The Jones Family in 2011

Our Christmas letter this year was a multiple-choice questionnaire...and I promised answers. So, here they are:

1. In 2011, the Jones family has:

a) travel to various countries including Canada, Belize, Honduras, and Mexico.

b) hiked Mt. Kilimanjaro.

c) thought about walking to the park.

d) driven to the mailbox.

Correct answer: a

In addition to our annual pilgrimages to Canada and Idaho, we finally had our "do-over" cruise and chose a 7-day Western Caribbean trip. It was awesome!

2. The children have:

a) been absolute angels; consistently worthy of cuddles, kisses, and kudos.

b) managed a 24 hour period without watching the TV.

c) keep us guessing, fuming, laughing, and crying.

d) had trouble with the law.

Correct answer: c (obviously)

The children, also known as "our opportunity to develop patience, tolerance, and more patience", excelled at making our home as un-boring as humanly possible. As they've gotten older, we've noticed their independence growing...along with their opinions. Tricky.

3. Ian, the Father of the family, has spent the year:

a) achieving true "Unagi", to be prepared for any danger that may befall him.

b) enforcing late-work acceptance (or non-acceptance) policies for UVU Aviation class.

c) lamenting the increasing levels of hormones in a houseful of girls.

d) planning the construction of his Christmas village.

Correct answers: b, c, and d (+ bonus point for recognizing Friends reference)

In addition to his normal job, Ian has spent another year taking care of an online aviation class for UVU. He and I have noticed, on more than one occasion, that there seems to be an inordinate amount of students (aka "slackers") who ask for extensions on due-dates because "they haven't had enough time to do the work". Boy, if I'd known that excuse was even an option...

4. Amy, otherwise known as "mom", has:

a) deemed it necessary to fire her maid

b) remained incapable of learning the "running man".

c) filled up the minivan with gas before the gas-light came on.

d) developed an irrational dislike for Idaho Falls.

Correct answers: b (true story) and d (miss you, Amy)

5. Our oldest child, Lindy, has:

a) nearly forgiven us for getting rid of her dog.

b) regained her love of school. And math.

c) stopped tormenting her mother.

d) earned her baccalaureate in underwater basket-weaving.

Correct answer: b

After a particularly rough 2nd grade year, it has been refreshing to watch Lindy wake up each morning excited to go to school. She LOVES her teacher...and doesn't really care for weekends or holidays. (She actually cried as she left for Christmas break!)

She was baptized in March. It was a wonderful experience for our family. She is such a smart, capable, and loving girl. While we often find ourselves at odds with one another, her sweetness usually shines through. And no, we have not been forgiven for the dog.

6. Ellie, the middle child, was:

a) enjoying being flanked by two non-confrontational siblings.

b) top of her class in cross-country ballroom dancing.

c) finally old enough to go to kindergarten.

d) in a week-long, Barbie-movie-induced coma.

Correct answer: c

Ellie, with her typical nonchalance, finally entered kindergarten. She has loved every second of it (in spite of some "super boring" assemblies). She is generally quite happy and helpful...although has begun to develop a little bit of rivalry with her younger brother.

While she didn't actually reach the point of "coma", she has developed a rather keen fondness of all things Barbie. Her mother and father are perplexed (and often nauseated) but what defense can you wield against this smile? I ask you.

7. Curtis (affectionately known as "The Boy") managed to:

a) complete his first solo flight in an SR-71.

b) earn the rank of Jedi Knight.

c) hit his sisters repeatedly with his Jedi weapon.

d) redecorate multiple rooms in our house with nothing but a vision...and a Sharpie.

Correct answers: c and d

This year Curtis has officially replaced Lindy as our most-blogged-about child. This three-year old lives by his own set of rules. (Few of them mesh with my rules...) 2011 has been the year of weaponry. He has a particular love of guns (aargh) and light sabers but seems quite happy with anything that will resemble a gun. Or a light saber.

He's 3. And...that sums it all up quite nicely.

8. In our spare time we:

a) are active members of the NRA.

b) are training to survive the zombie attack of a post-apocolyptic future.

c) clean the bathroom.

d) sing madrigals and utilize the Satsuma biwa.

Correct answer: c

Why? Well, because Curtis likes to shove things in it. (Refer to above-mentioned age.)

9. The Jones Family Christmas letter does not include a family picture because:

a) the zombie attack has already begun and the photo has fallen victim to their evil plan.

b) our photographer is currently on strike.

c) our recent vampire transformation has rendered us impossible to photograph.

d) Curtis is a three year old.

Correct answer: Yup, you guessed it, d...every shot looks something like this:

10. Our hopes and wishes for the future include:

a) a vacation that doesn't involve children. (did I say that out loud?)

b) a completed Christmas shopping list on or before December 1st.

c) snow for Christmas.

d) your continued friendship.

Correct answer: all of the above.

We hope you all had a very merry Christmas and we wish you the best 2012 has to offer!

Happy New Year!

Love the Jones Family

(If you're keeping score...give yourself one point for each correct answer. Anyone feel like sharing?)