Christmas 2022

Christmas lights in the park on a mild night after dinner.

A visit to the Red Caboose Motel,

with Sarah, Ronnie, Elisha, Micah, and Acacia, 

after the Sight and Sound production of David.

Young Life Camp with the Colorado Archambaults, almost all of the New England Archambaults, and the Whites.

Testing out new telescopes before it gets dark.

Opening presents, 

and giving presents. 

And lots of good togetherness. 

Thanksgiving 2022

Not being too big to be read to on grandparent laps,

watching the balloons with Dad as an arm rest,

Feasting on food crafted by Aunt Becca,

lounging with cousins,

collecting gratitudes with Aunt Aimee,

decorating the house where your Dad grew up,

creating angels out of Grandpa's ties with Grammy,

sledding with cousins without very much snow,

wearing Great Grandfather's Navy dress uniform,

walking through the woods,

to usher in the Christmas season,

with a helicopter,

and a parade,

before a quiet Sunday evening at home.

Autumn 2022

This fall has been: 

Sushi from conveyor belts,

Bagels and bikes

by the beach,

Ballet for the first time,

and walks in the woods,

where hands are held,

and discoveries are made.

Picking pears,

and trampoline jumping with cousins.

Gathering the leaves with 

an Uncle and a Grandpa,

and building a chocolate haunted house

with friends.

Exploring a marsh,

 

carving a pumpkin,

trick or treating,

and trading Halloween candy.

Jason's 7th Birthday

 

Jason's 7th birthday began with a celebration of the woman who gave birth to him.

Before anyone else in the house was awake, he and I snuggled and talked about his Mama Maria.

We pulled out the photo album with the pictures from when we first met him as an 8 week old.

And when everyone else woke up we had breakfast at the original Dunkin Donuts.

One of my favorite things about this child is how he delights in things.

We spent the rest of the day doing some of his favorite things, including playing firefighters in the backyard with his siblings,

the playground with a friend,

and building a helicopter landing pad out of magnatiles.

A love of trains has expanded to a fascination with helicopters and he said that the remote helicopter Susan gave him made his dreams come true.

Dinner, ice cream and the McDonalds play space with members of his fan club.

The next day his Mama treated us to dinner. I love stepping back and being a witness to the way she tangibly cares for her son.

The third day of his celebration we went to Alton Bay to be with Grammie, Grandpa, Aunts, Uncles and Cousins.

We are all thankful for who you are Jason.

And look forward to many more years of 

adventures with you.