This year, we got to celebrate Easter with family in TN. We were able to have a long weekend together: play games, go to church, attend a Easter egg hunt, and spend time together out and about. So fun now that everyone in Nate's family lives around Nashville.
Following up on last year, we did some more winter crafts this year. Chase designed Valentine's Day boxes which each had a key that would pop the heart out when inserted. Each key had the initials of each of his classmates.
I also did a 3rd year of embroidery bingo from BonnahCo.. Still didn't win but a fun new theme this year and now I have three embroidery boards hanging at my cubicle.
[Previous years in review: 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013]
This year, we continued the theme of this blog with quite a number of crafts and home improvements. A big craft/design focus of this year was 3D printing thanks to the printer that Ivan gave Chase for Christmas last year. We learned how to use Fusion 360, acquired up to 10 different filament colors, and printed many, many things. I continued my embroidery, Chase did some sewing, and we once again crafted a unique Halloween costume. In terms of home improvements, we fixed our own fence, installed mini-splits, and bought a fancy keyboard/electric piano. Our goal for next year is to get a new couch for our TV room that can fit all three of us. We have a love seat and previously had a treadmill but with us going to the gym regularly, it made sense to give away the treadmill to make more room for seating so we could actually watch a movie together.
Chase just slightly added to his state count with Tennessee, bringing it to 13 (MA, CT, RI, NY, NE, CA, NV, IA, IL, PA, NJ, MD [& DC], TN). Unfortunately, our Europe trip didn't add anything to his count as he'd been to all those places before, so he stands at 13 countries (and 3 continents). Also Chase turned 9. Other than 3D printing, he is very into collecting coins (specifically pennies), solving Rubik's cubes, and knowing esoteric facts. He has enjoyed playing violin at school this year, along with piano and French lessons during the week. He is also still doing chess and Tae Kwon Do. Not shown here are the many, many play dates and trips he has taken with his friends throughout this year.
Finally, we took some updated family photos. 2023 was a very full year -- let's see what 2024 has in store.
Here is an Instagram collage of photos from the year:
Nate's parents moved to TN this summer and then Nate's brother and his family followed in October. Nate's sister and her family was already living there. Therefore, it made sense for us to travel to TN to celebrate Christmas with all of them. We played lots of games and watched a lot of football together. Nate and I had some BBQ and went to the Country Music Hall of Fame Museum. We were able to go to Christmas Eve services at the church Nate's parents and brother attend. We also went to a play place and the Science Museum with all the kids. It was so fun to catch up with everyone for an extended time. Chase got to hang out with all his cousins together and had a great time!! We seemed to have escaped Covid this summer only to all come down with it during this trip, unfortunately. Even almost 4 years later, Covid still seems to be affecting our lives and get togethers.
[Previous trips to NE: 2022, 2021, 2020, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2013]
This year, we decided to join Nate's whole family in Nebraska for Thanksgiving to see his grandmother. It was very fun to see both sides of the family and celebrate Thanksgiving together. There was also some Nebraska football watching, peppernut making, and going to a jumping place together. It was really fun to catch up with family!
[Previous trips to San Diego: Spring 2023, 2021, Fall 2019, Spring 2019, Fall 2017, Spring 2017, beginning of 2017, end of 2015, 2014, 2x in 2013]
This fall, I was able to go to San Diego twice more. In October, my mom had a special birthday party that I flew out to attend. We stayed in Carlsbad near the beach and got some really nice sunsets. We also saw the partial solar eclipse. The party was super fun! In November, I had the opportunity to go to a conference in San Diego. After the conference ended, Sakina flew down for the day to see me and spend the day together. While in San Diego, I also had the chance to catch up with Angela, Stephanie, Terence, Paul, and Kerri, which was super fun. It was great to be able to go to San Diego 3 times this year!
[last year's siphonophore costume]
This year, Chase had a very specific idea for his halloween costume. He memorized all 194 country flags and quizzed himself for weeks leading up to Halloween. He then designed a costume with all the flags together on his sweater and each flag individually on his pants. People could point at any flag and he would tell him the country. To make the costume, we put the flags together on PowerPoint and then printed them on fabric by Spoonflower. We then used two-sided iron on paper to iron on the fabric on the paper and then iron them onto the pants. Chase cut out each flag for the pants and arranged them all before ironing them on. I wish I had a picture of the process but I was busy helping Chase with the iron.
Chase had a lot of fun wearing his costume for his Friday school party, for his school parade, and for trick-or-treating with his friends.
