We trust this Christmas letter finds you all happy and well. I'm sitting here writing this letter three days after Thanksgiving. How can it be the end of the year already??
As we get ready to launch into 2019, here is a brief recap of our year and what our clan is up to:
K and MB: Perhaps our biggest news since last Christmas is that we have another dog in our family! We welcomed Ginger the Wonderdog into our home in early June. She is the same breed as Gus and they are so sweet together. We love having two dogs in the house again. K and I also celebrated 17 years of marriage this year and continue to enjoy sharing this journey together. I am finally picking up running again after what feels like a 4-year hiatus. K is still enjoying rock climbing and skateboarding with the kids as well as paddle boarding, skiing, and running. You'd never believe he's pushing 50 (!).
I'm still steeped in homeschooling the kids as well as trying to take some photos here and there. (I still dream of reopening my darkroom somewhere somehow.) This year took us to Alaska with my family to celebrate my parents' 50th anniversary. The beauty of that place is indescribable. Our photo from our Christmas card was taken there. We sandwiched that trip with a week back on Whidbey Island in the Puget Sound. That remains one of our "thin places" and we hope we continue to visit! We also had a wonderful visit as a couple to San Diego for a conference and got some great time with friends there. We are still enjoying house concerts with friends from near and far.
L: L is nine years old and in fourth grade. His reading list is so fun. We're really getting into some of my favorite adolescent literature! This summer, he went to his first week-long overnight camp (Spring Hill) with a buddy and had a great experience. He also had the opportunity to go to an ID Tech camp and learn about Lego robotics. He continues to love Lego and to blow us away with his easy grasp of mechanics and engineering. His favorite subject to study in school is geography. Well, and reading. Oh, and he loves the Rubik's cube. L also loves rock-climbing, skateboarding and working with his hands.
L and H are both doing great at piano and mostly enjoying it.....
H: H is seven years old going on seventeen. She truly is an amazing responsible person with a huge servant heart and love for God's creation. I often find her pulling together snacks and games for her and her little brother, as well as dessert trays for everyone. She is becoming an amazing reader and loves reading to R. She moved into her own room this past spring and is loving having her own space. Her favorite subject in school is reading and science. She loves animals. This fall, we went on a field trip to CROW on Sanibel (Center for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife). I could easily see her working there in 10 years.
R: R is four years old and continues to be full of joy and love and life. He's loves to make people smile and doesn't like it when people are sad or upset. He loves everything L loves -- Lego, cars, electronics -- yet will dress up with H, cook with me, and absolutely LOVES both dogs (like his dad). He often reminds me of a puppy himself: happy, go-lucky, up for anything as long as we're together. He plays beautifully by himself and has enjoyed going to preschool two days a week with his friends. R also loves riding his scooter.
We feel incredibly grateful for the adventures we continue to have and for our friends and family who journey with us along the way. Thank you for your continued love and friendship over the years and miles. May the New Year be full of blessings and adventures.
K+M+L+H+R+G+G
