2008 Christmas Letter

Friends and Family, 

These are uncertain times: a wild stock market, a changing environment, strange objects falling from the sky... We hope you are having a safe new year despite these things.  In the Meyer household, we have taken steps to prepare for the coming year.  If iron boxes do start falling from the sky, we'll be ready.

 In her junior year at Kirkwood High School, Margaux has spent much of her time building social networks to draw upon later; the Cross Country team gave her the "Biggest Heart Award."  She has also spent her time practicing creating clothing in the costume crew.  As the "Best Technical Crewmember," we expect her to make us fashionable no matter what falls on our house.  Every day Margaux receives mail from institutions of higher education attempting to entice her there.  As she is still only at the beginning of her college search, most of it is put in storage for use as tinder.

 After a summer as a teacher at KinderCare, Kathleen returned to Missouri State with her senses fine tuned and ready for anything, aerial, arboreal, or academic.  And indeed she was, as she begins to bite into the meat of her elementary education major and comes away this semester with a perfect report card.  Once they saw her dodge a whole set of falling geometry books, they decided that her quick reactions plus excellent academics would make her a perfect tutor as well.  It wouldn't be the holidays without Kathleen's insistence upon traditions and willingness to put into action all of our good intentions (including getting this card done).

 After four years at Macalester College in St. Paul, MN, Franz has done more than build a vast stockpile of orange and blue clothing.  His final (and best) season of cross country has left him in peak physical condition and his degrees in chemistry and political science have provided the mental calisthenics to prepare him for whatever comes next.  As of now, we are unsure what or where he will go next, but Franz is waiting to hear from Teach For America on wether he will have a job as a high school science teacher in St. Louis, Milwaukee or Nashville.

Working at M&M Construction, Paul is keeping his skills sharp.  Ever wary of aerial threats, he and the dog often keep watch beside a fire outdoors, occasionally practicing smoke signals as well.  When not performing either of those duties, he hones his skill in the kitchen, creating new and ever more delicious meals using only the freshest ingredients while cooking from scratch every night.

Margarita is preparing in another way: finding a niche for her next business.  The primary vehicle for this is Meramec Community College, where she is devouring video and photography classes.  (her class projects are included below)   In the meantime, her job at McGraw Hill allows her to learn corporate America's secrets from the inside.  

So, remember to "duck and cover" this Holiday season.  As 2008 comes to a close and 2009 brings new and unexpected experiences, the Meyer family is certainly glad that we know you! Have a Safe Holiday!

Paul, Margarita, Franz, Kathleen, and Margaux