THE XMAS LETTER MY PARENTS NEVER SENT OUT BECAUSE WHO LIKES TO ACTUALLY SEND OUT A MILLION OF THESE ANYWAY

I wrote this for our family holiday letter and my mom never sent it... so like... here you go. After you read, you won't be surprised that we never sent it out (see the first sentence).

Happy Holidays!

In the past, we’ve been a bit behind as far as Christmas cards go (in fact, we generally forget to do them at all).

And so, we decided to put together one of these fun letters we see some of our loved ones (maybe you) doing, to catch you up on our lives and to wish you the happiest of Christmases…and a wonderful New Year.

2016 has been a year filled with gratitude and exciting change (never a dull moment as we often say). We are so happy with all that has been accomplished and the love that we continue to have for our little family, and all of our friends and loved ones that surround us.

Bill opened up a new business in our hometown of Missoula, a tax service called “406 Tax.” He continues to operate this along with the business based in Charlo, MT. With the help of Cath, the business was successful in the first year and they are excited to see what comes of it — definitely an exciting addition to daily life.  He continues to keep up with sports (mostly his Dodgers…sad performance in the playoffs this year) and enjoys his trips to Reno to visit his parents, friends, and oh yeah, his oldest daughter. Lastly, if he doesn’t text you back, try not to take it too personal…not really his thing and we didn’t want you to learn the hard way.

Cath continues to be the rock that provides love and support to her family and friends. This year, she helped Bill with the new business, enjoyed working at the coffee cart at Mariel’s high school, and even kicked a scary sickness in the butt (after being pretty under the weather, we’re proud to say that she’s BACK). Cath loves attending Mariel’s sporting games, working out with her friends, and sipping her 2 p.m. coffee with Dodger, her fourth child (and dog), on her lap. A tip, don’t try to SnapChat her while you’re hanging out — doesn’t generally go over well…we’re still figuring out technology over here.

Stasia is busy working away as the Director of Marketing for her company and is living in Reno, NV (she’s 24 and feels old…can you say wrinkles?). She continues to dance when she finds the time, loves writing her blog, helps her old ballet company out with public relations, writes for a local magazine, and spends much of her time trying to figure out how to “adult.” She spends a lot of time with her friends, goes on weekend trips to the bay area often, and loves being busy and happy. She’s thinking about going back to school for her MBA, but she also has commitment issues so let’s check in next year (literally she already probably changed her mind as you read this).

Matthew is living in Bozeman, MT and is currently in his second year of school at Montana State University where he studies elementary and special education. His 21st birthday is coming up shortly — we’ll be celebrating hard. This year, he moved into a new house with four roommates/friends. He loves Bozeman, weekend trips home to Missoula, and going on road trips with his friends (they even made their way to CA last summer). He spends his free time doing homework (or pretending to), playing basketball at the school, making sure to keep up with the rest of the fam, and being a comedian on Twitter. Finally, he missed a couple field goals in a halftime show at a MSU football game in front of his peers…because we’re athletic.

Mariel is now 16 and a junior at Sentinel High School in Missoula and is the only child left at home. Mariel plays varsity volleyball and softball and jv/varsity basketball… this year her volleyball team took the state championship (she made sure that appeared in this letter). She does well in school, and is now becoming quite the social butterfly. This year Mariel got her drivers license, was the junior homecoming princess, and has enjoyed hanging with her friends and training for her various sports. In conclusion, she often wears socks with sandals…but no one is judging here…

Dodger, our family dog, is doing well (spoiled). He’s our little therapy dog and cutie patootie. He enjoys long walks, sunsets, staying up to date on current events, and watching the Hallmark channel around Christmas time surrounded by his loved ones (especially when they’re eating licorice).

In all seriousness, we are doing well and are very happy. We are very blessed to have you all in our lives, and we wish you a very happy holiday season.

Warm wishes and good thoughts,

The Warrens