Wednesday, December 10, 2014

Christmas Letter for 2014...

Once again my hubby has compiled a newsletter for our family for Christmas.  Here it is and hope you enjoy.

THE CHRISTENSEN FAMILY CHRONICLES
*  Circa 2014 *
If you are reading this you made the cut
and stayed on the list for another year
...nice work if you can get it...


Eagle Bend Achers - Crop Report:  OK, this year it was NOT my fault...the deer invited themselves up onto our elevated deck and flower beds and ate a promising harvest – wouldn’t surprise me to spot them in the kitchen the way things are going…
Things That Are The Same: Her reason for living (aka me, albeit a little worse for wear)
Things That Are New:  My #%*& Tractor! and her &*^$# computer!…

The High Commander – This year began as all good years do with our annual We Came–We Saw–We Ate “Lord of the Rings” marathon and food-o-rama on New Year’s Eve and morning, followed by extended hibernation and a bottle of Tums.  January saw the beginning of his year-long reign-of-terror as Chamber of Commerce President.  In February the partying continued with a celebration of year 44 of his best idea (life with her).  He continued his unbroken stream of hits in the kitchen ensuring lasting fame, if not outright fortune, creating endless delicacies of curious culinary delight.  This included doing the cooking at the annual Sadieville Armed Forces Day Celebration at the park.  Yes, the cookbook is under development…

Culturizing efforts this year included: A February trip to the Arnoff Center in Cincinnati to attend “Evita.” In March we enjoyed the Eagles again at the Yum Center in Louisville.  In May it was back to the Arnoff Center to see “Phantom” (again).  On another occasion we were special guests of Toyota at a Reds game in their skybox (Reds won, food and company was great).  We also attended our first Festival of the Bluegrass at the Kentucky Horse Park.

The fall campaign season saw him re-elected Mayor (for lack of something better to do) in an unopposed race -- the vote was close.  In Sadieville our electoral motto is “vote early and often” so other than the 7 bottom-feeders who voted for themselves, the populace leaned slightly to the right this time around. Then, in his continuing march toward world domination, in October he was elected Vice President of the Kentucky League of Cities so he has that going for him now.  Assuming he doesn’t get hit by a bus in a year or so he’ll move up to the center chair.

In addition to the bucket list trip detailed below, out-of-the-norm travel included whale and sibling watching visits to both oceans aka New Hampshire (Gulf of Maine) and Vermont in July and the Oregon Coast (Depoe Bay) and Washington State in August.  We also went south to ride the Big South Fork Scenic Railway in July.  A quick trip to Utah in October and a few runs to Michigan for various funs and games filled out the travel itinerary for the year.  Next years’ plans are still undetermined but the passports have been renewed and we’ll let you know.

The Information Officer  –
In February she checked another thing off of her bucket list as she jetted away, escorted by the High Commander, for an adventure to Egypt, via Cincinnati, Chicago, Istanbul, and Cairo.  The trip included a four-day cruise up the Nile River from Luxor to Aswan with stops in Edfu and Kom Ombo. We also took a three-hour bus ride across the Nubian Desert to Abu Simbel, a camel ride (I named mine Wildfire) to a Nubian Village, kissed a live crocodile (yes, we have pictures..  (I was going to ask her how kissing a croc compared to kissing me, but then thought better of it…) We stopped and shopped at an Alabaster factory in the Valley of the Queens, and at Alfayed Place (a purveyor of  “essential oils” aka the basic ingredient for all perfumes).  We also visited a papyrus shop in Cairo to observe the making of real Egyptian papyrus and of course the purchasing of such.  The trip naturally included visits to the Pyramids, the Sphinx, Tombs in Valley of the Kings, and Temples honoring various other old dead people whose names I can neither pronounce or spell.  It was a grand and memorable trip to say the least.  Oh yeah, we ate shawarmas in Cairo. A shawarma is like a southern style Po-Boy sandwich only stocked with what I hope was either chicken or beef, nicely and interestingly spiced.

Sandi pretty much used up a whole nother year taking care of her Dad, me, and 70 or so mobile tax deductions every Sunday, undertook the digital scanning of every picture we ever took anywhere and the creation of  customized albums for us and each offspring whose name we could remember.  This all filled her days and nights quite completely and constitutes a really worthwhile effort.  The things we do for love.J

The Security Officer – Nissa ever and ever the devoted mom and Toddster’s wife, gave us a number of excuses to travel to the great North Woods.  From Katlyn’s general insanity and attempts to master adulthood to Aubrey’s star turn in a musical revue and competitive showcase at the Fruenthal Theater in Muskegan with a stirring – stirring I tell you – rendition of Over The Rainbow.  The girl sings like an angel, I couldn’t see her all that well cause I had “something in my eyes.” Aubrey tagged along on our aforementioned Oregon Trip as well.  The Paul man is beginning the complicated trip from goofy high school student to goofy young man, we’ll keep you posted...

The Medical Officer –Andie the mother of all mini Marx’s and her trusty sidekick Michael gave us pause and cause for multiple delights this year.  Lots-O-trips to Buckner Elementary and the greater LaGrange area were taken whether it be to watch Hayden dressed as Haydenardo Da Vinci for his field trip to the wax museum, doing his cub scout thing, running a 5k with his Dad, or our other emerging pop star Bailey sing, dance, and wiggle her way into the hearts and minds of the general populace.  Our travels to their world always leave us in awe (usually in a good way).  Gramma Sandi braved travel as an escort on a couple of the mini’s field trips with the school to places like Farnsley-Moorman Landing near Louisville.  We particularly enjoyed sharing their Louisville Color Run experience.  As a family they did a 5k through downtown Louisville streets to help raise money for Cancer Awareness.  A “Color Run” is a 5k race through downtown Louisville and 5 stations where they throw different colors of powered corn starch at the runners as they pass “holy 1960’s Batman!”  They all made it but were a tired mess.

The Science Officer – Jake we enjoyed several “Jakexperiences” this year.  He stopped in as part of his vacation in April and dutifully kept us in the loop on his various NASA postings and experiences.  He was able to join us for the annual Chamber of Commerce Awards Banquet during his visit.  Not sure what he thought about that vis-a-vis his Dad’s turn at the podium to give the annual President’s Address but there were no casualties.  In his own right, he wowed the Michigan locals in a couple of writing and storytelling competitions this year as well.


You have reached the end of this years’ chronicles and deserve a suitable reward, but since reading this letter is its own reward, pat yourself on the back, enjoy an inflated sense of accomplishment and self-affirmation and have a great next year.  WE ARE OUTTA HERE!            The Christensen’s !!!

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