So to all our friends far and near
Across this great nation
We send salutation
And greetings of comfort and cheer.
We're still here in Moberly, Mo.
And our family continues to grow
We've still only four boys
But in groceries and noise
We're much larger, at least it seems so.
It's still Greg, Brad, Scotty and Matt
Who've grown so much lately that
Their clothes are too small
'Cause they've all grown so tall
And some are a little bit fat.
Matthew, the fourth, is now four.
For the family, he is the core.
His brothers bow down
To this little clown
He can handle himself, and much more.
He's developed a mind of his own
From dressing to using the phone
He wants his own way
And won't hesitate to say
"I don't want to!" with a cry or a moan.
At dinner he's choosy with food
As fickle a 40 pound dude
As you'll ever greet
When selecting his meat,
His taste changes along with his mood.
Fried chicken can be his forté
For the better half of a day
And then all at once
For no reason, the dunce
Will tell us to throw it away.
He's going to nursery school
There he enjoys every rule
Compared to the rest,
He obeys very best
And with reason he's nobody's fool.
He displays many talents and is smart
He's always doing his part
He brings us great joy
And is our little boy
Who can easily capture your heart.
Scott Lee, the third, takes the flag
For him, there's never a "sag."
He runs his own show
It's always on "Go,"
When he's around, time doesn't lag.
His projects are varied and many
As for boredom, there never is any.
He writes letters and notes
Copies drawings and quotes
And tithing slips for every penny.
In school he's now in grade two.
And we don't mind confiding to you
He can't wait his turn
When there's something to learn
He's anxious with no matter who.
He's sure he's as big as his brothers
This he conveys to all others
He learned how to swim
An experience grim
Though the effort was mostly his mother's.
On piano he's known far and wide
But his family is trying to hide
He plays all day long
But only one song
We're sick of "Here Comes the Bride."
Scott will continue to be
A puzzle to you and to me
He'll fill you with "huey"
And then drive you screwy
His philosophy's simple, "Be Free."
To Bradford, the second, it's clear
Why the Lord has sent him down here
A man "without guile"
He has his own style
He has not learned the meaning of fear.
This may sound like it might be alarming
And perhaps it might even be harming
But with manners and grace
And a bit slower pace
Brad's honesty is still very charming.
He's good in both sports and his class
He's popular too, but alas
His ambition is low
We must push him to go
We hope something will give him more "gas."
In church he's our newest primary grad,
First class scout, which isn't half bad.
But his morning shower
Requires an hour
And work really makes him quite sad.
Piano turned out "not his bag"
But his musical talent won't sag
He's trying guitar
Though he's not very far
He has already started to brag.
No time for inhibitions and such
He'll do anything required in a clutch
Wears pajamas to school
If he think's they look cool,
He'd wear "long Johns" if he liked them that much.
Gregory the first is unique
He continues to ride on a peak
Grades are all A's
The piano he plays
And around home he talks a blue streak.
He argues with all that we say
If you tell him it's night, he'll say day
Perhaps cause he's wiser
Or because he's a miser
It's black or white, never gray.
As a scout he shortly will be
An Eagle, the highest trophy
It's come record fast
But he'll make it at last
His years as a scout not yet three.
He played football on the team
This required much of his steam
His fundamentals are good
Does it like he should
He's agressive, but not very mean.
He plays the piano quite well
His technique has started to "gel''
He practices some
But is not quite so glum
Cause the music, he thinks it is swell.
Magic is still his great feat
An interest he finds hard to beat
He performs for the folks
And even tells jokes
In this area, most folks think he's neat.
Jackie & John continue to be
Much the same as our recent history
Vacation out west
Back home for a rest
Not really that much of a spree.
Twixed our church, our work and our home
We haven't much time for to roam
Jackie's still as she was
Regardless of what ever she does
And John still has no need for a comb.
The church continues to grow
We're sure that the Lord wants it so
Seventeen members more
And others in store
Has given us something to show.
John's work has expanded ten fold
He has about all he can hold
Computers and selling
Manufacturing and milling
But the challenge is worth more than gold.
We hope that this letter will find
You happy with peace in your mind
With lots of good cheer
For the oncoming year
May our friendship continue to bind.
As problems continuously evolve
We've not found one too tough to solve
We've lengthened our stride
Look forward with pride
At what next year's problem's will involve.
So our Seasons Greetings we send to you
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, too.
May your year be blest
With all of the best
And many blessings to see the year through.
