'I know that we've all signed the card that Mama Rose insisted on including in your box, but I thought that I'd include this letter to tell you a bit about what's going on. You won't believe how much there is to organise for 7 Americans to come out to Australia for a simple student exchange. And I say 7 because I firmly believe that Jim and Brian are going to get into New Dav, stay Down Under with you. I'm holding onto that belief, no one can shake me from it. Aunt Sabina thinks Dad and Mama Rose are nuts for having all you Bob Whites over on the exchange - just Honey would've been enough for her. But I think it will be ever more fun with all seven of you.

'I bet you weren't expecting any presents from us. That's half the fun of getting presents - especially Chrissie presents - not expecting them. Anyway, they're nothing major, so you needn't get all proud and embarrassed on us. They're just little things to help you realise that by this time next month, you'll be in the heat of Australia. Just a few Australian odds and ends, and some summer clothes for the plane trip out; trust me, you're not going to want to be wearing winter things when you step off the plane in Sydney. I'll bet you're making the most of the white Christmas that you're having (we do get New York weather reports over hear you know; New Davenport is not the backblocks, for all that it's considered regional by the lofty folks down in Sydney). Better make the most of the snow while you can. You certainly won't be getting any snow over here - unless we go down to Jindabyne or somewhere in the July holidays.

'I bet you're also wondering just who Carol and Ian Bainbridge are, as they were so kind to sign your Christmas card. Well, just three weeks after you settle in here, you'll be going to a wedding. That's right, a wedding. Mitch, in his infinite wisdom, has decided to get married to his flatmate at the ripe old age of 19. To cut a long story short, Carol, his flatmate, has cancer, and the doctor's didn't catch it early enough. She doesn't want chemo; she'd rather just live out the rest of her days in peace. Why is that a reason for Mitch to marry her, I hear you ask? Well, she's worried about the fate of her small boy, Ian, who's just a year younger than Tats. She has no family to speak of, and she really doesn't want him becoming a ward of the State. Ian's become rather attached to Mitch since he's been living there, so Mitch and Carol decided on a marriage of convenience in the interests of Ian. That way, when Carol dies, Mitch can look after him without too much legal hassle. They're hoping that she'll hold on till Mitch turns 21 so he can legally adopt Ian, but the doctor isn't too hopeful on that front. While they're not in love, so to speak, they care a lot about each other. Dad isn't all that happy about it, but Mitch is over 18, and he does understand why he's doing it.

'Anyways, I'll leave this letter at that cheery news. I just know that you're all curious to see what the pressies are. That is, if you haven't opened them already - I just know that Trixie's "dying" to know what's in them. I hope this letter finds you all well, and rip-roaring to get Down Under. See you all next month, and enjoy the pressies.