Merry Christmas 2025!

Sam went snowboarding for the first time this year with a schoolmate and loved it. We’re going to have trouble keeping up with him. He also played flag football and had so much fun that we had to buy a set of flags to use at home. Sam is in 2nd grade at our canyon school and enjoying the community that comes from such a small school. The Safety Guard is an unofficial program that Sam started at school, recruiting other students to make sure that everyone was safe and healthy during recess.

Theo is sharing a room with Sam, and while Sam falls asleep immediately upon completing the nightly reading, Theo will tuck Penguin in the crook of his arm and demand continuous “snuggles.” He is in PreK this year and is excited to join Sam at the canyon school next year. Steph and I are also excited at the prospect of one drop off and pick up. He played organized soccer for the first time this year and while he wasn’t always extremely enthusiastic we could usually get him back on the field after only a brief period when he spontaneously ran to the sideline for water or a hug. Lately he has been watching cupcake decorating videos and constantly asks to bake the dessert.

Steph could not be contained to a single country this year. She went to Italy, taking her best friend on a long-promised trip immediately after she was in Canada for the Space Ops conference presenting a well-received paper on her spacecraft. She continues to attend several book clubs, even if it means reading the book last minute. Steph continues to volunteer at W.O.L.F, providing remote support and logistics for the rescue organization.

Chris is still running intermittently, when time and energy allow. Snow was plentiful in spring of 2025, but we’re still waiting for the large falls at the end of the year. Unrelated to the decreased speed with which he shovels, he turned 40 this year and celebrated with a long trip to Michigan, including a rented house right on the Lake Michigan with friends. In his spare time he is a jungle gym for two children and a new puppy (the old puppy is too dignified).