christmas igloo

A family friend came over the day before Christmas and helped us build an igloo.

Here's the finished product.

The igloo with 8 inches of new snow.

Inside the igloo.

Jonah, Jake, and dad spent the night in it.

persuasive, clever jake

For a recent persuasive writing assignment at school, Jake was asked to write a letter to his parents explaining why he should get a most wanted Christmas gift. Then, parents were asked to respond why the gift should not be given, and then he was to write back again responding to the parental concerns. It was a fun exchange and we thought it worth sharing the letters. 

Jake's initial pleading:

Parental response:

Jake's response:

Despite his clever writing and persuasive arguments, he did not receive a DS for Christmas. Maybe next year... 

Here it is: The McKells’ Christmas Letter 2008!

This year we are writing an e-letter (or may just put it on the blog as we've done previously) to let you know how much we care.  Christmas came around way too fast for us to get on the ball so sorry all you nostalgic postal service lovers. 

The McKell family has had a very busy year starting in January with our move to Northern Utah (Logan to be exact). The kids have adjusted very well to their new schools and activities. Heather and Mark love living so close to the mountains and canyons of Utah where there is an abundance of hiking and other outdoor activities.

Micah is four now with the energy of about 12 four-year-olds.  Sorry to say, he hates running errands with mom and loves to stay home and do puzzles and play hot wheels and legos.  He is in gymnastics once a week to let out his energy on something besides his mom and brothers.

Max is now seven, very close to eight.  He has enjoyed soccer in the spring, playing at the nearby park in the summer and now basketball.  He loves to color and draw and loves school as well.   He is patiently waiting for his two front teeth to come in.

Jonah is loving the abundance of boys in the neighborhood with never a lack of playmates.  He loves playing in the snow, playing ball with his friends and reading.  He started playing cello this fall with a group at his school.  He has progressed well and really enjoys it.

Jake has learned this year what it really means to be challenged.  He has had good supportive teachers who like to see him strain a bit.  He started 6^th grade this fall which is middle school in our town.  He has 7 separate classes which gives him a lot of responsibility.  His favorite subject is science which means we know all about the cycles of the moon now.  He continues to do well with piano and has started playing viola in the school orchestra.

Mark is still working from home for IMS  and I still don’t know exactly what he does all day.  He ran the Bear Lake marathon in June with his brother Dan.  This is something he has wanted to do for a long time and is happy to have completed it. All I have to say is he runs like a gazelle even when he is hurting.  He was put in the Bishopric of our ward in June and still finds time to finish our basement.  Thank you Mark and all who have helped.

I (Heather) am staying busy keeping the hearth fires burning and helping with painting and organizing our home.  I have been volunteering at the Cache Valley Center for the Arts and the local theatre when I can.  It has been fun meeting local artists and seeing some fun plays.  I tried going back to work for a few months but the hearth fire burned out too quickly so I am back as a stay home mom.  I hope to continue working to finish my college degree again in the next few months when I decide what I want to focus on.

We wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Remember that Christ is the reason we celebrate Christmas.  We hope you all have a healthy and a prosperous new year.

With Love, 

Mark and Heather McKell and boys  

Christmas tree and Our biggest present( carpet)

Mt. Rushmore Trip