More fall: Varsity banquet, Thanksgiving and December!

Mia closed out her fall Cross Country season at the Varsity banquet and is awaiting track to start. Thanksgiving followed which was so great over at Andrew and Monica's. Despite life feeling daunting in ways, we have so much to be grateful for. The time between Thansgiving and Christmas is always fun because it is filled with a bit of childlike hope. Yes, it's expensive and busy and sometimes rushed. But I love the quiet evenings with the tree lit and planning fun things to do with the kids still. We visited the Brown the weekend and it was a slice of holiday magic that I needed.

Mom's 82nd birthday party

Mom celebrated her 82nd birthday with a reunion. So fun to have Emily, Neil and Pam come back. A few others joined us as we rang in a new year for Mom.

17!

Happiest of birthdays to Mia back in Oct.! This hardworking, creative and kind kid is growing up so quickly. 17?! HOW did that happen? She makes it all look easy, but I know it isn't. She is dedicated and so disciplined to everything she believes in. We are so proud of this sweet girl.

Fall 2023

First quarter is over and it was a whirlwind. Luca is navigating life as a freshman and Mia has discovered that junior really is as intense as everyone has said it is! We're happy fall break is a week away so we can unplug and recharge a bit!

My former second grade student now works at the district with me! So so exciting for me to be colleagues with her. I still remember her earnest face in class like it was yesterday.

Mia was inducted into the National Honors Society and rushed from cross country practice straight to the ceremony and ate a slice of cake at the reception for dinner because she hadn't eaten yet. Pretty symbolic of how junior year is going!

We had dinner with our besties and we got a picture of the kids and my heart swelled at seeing them together. The boys and Mia and Luca have a long history together and knowing we have forever friends in one another is such a great feeling.

Mia went to homecoming and it's always fun to watch the kids transform for the night.

The kids started school a few weeks ago and we're officially in our routine. Mia is a junior and Luca is a freshman! They drive together every morning and knowing they are heading to the same spot as they pull out of the driveway is fun. V and I are so proud of these kids.

Camp

Camp was a blast for both kids this summer. They look forward to their time away from their lives here and come home renewed in subtle and larger ways. Mia goes to running camp in Gunnison, outside of Crested Butte, and spends her days running the most beautiful trails and roads and icing in the freezing waters of the river. Her friendships run deep there and knowing she has this retreat makes so much sense to me. Luca loves his summer camp in Estes (that Mia went to for several years before choosing a few years back to really devote much of her time to running). He went this year nursing a fractured collar bone but that didn't stop him AT ALL. Most of the kids go every year and it's so fun for Luca to be reunited with camp buddies. It's a picturesque spot with a traditional camp feel with a lake, a gorgeous field, and cabins. They are given "awards" every year and this year Luca was given the characteristics of considerate and tenacious which fits his thoughtful but tough exterior. Until next year camp!

San Diego 2023

Our trip to San Diego was a slice of heaven this summer. Truly. We knew we'd have fun and we were excited to be away at the beach for a week but we weren't expecting to fall in love with this special area and feel fully transported. This part of Southern California is so unique with it's sandy and casual vibe, leaving all of us feeling scrubbed clean in a way from a year that has felt long. We toured SDSU and happened to meet up with one of Mia's friends! The girls loved touring together and then going to the beach to hang out, like true CA kids. Luca was in heaven in the ocean, even with his fractured collar bone. V and I celebrated 20 years and it all felt right. Easy. We would go back in a heart beat. From the seals in La Jolla, Del Mar Beach, the harbor in Point Loma, Coronado island (including Hotel Del Coronado), Mission Beach, and everything in between - We love you SD!!