2008 in Review: Winter and Summer addendum

Benny feels he's blending into the woodwork and hasn't been featured nearly enough in this photo review. He has a point. Truth be told, our faithful mutt could use more exercise and more brushing. To his credit, he has learned to be content in all things.







Allie gets home after dark this winter because of soccer. Jim left work early one day to get a shot of her recent game. She loves the endorphin rush that follows each practice if not the demanding coaches who keep them conditioning rain or shine.















As Reid mentioned in his favorites, Borders bookstore invited The Kingsmen for a second gig, to play their Holiday Party. Reid and his buds brought the crowd some Christmas cheer and had them singing carols. He's stepped into the self-appointed role of "front man," introducing each song and band member from the microphone. His latest tactic is to begin clapping during the last measure of each song as if to cue the audience that it is time they show their appreciation. Wonder where he got this leadership skill?


















Here's another great shot from Jim's Camera Bag iphone app. Reid and The Kingsmen played All These Things that I've Done by The Killers at all 3 of our services at church last Sunday. It was an incredible day of experiencing how the Holy Spirit works through resonance; not so much what was said but how it all worked together was powerful. The message by our Pastor Josh, an introduction by Angela Neve, the advent reading Allie did, and the lyrics of this secular song moved like sound waves to illustrate the Advent Conspiracy call to "love all." Truly amazing and masterminded by a God worth yielding to.


As we draw this Christmas Countdown blog to a close I must admit to finding gaps, edits, and multiple ways to rework it...maybe next year? Most notably, I made reference to the Moriarty Family Reunion in Hatteras but never illustrated it. It was a week well worth the decade-long wait to get everyone together in four houses along the Outer Banks. The overabundance of photos taken that week eluded me until now, although I am confident they are stored for eternity on Shutterfly?*! (Turns out they were on Jim's computer.) So, in the spirit of an Endless Summer, I'll conclude the photo montage with these lost and found shots of our week on the Atlantic.







































Jim gave everyone tattoos to celebrate the pirate lore of the region; I led a kayak expedition fit for foolhardy die-hards(and took most of the pictures so I'm not in them!).

2008 in Review: Fall continued...

Jim and I get to go out once in awhile now that the kids are staying home alone. This was a fun outdoor wedding overlooking the Pacific. Use your imagination....











Jim continues to thrive in his high profile job as Executive Director of Surfrider Foundation. I bought three frames and hung his smiling face from the various publications in which he's been featured recently. He commanded me to remove from the family room wall immediately. Not his style, but we are proud of him!

















He also keeps a low profile at home, especially after the international travel which continues to punctuate our year.

Like Allie, Reid is at a new school. He's made an awesome transition riding the bus and doing homework diligently. He posed with his awesome case manager at back to school night.













I had hoped by now to have outgrown Halloween but instead Allie actually wore her costume to school for the first time. I guess the Cinderella story is timeless. Jim took this early morning shot with one of his many iphone apps.

2008 in Review: Fall

This September Allie started at a new private high school in our area, Pacific Ridge. She is loving the increased challenge across the board. Their hallmarks are academic excellence, ethical responsibility, and global engagement. Her faith is growing in new ways (despite leaving the Christian school) as are her soccer skills, dramatic reading, Harkness discussion ability and writing proficiency.















Which do you prefer, the spiffy new uniform or the Jack Johnson tour t-shirt and earbuds?
















We spent a weekend up in the mountains with Benny.

Andrea and her mom celebrated their November birthdays at Lake Austin Spa. We did not wear towels the entire time--just when paparazzi approached. When I received the following photos on my phone, I figured Jim must have everything under control at home.

Our year is sprinkled with musical events, like this San Diego Youth Symphony concert in October.


Allie is there in the white blouse, second to last row! See her with the flute?

Reid performed at the San Diego Walk Now for Autism event with his band, The Kingsmen, as well as with the In Harmony Band, Kibbles Rockin' Clubhouse and as a soloist. He can't get enough time in front of an audience so says yes to everyone who asks.

Including the music director at our church! We are grateful for his encouragement and interest in the band. He made it possible for them to record a CD in the sanctuary (above, Reid must have goofed) and play as guests during Advent at all three services. He recognizes the unique message these guys deliver especially in a church setting. Check them out on www.myspace.com/kingsmensandiego

2008 in Review: Summer

We enjoyed some visitors over the summer and a trip to Hatteras for a Moriarty family reunion.


