Borrowing the idea from our friends James and Julie, a few years back we decided to start including humorous "kid quips" with our annual Christmas letter.  Here, we’ve set out some of our favorites from 2015.  We also note again this year that Ella's limited appearance on this page reflects her strong preference for physical comedy over the one-liner.  Speaking of which, we have included below Aaron's nomination for photo of the year.  It is, as he puts it, "sublimely, wonderfully, ridiculous."  Yes, that is a real manatee.  And yes, Ella and the manatee appear to be starring in an aquarium-based production of Flashdance.  Now, on to the quotes!

• August, after setting his empty lunch box on the table one morning, “I was hoping someone might put something in there.”
• Truman, in response to learning that he and Ella were born on the same day within a minute of one another, “and when we came, the dinosaurs died.”
• August, after defeating his grandfather at a video game, “you know, you were better at that than I thought you’d be.”
• Truman, in a moment of revelation, “tulips don't have two lips!”
• August, adding to Aaron’s observation that it was a great day, with green grass, blooming flowers, and not a cloud in the sky, “yeah, and this morning I defeated the Eye of Cthulhu.”
• When asked what she thought her grandfather would like for his birthday, Ella first suggested a bouncy house, then a trampoline, and then a boat.  Truman, after considering the same question, asked “does he have a refrigerator?”  Ella responded that he already "had" a refrigerator, and as such, it "obviously" made more sense to get him a new boat. 

Ella and the Manatee (Jacksonville, 2015)