So here it is time once again for that serious annual
writing project as assigned to me by the English teacher –Mrs. T. I know the rules; try not to be too wordy
(clearly a tendency among us history teachers), get the facts right but don’t
brag too much, and so on and so forth.
Well cutting to the chase I haven’t had a fresh idea what to write in
the annual Christmas letter in years.
They are definitely easy to satirize but my duty being what it is I won’t
go down that road.
Therefore I’m going with the thought that they are a
wonderful tradition and if the grinches out there don't like them..... get a
life. Hereby I present the annual
Troutbirder family Christmas letter (with a few minor adjustments according to
FEDERAL PRIVACY REGULATIONS).
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year
The Troutbirders send season’s greetings to family, friends,
neighbors and fellow bloggers. 2012 has been another good year. Barb remains cancer free and Rays heart
ablation appears to have been a great success. We took some fun camping and
vacation trips; pets Baron and Simba kept us well occupied. Ray did a lot of hiking, biking, fishing and
reading so he would have pictures and stories to put on his blogs. Barb was active in Red Hats, Kiwanis, bridge,
book club, church and worked for Christmas in Fillmore County, and also cooperated
with Toys For Tots. The last two items
have kept her very busy, all in the
interest of providing Christmas toys for children who would otherwise be
without.
The news from Arizona is that both our son and daughter in
law are working full time for a suburban Phoenix school district. She serves as
a school psychologist and he is teaching
high school biology and chemistry. Our grandchildren also are working in the
same school as students who happen to love reading and are doing very well. The
newest is in kindergarden where his adjustment to life in America is an ongoing
process.Remembering Ted and all those who have passed on, Deanne and our friends and family here and far away, good health, good cheer and Merry Christmas.
I made my husband write our too. I hate the real braggy ones..we traveled to Europe and then the Panama Canal on our way to Alaska blah blah..
ReplyDeleteMissing Baron in that photo.
Sending Merry Christmas wishes to you and Barb! Prayers were answered concerning your health issues..:)
I think you've crafted a beautiful Christmas letter. I'm glad both of you had a good year. Have a safe trip to Arizona and a wonderful time with your children and grandchildren.
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas!
This is a very well written Christmas letter. I hope your wife is proud! Oddly enough I have yet to receive a Christmas letter, but many cards. Strange....
ReplyDeleteNo letters in my mailbox this year either. But I always enjoy hearing what the Troutbirders are up to. Wishing you all the joys of the season!
ReplyDeleteMy oldest, Kate has taken on the chore of the christmas letter since her mom passed several years ago. I never did one, made a couple attempts that her mom vetoed on first reading.
ReplyDeleteHope you and yours have a fine holiday.
I like your Christmas letter! I love getting them, because it catches me up on old friends I don't see often.
ReplyDeleteWonderful Xmas letter! I'm sorry Barb and you had health problems this year but relieved that you are both doing well now. I love that your son has followed in your footsteps to become a teacher. Good to hear about more kid readers too. Merry Christmas indeed!
ReplyDeleteI love Christmas letters, with the rules you described applied (Particulalry "don't brag too much.." there are certainly those, and I can see why they give Christmas Letters a bad rap!)
ReplyDeleteI just got ours' done and sent out yesterday, so it's time I share ours on my blog as well. :)
Merry Christmas to you & yours!
Merry Christmas to you too! You sound like you are enjoying life to the fullest, in the appreciation that each day at this stage is a Gift.
ReplyDeleteWhatta blessing to have a Christmas Newsletter so full of so much good news! :) Merry Christmas!
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas, Mr and Mrs Troutbirder, and enjoy the time with those grandchildren!!
ReplyDeleteWishing you and your sweetie a wonderful magical Christmas. Travel safe!
ReplyDeletexo Catherine
I like Christmas letters just to get a little knowledge of what friends that I don't see often are up to.
ReplyDeleteThose that don't like them aren't being forced to read them anyway.
I love your letter, esp with all the good health news! this is one thing I have never tried was a newsletters, tho we do get a few from friends. Sending my wishes for a very happy & Merry Christmas and many more!
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas, TB! Haven't seen a post from you in a few days, but just wanted to check in and send my best wishes now and for the coming year -- and many more!
ReplyDeleteHi Troutbirder and the Mrs.,
ReplyDeleteI am fairly new to your blog but I am always taken in by book reviews!
Enjoy your time in a warm clime, and your grandkids, we will save some snow for you here in beautiful Minniesnowda!
Merry Christmas and Happy 2013!
Jo, Stella and Zkhat
Being a military brat - I love the Christmas Card/ anual letter tradition. IT is fun - and both an exercise for hte writer to sum up and highlight the important points - and fun for the reader to get a snapshot of the year. Especially if their are miles in between!
ReplyDeleteWhat a delightful Christmas letter!!
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas and Happy New Year!
This is my first year to read your annual letter. Very nice and I hope you and yours have a wonderful and fulfilling New Year.
ReplyDeleteI look forward to your blog posts in 2013.
Oh how funny! I have been sitting here struggling with my "End of the Year" epistle and decided to take a break, realized I hadn't been to your blog in a week or 2, and what do I see?
ReplyDeleteHow great to have so much good news to report, especially with all that has been going on in this land. I am still in shock as a teacher and a mother who had to bury her own 2 children, so it is a struggle to see any good this year. But, you have managed to do it, and all with out bragging. Now that is something to brag about! Wait, let me rephrase that...
I'll get back to ya.
This was a great letter! Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDelete