or you will get a time-out!”)
Ethan: Ate too much popcorn at the movies and should have ridden the Tower of Terror at Disneyland.
Xan: I think one of my biggest mistakes this year was wearing shoes with ZERO support to work. Other than that, I would have to admit that I wish I hadn't procrastinated as much as I did in high school! I still did fine, I just could have saved myself the stress of getting things completed at the last minute.
Don: I wish I hadn’t turned down the ward chorister job at church. We could sing all verses of “Poor Wayfaring Man of Grief” each week!.
Deb: Donating blood without eating breakfast…or lunch.
Interviewer: Did you learn something new or unusual in 2011?
Henry: Potty is over rated; diaper is still the way to go. (It is amazing how a mother understands her child.)
Ethan: The sea lion caves is the biggest sea lion cave in the whole wide world. The Snake River starts at the Idaho, runs through Oregon and Goose lake is bordered in Oregon & California. Columbia River killed lots of people (This writer did not research this statement for its accuracy. If you do dispute, please call 1-800-WHOCARES.)
Xan: I'm 19 years old. I'm ALWAYS learning something new. Narrowing that down is too hard.
Don: General anesthesia is awesome. I wonder if Michael Jackson’s doctor can get me some of that stuff after he is out of prison?
Deb: A couple of Advil before mammogram exam was how I survived my first “pressing” experience.
(Interviewer: Really? Can you just see the signs of aging on the parents? Next year they will be telling the world about other medical procedures and showing the symptoms of early onset dementia.)
Interviewer: What do you look forward to in 2012?
Henry: I-th cream, peease? (Ice cream, please?)
Ethan: My birthday. Summer. Hawaii.
Xan: Nothing in particular. I just look forward to continuing my education and being that much closer to my career
Don: What else?! Non-stop coverage of the presidential election! Actually, it’s kicking Deb’s butt when we do the Pear Blossom’s 10- mile run.
Deb: LMAO when Don tries to kick my butt.
Interviewer: What would you like to say to our family and friends at this time?
Henry: Merry Christmas!! (screamed it out after his brother uttered the phrase.)
Ethan: Merry Christmas?
Xan: Hope you all have an excellent year!
Don: I love and appreciate my brother and sisters; and love all my nephews and nieces. They are an amazing generation of fine people! We suffered the loss of a beloved sister; but we also welcomed many sweet, darling babies (and more next year!) to our family. Love to our friends near and far.
Deb: Can’t say it better than Don, so I’ll borrow something from Benjamin Franklin “Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each new year find you a better man (or woman.)”
