It all started with a gecko high on our wall…

In 1990 we created this little gecko card inspired by the critters that ran about our house. That started a tradition that we’ve continued until today. Here is a retrospective of all our creations to date.

1990

1991

1992

1994

These were self-mailers that were photocopied and colored by hand.

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

These were sent together in a tiny little envelope.

2013

This is one of my favorites…we were trying to get the corniest photo ever, but everyone is so damn happy it ended up really special. Below is the letter that accompanied the photo.

It’s been quite a year for the Montgomery family and we are excited to share it with you.
Our eldest, Jake (18!), has been offered full-ride scholarships to Harvard, Yale and Stanford, but is planning to defer his acceptance and will spend the next two years on a fact-finding mission in North Korea. We wish him luck.
David is 16 and our favorite child, but has had a rough year. He was recently sentenced to 15-21 months hard labor in a Mexican prison. We came by this information through a third party who mentioned it in passing. Prior to this he was frantically working to create the world’s largest ball of yarn. We are so proud.
Ellie is a normal 12-year old girl, actively participating in competitive roller-skating, competitive rhythmic gymnastics, competitive eating (23 hot dogs in 10 minutes!), competitive bottle cap collecting, competitive hair styling and formula-one auto racing. In her spare time she enjoys hunting.
Max, 9 years and 9 months, has been selected to play with the Uruguayan National Soccer team at next year’s World Cup in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. He recently earned his pilot’s license and is planning to open an executive jet charter service with daily flights between Milwaukee and Peoria.
Our darling Jenny stepped on a Lincoln Log this morning and cussed like a sailor.
Andy has been enjoying the royalties from his jingle writing business (Hot Pocket!) and recently won a staring role as “Mr. Clean” in an upcoming national advertising campaign.
Wow. Amazing stuff, eh? We sincerely hope that your year was not better than ours.
Our love, The Montgomerys of St. Charles, Illinois.