We had a great year, all five of us, and we hope your year was a joyful one as well. Once again, we are thankful for all our visitors, and hope the rest of you will remember how much we love having guests over -- and how close we live to San Francisco, if you need extra motivation. And that we're great cooks. And have a pool. And a well-stocked liquor cabinet.
Leo and his iPad graced the covers of the SF Weekly, Seattle Weekly, and St. Louis Riverfront Times this year, which was cool -- not just because everyone got to see our beautiful boy, but because they got to see his smarts showcased through the lens made possible by the iPad.
Leo also took his very first overnight boat trip with his grandparents Marty & Janet, to celebrate the Fourth of July in Seattle's Lake Union. Our entire family had the best time. This kind of travel for Leo is a huge milestone. He also loved visiting his Grandmother Mary Pat in San Diego over spring break and for his godmother Halle's wedding. He taught himself to body surf at the beach near Mary Pat's house, and he and his sisters got to experience the lazy Southern California beach days that were their parents' birthright. We're hoping for more travel success on our Christmas road trip to Phoenix, AZ, to spend the holidays with Shannon's brothers and their families, her mom Mary Pat, and Marty & Janet.
Leo also changed schools, and now attends a wonderful autism-specific program in San Jose. He is so happy, and learning so much. We're really grateful to see him in such a good space.
Zelly has developed a real love for soccer (her Portuguese heritage asserting itself?), and is suprising us with her tougher side -- going to practices in the freezing rain without complaint. She had a lot of fun acting in her school's production of The Secret Garden and A Midsummer Night's Dream. She still likes playing her piano and music in general -- she and her friend Miles rocked out at Green Day camp this summer. She is a convert to social media and popular music, both of which make for intriguing conversations with her parents regarding limits and the setting thereof. She remains a great kid with a good heart. And you might not recognize her now with her new grown-up haircut.
She, her dad, and her sister have been having a blast foraging for mushrooms this winter -- and also identifying them, drawing them, and making spore prints. No eating foraged mushrooms yet, Shannon is too paranoid even though Craig's been getting guidance on the matter from local experts. Here's one of Z's shroom sketch sets (she got some tips from local naturalist and illustrator John Muir Laws at this year's Fungus Fair):
India is in first grade in her Spanish Immersion school, and doing well after a spirited start. If you haven't seen her recently, you might not recognize her, either -- she got glasses and lost her first tooth on the same day! She likes to draw and draw and draw some more.
She is such a force - keeping us both exasperated and delighted but never bored. She's fun. You should try to spend some time with her -- it's kind of difficult to capture her with words.
Craig is working at KQED and still enjoying online production -- especially when it involves kayaking the Russian River, hiking to albino redwoods, or filming the chain-mail wearing divers who clean the Monterey Bay Aquarium's shark tank:
Shannon & Craig cele brated their 15th wedding anniversary in August, which was both really weird (we've been married how long?) and wonderful. We even had a night out on the town -- Leo went to camp for the weekend, and the girls' godfather Michael graciously had them over for a slumber party.
Shannon has been gleefully busy with the writing, editing, and general scheming, which you can read about here and her e. But nothing made her happier than boat and beach days with her kids and family, especially the days spent entirely in sandy bathing suits and bare feet.
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