2010 Christmas Newsletter

Here is this year's post-card sized Christmas newsletter which we inserted into the Yuen Lui photo-cards. We had these printed at Cascadia Copy and Print in Snohomish. They did a great job - just taking the PDF that was created out of InDesign (no problem with the transparent background or drop shadows).

Christmas newsletter 2010

Christmas Tree 2010

Here is the Brenchley Christmas Tree 2010. We only had one ornament break this year!

2009 Christmas Newsletter

This year we had the kids design the Christmas Card. Here are the four versions we sent out.

Christmas Card samples 2009

CityKids Christmas Program 2009

Yesterday was the big CityKids Christmas Program extravaganza!

Here is video of Emma's G2 dance group:

This year I've decided to put one of my versions of the "Twelve days of Christmas" in. Hope you enjoy it!

1 X-Box 360
2 Wiis
3 Nanos
4 Game boys
5 Wide screen T-vs
6 Zunes
7 I-pod touches
8 Cell phones
9 I-pod shuffles
10 Nintendo D-s
11 Computers
12 Million dollars

Unfortunately I didn't actully get any of these things for Christmas - Emma (10)

2008 Christmas Newsletter

This year's Christmas newletter was a look back at the 70's with a retro theme (see last year's theme). This was our attempt at the Partridge Family look (the color scheme probably had too much red for a true Piet Mondrian knock-off). Anyway, hop on the bus and c'mon get happy!

Christmas newsletter 2008

Christmas Videos

Here is a list of favorite family Christmas Videos:

• Elf
• The Chipmunks
• Babe
• Rudolf

Others include:

• Muppet Christmas Carol
• Muppet "It's a Very Merry Muppet Christmas Movie"
• Polar Express

CityKids Christmas Program 2008

This year's CityKids Christmas Program featured Rilla and Cian in the massive 4 & 5 year olds chorus and Emma and Colin in the gigantic 1st through 4th grader chorale. Emma tried out and made the dance team and even showcased her round-off back tuck. Here is a clip starting with the end of the big entrance (the camera man was given the wrong entrance info - thanks honey! ).

Christmas Wrap-up!

We had a great Christmas! Let's see...here is a numerical account:

1 = The number of Christmas cards that were returned due to an incorrect address.
2 = The number of glass Christmas tree decorations broken (tied with last year's record!)
3 = The number of packages for distant relatives...which incidently were shipped on time.
4 = The number of gifts that had to be returned or were missing parts (all purchased by Jack & Gail for Brenchley kids).
5 = Number of Brenchley kids.
6 = Number of hours added up on December 16th for performances (both The City Church kids' Christmas program & then the kids' piano recital in the evening). This doesn't include lunch with the Marquees at the Kitanda Brazilian restraunt.
7 = The number of days it took Papa Ray and cat Ojo to cross the country via RoadTrek camper.
8 = The number of plates of cookies passed out to neighbors while Christmas Caroling.
9 = The date in December that the family went to the Lobb's Gingerbread making party.
10 = The number of December events (either hosted or attended) according to Emma.
11 = The number of hours (including travel time) for the Christmas Day celebration at Good Beach with the Ostling side of the family.
12 = The number of different "Twelve Days of Christmas" lists the Brenchley kids created this year.

All in all we accomplished just about everything we needed to...although we did pospone viewing the Bellevue Botanical Gardens d'Lights display until after Christmas and only just yesterday dropped a gift off with Jamie.

2007 Christmas Newsletter

This year we tried for a less, "tell everything that happened over the year" approach and made cutouts of the kids that folks could include in their Christmas Creshes. Here is a thumbnail of the page:

Christmas Newletter 2007

Christmas Eve Concert

A Christmas tradition that started on Jack’s side of the family where on Christmas Eve all the kids played their instruments for a family concert. I don’t remember whose idea it was and whether or not the motive was just to keep those pesky kids engaged in productive behaviour leading into the holiday festivities; but it was fun and memorable for me as a child. This year Caleb (10) worked out the order of the performance and Emma (8) finger-typed it all into the computer (with Dad’s help) for the program. Mom & Dad even played a duet! The audience (Grandma Dot, Aunt Debbie, and Uncle Rich) even participated in the final number (Silent Night).

Neighborhood Caroling

A Christmas tradition that we’ve started since moving into our house is taking plates of cookies to our neighbors and signing Christmas carols. Gail whips up half a dozen different varieties of cookies (many from her favorite award winning website). This is a great way to say “hi” – fortunately we live in a small neighborhood – but it still takes a good portion of the evening. This year the kids pulled the wagon and wore either reindeer antlers or elves hats.

Christmas at the Brenchley’s 2006

This year marks a major Christmas decorating victory; only two glass Christmas tree decorations were shattered! Much better than previous years! But the outside icicle lights had whole sections burned out and we couldn’t find our bulb tester! So our house had less of a gingerbread appearance this year…picture something more like a Lite-Brite checkerboard! Anyway, here are some of the traditions we engaged in this Christmas:

Christmas cards & newsletter
Each year we try to have a Christmas newsletter just to let family and friends know that we are in fact really busy and that’s why we didn’t come over to visit and eat fruitcake. Anyway this year’s theme was the Incredibles so we had a picture and matching newsletter. See it here.
Gail’s Dad and Mrs. Thew arrive to spend the holiday with us though we don’t know if they really knew the Incredibles were so near!

The Brenchley's
Christmas 2006