the honorary swedish citizen

Merry Christmas!  I hope everyone has had a great year… I have started to see Christmas cards roll in and I love the little “non fb” catch-ups on your lives.  

As far as our actual cards go, the number was getting so out of hand that I had to cut back significantly on the cards I send out.  If you did not get one, don’t despair.  It only means you are not a grandmother, parent, or living in a grass hut with internet access on the third Tuesday of even numbered months. 

I have made it my goal this year not to be long-winded, which is next to impossible for me.  However, I will try my hardest to make this the “twitter” version and not the “complete unabridged works” version. 

Craig is just about to begin his 10th (!) year at CBC.  This year, he decided that working 65+ hours a week just wasn’t enough.  He is now enrolled in Re:Train where he is working toward getting a Master’s degree in Missional Leadership.  Once a month, he flies out to Seattle to attend classes.  He is enjoying it immensely.  Because he has dedicated his every waking moment to working or studying or flying to Seattle, he hasn’t had a lot of time to do much else.  He still enjoys fly fishing and imagining what his alternate life would look like as a Pony Express rider.  (We recently discovered old episodes of “The Young Riders” and “Dr. Quinn” on Netflix.)  For now, he is waiting in anticipation for Re:Train graduation in June!

Malin (9) is enjoying 3rd grade this year at Central.  Malin loves her teachers and reads like a champ.  She still loves to do anything crafty and is having fun in ballet.  Her ballet conservatory just finished with its “Nutcracker” presentation.  Let me tell you, it was a huge commitment.  I didn’t think we’d get through the 4 hour run-throughs and dress rehearsals, endless mousie make-up applications and french braids for weeks on end, but we made it.  And Malin loved every minute of it.

Aiden (7) is doing great in 1st grade.  He loves to read and has quite a large collection of Star Wars legos.  He enjoys playing with his buddies, and loves to visit his friend Jasper’s farm.  He played soccer this year, too.  He loved our trip to Florida in February and says he’s moving there when he grows up.  (He may change his mind when he realizes that a condo costs $600,000 and July feels like you’re living inside someone’s mouth.)  He still loves being in the kitchen with me and has fun baking bread.  (Or eating it.  I am not sure what he enjoys more.)

Vienne (21 months) is still as cute as ever.  One of her favorite activities is singing and if you say the words “McDonald” or “farm” listen carefully for a small but distinct “e-i-e-i-OHHHH!”  We often hear her singing the Waltz of the Snowflakes from the Nutcracker.  (It has infiltrated every aspect of our lives.)  She has had a little trouble with her spoken vocabulary and because of that, we’ve worked hard to teach her sign language which she uses very well.  Her limited but artistic use of the English language has prompted her to come up with some very resourceful word combinations.  One of our favorites was “cookie water” (Dr. Pepper.)   I just love having a toddler around again, she’s just so much darn fun!

I have had a busy year.   I had the privilege to go to Montana to visit Elly, Doug and Tova in November.  I got to finally see super cute Livingston and then road trip from there to Portland to attend the Little Winter sale with Elly.  I was so proud to see Elly’s garments flying off the clothing rack!  It was a fun, crazy whirlwind.  I have been doing a lot of photography, too.  I love being able to take fun photos of my beautiful friends and their families!  I also got a chance to write for the local paper this spring/summer/fall.  I wrote a seasonal foods recipe column with several other ladies from town.  It was a fun new experience!   I still do lots of domestic-y stuff, which I love.  Laundry soap making, baking and cooking are still things that I enjoy doing.

I am sure this next year is going to be full of surprises, and I know you’ll be waiting in anticipation for next year’s Christmas blog installment.  Until then, Merry Christmas and a very happy 2011!