2010

We welcome 2010 with much gratitude, and reflect upon all of the blessings of 2009.

First, we are grateful for our wonderful neighborhood, and most of all, great neighbors. This year, neighbors have graced our front porch with gifts ranging from delectable cookies to a nightstand! (No, that is not a misprint. A nightstand. Which perfectly matches the one we have in our bedroom. Incredible, no?) Our Christmas Eve neighborly offering was a wrapped present for Greta, with love from Shane, Alison, and Henry. Inside: rib bones. AHHMAZING!


Second, I am grateful for my new favorite barista: moi! And to my lovely husband for the indulgent --but perfect-- gift for me this Christmas. Latte, anyone?


Third, I am grateful for an extended family which embraces all of us despite the occasional breaking of a glass (we owe you, J&M!) and adores dogs as much as we do. Yes, the Buck pooches did all receive the gift of prime rib this holiday season! (And perhaps even saved a morsel for little Carter, who mistakenly thought for a moment that this gathering was the appropriate line for dinner.)

Fourth, I am utterly in debt to my own personal cleaning staff. (What are you gaping at? Doesn't your cleaning staff wear spandex cycling kits from time to time, also?)

And, finally, for smiling, happy children (in matching Irish sweaters, nonetheless!), because without them life would be terribly dull.
Oh, yes, we are blessed. Happy 2010 to all of our loved ones!

Snowy Surprise

This afternoon, we had the most incredible surprise of gorgeous giant snowflakes! Those lovelies continued to fall gently around us for hours, and we took advantage of every moment. Our neighbor pals came out and joined us, and the kids enjoyed impromptu snowball fights, sled rides, and even ring-around-the-rosy!

And somehow, Curtis the Brave even managed to ride his bike home through the snow.

Ornate Offerings to the Cookie Gods

Mary and a few pals descended upon our kitchen to decorate holiday cookies. And the result was the tallest, heaviest, most ornate cookies you've ever laid eyes upon!

Exactly as it should be for a threesome of five-year-olds.

A little game called catch-up

I promise we haven't painted our children purple or shaved their heads. You must be wondering, given the span of time that has gone by without posting any photos. But, no, it's just that life has been full. Of good things, of course.

So, first, a long-awaited Halloween picture. Mary and Lucy's costumes were made by none other than the amazing Grandma Buck! Here they are at the Monster March with their pal Ellery.

Next, a snapshot from the girls' first "Kiddie-cross" bike race at one of Curtis' weekly cyclocross races. Mary was quite competitive, even in those silly pink snow boots!

And, for laughs, a photo of Lucy keeping herself "quiet and busy" while I was on a conference call! Love the look? You should have seen her before she washed her face!

A picture of one crowded backseat -- Uncle Ryan with the girls (and pooches) over Thanksgiving in Bend.

Next, a snapshot from Mary's Nutcracker recital from her first (and possibly last) ballet class. She performed well and maybe even enjoyed herself despite being placed in the wrong position in the line-up during the performance.

Fourth, a photo of our birthday celebration with Papa Loeb! His granddaughters sure loved helping blow out those candles.

And finally, a shot from our magical adventure on the Polar Express. Yes, it is beginning to look a lot like Christmas around here.

Obviously!

So there I was, sitting in front of my non-responding computer, puzzled, when I muttered: "Why oh why is my laptop frozen?"

Mary, standing behind me, piped up: "I know why."

Me: "You do?"

Mary: "Of course I know why. Because it's cold!"

Me: "Oh, aren't you clever?"

Mary: "Well, not really. It's pretty obvious. Why else would it be frozen?"