Christmas Greetings 2022
Greetings,
2022 - Year of the new kitchen!
Reflecting on 2022, it seems like it blew by us and time feels like it is going too fast. Although in the thick of remodeling the kitchen this year it did feel like we would be living in the basement forever. We're all grateful for many things this year and Patrick is thankful for a patient family who put up with a lot of inconvenience while construction was underway.
Our first floor was made unlivable with dust and debris the first week of April. In late August, after the four of us had been living, cooking, eating and cleaning in the basement, we were able to return back upstairs. We will not miss cooking on a single burner on the basement bar and hand washing every fork, knife and spoon in the utility tub. While there are some modern conveniences, the best part is being more present with the kids every morning while they sit at the island. We can all converse while Becky is making lunches and Patrick makes breakfast before the walk to school.
Despite the remodel effort there was no slowing down on travel, friends and family gatherings as well as indoor and outdoor events. After the Covid restrictions we still felt like we could not say no to anything. We are eternally grateful to enjoy life as it was is 2022, frenetic by design, enjoying everything we can in this period of youth, health and happiness.
Becky is now in her 4th year at Lion's Park Elementary in Mt. Prospect. When not pushing her 3rd graders to excel she's been busy on the board of Friends of Peirce, supporting Delilah and Patterson's school. She also inspired the family into a regular schedule of volunteering at Care For Real, an organization supporting those in need on the northside of Chicago. One of her favorite moments of 2022 was exhaling after last school year with friends in Mexico . . .
Patrick keeps plugging away at Insight Inc helping clients with data & AI projects. He also managed to gain 5 months of general contracting experience working nights to complete the kitchen. 2022 was a dream snowboarding year for him with Mt Bohemia in Upper Michigan getting 22" of snow when he was there. As well as taking a trip with his friends to Revelstoke in British Columbia.
Delilah is in 5th grade at Peirce Elementary. She is as busy as ever with cheer, acting, piano and Girl Scouts. She just wrapped up a performance as Tiny Tim and is practicing now on songs for Seussical. During her down time you will find her reading and drawing all things Harry Potter. She was a very convincing Luna Lovegood (a character from Harry Potter) for Halloween.
Patterson is in 3rd grade at Peirce Elementary. He loves jokes, laughing and there is not a friend he won't make. Baseball kept him busy in the Summer and Fall and he is digging indoor soccer this Winter. He is working on his "Totin' Chip" in Cub Scouts by whittling a bar of soap with a pocketknife. He will claim to anyone that he can "dog walk you at Fortnite no cap". In his down time when not playing Fortnite you will find him reading graphic novels.
Lucky will turn two in January and she is still mad about frisbees, balls and chewing up the mail when it comes through the slot. As soon as one of us rolls over in the morning, she is there, nudging you out of bed to go play. She loves the water and a sprint down a Lake Michigan beach but her favorite place is the cabin. There she can sprint endlessly down dirt roads and trails and she can find a new stick at every turn.
Other choice moments we are grateful for in 2022:
- Getting back to Florida with Grammy, Tess, Tyler and kids on Spring Break and spending a day at Universal Studios.
- Exploring Lake Superior by kayak at Pictured Rock National Lakeshore.
- Spending time at Sister Lakes in Michigan with grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins . . swimming, eating ice cream and rollerskating.
- Spending time in Wisconsin. At the cabin with Grandpa Tom, family and friends, skiing, river floating, hiking and kayaking. At Devil's Lake and Door County with friends and their children.
- Concerts! So many friend reunions (we love and miss you all) while at Phish @ Alpine and Widespread Panic @ Riverside. May they never end! Sacred Rose festival was cool too. War on Drugs, Dead, Gorillaz, Billy Strings, Jason Isbell, DBT, and JRAD. It was a good year for music!
- Family sleep over at the Museum of Science and Industry.
- Patterson and Patrick went to Lambeau with friends to see Jets @ Packers. Poor result for the Pack but Patterson and friends had an amazing time playing football in the parking lot.
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