To a Fantastic 2015
Just in time we got this website back up and running. We are working to fill-in the last 6 months, but for now we can talk about this wonderful year for the Chapmans. Hopefully by the time I finish this letter the links I have put in here all work! I think this year instead of me trying to do this chronologically, I will just write as things pop in my head.
Let’s start with travel. Started with our average allotment of getting out there and ended with big surprise that really got us out there. Oregon dominated a chunk of our trips this year with three total times to the left coast. First was in Spring (Oregon 1); this was for fun (and some work to help out the ‘rents). The second trip was in summer (Oregon 2); Katy and the kids were out first starting the big move for Kay and Gerry. Jon joined later and helped complete the transition from Neskowin to Portland. The last trip was (Oregon 3) was a girls trip for Katy and Molly...all fun. Other trips this year included a camping trip to Rocky Mountain National Park with grandpa (Camping) and an epic trip to South Dakota to visit The Mueller clan (South Dakota). Epic because the kids compared this trip to the Disney Cruises! Last, and most unexpected was our European get away (Germany). Go figure the biggest trip of the year was the least expected or planned.
On to the household. There are always projects and plans, but this year was took the cake. It took exactly one year for us to realize we had a terrible kitchen. It took 9 more years to do something about it. All new kitchen, and, while we were out it, new bathroom, floors, ceilings, Caden room, hot-tub. Just really the whole main floor. We lived for 2 months out of the garage and basement (and on the generosity of our neighbors). What did we miss the most? Running water. Anyway, here is the project (The Kitchen).
And now to the important parts, the family. Molly is a big 5 year old now. And I mean big. As you have seen on this website (here), Molly started on synthetic growth hormones to handle her growth hormone deficiencies. This has not been a blast what with giving her a shot in the butt 6 nights a week (and looking to do this for the next 10-15 years), but it has absolutely proven its value. Our little girl has grown 6” and 8 lbs in 10 months, scary fast. Happy our insurance is covering the expensive drugs, but wish it would cover the clothing bill! Enough about that, Molly is still the wonderful, spirited handful she has always been. She is heavily into gymnastics starting a pre-competitive team in January. She has continued dancing and is in Pre-K this year. Beautiful as ever, Molly is still turning heads and wowing people with how smart she is and, this just in, is this years new Spirit Queen!
Caden is now 8 and into sports...but not like a normal 8 year old is into sports but like how Bob Costas, Bo Jackson, or Lebron James is into sports. It is his single focus in life to play them all...at the same time. He not only spends hours outside doing them, he reads all about them to get up on history and statistics. Caden hates TV, but makes special exceptions for his Broncos or the CU Buffalos. When he is not “sporting” you might find him catching up on Star Wars or Harry Potter. All this while still doing great in second grade. He reads proficiently now and continues to enjoy math and science. Skiing is up next; Caden and Molly will be taking lessons up at Winter Park for 5 consecutive weekends...Caden is pumped (Molly...eh).
As for the parents we continue with the same jobs (Jon at LGS and Katy with Arbonne) and make our family the focus of our efforts. There have been more Tough Mudders, epic parties, weekend adventures and home improvements not included in this update that keep us busy and very happy.
This website will continue to serve to share our adventures (in some capacity) if you wish to explore, but we hope to share them with you (our friends and family) directly where we can. We hope this finds you well and looking forward to a prosperous 2016 surrounded by loved ones.
All our love: Jon, Katy, Caden and Molly