This will be Kai's third Christmas, but the first where he remotely gets what is going on. I wanted to make sure that in addition to being excited about all things Santa (I admit, I may be more excited than he is), that Kai learn a little something about the "reason for the season". So we've been playing with the Nativity scene and reading from his toddler Bible and talking about the birth of Jesus every chance that we get. As sweet as the Christmas story is, it's even sweeter from the mouth of a babe.
Thursday, December 22, 2011
Oh Christmas tree, oh Christmas tree...
Yo and I decided early on this year that we were staying put through Christmas. While we always look forward to being with extended family this time of year, we are excited to experience Christmas as a little nuclear family for the first time. So I felt added pressure this year to make sure that Kai would get to experience all of the Christmas traditions that I loved as a child (and my mom and dad happen to be really good at traditions).
I wasted no time decking my halls. The inside of the house was done the day after Thanksgiving and the outside of the house was lit up and looking festive by the end of that weekend. Mostly I wanted to avoid the task of decorating while supervising Kai and a puppy.
But when a great deal popped up on Living Social, I convinced Yo to let me get a second tree from a local tree farm in Los Gatos.
One of my favorite Christmas memories involves my family trekking to a tree farm in Kansas to cut down our family tree the good ol' fashioned way. My mom was a notorious perfectionist when it came to selecting a tree and we kids were notoriously impatient with the process (especially when cold). By the end of our excursion we kids were bickering and my parents were dealing with the frustration of trying to cut down a tree with a dull, rusty saw. By the time the tree finally came down, none of us could wait to get out of there.
With the tree tied to the top of our minivan, my family hit the highway toward home in stony silence--another family excursion gone awry. I was sitting in the very back of the van and noticed that the tip of the tree was dipping further and further down the rear windshield with each passing mile. I brought this fact to the attention of my parents who were still feeling the chill of frustration and sharply told me that the tree was not falling of of the roof...just as the tree went flying off the roof and rolling in dramatic fashion down the road.
We had not even come to a complete stop when my mom went flying out the passenger door and sprinting down the shoulder of the road in the direction of the tree. The sight of our spirited (and in that moment rather spritely) mom running down the road brought all of us to fits of giggles. We cheered as my 5'2" mom hiked the trunk of our 7.5' tree over her shoulder and dragged it back to our van. With the tree re-secured to the roof, we set off for home again--everyone in a much better mood.
Our trip to the tree farm this year was less eventful than the one I just recounted, but it was still so fun to get out of the city as a family and to do something so...well...traditional.
Mission accomplished. And no, the tree did not fall off the car before we got home...not this time!
I wasted no time decking my halls. The inside of the house was done the day after Thanksgiving and the outside of the house was lit up and looking festive by the end of that weekend. Mostly I wanted to avoid the task of decorating while supervising Kai and a puppy.
But when a great deal popped up on Living Social, I convinced Yo to let me get a second tree from a local tree farm in Los Gatos.
One of my favorite Christmas memories involves my family trekking to a tree farm in Kansas to cut down our family tree the good ol' fashioned way. My mom was a notorious perfectionist when it came to selecting a tree and we kids were notoriously impatient with the process (especially when cold). By the end of our excursion we kids were bickering and my parents were dealing with the frustration of trying to cut down a tree with a dull, rusty saw. By the time the tree finally came down, none of us could wait to get out of there.
With the tree tied to the top of our minivan, my family hit the highway toward home in stony silence--another family excursion gone awry. I was sitting in the very back of the van and noticed that the tip of the tree was dipping further and further down the rear windshield with each passing mile. I brought this fact to the attention of my parents who were still feeling the chill of frustration and sharply told me that the tree was not falling of of the roof...just as the tree went flying off the roof and rolling in dramatic fashion down the road.
We had not even come to a complete stop when my mom went flying out the passenger door and sprinting down the shoulder of the road in the direction of the tree. The sight of our spirited (and in that moment rather spritely) mom running down the road brought all of us to fits of giggles. We cheered as my 5'2" mom hiked the trunk of our 7.5' tree over her shoulder and dragged it back to our van. With the tree re-secured to the roof, we set off for home again--everyone in a much better mood.
Our trip to the tree farm this year was less eventful than the one I just recounted, but it was still so fun to get out of the city as a family and to do something so...well...traditional.
Mission accomplished. And no, the tree did not fall off the car before we got home...not this time!
Season's Greetings
As most of you know, or have probably surmised, I did not get my act together in time to send out a Christmas card this year. I am tempted to reference my bout of illnesses again, but know it's not a real excuse. Who with a kid under 3 hasn't been sick for the better part of the last 2 months? All I can say is that the end of the year simply snuck up on me.
So for Christmas this year I am asking for a one year pass and hope that you'll believe me when I say that although greeting cards have not been pouring out of my house this year, my thoughts have been pouring out to friends and family across the country and around the globe.
