2009: July to December

The end of the year, the decade. I hope you all have had some time for reflection...it feels good.

Here's a bit of the rest of 2009.

July
We visited Cannon Beach for the first time.

Our neighborhood is full of wild sweet peas in the summer. This was taken on one of many evening walks to our neighborhood ice cream parlor. We were accompanied this particular night by our French houseguest who stayed with us for a few weeks over the summer.

Making s'mores on our annual summer camping trip with another family. This year we went to Fort Ebey State Park.

Here we're heading out on a date night the day we returned from a vacation...a little time alone after a week of family time.

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August

Every year the Blue Angels fly on Abbott's birthday - just for him, of course.

This year the boys had a combined birthday party at our neighborhood pool.

Kitchen windows, when my sister visited in August. The nights were so warm and long we sat outside every night until well after dark.

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September

One last vacation before school started.

Our tomatoes produced famously.

First day of school. Cal started at Abbott's school this year in prekindergarten; Abbott entered second grade.

A special dinner at the Herbfarm celebrating a milestone birthday.

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October

October was insanely busy with sports; both boys played overlapping soccer and hockey.

I noticed a neighbor's gingko tree for the first time, and then of course I couldn't take my eyes off of it.

This year we were able to spend the entire day of our anniversary together.

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November

Alexi's mother and stepfather visited for a week. We enjoyed many meals with them out and at home - including Thanksgiving - and celebrated Alexi's birthday a few days before Thanksgiving.


Cal lost his first tooth - a total surprise - while eating soprasetta on Thanksgiving.

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December

Abbott as narrator for the Christmas pageant at church.

vacation to the Methow Valley

Have a fun and safe New Year's Eve. Tonight there will be a blue moon (when there are two full moons in the same month the second one is called a blue moon). This occurs only every two and a half years; it occurs on New Years Eve approximately every twenty years. The next one will be in 2028.

Thank you for the time you spend here and for sharing your own inspiration. Wishing you a most happy and healthy 2010! I'm looking forward to our next year together.

2009 in pictures January - June

Inspired by Shari, I've taken a look through my archives to reflect on the past year via images; an incredibly fun and positive experience.

January
This was taken on the last day of January. We ate dinner outside (quickly and bundled up) to take in every last bit of that beautiful day.

A secret club.

I love this photo because it reminds me of the many trips Cal and I made to a favorite coffee shop after taking Abbott to school, before Cal's preschool started.


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February
A special Valentine's Day meal at Rover's.

A visit to see my Grandmothers; good for so many reasons.

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March
Soda bread on St. Patrick's day.


In like a lion, out like a lamb.

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April
Alexi and I made a visit to the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival alone; it was the first time in a long time we'd spent the whole day alone together.

Bench Monday from the beach across the street from our house. Downtown Seattle is in the background.

Little League

warmer weather and flowers

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May
Mother's Day and hiking and lingering daylight.

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June
My first experience making jam. The whole family was involved. The boys still talk about it as they eat the jam on their sandwiches every day.

Look how sunned and freckly I am.

What's not to love about June?

At a Seattle Sounders game.

Tomorrow, July - December.

random thoughts

*I'm already noticing the quality of the light changing (yay!), just over a week after the winter solstice.

*Feeling a bit overwhelmed by the clutter in the house ranging from Christmas decorations, the tree, and gifts seemingly everywhere needing to be organized and put away. Most of it will have to wait until next week.

*Sugar carries as much punch as caffeine does for me (a couple of late nights reading).

I hope your Tuesday is a nice one.

at home

This week between holidays with the boys happily occupied with new Legos, books, kittens and the like and full-up with love from having had the undivided attention of both parents for the past week is one to look forward to; a week of relative rest and quiet at home. This time has historically been for me a nice pause for reflection on the holidays and the year that has been. There is always so much that could/should be done and yet the most important thing to do this week is to be in the moment; be present for the playing, reading, and lounging together this week has to offer.

I hope you're continuing to enjoy this holiday season, and some rest at home too.

new additions

I hope you enjoyed your Christmas. We did - and as you can see we got a couple of new additions to our family. Cal has been wanting a kitten of his own since last Christmas; this year Cal and Abbott both asked Santa for a kitten of their own (before our cat Cinnamon died) and he was most obliging. Abbott's cat (hiding in the tree and in the fleece bed) is Ginger; Cal's cat is Cinnamon (I know, confusing). Signing off for the weekend tired and happy. xoxo