“Remembrance, like a candle, burns brightest at Christmas time. ”
It's that wonderful time of year again when I settle down to create my Christmas cards and letters! It's a big job, which starts with sifting through all the photos I've taken over the past year (and trust me, I have a ton!). However, it's a fun way to recall all our adventures and special moments. Once everything is gathered, I put together a heartfelt letter and a slideshow. While it takes some time, it's a joyful experience that lets me reflect on all the great times we've shared.
Are you ready to hear all about it? Grab your tea or coffee and settle in...
Caleb
Our almost New Year's baby kick starts each year. In January, Caleb will be turning nine. Time is a thief! Our baby is growing so fast, but don't worry, he still loves penguins.
Caleb is now in third grade at Cor Deo. I am amazed every day at what he's learning. At the end of second grade this year, Caleb wrote a report, dressed up as, and presented the falconer role in the Feudal System. Then he researched and reported on Oberon, a moon of Uranus. At the end of the school year, for class awards, he was recognized for research & implementation. His teacher also knighted him, so we should call him Sir Caleb now.
In third grade, Caleb has already reported, dressed, and presented on William the Silent. Who will he be next?
At the start of this year, Caleb joined some school friends on a basketball team. He also has mastered the monkey bars at school.
You might notice his smile is missing a few teeth. He had four teeth pulled, but isn't that smile the cutest?
Wesley
On December 7th, Wesley turned six. If you were to ask about his birthday cake, there is a good chance he would say he wants a salami cake, except perhaps a donut cake. His more savory palette has one weakness: donuts.
This June, Wesley graduated from preschool. He had his last Grandparents Day, Father's Feast, and Mother's Tea at First Presbyterian Preschool.
Now, he is a big Kindergartener at Cor Deo. He received his first Virtuous Knight Award for Peace. I couldn't agree more; he is our peacemaker and easy-going little dude. He is enjoying kindergarten--he loves learning his letters and has made some great friends already.
It's such a joy to see him growing up! He loves anything army-related, as well as Minecraft. Oh, and stuffies, he loves those, too.
As parents, Josh and I are thankful that our boys are friends. They truly enjoy each other's company. It's the sweetest.
Heather
With both boys in full-day school now, I gained extra time in my day. However, I decided to use that time with a new part-time gig at Cor Deo as their Marketing Manager. I am working hard to grow awareness of our school in our community and help get prospective students to enroll. It's totally my jam.
That's not all I'm doing at the school, though. I am also chairing the auction again this year and co-chairing the parent-led community events group. You could say I have a full-time job at the school now.
When I am not at the school, I find myself with friends. I am in a book club that doesn't read books together; instead, we do fun things! I took some watercolor classes, and you will still find my baking in the kitchen.
My Raising Tacoma blog and Instagram are still a thing, but I have lessened my work. I have gotten too busy and have focused on it less. Occasionally, you'll find me on there, but my focus has shifted this year.
Josh
Josh is headed into his fourth year with Wimmer Solutions on their Leadership Team as Director of Consulting Operations. Most days, he works from the office in our backyard, which doubles as his man cave. About once a week, he'll commute up to Seattle to the office to check in with his team.
Outside of work, Josh has picked up running again. He is hardcore running at 5 am in the dark, cold rain. Santa should bring him a reflective vest and gloves.
Otherwise, Josh is leading Team Brown on our many adventures.
Asha
Oh, you want to hear about our dog? That's surprising. Let me tell you, she still barks at everything except when she's snoring. Boy, can this dog snore?!
Every year, she seems to get herself into trouble. We're headed into ten years of troublemaking. This year, it was a wound on her neck from her collar. She recovered well and is back at the front window barking.
She's worth it. Asha will always be our pup-a-doo.
Family Adventures
Here's what you'll see in that long and exciting slideshow at the end of this letter.
Harry Potter Exhibit (January) - At the start of the year, the boys went through a "Harry Potter" phase, which aligned with a very cool exhibit in Seattle. The boys and I got to geek out.
Snow Tubing (February) - We grabbed tubes and slid down the hill with friends at Snoqualamie.
San Diego Trip (February) - We visited Mimi Jan and Papa John to get some Vitamin D. We also hit up Legoland and San Deigo Safair (forever to be known as the Wild Animal Park). Aunt Lindsay and Uncle Damon showed up for part of it, too.
Easter (March) - We enjoyed Easter at home with a neighborhood Easter egg hunt, baskets, and church.
Port Townsend (April) - A little getaway for Spring break to the "rain shadow" of Washington. The boys loved Fort Worden and the artillery battery.
Lady Washington (June) - We boarded this pirate ship used in the Pirates of the Caribbean and explored. No scurvy, whew!
Seabrook (June) - We started summer at the cutest Washington beach town with our good friends, the Eberle Family.
Summer (June-Augst) - All the things: biking, pools, lakes, camps, parks, blueberry picking, zoos, and more.
San Diego Trip (July) - Another trip down, but this time, we went to Seaworld, played at the beach, and appreciated private swimming pools.
Holland Friends (August) - My good friend Irene and her family stopped for a few days. We showed them Tacoma and Seattle and got all caught up!
Lavender Farm (August) - Did you know just nothing of us is the Lavender Capital of North America? The boys learned bees are that bad and grew an appreciation of lavender.
Lindsay & Damon Visit (August) - Auntie and Uncle came to visit! We took them kayaking and troll hunting.
Coeur D'Alene with Browns (August) - The year's big trip! We met Mimi Nada and Papa Don and had a week-long vacation together. We took the boys on jet skis, did a cool hike along the water, explored a Silver mine, and did a quintessential Idaho county fair.
College Friends Visit (September) - It was great to have our friends, Jeff and Melissa, and their son, Thomas, visit and catch up.
Rainiers game (September) - The first baseball game for the boys!
Sequim Camping and Apples - Our annual trip to the Eberle Farm in Sequim for camping in their barn and helping to pick apples at their orchard. The best!
Halloween Fun (October) - We checked out Maris Farm Pumpkin Patch and then trick-or-treated. Wesley was an army guy, and Caleb was Hiccup from How to Train Your Dragon.
That's a wrap! We had a wonderful year and hope this year brought you much happiness. We are thankful to you, our friends, and our family. May the season be full of joy, peace, and love!
Love, Josh, Heather, Caleb, and Wesley
