This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
Welcome to my inaugural holiday letter. The real one.
We started our funny holiday card tradition back in 2010, if you can believe it. Each year has proven to be more difficult than the last to come up with a theme, and with Violet heading off to college next year, this *might* be our last time attempting to create something comical. I mean, it was pretty much over the moment we did the white trash photo in front of a broken down trailer with a borrowed baby. For real. How could I ever top that?
I’ve always thought about writing a holiday letter because I really enjoy reading the ones I get. Since I rarely post anything on social media anymore, this just might be the best way to let you know we’re still here and see what the kids look like.
And now, I will proudly boast about my kids. Settle in, because I’m not holding back.
Table of Contents
Violet
Violet is in her senior year of high school. This kid is the complete package. She has only ever gotten straight A’s and has taken every honors and AP class offered.
She picked up flute at the beginning of her Junior year after playing for just a couple years in Middle School before Covid. Her music teacher has been an incredible influence and inspiration, and Violet has blown us away with her talent. She has done honor band, Music in May at Pacific University, got into the Metropolitan Youth Symphony, and will participate at All State Band in Eugene in January.
She has always been a soccer player but took up swimming this year. Her small school now has 3 people on the team! She’s never been a swimmer but has started the season strong and has a great dive.
She wants to stay close when she heads to college, so she will either go to Oregon State or University of Oregon. She applied for a bunch of other schools and got into all of them, but her heart has always been set on a big school that’s within a couple hour drive of home. She plans to major in either Biochemistry (OSU) or Neuroscience (UofO), depending on the school she attends (likely influenced by scholarships awarded), with plans of being a neurologist. I am so proud that she got into UofO’s Clark Honors College (fun stats – incoming students have a median GPA of 3.9 and are in the 90th percentile of test takers; they accepted 250 out of 2000 applicants).
She is a strong enneagram 1, has my determination to succeed, and Dominic’s stubbornness.
We did her senior photos this year, so here’s just a small sample with a few other pics mixed in.
Noah
Noah continues to blow me away on a daily basis. He has Dominic’s wit and personality, which is a blessing and a curse. He is not only book smart with straight As and honors/AP classes, but he’s street smart.
He’s been a soccer referee since he turned 13 and continues to take every opportunity available to make money. Violet is also a ref, but since she’s spread so thin she’s not able to take as many games as Noah. He has been known to take 5 consecutive games which usually equates to a solid 7.5-8 hour block where he gets more than 20,000 steps. Although he’s a sophomore in HS, he got certified to referee high school games this year and ref’d a few with Dominic.
He played his second year of HS soccer. During the end of season banquet, the coach talked about how evident it is that he just has a love for the game. Noah is also quite entertaining on the field. For example, he attempted a rainbow flick during a game. Of course it was because Dominic bet him $50 to do one during a game, and $100 if it resulted in a goal… turns out it did result in a goal – against their own team. He also got an award at the end of the season because he had the most combined goals and assists. It was hilarious because his positive stats came as a total surprise to his coach. Much like with school – Noah’s positive achievements often fly under the radar.
He has a great friend group at school. His hobbies pretty much include playing video games, performing magic tricks, and bickering with Violet. He briefly got back into dominoes but he’s an old man now and all the bending over hurts his back. I think he grew at least six inches this year. He also got his driver’s permit this year. He turned 16 in October but wants to wait until next summer to go for his license.
The Adults
We’re doing well and enjoying life despite it going by faster with each passing year.
I spent a lot of time with Butters. To say he’s a spoiled dog would be a massive understatement. This breed is high maintenance because of their grooming needs as well as because of the emotional attention and mental stimulation they need, but with the kids heading off to college soon, I felt a mid life crisis coming on and he has truly been a therapy dog for my anxious mind.
My site took a bit of a hit this year, but I also didn’t put in as much work as I should have (I blame the dog). I had a couple “work” trips in the first half of the year – New York, Austin, and a retreat I hosted in the Gorge, and I’m part of a mastermind group where we meet over zoom (but need to organize something in person). I absolutely love the relationships I’ve made over the years.
I started a new hobby of accumulating credit cards. I’m obsessed. Not surprising because I get obsessed with every new hobby. We don’t travel much, but my goal is to use all the points for quality, not quantity, travel. Dominic and I were able to go to a very nice all inclusive in Big Sur this year at no cost. Additionally, I booked our trip down to my dad’s this Christmas, and a week in Hawaii for just me and Violet next May for her senior trip. After all that, we’re still sitting on a mountain of points because… yep… I’m obsessed.
Also, my bees are dead. It happens.
Dominic spends his days playing online chess (he wanted to make sure I told you all he has a score of 950 on chess.com), taking care of the property, playing “fight” with Butters, initiating family ping pong games, and generally evading us. Seriously, we never know where he is, but he also never leaves.
He has spent a great deal of time refereeing soccer games alongside the kids. He is constantly studying the rules and bombards the kids with test questions via text. They get annoyed, but at the same time they are better for it, which pretty much sums up his entire parental strategy.
And finally, we have the addition of Butters. It wasn’t Dominic who begged for him, it was me. I was desperate to have a dog after losing Kodi in 2015. Dominic finally agreed, and guess who really loves that dog? Dominic. Yeah.
Mr. Butters has truly has been the best addition to our family, and if you’ve seen him in person, I’m sure you’ve seen how much joy he brings us.
Looking ahead…
Of the major milestones we’re expecting next year, the big ones will be Violet heading off to college and Noah getting his driver’s license.
I always look back a full year and think about all the things that happened that I didn’t expect. At this point last year, I had no idea we’d be getting a dog and that he would change our lives. I had no idea my mom would sell her property and move into a new home. I sure as hell didn’t think Donald Trump would be elected president in a race against Kamala Harris. And there were so many other little things that happened, good and bad, that were not anticipated.
With all that being said, I’m hopeful this next year brings us, and you, a year full of joyful memories with minimal heartache.
If you read this, please leave me a comment below so I know who actually scanned my QR code and knows the printed letter was part of the joke!
Until next year, be well.
Krissy, Dominic, Violet, Noah & Butters
Always our favorite card to get! Shannon had to ask if I mailed you a card because he thinks if we don’t we won’t get yours… and that would make him very very sad!
I love seeing photos of the kids — win win for everyone!
It’s true I have trimmed the list. The length of my list is inversely proportional to the cost of a forever stamp! And it’s now about half as long as when I started. But you guys will always be on the list! Have loved watching Ronan grow and see your travel adventures.
Thank you for bringing me joy through these great letters. Love to all. Sarah
I got the joke once i read about the beneficiary. That was fantastic. It’s fantastic to read your letters every year.
Josh
Hope to cross paths with you guys again some day!
The focus on Butters cracked me up – specifically with the one-liners on the kids. Love you! Merry Christmas!
Yay! Someone read both letters! Merry Christmas to you guys too.