Adamant Eve

Is it me or did this year fly by in the wink of an eye? It seems like yesterday was but a day ago, but so does the day that followed this day. The truth of the matter is that the steady drumbeat of time is unforgiving. Its metronomic march may have trampled our rose beds, but at least we stopped long enough at various times to catch of whiff of their sweet scent. And hey, we’re thankful that so many things came up roses for us this year (the bouquet: rose, rose, rose, rose, rose, rose, rose, rose, rose), in light of the distinct challenges and hardships faced by many in 2009. On this day, we celebrate the year that was and share hope in new beginnings, all starting with the Noon Year’s Eve party at our children’s museum.

Family, Phew!

G and Reed

Members of both sides of our family braved the winter elements to make it to our humble and grateful abode this holiday season. G endured a day’s worth of canceled flights to make it here before Christmas, and my parents navigated over slick roadways to get here safely on Sunday night, only to have to turn around and head home this morning in advance of the major snowstorm that’s scheduled to blanket – several times over – our part of the country tomorrow. We’re skittish of skid-ish roads, especially now that we have young children, and so we appreciate those making the extra effort to come to us so that we can all be together this time of year.

My parents with two-thirds of their grandkids

The (Sledding) Hills Are Alive

To my knowledge, there's only one decent sledding area in all of our elavationally challenged town. Olivia and I, and what seemed like most of the denizens of our community, made our way to the snowcapped mini-peaks, where we spent an afternoon racing down the hills and avoiding those doing the same thing.

In the Noel

In the morning hours so early that the tree still glowed warmly, both of our children awoke to find an assortment of presents awaiting them. Olivia got the one thing she desired most – Kit Kittredge, an American Girl doll – and Reed got his first choice, a wooden-blocks set that comes on a cart with which he can practice standing up.

Santa Worship from chris k on Vimeo.

We were joined again this year by G and Liz in the unhanging of stockings and unwrapping of presents, a tradition we’ve enhanced by our quick transition to the preparing and consuming of Christmas nachos.

A wish of merriment to all and of happiness to my lovely wife on her birthday.

Waiting Room

Olivia pulled up a seat in eager anticipation of the arrival of her grandmother and aunt.

The Riceman Cometh

Take a close look at the snack above. Baby Mum-Mums? Made by a company named Hot Kid? Rice rusks? HACCP certified? Upon further inspection, you’ll discover that these snacks are made in China. Nothing suspicious so far. Seems like the perfect choice for a baby starting on solids – right?

We think so.

Here he is rice-rusking for the first time.

Snack Stand from chris k on Vimeo.

Eschewing Gums

Tooth number three has broken free from the gums to see the light of day. The tooth’s owner is less than thrilled with this development.

Say Uncle

Quintin Carl, the firstborn child of my brother and his wife Danielle, was born the afternoon of December 17, 2009. I present to you my beautiful nephew and his proud parents. We can’t wait to meet him!

Sunday's Cool

Especially when you spend the afternoon at the children’s museum. Reed ventured out from our arms to spend time in the area for babies and toddlers.

The Old Man and the Tree

My eco-minded dad, hugging the tree he planted and dedicated to my mom while working as a United Nations Volunteer
(Korat, Thailand – November 2009)

Happy birthday to my old man, who officially becomes an old man, at least by the standards of a five-year-old.

Me: "Olivia, guess what? Today is Grandpa Tsune’s birthday."

Olivia: "Really? How old is he?"

Me: "He turns 60."

Olivia: "Wow. That’s old. You’re not 60 yet – right, Daddy?"

My dad just returned from another international assignment with the United Nations Volunteers (UNV) program, which he got involved with four years ago after being excised unceremoniously from corporate life. He turned lemons into four work stints away – to Vietnam, Kazakhstan, Indonesia, and most recently, Thailand – and a gig teaching Japanese at a local university. When I talked to my dad, he told me that he’s retiring from his overseas work assignments (although he did leave open a door by mentioning Michael Jordan and his “retirements”), which got me thinking about how nice it must be for him to leave on his own terms, especially since he was disallowed such a choice before.

Well, Dad. I wish you the best in the retirement that you can call your own. (I must note you’re not really retired given your professorship and all, but you know what I mean.) I’m so glad – and certainly envious – that you’ve had the opportunities to see the world as a one-man Amazing Race team these last four years. Welcome home – see you soon.

Mother of Advention

Crafty means to be deceitful, but craft-y…replete-ful: Mommy has been busier than Santa’s elves in getting the house ready for the holidays. She’s filled our home with decorations galore, including ones she’s crafted by hand. Olivia’s been captivated by this year’s creation, a lovely Advent calendar, born a simple clipboard, that’s perched high above a baby’s standing reach.

Leaps and Bounds

Get a Jump On from chris k on Vimeo.