The
funny thing about adventures is that we don't always recognized them
as such when they're happening. Our family's 2013 adventures were
sometimes like that. We shared a family trip to Utah, a front row
seat at a raging forest fire in Cache Valley, a weekend camping and
soaking at Johnson's Shut-ins, road trips to Dubuque (IA), Rochester
(MN), and the Upper Pennisula (MI) to visit friends, and a family
5K/Fun Run (Little Man didn't run, AT won 1st in his age
group and Beemer came in 4th in the Fun Run).
First
things first: AT's chin is still
luxuriantly fuzzy. One of Grizzly Dan's adventures this year was a
Jeep Rescue Mission to Utah in order to get a vehicle back to St.
Louis after his Geo died a fiery (okay, just smokey) death on the
freeway. Taking full advantage of gear-head friends and family
members, he was able to get the Jeep road worthy and return. He
didn't realize how much he missed working on it. He also took all
three kids camping several times (giving Pulcheria the night off). This
summer he decided Beemer was having all of the fun with martial arts,
so he joined her class and has progressed to second-degree yellow
belt. Occasionally he thinks about working on his dissertation.
Pulcheria's
big adventure this fall was surgery in October. She's excited to have
it over and anxiously looks to being cleared to run again. She has
really enjoyed book club – the socializing and snacking are
highlights of her month (she also likes the books). In March, she
drove to Utah with a friend and their combined five kids – a true
adventure in every sense of the word and they made great memories. Her most recent exploit began in October as she now serves as
Relief Society President.
Beemer is nine and in third grade. She is a fantastic swimmer and would
spend all her free time in a pool, if allowed. She has advanced in
Youn Wha Tae Kwon Do, earned her green belt and took 2nd
place in a tournament in April. Her favorite non-aquatic activity is
reading, but she also loves to spend time with friends. She wowed us
in her roll as Great White in her school play in March, and again as
a Narrator in the third grade production of The Holly Jolly
Pirates of Piñataville. Beemer's newest adventure is learning to
sew. So far she has created a new blanket and an adorable stuffed
owl.
Firecracker is rearing to be six (February). She started kindergarten this year,
and while she misses her friends from preschool, is loving all of the
adventures kindergarten brings. Her first order of business was to
use her magic powers to turn her “arch-enemies” (her words) into
friends. She loves riding the bus with Beemer and recess with her
friends. Her major accomplishment this year was going off the diving
board all by herself, followed closely by learning to read. Firecracker started gymnastics this year and surprised everyone with how fast she
progressed – so much so that her teacher tapped her to try out for
the tiny team this spring.
Little Man is two and is obsessed with trains. Ask him any question and he will
probably answer “Blue choo-choo.” He also loves anything to do
with cars, blocks, and dinosaurs. His favorite thing to do is to go
for walks and he is insulted anytime anyone goes without him. Because
he was trained by his dad and sisters, all birds hoot like owls,
except for hawks and falcons. They growl. He insists on getting your
attention when he sees something exciting and will either turn your
face or pull on your pants until you acknowledge him. Everything is
an adventure when you are two!
We
send you our love and best wishes in all of your adventures in the
upcoming year!