If I had gotten around to sending a card or writing a letter to chronicle 2011, this is what I might have shared:
We kicked off 2011 in Norway while watching a storm of fireworks explode over Oslo. A few days later we were back in Pacifica loading up a moving van and heading 45 minutes south to our new home in Sunnyvale.
It's hard to believe that Kai was barely walking or talking then. Heck, he hadn't even grown a respectable head of hair! Now Kai is running, climbing, and jumping with the best of them. As for talking, he does so in paragraphs. I had a proud-mommy moment the other day when Kai said to me, "Mommy, Kai can jump really well."
My dad, the English teacher would be equally proud. Other Kai phrases that keep me smiling are, "I think I'm perfect," (always accompanied by a bashful, but pleased expression) and "Dinosaurs aren't scary. Kai thinks they're cute!" (said with conviction).
Kai is into cars and trucks and trains and tractors and anything else with wheels. He also likes strollers and vacuums and play kitchens. His favorite shows are Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and Curious George. He is a sweet, funny, intelligent and loving little boy.
I started off the year going back to work (almost) full-time at a nursing home in Los Gatos. It felt good to get back in the game, but I quickly learned that there's no such thing as a part time administrator and decided to resign when work was creeping too far into my home time. So as of October I've been doing the mom thing and enjoying it more than I thought I would.
Of course, I haven't been able to let go of work all together. I've tried working part-time, full-time, full days and half and still haven't found the perfect work/life balance. But it doesn't mean that I'm going to stop trying. Since resigning, I have taken on a new venture with a couple of respected colleagues who also happen to be friends and am in the final stages of launching a new business. I'm looking forward to working a very flexible, part time schedule come January and to finally, officially, being my own boss.
Speaking of bosses. Yo continues to kick some serious butt at work. He added another phenomenal survey result to his record at the end of summer and has caught the eye of the big wigs at his corporate office. They've started using him as a consultant at other properties and also to train/mentor other administrators within the company. I couldn't be prouder of him.
I also had a proud moment earlier this year when Yo survived 34 hours of flying and 10 days of traveling abroad with Kai and without me. I know that Yo is an exceptional dad, but it is good for him to know just how well he can handle Kai when he needs to. Kai still talks about flying to Norway with Pappa every time he sees an airplane passing overhead.
Yo hit another significant landmark in a man's life, he became a dog owner. We brought little Oslo, our vivacious and ornery, but eager-to-please Golden Retriever puppy home in the beginning of December. Life has been a little more chaotic ever since, but little Ozzie is learning fast and feeling more like a part of our family every day. Kai isn't totally sure about his canine brother. They have a love-hate relationship at times, but I know that some day soon they will be best friends.
Our year and our message wouldn't feel complete without reflecting for a moment on the blessings that the year has brought us. First and foremost, we are grateful for the people in our lives--for the many friends that we have made and come to love since our move a year ago; for friendships that have endured the challenge of both distance and time; and for our wonderful families who manage to love, support, uplift and strengthen us even from afar.
Finally, I am grateful for the love of a Savior who suffered all things for my sake. I am grateful for His example and grateful for His grace. I am grateful that He lived and grateful that He died upon the cross that we might live again.
Much love and merry Christmas!
Carly and the Andersen Boys
So for Christmas this year I am asking for a one year pass and hope that you'll believe me when I say that although greeting cards have not been pouring out of my house this year, my thoughts have been pouring out to friends and family across the country and around the globe.
If I had gotten around to sending a card or writing a letter to chronicle 2011, this is what I might have shared:
We kicked off 2011 in Norway while watching a storm of fireworks explode over Oslo. A few days later we were back in Pacifica loading up a moving van and heading 45 minutes south to our new home in Sunnyvale.
It's hard to believe that Kai was barely walking or talking then. Heck, he hadn't even grown a respectable head of hair! Now Kai is running, climbing, and jumping with the best of them. As for talking, he does so in paragraphs. I had a proud-mommy moment the other day when Kai said to me, "Mommy, Kai can jump really well."
My dad, the English teacher would be equally proud. Other Kai phrases that keep me smiling are, "I think I'm perfect," (always accompanied by a bashful, but pleased expression) and "Dinosaurs aren't scary. Kai thinks they're cute!" (said with conviction).
Kai is into cars and trucks and trains and tractors and anything else with wheels. He also likes strollers and vacuums and play kitchens. His favorite shows are Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and Curious George. He is a sweet, funny, intelligent and loving little boy.
 |
| January 2011 |
 |
| December 2011 |
I started off the year going back to work (almost) full-time at a nursing home in Los Gatos. It felt good to get back in the game, but I quickly learned that there's no such thing as a part time administrator and decided to resign when work was creeping too far into my home time. So as of October I've been doing the mom thing and enjoying it more than I thought I would.
