A Joyful 2022 Christmas

It's December, and the holiday season is upon us. We are running (yes, with two boys, we are literally running) to all the Christmas events. It's also a time to step back and reflect on the year. It's been a wonderful year of splashing, adventuring, and enjoying our home in the Pacific Northwest.

Caleb

I undoubtedly say this every year, but how'd Caleb get to be almost seven? My little guy is becoming a big kid; it boggles my mind. He graduated kindergarten this year, and in the fall, he started first grade with Mrs. Friske at Cor Deo. First grade is going so well, and he's especially interested in the science and history topics. He can spout out more Egyptian facts than I could at his age!

Caleb is our fun-loving but logical kid; he questions everything and loves to build things. His current career path is espionage - that's right, he wants to be a spy. Green and red are his favorite colors, and penguins still have a place in his heart. He loves rocks and even displayed his collection at the library.

Caleb loves to swim and is in the silver level at Beard Swim. He can't wait to be Gold! This August, when we visited Balboa Island, he would have stayed in the water, swimming to the floating pier and jumping off - if we didn't remind him to eat. Caleb also joined the running club at school. He wants to run, run, run (forget those silly skill drills and stretching, let's go!). He also ran his first 1K race and earned himself a top spot at the finish line.

One of our favorite things is how he writes our initials and draws a heart around them. He's such a sweet guy, spunky and full of laughs.

Wesley

Four! You read that correctly; Wesley is turning four in early December. He is such a love and is full of imagination and silliness. He can completely occupy himself with his little construction signs, cones, and cars and make a scene. If you listen closely, there is a whole story in the play.

Wesley is in his second year of preschool, known as intermediate level, at First Presbyterian Preschool. He loves his teacher, Mrs. Smith, and walks into the classroom with a smile and, usually, a car for show-and-tell).

He loves his big brother and always tries to keep up with him. We are lucky in that they still enjoy playing together.

Wesley's favorite color is blue, and he wants to be a ghost when he grows up (this might change tomorrow, though). We're excited to transition him to a pedal bike (his big birthday gift) because he adores riding his bike. Every day, rain or shine, he'll ask to go for a ride.

We love how Wesley does the funniest little dances; he's got a good groove. And his puckery kisses are the cutest ever.

Heather

I hit the four-decade age (eh hem, 40, cough). It was a big year for me. We celebrated with my parents, sister, and brother-in-law, along with some other milestone celebrations (more later). Still, Josh also threw me the sweetest, most fitting birthday party. Close friends surrounded me for a lovely patio dinner at one of my favorite restaurants, En Rama. My younger self would be pleased with where I've landed in life with friends. It truly was a special celebration.

My stay-at-home motherhood gig is still in full force. The boys keep me busy, and I'm starting to feel like a transportation service going from school to playdates to activity after activity. But, let's face it, that's how I love it. It's truly my nature to do all the things and be active.

I continue my Instagram hustle as well. Occasionally I'll be recognized around town as the Raising Tacoma gal. I celebrated 1K followers in the summer on Instagram. Most importantly, I still enjoy sharing my local finds and activities with those around me. Additionally, I assist with our church's Kids Ministry Instagram and volunteer in the kids' classes each month.

Yes, I know you're curious about my sourdough starter. Sadly, my starter got trashed during a heat wave mishap. However, I now have a new starter, and she seems more bubbly. Besides sourdough, the kitchen happenings still happen ... occasionally. It's more cooking dinner than baking, but I'll be back in the kitchen baking for the holidays. I'm also hosting my annual cookie exchange again this month.

Josh

Josh is the hardest worker I know and continues his dedicated work at Wimmer Solutions. He's been there a year and a half and is still enjoying the work and his co-workers. He has a new title this year as Director of Consulting Operations. He has a team of people that he manages and is looking forward to helping grow the consulting services for Wimmer. It sounds big like we're adults -- or something.

He works most days out of our office shed in the backyard (we had it converted during the deep covid days). He travels to Seattle about once a week to work out of the company's real office in Fremont.

When he's not working, he's on adventures near or far with the family. He can also mix up a mean bourbon cocktail for a weekend evening. He also enjoys going on a morning run. If it's an evening run, Caleb sometimes accompanies him.

Asha

What can I say about our dog? She's the craziest pup we've ever known. Her favorite place is still looking out the front window and barking at anything that goes past, even a butterfly. The Amazon guy is her arch-enemy.

In other news, she got two teeth pulled because she still is the Master of Destruction (you may recall this title from my last Christmas letter). This experience taught us that dental work for dogs is a fortune. We may change our career paths now that we have this information.

Family Adventures:

You may wonder what you see in our slideshow, so let me share:

Visit Grandparents in SoCal: We got some Vitamin D with a visit to San Marcos to visit Mimi Jan and Papa John. The boys had a blast at Legoland and loved some beach time.
National Parks and Easter in Utah: Mimi Nada and Papa Don pulled out all the stops for our Utah visit. We celebrated Easter at Tuacahn Amphitheater. Then we went through Zion and Bryce National Parks and the most thrilling UTV ride through the Coral Pink Sand Dunes near Kanab.
Oregon Coast Celebration Trip: We drove down to Seaside and Cannon Beach, OR in June along with Mimi Jan & Papa John and Lindsay & Damon to celebrate everything—John and Jan's 50th Anniversary, Heather's 40th, John's 75th, and Lindsay & Damon's 3rd Anniversary. We enjoyed Tillamook Cheese Factory, flying a kite, and exploring the coast.
Balboa Island in August: This was our second year and so much fun. We joined Mimi Nada and Papa Don in Balboa (near Newport Beach) for a week of splashing in the sun.
Nearby Family Outings: We walked with kids (baby goats) at Mountain Lodge Farm, picked tulips at Knuston Farm, dropped our jaws at the Venardos Circus, experienced space at the Science Dome, saw some animals up at Seattle's Woodland Park Zoo, and hit up the ice bumper cars and ice skating.
Mom and Boy Outings: We picked some strawberries at Picha Farms, got slimed at the Slime Factory, and frequented the zoo and any water-based spot in the summer.
Camping in a barn in Sequim: We set up camp inside our friend's barn in Sequim. Wesley still talks about it. It was the best first camping trip for the boys. Our friends have the most beautiful farm! Oh, and if you see a buffalo in the slideshow, we did feed him at Olympic Game Farm (the craziest place in Sequim!).
Halloween Ninjas: This year was ninjas! We had a little neighborhood party and got a massive amount of candy trick-or-treating.
Thanksgiving with the Brown Grandparents: We enjoyed the Hands-on Children's Museum in Olympia, taking the ferry to Vashon (and seeing Orcas!), and eating lots of turkey and fixings.
Christmas with the O'Neill Grandparents: We look forward to spending the Christmas holiday with Mimi Jan and Papa John!
The Everyday Stuff: We boys love all the jumping places. We went miniature golfing, had a zillion playdates, and enjoyed all the school events, like Father's Fest at the preschool and Reformation Day at Cor Deo!

It's a wrap:

Without a doubt, 2022 has been a hit. We are so thankful for the love of family and friends. We find joy and blessings in our kids and even our mangy mutt.

We send you warm wishes for a joyful holiday season.

Peace and love to you All,

- Josh, Heather, Caleb, and Wesley