Marianne and I left for Mexico the week it was 14 below zero Chicago - Akumal was warm and wonderful. We had 3 days of grey rainy weather, but when you are barefoot and in shorts, you are not allowed to complain. The rest of the trip was sunny and gorgeous. We snorkeled (I saw my first moray eel - very scary - and reef squid, french angels, blue tang, and all the usual suspects. It was great. Food and drink were excellent and cheap. We visited Xel Ha lagoon, read lots of books, snorkeled in Akumal Bay, and crowded into the beach bar on Inauguration Day to watch Obama take the oath. His speech got a standing O. You may remember that there is a wetland in Akumal that we put in as a memorial for Bob. Marianne put flowers there on our last day.

Now I am home - its really cold! I taking lots of classes and enjoying that - Tai Chi twice a week, yoga, pilates and weights with a trainer once a week, French once a week, a poli Sci course called China's Rise about China in the 21st Century. Also in a book club -reading books about Africa.

Christmas was a huge holiday time - I had a dinner party on the 12th - all Mexican food - to celebrate the feast of the Virgin of Guadelupe, which is the beginning of the Xmas season in Mexico, I had desssert and champagne and gift exchange with my neice Emily, my nephew Tom and their sig others on the 18th. (Tom and Em are Dick's middle sister's kids). On the 19th I had my Tai Chi class for wine and cheese. On the 21st I had Xmas is Chad Laurie and Jack. Laurie made a fabulous strata for lunch. On the 24th I had my usual Xmas Eve buffet for family, friends and orphans, and on Christmas day I had 2 dinners, one at my neighbor and one at Emily's. On Boxing Day, I crashed on the sofa with some holiday movies.

I wish I could see you all. Love Becky

Marianne and Becky go to Mexico

This is a test. My techie friend and I are teaching me to use the blog and upload pix. If this works I will tell you all about the trip in another blog.. Becky

Winter is here in Seattle!

It has been an amazing week here on Cougar Mountain where it has snowed over 12 inches since Thursday! We have been spending our days sledding, decorating and baking which has everyone in the holiday mood and excited about Christmas. We are hopeful that the grocery delivery person can make it up the mountain today to bring fresh provisions since things are beginning to run low. They are forecasting more snow tomorrow night and on into Christmas so it really will be a White Christmas here in Seattle. I am off to hike the trails with the kids. The forest is amazing with all of the snow! Hopefully I will have more photos to post after our outing. Happy holidays to everyone!

Scott, Amy and the Kids

Work is underway!

After months of waiting, we have finally started work on our new house. It has been amazing to see how quickly walls came out, the second floor addition went up, and the roof went on. The visible changes have slowed a bit now that the tradesmen are in...the past week has been spent installing HVAC vents. We are now at a point where we get to make some design choices. We've opted to go with the toilet that claims to be able to flush "a box of golf balls". You never know...

In other news, our temporary house in Northbrook has been great. We've got plenty of room there (Mom and Dad came to visit recently...they may still be here...with the size of our place, it is hard to say for sure) and it is close to school. Laurie and Jack have a longer commute than they are used to, but it is fine for now. We miss you all and hope to see you soon!

Chad

Our Baby's 2

Where does the time go?

Well, there's something about our girls and their ability to encourage the sun to shine for the fun in the backyard garden parties (of the 3 garden birthday parties that we've had, we've had.. oh.. umm.. 3 really ace parties - supported lovingly by family and friends and, of course, the sun. Weather reports were looking less than favourable, but our girls' connection with nature helps to prove the weather man/woman incorrect.

We had a great time! This year, Kizzy's birthday was brought to you by those great friends to parents across the world, Fun and Messy. Specifically, Kizzy came down to unwrap - with the help from Jesame, of course - a water table from us and later that day, GP Jill and GP Donald came around to drop off a much appreciated sandbox. It's amazing just how 1) Wet kids can get despite wearing a 100% waterproof outfit and 2) how sand defies the laws of physics where half the sand content winds up in Kizzy's nappy!! Crazy and amazing... And in case anyone was wondering, the cake was handmade by Dawn - including the fab Winnie the Pooh..

I know we sent around links already to various folk, but just in case you want a second bite of the cherry, here's the link again...

Kizzy turns 2

During an event like this, thoughts will invariably take us back to the time when Kizzy came to us and gave us all a big scare: the fact that when she was born, she weighed less than a bag of sugar at 1lb 9oz and not that i was counting but, 115 days spent at the hospital in the very wonderful staff at the John Radcliffe Special Care Baby Unit.. ga! too much.. But one interesting bit of info is that she came home to us on the day she was due - so after 2 years and loads of support from everyone, this girl continues to grow, is talking more and more and is just lovely.

Love you Kizzy and we look forward to another year and more sunny weather ahead.

toodles for now one and all.. look forward to hearing from you soon.

todd

19 Years and counting!

Today marks 19 years of marriage for Amy and I. Wow! It is almost overwhelming to sit and reflect on all that has happened during that time and how much God has done in our lives since we met 20 years ago. A few interesting statistics during that time:

1) We have moved 12 times and lived in 4 states.
2) We have had 8 children, now ages 17 to 9 mos.
3) We have purchased close to 1000 packs of diapers which amounts to pretty close to $18,000.
4) I have had 16 different jobs with 6 companies.
5) We have graduated from a 850 sq ft 2 Br apt in Baltimore to a 4800 sq ft 5 br home in Issaquah.
6) There were 6 grandkids when we got married and there are now 22 grandkids across both sides of the family.
7) We have been homeschooling for 10 years.
8) I was 135 lbs wet when we got married and I am now 185 lbs on a good day.

Seems like such a short time since we were all doing our best to stay cool under the big white tent at Trenton Road while Dad led us through our vows. There is no way we could have ever guessed what God had in store for us, and how full our lives would be as He poured out blessing upon blessing over the years. I will finish with the scripture that Amy is teaching the kids this week from 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18:

"Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."

We rejoice with Todd and Dawn on this special day as well and give thanks for our entire family who have been there with us through all of the trials and triumphs. We love you all and miss everyone very much!

Scott, Amy and the Kids

Temporary Address/Get Ready for Renovation!

Hey everybody - we've moved! Finally sold our condo so we are embarking on our nearly-year-long construction and renovation process at our new home in NW Evanston. So for the next eight months we are living in Northbrook, Illlinois, home of Chad's school, Glenbrook North High. He'll enjoy a lovely commute of about five minutes, while Jack and I are making the 30 minute trek back to Evanston daily for preschool and work.

So if you want to mail us something, send it to 14 Bridlewood Road, Northbrook IL 60062. Our landline phone has been temporarily disconnected so call our cell phones to reach us. Also we've changed our email to lcjdavidson@gmail.com.

We expect work on the new house to start by September 1 - we'll post photos soon! In the meantime, here are some cute kids: