Well Well….here we are again friends…I say friends because
if you got one of these…then you are one the friends list…it’s kinda like being
on the A list at the Oscar after Party….just saying. And now I have been asked by the Hott Wife to
write this stinking Christmas letter…make that realistic Christmas Letter.
Big time for Team Elliott this year…BIG BIG TIME…and with
that I have to start with the lovely Mrs. Elliott…she turned the BIG 40 this year…and so we celebrate…BIG…and I put
her on cruise ship with 5 of her wonderful friends…these peeps have been tight
since high school…and all turning 40…SO LET’S GO BIG…like fire in the engine
room big after being at sea for 2 whole days…that’s right…the lovely Mrs.
Elliott was on the Carnival Triumph…adrift at sea for an additional 6 days…with
no power, a 10 degree list to the port side…and no toilets, eating onion
sandwiches…pooping in red bags….no showers…no power...helicoptering more
supplies…like onions for the aforementioned sandwhiches….this all for the girl
who considers staying at a Holiday Inn as really roughing it….the girl who ask
the front desk before booking a hotel room if the thread count of the sheets is
over 500. But the fun didn’t stop
there…oh no…in June the Lovely Mrs. Elliott started having acute pains in the
pancreas area…off to the ER to determine that she was suffering from
pancreatitis. Another ER trip about 2
weeks later and a gall bladder removal….and she seems to be a good as new. Too bad OBAMACARE hadn’t kicked in…because I
bet if it had, it would have probably had healed the pancreatitis all by itself.
(sarcasm font) Bren is doing well
now…being the most incredible mom and wife...we are thankful for her health and
safety.
Let’s move on to the eldest…Luke…now in the 7th
grade…active in Scouts…about become a Star Scout and working on his trail to
Eagle. He still plays the trumpet in the
band….and tolerating school with good grades…but he is about to be 13 and I may
put him in a barrel with a hole in it…and when he turns 16…cover up the
hole. The surprise for the year comes
with Luke…last year he barely knew what a football looked like…and this year he
stated that because he couldn’t think of the being in PE, he decided to go out
for the football team. He has never
watched a football game little lone play a game. He suits up….started the season as B Team
first string wide receiver and defensive end…his first game had 15 tackles and
6 sacks…and halfway through the season got moved to the A team and started as
outside linebacker. His last game he intercepted
a ball and returned it 70 yards for a pick 6!
The team went undefeated in Plano ISD.
He loved it…absolutely loved it…plans on track this spring…and coach indicated
that he would be their huddler.
Macy…the old soul…a 30 year old in a 10 year old body…who is
now in 5th grade and serves on the student council…a library aid, is
a mentor for younger students….and is in the PACE program. She plays catcher for her softball team and
this year was voted by her teammates to be on the All Star Team. It was an awesome experience. She is active in Girl Scouts right now…and
working toward her Gold Award….I wonder if she is my kid because she is an over
achiever BIG TIME. The highlight of her
year…OMGOMGOMG….she went to the Taylor Swift Concert in Cowboy Stadium with her
mom and a friend…OMGOMGOMG….I heard it was so AWESOME!!!
Hope…Hope…we all need Hope…Cooking with Gas in the 2nd
Grade. She started playing softball this
year…loved it…bats 3rd and usually plays 1st base and
pitcher. Her team won first place this
past fall season. Because of all the
cart wheels, round offs, splits and back bends…we have now put her in
gymnastics. She is in Girl Scouts
also….and this year we put her in the AWANA program in church. It’s class for children with HEAVY emphasis
on memorizing scripture. This was her
first year…and quickly learned that most of the kids had been already doing
this for 2 years….she was behind by 2 books.
That didn’t sit well with her…so she started memorizing like crazy….and
before the Christmas break has knocked out the first 2 books and now caught up
with everyone else in class. I wonder
where she gets that competitive spirit.
That brings us to Kyle…age 2…in Mother’s Day Out 2 days a
week where the teachers call him “Their Sunshine.” I know one thing…he can’t talk yet…at least
very much…but he keeps us laughing and knows that he is funny. His brother and sisters adore him…and he
can’t stand it when they go off to school….he will go in and out of their rooms
looking for them during the week. He has
spent a relative large amount of his life watching a ball game…of a sister and
brother…so it is yet to see what kind of sport he gravitates to…number 4 is
such a big blessing.
Now there’s me…and every year it’s the same thing….I sound
like a broken record….still a straight commission salesman for Timberlake &
Dickson…still performs magic….still coach…softball now…still run crazy long…and
bicycle even longer…one small change….more time in the weight room and have
come to really enjoy that.
As a family, we went to Pine Cove family camp again this
year…the kids absolutely LOVE IT….and so do Mom and Dad…and it’s already been
paid for next year too. Bren and I did
take a 5 day trip to Chicago…ventured into Milwaukee one night…saw a Brewers
game…then back to Chicago for a Cubs game…sight seeing…and just plain acting
like kids again since we didn’t have to be a good example to anyone.
We want to close again this year…wishing all a Merry
Christmas….praying that the Lord blesses you and your family….and that you have
a great 2014.
