A & W Weekend 2023

This was the year of frog finding, 

catching,

and sharing. 

Of games,

and puzzles,

with magnificent White Mountain views. 

Some initially reluctant hikers,

who were all convinced by the end.

Of time in the hot tub if you were seven or older, 

and dipping your feet in if you weren't.

And of course, A & W Root beer Floats.

 

Sophia turns 10!

Dear Sophia,

As you hit two digits this year you have already reminded us a few times that you are "no longer a kid" and now a tween! 

You are growing up into such a lovely young lady.

You are a loyal friend to your pack of girls at school, and yet we hear from your teacher Mrs. Celiberti that you make sure that no one feels left out. Keep looking out for the underdogs.  When you get older you will realize that being kind is more important than being in the “in crowd.” Your backpack says “It is cool to be kind,” we pray that you keep that in mind as you approach middle school.

You have taken up ballet this year, and continued with kids choir at church. You continue to love attending the mother/daughter weekend at Camp Berea with mom, and special Bible study time with her when you are home. 

Adults often comment on your confidence in most settings, and we hope that you lean into the identity of knowing that you don’t have to perform, but just be who you are, be curious, and empathetic to those around you. You were created with a purpose for a purpose, and we look forward to helping you explore that over the next few years.

You love to give gifts to those you love, and can’t understand someone who does not want to celebrate someone with a gift. You love to bake, and make up snack plates for any special occasion. I hope that spirit of hospitality continues to grow over time.

You have lots of deep questions about the world these days, and I only hope we can help you make sense of it all. You continue to be a great big sister, often stepping in when one of the twins is having an especially hard time, and being the voice that can help calm them down when your mother and I have not been successful.

This year we are hoping for you to continue to deepen in your relationship with Jason to love him well each day, and that you grow even more confident in yourself as you only have one more year left in elementary school.  

We love you and look forward to learning from your tween wisdom this year!

Daddy

 

Easter 2023

Last Easter celebrated at Grammy and Grandpa's house before it was sold.

And possibly the last time this one was still small enough to fit on his Grammy's lap.

First Easter egg hunt to happen in the snow.

And possibly the last time this one hunted before she becomes an egg hider.

Always the same reason for the Holiday.

J-Joy turns 4!

Dear J-Joy,

You have one of the biggest smiles, full of bright white teeth, that you flash on a regular basis, often while jumping up and down as you run off to grab your favorite stuffed animal, blanket, and/or tutu dress.

You often spin around the house declaring that you are a princess and asking if we like your unicorn headband. My prayer is that you internalize that you are beautiful regardless of the accessories, or the color of your dresses.

This year you have friends at preschool, and have transitioned well between two different teachers at school.  Ms. Molly said that you are a “friend to everyone in the classroom”.

You continue to want to help whenever possible in the kitchen, and will not turn down a chance to be chased.

It has been very sweet to watch your relationship developing with Sophia. I hope that only deepens this year.

You continue to be the best eater in the house, the other night polishing off 4 big tacos while the adults only finished two. And you have started to be a backseat driver, and freely share your opinion with your mother and I if you think we are driving too fast or too slow.

Sometimes when we give you a “no” answer, you say “ok later” as you are certain about what you want.

You welcome an opportunity to say the Pledge of Allegiance, and sing the “The Grand Old Flag,” that you learned at school this year.

We love you so much, and hope that you continue to grow in the frequency that you defer to your younger brother taking a turn, or riding in the middle row in the car.  You are a born leader, but every once in a while it means leading from the back. We cherish those rare moments that you are still enough to snuggle.

Love,

Daddy

 

Littlest J turns 4!

Dear Little J-man,

Spiderman has been your focus this year. When we ask you your favorite food, or color, or book—the answer is most likely to be Spiderman. You love running around the house wearing a Spiderman mask, and jumping from the coffee table to the couch in the living room pretending to shoot webs and fight bad guys.

You have surprised me with your love for singing this year, and deep love for your best two buddies at preschool—Logan and Benjamin.

You and Jason wrestle or chase each other about 80% of the time you are in the same area, with 10% of the time spent building with Legos or Magna-Tiles, and the remaining 10% making each other laugh instead of eating your dinner. While the laughing is cute, you do need to grow by eating more, but at least you have finally made it onto the growth chart this year!

Your preschool teacher- Ms. Lexi said that you are a positive influence in the classroom, and she knows when you are there “in a good way.” As soon as you enter the school every morning you search until you find her so you can give her a running hug.

You love to jump down the fireman’s pole on playgrounds, and play tag, or superheroes. You love any dogs that we cross paths with and want to sleep with your pack of stuffed animal pups—Marty, Marley, and Woofy.  

My prayer for you this year is that you learn the best ways to express your frustrations and develop a love for helping. We love how often you randomly tell us you love us while driving in the car, and we hope to do our best to impress that back on your little heart this year.

Love,

Daddy

 

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.