Christmas 2008

“An Inconvenient Christmas Letter”

December 2008

The glaciers of ill will are melting into rivers of Christmas cheer, and climate change has warmed our hearts. Rising oceans of good will are ours. So in an attempt to go green, reduce our carbon footprint, be ecologically correct, and make earth a better place for generations to come, we’ve gone paperless (except for those of you who receive this snail mail). We’re vying for a Nobel peace prize.

Our new-for-2008 family blog is www.funwiththefellers.blogspot.com. Oh wait, you already know this because you are looking at it. Since you all spend entirely too much time wondering just what the Fellers are up to, we made an easy way for you to find out! Here is our year in the least self-congratulatory way possible. Warning: our forgetfulness has caused some of these events to be undocumented and previously unblogged.

Natalie – (age 29 again) despite her skepticism about global warming, bought reusable fabric grocery bags at Trader Joe’s this year. Now if she’d only remember to use them! She carpooled with her husband on an anniversary trip to Redwoods National Park in October, with whom she did some hiking, sightseeing, tree-hugging, tsunami-avoiding, nature-watching, and newlywed stuff. For a pictorial account of the trip, check the really cool lighthouse photo on the October 2008 blog. She oversaw a kitchen remodel and new floor installation last summer. She regularly home-makes, works, shepherds young-women at church and elsewhere, mediates teen drama, blogs, and carefully avoids scrapbooking. Her green goal for the year is to do more hiking to enjoy the beautiful earth that everyone is so busy saving.

Eric –(older than some dirt) takes the bus to work. He still practices law with the state, and despite his dearth of litigation, had a case before the superior court case this year. Although he lost, his boss thought well of his oral argument (and opposing counsel, a deputy attorney general, made him look good by doing so poorly). His next career goal is learning the difference between Ibid and Id. The pesky day job aside, he is getting the hang of scoutmastering (an oh so green passion), scout camp, and he was honored with the adult “On My Honor” award this month. Like any good drill sergeant, most of his boys like him, and the rest hate his guts, no in between. His networking attempts include becoming treasurer of the local J. Reuben Clark Law Society, and connecting with others on “Linkedin.com.”

Daniel – (age 17) drives a recycled car (thanks Aunt Katie), and due to an acute case of senioritis, saves paper by only rarely doing his homework, but still manages to get decent grades - how does he do that? He attended Especially for Youth at the BYU campus last summer, where he got a dose of spirituality! He picked up his guitar again and is not suppressing his inner rock star very well. He also has a talent for photography, according to his high school photography teacher. He is a seminary stalwart, continuing his 100% attendance record. He is applying to colleges for next year (cross your fingers).

Abbie – is the family’s official water conservationist. She is always turning off the kitchen faucet despite taking the longest and hottest showers in the house. She learned this year that pinto beans do not belong in her ears and require 3 doctors to remove (yes, she is 14 not 4 – see the March 2008 blog regarding this adventure). She was promoted from 8th grade last June, and is a freshman at a law-themed charter high school where she is doing very well. She enjoys youth court (she has been a court clerk and a juror). She faithfully attends early-morning seminary and catches up on sleep on weekends. Abbie is our social butterfly (is that green?) and is always up to something (usually good) with her wonderful friends.

As always, we are grateful for our wonderful friends and family. May you and yours have a particularly earth-friendly, carbon-neutral, non-toxic, pollution-challenged, green, holy Christmastime.