Holiday Letter 2017

This year we wondered if Facebook updates have made this blog outdated and useless, but somehow compiling how we spent our time this year to share is cathartic.  And while Facebook is part of the fabric of our lives, that’s not true for all of our friends and that you might enjoy a glimpse into our joyful chaos.  So here we go…

Q1 (Jan-March), otherwise known as birthday season in our house!

January we took a long weekend trip to Alexandria, MN @ Arrowwood Resort.  It had a great indoor waterpark and a fantastic sledding hill too.

In February we got to celebrate Blake and Leslie's birthday with a party over the weekend and then by reading to their class and bringing in a treat on their actual birthday.  

Minnesota winters have grown on us throughout the years and this year we even braved frozen Lake Harriet to enjoy a kite festival-  it was cold, but amazing. 

Q2 (April-June)

As the year progressed, we got even more busy!  Drew spent 3 weeks overseas for work visiting India, Hong Kong and the Philippines.  We were all excited to welcome him home. 

We had several formal affairs to attend in the Spring.  Daddy and Leslie went to the Princess Ball and the very next day Krista was escorted by Blake to the Superhero Luncheon. 

Leslie took Dance lessons throughout the year and got a chance to perform for the first time at the spring recital. 

We packed a lot into the early part of summer with our annual visit to Pelican Lake "Up North" in MN where we had beach time, boat time and Leslie even won her heat of the Nisswa Turtle Races!

We had a great time at the Brinly Family Reunion in Kentucky this past June.  It was great watching the kids get to know Krista's cousins kids- they had a great time!  We went to a ball game, had a full day backyard barbecue, visited the Louisville Slugger Museum and got to visit Grandmommy Chamberlain.  One of the highlights was going to a distillery for a Bourbon tasting! When in Kentucky...

Q3 (July-Sept) 

We packed a lot into summer.  Lot's of time swimming (we think in addition to swimming Leslie really is a fan of the snacks mom brings to the pool).  Blake and Leslie also spent a week at the YMCA Kici Yapi Camp- it was fantastic, they slept hard every single night from all the fun. 

 

Fourth of July Parade in Edina

Backyard Campout-  at least until about 3 AM!

Truly Happy campers off to Kici Yapi YMCA Daycamp

 

Safety Break at the pool means snacktime.  Drew has to beg Leslie to share the Pringles.

Drives to the neighborhood bakery became part of the Saturday morning routine.  Mom and Dad got a little jog in to stay close to these speed demons.

Swim Lessons at the Y. 

Drew and Krista got a chance to tour the new Vikings stadium (site of the 2018 Super Bowl).

August brought some unexpected travel- Krista headed to Houston to help get her parents ready for their big move to Kentucky.  She ended up flying out in the midst of Hurricane Harvey and 48 hours later her parents ended up taking on a foot of water in the house.  Krista's brother Scott was able to quickly make it from San Antonio to retrieve them from the second floor and help get them safely to Kentucky.  Meanwhile Krista made a quick flight to Kentucky to close on their new home.  We are so grateful for their safety!

We made it to the MN State Fair for a day before Blake and Leslie started a Montessori Pre-K program where they are flourishing.  Blake is loving math concepts and Leslie is really into creative play.  

 

First day of Pre-K

Krista got to surprise her BFF in Colorado by showing up for her 40th Birthday.  Mount Princeton Hot Springs resort was an amazing respite from a couple of crazy months.  

Q4 (Oct-Dec)

We've tried to slow down a little in Q4, but with almost 5 year olds in school, work, church activities, etc each week really flies by.  We did get a chance to make it out to a pumpkin patch.     Drew got his turn at a 40th birthday celebration and took a weekend trip to Texas to celebrate two of his high school best friends birthday with a camp out.  

 In October we managed to drive to KY to see Krista's parents for a week-  about 12.5 hours door to door- DVD system in the minivan was well-utilized.

Think she's getting him wrapped around her little finger?



  Blake and Leslie (and Drew) really got into Halloween this year too- we had a Mermaid Princess, a Shark and a Daddy Pirate- yes he did steal a lot of candy.

Drew flew threw San Antonio on the way to the campout in Austin.  He also borrowed some camping supplies and the best part was the burnt orange tent - Drew didn't know the color until he was setting it up.  Way to prank an Aggie Scott!

 

 Drew & Krista managed a night away too!  We went down to Lanesboro, MN to a bed and breakfast, night out at a play and nice bikeride (well we did get caught in a rainstorm, but that made it even more memorable!)

As you can see its been a whirlwind of a year!  We're hoping for just as much fun but a little more calm and fewer surprises in 2018.    We wish you a blessed Christmas season and lots of love and laughter in the New Year!