2011 Wrapping Up ...

Tonight we packed the boys in our sleigh double seater stroller, wrapped with blankets and fortified with cups of popcorn, and set out on a walk to see the Christmas lights.  It was about 50 degrees, so after a day of playing in T-shirts we were able to wear hoodies and pretend it was cold.  Luke and I had beers.  We passed a house with a box full of persimmons and a "Free!  Please take some!" sign.  We strolled past Steve Jobs' childhood home and looked for the house with the model trains.

We live in Wonderland. And though I think we'll eventually move (primarily to be close to family again, once K and D are re-stationed), I'm living it up in Silicon Valley.

This year has been WONDERFUL. Mark's learned to sit, crawl, stand, feed himself, burp himself, say a few words, and bring us his shoes when he wants to go outside.  Scott's begun telling wonderful, funny stories and continued being an athletic adventurer.  (Funny story: tonight in the tub he said "I'm in the bathroom, so I'm going to say a BATHROOM word!  Bottom." and broke into riotous laughter.)  Luke has continued being a rock-steady husband and father.  I went back to work 20 hr/week.  We traveled to Indonesia, my 10-year high school reunion, to see Northern California on a hiking/camping trip, and to Mike and Tricia's wedding.  Plus, our family came to visit us so much!  And we get to see Karen and Daniel often!  Even our "normal" days are pretty joyful, with park visits and good neighbors and just general goodness.

Scott's new bestie and partner in crime

Daily wonderful: shoe sculptures at park

Karen and Scott in the Gilroy Gardens artichoke ride

Sunflowers as big as my baby!

Redwood tree roots as big as our house!

2012 should be nervous; this is a hard year to follow.

But enough about the good stuff.  How about worsts?  Just to get it outta here and remind ourselves of what not to repeat.  And it makes such good reading.

• Don't fight the gear.  Due to our gypsy long-lived student pasts, Luke and I were very light on gear, but 2011 has been a year of expanding.  Nice double stroller!  A fold down couch!  Special baby carrier!  A replacement car (or 2) for dear ol' reliable Bessy the Corola! Our first Christmas tree! While I still like the idea of traveling light, I enjoy having good tools for the jobs at hand.

• I don't recommend stopping nursing cold turkey on a 40 hour string of airline flights (SF->DFW->SF->Hong Kong->Jakarta).  Not comfortable or pleasant at all, for me or those sitting next to me as I "hid" the hand pump under a airline "blanket".  (But if I had is all to do again, I would for the chance of a vacation of a lifetime with my husband on the equator.) 

Gili Air

• Oh, and while traipsing around paradise with your beloved and a backpack, be sure to bring GOOD sunscreen and shoes.  We flew back with blistering backs and cut up feet.  (This happened because we spent the previous day snorkeling after sea turtles and parrot fish.  Do you feel so bad for us now?)

Good thing I packed Toy Story bandages.

• I will not repeat the no-shampoo experiment.  2 weeks last January of no shampoo, just baking soda and lemon herb rinses in an effort to rid my scalp of chemicals and return to my natural state of hippie hair health?  No.  Yuck.  Gross.  (I am sparing you the photo.)

Weeeellll, I meant this to be a 5 worst list but I'm so cheerful after the beer and persimmons I can only think of 4.  Sweet dreams my sweets.