Our 2013 letter to Santa

Dear Santa,

This year we've tried to be very nice (and just a little naughty to keep things fun).

LOGAN (age 6):

NICE:  Is in all-day Kindergarten, has become a reading and math whiz, played outdoor soccer, performed in his first piano recital, loves swimming, and has some good buddies.

NAUGHTY:  We are aware that he spends quite a bit of his life in time-out for fighting with his big sister, but he is really hoping for a bow-and-arrow for Christmas.

LINDSEY (age 9):

NICE:  Worked hard on both her outdoor and indoor soccer teams, won a writing contest, hasn't complained too much since she started orthodontic treatment, and gets near-perfect marks in school.

NAUGHTY:  Please try to ignore her messy bedroom, the way she thinks everything is "totes adorbs" and the fact that she proves her courage by following through on dares (which often result in many stitches).  She would love a gymnastics mat so she can burn off some extra energy.

BRYNLIE (age 12):

NICE:  She made the cut for a competition dance team, acted in a couple theatrical plays, has survived (and thrived) in Middle School, maintains high grades, and is bound for Broadway.

NAUGHTY:  So many selfies.  She's hoping for cute clothes and accessories for her phone.

BREVAN (AGE 15):

NICE:  Regularly attends seminary at 6 am, excelled on the debate team, joined the Robotics team, finished his Eagle Scout project, volunteers as a peer tutor every week, still enjoys piano lessons, and is planning to attend an early-entrance college program after next year.

NAUGHTY:  He devotes an awfully large amount of time to Minecraft (but really, with all the good he does, maybe you could cut him some slack on this one?)  He has no idea what he wants for Christmas, so just surprise him with something that will make him smile.

ALI (old):

NICE:  Ran in her first race as an adult, and returned to college to finish that long-ago goal of a Bachelors Degree.

NAUGHTY:  She might have wrecked both vehicles last month.  Within a 16-hour time period.  Any way you could help pay the deductibles?

RYAN (even older):

NICE:  He loves teaching the 7-year-old Sunday School class, and helped grow his business 9,900% this year.

NAUGHTY:  So it wasn't our year for car issues.  One moving violation, one non-moving violation and a boating violation on his record.  He would like Manning to lead his Bronco's to a Superbowl win.

As a family, we enjoyed taking a Disney Cruise in the Caribbean and spending a month in Utah/Arizona/Idaho/Colorado over the summer. We've also fallen head-over-heals in love with our cute puppy, Bella.  Maybe you can slip her a new bone on Christmas morning?  She's been quite naughty so far, but we promise you will forgive her the moment you see her tiny tail wag.

Thank you, Mr. Claus!

Love, Ryan, Ali, Brevan, Brynlie, Lindsey, Logan and Bella