Merry Christmas from the
Ridays!
It’s time to review the
year and to send a little update on what we’ve been up to. Some highlights from
2014, in no particular order, or perhaps some resemblance of chronological
order: J
- Holding a Red-tailed
Hawk. We were on a Sunday drive and somebody at a park was there with his hawk.
He was one of very few licensed hawk handlers in our state. Awesome!
- Heathcliffe made lots of
delicious maple syrup from trees in our yard
- Ephraim’s Alternative
“Mona Lisa” art was on display at a local pizza restaurant.
- Heathcliffe, Jen &
boys got to learn how to drive motorcycles with some family friends. It was
great.
- Great Grandma Bertha
(Jen’s Grandma) died peacefully at Aunt Jana’s home after a battle with
congestive heart failure. Jana’s loving care for Grandma for several years was
truly amazing and a beautiful act of love.
- Grandma Johnson taught
Azael and Ephraim how to drive in their old beater pick-up.
- Heathcliffe & Jen
celebrated their 15th anniversary. It falls on the summer solstice,
so we celebrated with friends around a bonfire.
- The 17-year cicadas came
out while at a family get-together in Springbrook, Iowa. Heathcliffe measured
the volume at 90 dB.
- Ephraim started Middle
School. Azael and Ephraim both participated in Middle School drama performances
and did a great job.
- We did some
time-traveling in the Tardis (at Epic Systems near our home) with some good
friends.
- All three boys had fun
at scout camps this summer.
- Heathcliffe & kids
started building a tree house. It’s not done, but maybe in 2015 we’ll report
that it’s finished. J
- Azael flew alone to
visit his grandparents Miha & BJ, Aunt Glummie, Uncle Cosimo & cousins
Wayra & Indra in Switzerland. He had
a great 3 weeks there.
- Lorelai learned to sew
(with a kit) and made her own stuffed animal cat all by herself. She is
diligent.
- We visited the Apostle Islands
and camped on Madeline Island. You can only take a ferry to get to the island.
It was wonderful and so relaxing.
- We visited Nauvoo again
and enjoyed the horse rides, blacksmith, temple and more.
- Jane started 4K and was
very excited. Her first bus ride was scary, but on day 2 she never looked back
and has sprinted to get on the bus ever since.
- Cora turned 1. She is
the happiest baby and everyone adores her and picks her up/plays with her every
chance they can.
Life is busy and full, but
it seems that the simplest things in life, including time spent with family and
friends, give us the greatest pleasure. We wish you a joyous holiday season and
an inspiring 2015.
Love,
Heathcliffe, Jen, Azael,
Ephraim, Silas, Lorelai, Jane & Cora
