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.

Reid's Favorites

Way to go everyone on the comments! Reading the numerous contributions Thursday stirred up a lot more memories for me. I appreciate those who took the challenge and highly recommend everyone click on "comments" at the end of the December 18th post to hear what others chimed in. I had totally forgotten the faux green crocodile bedspreads at my grandmother's house! Good times. Wish we were all together in one room--singing carols!

Reid and I sat down before dinner and he offered these answers very directly. Glad I asked! He is so easy to please.

1. Favorite ornament: the golden star

2. Favorite tradition: snow in Ohio

3. Favorite gift: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory video

4. Favorite Christmas meal: bean and cheese burritos

5. Favorite Christmas cookie: the gingerbread man

6. Favorite place to be: the family room watching whatever new DVD I get

7. Favorite memory: singing at Borders

Hacking the Christmas letter

I have a confession to make. A few years ago I hacked the concept of the Christmas letter. I conjured up a fictitious family, fabricated their Christmas letter, embellished it with photos I found online, and sent it anonymously to about 50 friends and family from mailboxes outside San Diego. I did all this intentionally to make people stop and wonder.

To sink the hook...each recipient had a customized line in the first few sentences. "If it wasn't for the _____ from _____ I'm not sure we would have made it through the year." The first blank was their last name and the second space was their town. The content of the letter was designed to start slow and burn hotter as it progressed. To this day, only a few people (my own brothers) figured out that I had sent it.

PS. I sent another phony letter out this year, family name: McDooleys.

Christmas isn't about us. I know many of us "know" that... but we all forget it. I'm not against Christmas letters at all, in fact I love the idea of sharing (otherwise this would just be Andy's Twelve Days of Christmas blog). Let's connect... but let's be as real as possible with each other. We are human, we're in an economic meltdown... maybe... just maybe we're in a liiiitle bit better shape than the Halfords.

got comments?

We must confess, in our zeal to re-invent the Christmas card, we have inadvertently created what Jim is now calling, the Christmas newsletter on steroids! That was not our intent; but it's where we are.....and it's only December 18th. So, at this point, I will take it over the top and give you an assignment. Today's post begs a reply from you.

Beth Moore is my current favorite Bible teacher. She and her daughters posted this Christmas questionnaire and I thought it bore repeating. My mom is infamous for posing a "profound question" at the dinner table which everyone must go around and answer in turn. Since they often fall in the same category as the following, Jim and my jeering response is, "We'll decide whether it's profound or not."

To relieve any pressure, I would simply call these fun for the whole family. You decide how profound you want your answer to be! As Reid often says, "Come on, don't be shy." And as Allie recently told a friend who is fed up with their militaristic soccer coach, "I don't quit." I figure if I can get Jim, Allie, and Reid to reply, that's four more day's posts! Benny would make five. And Christmas is just 7 days away.

Here are mine. Will you give us yours in a comment? Just click on "comments" and share your 7 answers.

1. Favorite ornament

many, but this angel that I've re-glued multiple times because it reminds me of the Neopolitan tree at The Met in New York
2. Favorite tradition

waiting at the top of the stairs at Nana's in Sandusky; my aunts and uncles required all the cousins to do this when we were children so they could turn lights on, put batteries in, start the coffee and get the obligatory photo before we all descended to unwrap presents. The multiple photos capturing it make it all worthwhile in retrospect. (Where are those, anyway?)

3. Favorite gift ever received

cross country skis from Jim because I was NOT expecting them at all and he stretched me to new limits believing my potential for the future; coffee table art books from my mom because they broke from her normally practical nature in a streak of decadence and appreciation of beauty

4. Favorite Christmas meal

turkey with nouveau gourmet variations on the traditional, like brussel sprouts with orange glaze or mashed sweet potatoes and rutabagas or cornbread/sausage/chestnut dressing or pumpkin cheesecake with ginger snap crust

5. Favorite Christmas cookie

powdered pistachio mexican wedding cookies to eat; gingerbread men to look at

6. Favorite place to be

home in our living room Christmas Eve around the fireplace with salade Nicoise each opening one gift

7. Favorite memory

waking up to heavy snow falling outside the windows at the Moriarty's in Chagrin Falls and the exuberant sledding that ensues afterward down their hill

Anticipation is half the fun of any celebration. The other half may be memory.

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.