It's already 2017 for our East Coast family, so it's about time that we publish our annual holiday "family newsletter." This is the first year that we haven't diligently mailed out a hard copy. It's partly because this year it harder to put into words. But as the year quickly comes to a close, I can't help but want to reflect and capture the highlights for the family history blog. We especially want to remember our epic Oregon National Parks road trip.
After moving to Astoria the previous summer, we are finally feeling settled and love our beautiful little city. It was only after we had past the one year mark and enrolled the kids back in school that I really realized how stressful the moving transition had been for us all. It feels so much more relaxing to know our way around our own life without all the unknowns.
The kids have grown tremendously since we moved, and Kieran passed the five foot mark not long after turning 10 (he's a solid 115 pounds too!). It sure won't be too many years until he's taller than us. Kieran is still big into soccer and played in a competitive league that required us to travel to the Portland area nearly every weekend in the fall. He especially loves playing goalie and made some great friends. Since soccer ended, he's joined a ROV team through the Columbia River Maritime Museum, and they'll be competing in April. He's the team's CFO and he's enjoying learning in new ways. Probably the most memorable part of the year was going to L.A. for the Airbnb Open. After having read all one million words of Harry Potter, I really wanted to take him to the new Harry Potter World before he was "too old." It's hard to believe that he'll be in middle school by the fall...
Makenna is blossoming as well and loves her second grade teacher, Ms. Olson. Makenna had a great soccer season and scored several of the best goals. Over the winter break she remembered how much she loves swimming. Makenna is still very social and loves listening to pop music, especially Katy Perry. Makenna is a fantastic big sister (and becoming a better middle sister). She still loves art and just recently started drawing the cutest owls. Makenna is still a fashionista and loves her owl dresses. She has a eagerness and joy that we hope won't ever fade.
Teagan is still a joy as well, even though she's certainly insisting on her independence since turning three. She and Makenna are the best of sisters and play really well together. Teagan loves her preschools and since September has split her time between Peace Learning Center and Grace Episcopal. Teagan has learned some social skills from her sister and has made some great friends who she clearly adores. Teagan looooves playing with puzzles and already counts past ten and recognizes most of her letters. She got a baby doll for Christmas that fits perfectly in her arms and has a diaper bag with accessories, and it's so much fun watching her be a mama. Makenna quickly offered to serve as the Nanny and loves the doll just as much. It's so much fun that they have each other.
Kevin finally feels at home career-wise and loves his role as Community Development Director for the City of Astoria. After a year and a half, it's fun to start to see his work making a difference and there is much is progress, with a new economic development strategy dubbed Advance Astoria, that is sure to create positive changes in the community. The most memorable event of the year was when Kevin dressed up in drag for the Jane Barnes Review, where he prowled down the catwalk to Katy Perry's Roar. He earned the most dollars thrown at him for the fundraiser for the Astoria Downtown Historic District Association, and it was hilarious to see him as never before. Kevin was also won an award from the Oregon Chapter of the American Planning Association for his leadership of the Parks Master Plan.
This past year is hard to put into words for me personally, as I've struggled to redefine myself/my career and have gone through a serious I'm-turning-40 phase. I've had more ideas than I can even manage, haven't wanted to limit my possibilities, but have still felt limited/overwhelmed about how to make all my dreams a reality. It's been a year of tremendous spiritual growth. My year of searching was an adventurous one, which led me to launch Yippie Chicks with Miel, road trip to the Wallowas for the five year anniversary of Wally's death to scatter his and our Grandpa Ellis' ashes (we still have a tiny bit left to bring to Wales someday...), our annual pilgrimage to the Oregon Country Fair, serving as Miel's Best Twin at her wedding, driving the whole California coast together to go to BlogHer, traveling to the Airbnb Open in L.A. again in November (we actually hadn't taken a trip together college, which the exception of me visiting Miel in Peace Corps, so we used 2016 to make up for lost time). I also did an online training called Mindful Youtube University and a teacher training to teach Imagination Yoga to kids, both which were truly inspiring and I look forward to incorporating into my work. As I plan for 2017, I'm eager to finally hone in on how I want to serve my new community (and I have a few applications in the works and an interview next week...wish me luck).
With all my big dreams that have often seemed incompatible with Kevin, we've been going through marriage counseling. After feeling pretty hopeless, I'm grateful to feel progress and I'm beginning to feel hopeful that we can both accept and appreciate each other in the new year and beyond.
OK, with five minutes left in the year, it's time to wrap up this year end reflection. I truly hope that this new year brings you peace, love and prosperity. I also hope to meet/host many of you in Astoria in 2017.
Wishing you Peace,
Darcy
West Coast Cronin Clan
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