Year in Review 2000

Foreward- in order for me to locate this entry with greater ease- I am changing the publication date to match the date that I have summarized. In truth- this post was written 2/21/22 as part of my ongoing efforts to switch to a digital format for story telling.  

Y2K- 

Where everything turned out just fine...

In the months (or maybe it was years-I had a new baby-it's all really a blur in terms of what was going on outside of my own little bubble) the world was all a flutter about leaving the 90s and heading into a new century.   Computers would shut down, the world which has come to rely so heavily on technology would come crashing to a halt.  

Yeah...none of that really happened...

But what did happen?  

Well- we continued to adjust to life as a family of 4-

with Thing 2 making a debut in mid 1999

Hubby and I would still try to take time for ourselves...

be it in the snow..

(sidebar-I'm pretty sure this was the last time I went skiing)

or in the sunshine that is Miami

Joining up with college classmates for an ROTC reunion...

and checking out the family market-that Dom's family once owned

(side bar:   this was the only time I believe we would leave the kids home 

while we traveled until they were old enough to be on their own.)

I am forever grateful for this angel 

who encouraged us to leave the Things in her care..

She took the secret to her grave- but I'm pretty sure

that Bully Boy took first steps while we were gone...

as Thing 2 was just a little too proficient that first time 

we watched the steps taken just days after our return-

A good mom knows that moms want to be the first to see those steps-

Judy was a wise one that I miss dearly!  

Besides mastering the task of walking- This Thing mastered

the art of posing for pictures- be it with  Spring flowers...

or wearing of the green...

From Grandma to 

to Great-grandma

From an "Auntie" close to  home...

to great-aunties back in Wisconsin...

Ok- sometimes you reach your saturation point and nod off for a snooze...

You clearly are someONE with a cheerful disposition!  

SPEAKING OF THINGS-

what about Thing 1

This one hit the mean streets of Park View...

With a little technical support from his Pit Crew- Dom

With his continued work on his autism, motor-planning and sequencing didn't come naturally-hence the duct-tape on the pedals.  VOILA-problem solved...

No matter the challenges- we love seeing this little fella take on the role of 

BIG BROTHER with kindness and compassion...

Sharing his finds at the annual Easter Egg Hunt.

to letting his brother hog the popcorn bowl..

Well, maybe not always kind-when he blamed the Baby for the question of 

Who Tooted? 

MAKING FRIENDS

The Things made new friends...

With a trip to Leavenworth Kansas to meet  the Halls

Dom and Larry enjoyed getting a chance to catch up-or geek out--

with these two its one in the same...

Another trip back East...

taking the time to catch up with former co-workers at Primus Clinic...

connecting with a college mentor...

Thing 1 helps The Colonel navigate the complexities of the remote

while Thing 2 manages to bring out the  kid in the colonel...

Childhood friends exchange parenting tips-with Heidi expecting her first one "any day now"

and connecting a co-worker now friend-  

We would also use this trip to coordinate the sale of our townhome in VA-

putting the final stamp on ending the chapter of our lives in NoVA

CONNECTING WITH EXTENDED FAMILY

We knew that when we decided to live in "neutral" territory (with neither Martha's family nor Dom's within a 2 state minimum), if we want the Things to know their extended family- we'd need to take on some travel.   

And take it on we did..

The cousins connect while cruising the mighty Mississippi...

And  on the plaid couch where cousins have 

connected for 2 generations now..

Grandpa Richard was kind enough to host 

a family and friends gathering at the Granum Farm... 

Giving us all a chance to catch up..

Share hugs 

and exchange stories..

While taking time to swing in the hammock

and go for a spin in the tractor..

(Thing 1 wasn't too sure about this farm adventure..)

Westward  Bound

We heard Grandpa needed some computer tech support...so of course

Thing 1 was ready to assist..

Nah- Dom was fortunate to work for a company that had their home office

not far from his folks-

Ever the multi-tasker-we joined Dom while he worked

to catch up with the California Changs..

Thrilled to discover an Arthur exhibit at the San Jose Children's museum

and affordable amusements at Happy Hollow

while finding time to spend with Dom's siblings.

All in all...it was a year to remember...

Thanks for joining us on this ride..

Year in Review: 1999

Foreward- in order for me to locate this entry with greater ease- I am changing the publication date to match the date that I have summarized. In truth- this post was written 6/7/2024 as part of my ongoing efforts to switch to a digital format for story telling.  

 RIGHT NOW

I'm listening to a little voice that says "you have got to get back to THE project."  Oh come on, don't play dumb- you know exactly which project I am talking about- grumbled the voice with more irritation.  You know- that project- the one where you commit to reducing the volume of scrapbooks and transfer some of the photos and stories to a digital format.   

No more excuses- it is time to grab the next album in the queue, dust off the scanner and let's get it done.  The creative juices will start to flow- because ladies and gentlemen it is time that we 

PARTY LIKE IT'S 1999

We'd start the year with a little secret...

Oh dear what could it possibly be?

Nope it wasn't that this shaggy Thing 

would be tortured with his first haircut in January..

Ooo..I think I know shouted our only Thing..

I get to see Auntie Kelly..

and Cousin Greg and Auntie Laura..

Why yes- that was true- 

As we would head to Wisconsin in the spring to visit family

especially Great Uncle Royal...

he could probably use a hug from this Thing

 as his mom had just died

There would be more  cuddles and art lessons from Uncle Obie

and some giggle time with "the girls in the Falls"

There would be some old fashioned fun with 

Grandpa and Tom Kohl

as we all reminisced of the good old days...

As we waited (sometimes impatiently) for the Secret to arrive- 

There would be company to host

Well, Hello Bantas..

We'd take them out to see some Red Rocks..

which offered plenty of space for this active toddler to burn off some steam

Papa George would prove to be a very good guest..

as he shared stories

and tried to steal snacks..

from this not very amused Thing

We'd go for a pony ride...

and maybe go for a car ride

with the favorite (ok, only) cousin..

There would be bubbles to blow..

and bones to heal 

As we rolled into August 

Is it time- yet

pouted this Toddler Thing

Patience my son- it's almost time..

for this family trio

to become a party of four...

And while I  would quickly  discover I had my hands plenty full..

I was young enough to keep  the party going strong all the way

 through to the final countdown of 1999...

We'd baptize the newest Thing..

and take a trip on a train..

which was so much fun..

it lulled both Things to sleep..

We'd summit Pikes Peak..

and make a pass at Loveland..

Thing 1 would find ways to escape the stress of being

the helpful older brother..

who am I kidding- very little actual help was offered, and instead..

he perfected what has become  his lifelong skill

as a master nester.

Moving into the holiday season...it would soon be time to introduce the new kid

to Great Aunt Sue..

along with the rest of the crew..

and what better way to wrap up this exciting year..

than a Lish-inspired Theme party..

hosted by the Power Couple of Parkview- E & J

and their darling daughters...A& V

We'd dance like no one was watching..

and hope for the best...

as we turned the page to a new year!

Until next time...

just keep plugging away at the task at hand!