2011 Holiday Letter!!

One might worry after that description of Molly that Caden (4 years) was a bit neglected this year. Fear not, the little man still owns whatever room he walks into. He is four this year and continues to grow and impress us. This past year, he has; learned to ride a two-wheel bike (see here), is in his second year of school, can write his own name, can say every word in the English and Urban dictionary with the right context (that is not necessarily a good thing), draws more prolifically than Van Gogh, plays soccer, has reached premier status on several frequent flier programs, dances like no one is watching, dances BECAUSE everyone is watching, is starting to take care of the home projects since dad has no time, is taking over baking responsibilities in the kitchen, and is a total hero in his little sister’s eyes. He is flat out the most fun kid to hang around if you have the energy to do it. One always worries about what bringing a new child will do to the older one(s). But Caden handled it well. His only impatience comes with not being to play as much as he wants to with her (which is quickly coming to an end). Even with the many months of sleepless nights he handled everyone’s stress very patiently. There were many occasions when mom and dad were losing our temper with him because we simply couldn’t give him the time he deserved, but we have all found balance and I think this family of four has found continuity. Caden is told by all who come across him that he is smart, handsome and a total goofball. None of which is news to his proud parents. We look forward to the coming year with him full of bike rides, scrapes and bruises, endless laughing, seemingly endless monologues, and any new adventure he sets his sights on.

As for the moving and shaking for the family this year, we have been across the country and globe again and are looking forward to another long stint in jolly ole England next year. Travels this year include (click each location for more details): Phoenix to visit Jon’s grandma and to test drive Molly’s traveling skills. Santa Barbara for a special Caden, Daddy & Grandpa trip. Business trip to the UK and Taiwan which ended only being to the UK because of one false move. An epic Road Trip across the upper left of the country because we wanted to prove to everyone that taking two young kids on 4000+ miles of road is not crazy. Savannah, GA so Katy could visit Dana at SCAD and buy ridiculous hats. And Minneapolis, MN for Thanksgiving with Katy’s brother and family.

There is, of course, much more that happened this year and we invite you to explore the pages of this website (Blog & Travel & more) if you seriously cannot think of anything better to do this holiday season. But in the end, it was a big year of growing for all of us. We look forward to next year as our kids grow into their own and we learn more about becoming parents and the joys and struggles that brings. As always, we are excited to share our adventures with you and hope to spend some of 2012 in your company.

Love to all of you and good health and fun in the coming year!

Jon, Katy, Caden and Molly

Hello Friends and Family!

Well here we are at the end of another busy, productive and exciting year. Or so I am told. Truth be told the first half of this year is a complete loss due to lack of sleep, a screaming baby, and the need to simply survive. But the second half of the year made it all worth it. We recovered our sleep, created a well adjusted baby (as far as health goes), and are on the path to normalcy again...unless Katy has her way and we have a third child (that is NOT a hint).

Our beautiful little girl Molly (16 months) really defined most of this year for us. For those of you who don’t remember, little Molly was born last year in August. There would have been a Christmas letter talking about all the joys of a newborn, but after getting out her birth announcement, that was it for us. We were done. After expelling all our resources on working out why this cute little girl was so unhappy and uncomfortable, we had just enough to keep Caden at least content and ourselves alive. The short of it; acid reflux, dairy and soy allergies, and enough constipation to stop up a horse. With the help of our doctors, modern medicine, baby enemas (never thought you’d see that in a holiday letter did you!) and unfathomable patience from us parents, we got her squared away and smiling. And it was so worth it. Molly now smiles all the time. She is so happy and has so much personality in her tiny little frame. She hasn’t said as many words as Caden did at this age, but we think that is because she says worlds with her expressions. Still not the best sleeper, but my take on that is that sleep takes time away from being up and exploring. Molly’s word of the year: Tenacious. For more about how we handled her this year, we wrote up a nice essay for her first birthday (see here). But whether it was lack of sleep or the fast paced of life, all that is in the past and it was all worth it. Molly is walking (running really), talking a little, eating a lot, turning heads wherever she goes, and letting the whole world know she is here and will not take no for an answer. Oh yeah, she is going to be a nightmare at 13!

Caden and Molly will be quite a pair as they grow older. It is clear that they will often conspire against us, but it is also clear that they will be pillars in each others lives.

Katy (33) has continued to be, well, Katy. Because handling two kids, no sleep, a house, and enough extended family activities to keep anyone busy was not enough, Katy started working again. And since just going back to a job that was waiting for her was too easy, she started a business at home. She is currently selling Arbonne products at a blinding speed and fast making her way up the ranks in this MLM business. It is, of course, of no surprise to all of us that know her that she would succeed at this. It is pretty amazing how fast she is succeeding at it. Katy will likely always work in some capacity. Tis the bane of being married to an over-achiever.

Jon (34) is still working at Surrey Satellite in Denver. The commute has become tolerable and the work more exciting each day. There is a lot of stress and excitement that come with working at a “start-up” company, but he wouldn’t trade it for anything. What will happen this year is anyone’s guess, but whatever it is, it will be interesting.