Speaking of bosses. Yo continues to kick some serious butt at work. He added another phenomenal survey result to his record at the end of summer and has caught the eye of the big wigs at his corporate office. They've started using him as a consultant at other properties and also to train/mentor other administrators within the company. I couldn't be prouder of him.
I also had a proud moment earlier this year when Yo survived 34 hours of flying and 10 days of traveling abroad with Kai and without me. I know that Yo is an exceptional dad, but it is good for him to know just how well he can handle Kai when he needs to. Kai still talks about flying to Norway with Pappa every time he sees an airplane passing overhead.
Yo hit another significant landmark in a man's life, he became a dog owner. We brought little Oslo, our vivacious and ornery, but eager-to-please Golden Retriever puppy home in the beginning of December. Life has been a little more chaotic ever since, but little Ozzie is learning fast and feeling more like a part of our family every day. Kai isn't totally sure about his canine brother. They have a love-hate relationship at times, but I know that some day soon they will be best friends.
Our year and our message wouldn't feel complete without reflecting for a moment on the blessings that the year has brought us. First and foremost, we are grateful for the people in our lives--for the many friends that we have made and come to love since our move a year ago; for friendships that have endured the challenge of both distance and time; and for our wonderful families who manage to love, support, uplift and strengthen us even from afar.
Finally, I am grateful for the love of a Savior who suffered all things for my sake. I am grateful for His example and grateful for His grace. I am grateful that He lived and grateful that He died upon the cross that we might live again.
Much love and merry Christmas!
Carly and the Andersen Boys
A reason for thanks
Well, hello world! I know--it's been a while. In my defense, I've been sick most of December. With back-to-back colds interrupted by a rather memorable stomach flu, I don't feel like I owe any apologies for getting behind on my blog.
What's that you say? What about November?
Good question, whatever did happen to November? Kai's birthday aside, it feels like a big blur. The highlights, lots of gatherings with lots of great friends and lots (and lots, and lots) of turkey.
The low-light? The week of Thanksgiving, I caught a whiff of something foul smelling in our living room. I poked my nose around the couch figuring I'd find a sippy cup with milk residue in it that had rolled under the couch. But there was nothing to be found.
A day later and I was sure I was on the hunt for a stray poopy diaper instead of a sippy cup. I looked everywhere, still nothing. By day three, Yo was catching the scent to, but it still seemed to come and go in waves. By Wednesday evening the smell was not only lingering, but expanding and totally nauseating. That's when we realized that only the rot of flesh could smell like that.
Yo embraced the fact that tracking down the posthumous culprit fell neatly under "man duties" (like taking out the trash, washing the cars, and mowing the lawn). But he was not up for such a nasty job after a long day of work and did not want to poke around in a pitch dark attic. So we went to bed.
Thanksgiving morning we opened our bedroom door and got slapped in the face by a smell so hair-splitting it makes me nauseous to recall. Despite the cold, we opened every window and door in our house, but nothing seemed to help. I resorted to tying a scarf around my face while Yo got suited up for battle.
What's that you say? What about November?
Good question, whatever did happen to November? Kai's birthday aside, it feels like a big blur. The highlights, lots of gatherings with lots of great friends and lots (and lots, and lots) of turkey.
The low-light? The week of Thanksgiving, I caught a whiff of something foul smelling in our living room. I poked my nose around the couch figuring I'd find a sippy cup with milk residue in it that had rolled under the couch. But there was nothing to be found.
A day later and I was sure I was on the hunt for a stray poopy diaper instead of a sippy cup. I looked everywhere, still nothing. By day three, Yo was catching the scent to, but it still seemed to come and go in waves. By Wednesday evening the smell was not only lingering, but expanding and totally nauseating. That's when we realized that only the rot of flesh could smell like that.
Yo embraced the fact that tracking down the posthumous culprit fell neatly under "man duties" (like taking out the trash, washing the cars, and mowing the lawn). But he was not up for such a nasty job after a long day of work and did not want to poke around in a pitch dark attic. So we went to bed.
Thanksgiving morning we opened our bedroom door and got slapped in the face by a smell so hair-splitting it makes me nauseous to recall. Despite the cold, we opened every window and door in our house, but nothing seemed to help. I resorted to tying a scarf around my face while Yo got suited up for battle.
Yes, that's a gas mask--one of the many perks of being friends with a dooms-day-er. And believe me, Yo needed it. Then came the dreaded ascent:
I imagine the bowels of hell look (and smell) much like this:
At first Yo was dreading the successful completion of his mission. But after poking around the attic for more than an hour and coming up empty handed, Yo came down from the attic with a look that was equal parts determined and crazed and proclaimed that he was going to get that Son of a Gun.
An hour later he came down, bag in hand--victorious!
Miraculously the smell dissipated from our house in minutes and was undetectable within an hour. And for that, we were indeed grateful.
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