It can be dangerous to ask for a haircut from Uncle Jim. Jim's look-alike nephew, Pat is brave!

The hair cutting turned into a group experience and they rinsed the loose hairs off in the ocean. Around here we call it a "Jack Johnson cut." A life thrill for all of us was being backstage when he came to town. Only Reid has proof!

Another nephew, Will, came out for some surf lessons and to visit out local haunts. Allie's heard this speech before!








It was Andrea's brother, David's birthday while they were here.

2008 in Review: Reid's Spring

Reid is in a band called The Kingsmen with 3 other guys his age. They performed at Borders bookstore to an audience of many of his teachers, friends, and intrigued shoppers. The manager invited them back for their in-store Holiday Party so, we considered it a success! Reid's at the keyboard. (above)

Another song at the same Borders gig. Very apparent that night was Reid's leadership skill. He likes to start the guys off and is pretty adept at working the crowd too.

Last Easter morning, Reid asked our Pastor Josh to baptize him (as he had seen Allie do the previous October). Soon after, we gathered for a glorious Saturday morning at the beach to witness his public profession of faith including a song he'd written with his piano teacher.

Not a bad family portrait--no balloons, just watermelon which is safe for seals.

This is Reid's favorite shot of what he saw when he emerged from the water--everyone cheering! He often sleeps with it and carries it to school.

The House of Blues Gospel Brunch for Father's Day was memorable. Jim joined all the dads on stage to rock out with these ladies. Reid caught them afterwards for a photo!


In June, we had to say goodbye to Carla. She spent the year back here in San Diego getting another Master's degree. She is home with Sean now, having their first baby and waiting for God to open a door for them to return together to the States.

2008 in Review: Allie's Spring

Allie went to Washington DC with her 8th grade class from Santa Fe Christian Middle School. Here she is with her best pals. She is the one in the navy pea coat. Friends are what she misses most about the school.
























Allie loves her flute, plays it morning, noon and night. Guffaw! Well, this morning she did anyway. Her 8th Grade Graduation was more ceremonial than either Jim or I remembered from our public schools. A meaningful conclusion to her 3 years at SFC.


A graduation party followed afterwards. She is in the red v-neck. There was a good boy/girl ratio at this school, for the boys!



Almost the day after graduation, Allie left on a backpacking trip to Yellowstone National Park and the Grand Tetons led by two of her teachers. She is on the far right. These girls are bonded for life after their experiences and some inclement weather!

Book Recommendation for when school's out

The best Christmas book I've ever read is The Best Christmas Pageant Ever by Barbara Robinson. If you take your coffee black, you'll love the brutal honesty of this hilarious recounting of a church nativity pageant. No cream in this one, nor sugar or sweetener. The church ladies are aghast but, nonetheless blessed, when the Herdman children are cast in lead roles as Mary an Joseph. Not because they're the best actors! They show up for the free donuts and weasel their way into the auditions by intimidating the likely picks from trying out!

It is an irreligious hoot to read aloud. I guarantee you will recognize some people from your own church community in the fictional characterizations. (Don't settle for the movie which doesn't compare.) Check your library used book nook; they are sure to have a copy for under $1. I consider it doctrinally sound humor!

Keep it real! Let's not pretend any of us are anything but a mess! Who do we think we are fooling? Jesus, fully God and fully human, was born to die for our very real sins. It's in dying to ourselves that we live in Him.

2008 in Review: Winter

Last year we left the day after Christmas to redeem my mom's gift to us: a ski week in Deer Valley. It was a great time in the snow with cousins made bittersweet by the fact that Jim could not ski so soon after his broken bones. He and Reid (who has just about had it with all the clothing and gear) had a lot of bonding time taxiing to the base lodge and picking up groceries.

Group shot just before the first cousins got picked up for the airport. Allie's in light blue. Reid was elsewhere. (above) Below, Reid and Allie flank my mom on the left.


How many family members can you fit in a hot tub was the question. Who could get there first was the competition that ensued. It was right on the balcony of our bedroom so Andrea was a frequent winner. Did Allie forget to pack her suit? Not sure why she's wearing a shirt in there.