Dearest friends and family,

This review has been a way for our family to remember the events of the past year and mark the passing of time.  Historically, the idea had been to provide extra content for kin who might not necessarily have access to social media to stay abreast of our lives with the yearly holiday card update, but my tendency to focus on maximalist positive happenings made some liken the summary to a “brag sheet”, which was not the intent. So, here I am on dangerous ground…I don’t have to fit my summary in super fine print on a 5×7” card, and by scanning the QR code, I have a willing audience! Mua ha ha ha!  In all seriousness, I honestly enjoy writing and swirling the thoughts of the year around in my mouth like a good scotch.  If you’re in the mood, pull up a comfy seat, grab a warm beverage and join me for some auld lang syne…my personal tribute to the year of the dragon, which has certainly been character-building.

The new year started off with taking in the lights and sights of New York City post ball drop at the kind invitation of Alison Brewer and her mom.  The highlight was staying in Times Square to catch the Broadway show, “How to Dance in Ohio”. The musical was based on a documentary of which Alison’s cousin had been a primary character and it was the first musical to feature a cast on the autism spectrum. A week in the Big Apple became a blur of extravagance (a 5-minute, $100 pedicab ride), Cosmo cocktails (in a hotel bar overlooking the digital jungle), spectacular performances (Radio City Rockettes, Gutenberg!, and Back to the Future), museums (The Guggenheim, Museum of Broadway), thrifting (Airbnb stylist guided tour in Manhattan), and a painful visit to the ER (I broke both bones in my left wrist while ice skating in Rockefeller Center).  Somehow I find myself experiencing high highs right before low lows, but at least I checked off a bucket list item…being serenaded by a Broadway singer because of my tragic change in circumstance (at Ellen’s Stardust diner).  Seriously, “Time of Your Life” by Green Day is a tear jerker especially after trying to zip up your jeans one-handed.  After flying home I had surgery on my wrist and it might be safe to say I could rival Wolverine for metal implants in my left wrist (adamantium would have been nice).

Winter found Fiona singing “Light a Candle for Peace” in a small ensemble at her holiday concert, dancing like a violin-wielding dervish with her friend Mabel to Lindsey Stirling’s “Crystalize” at the school talent show, melting stovetop wax to make colorful candles, attending musicals at Spokane Children’s Theatre, playing her first game of laser tag with just Patrick and me, assembling engineering Crunch Lab kits, representing her class in student council at Friday morning assembly, creating cardboard and blanket structures around the house, learning new vocabulary in Chinese Culture Club, creating penguin earrings in Polymer Clay Club, skiing with Santa on Mount Spokane, fusing wine bottle glass into shamrocks, pretending to be a potato in Creative Dramatics Club, making gnocchi and cannoli with friends, and trying the basics of handbells.  One of my favorite memories was laughing our way through creating a game together (combination of hockey, shuffleboard, and curling) on the conveniently pebbled ice surface of our inlet.  In one of the iterations, Fiona climbed into a snow tube to act as the curling stone.

As early Spring found its way to Spokane, Laurie automated the chicken coop (gravity feeder, light sensor door, and plumbed waterer), Patrick attended wildfire communications training in Boise (learning to set up radio transceivers), and The Miller Five took a road trip in George RV to the Port Orford property for Patrick’s 45th birthday by way of Silver Falls State Park in Oregon.  Honestly, this State Park could put a few National Park experiences to shame with the Trail of 10 waterfalls (at one point you walk behind a magnificent 120-ft cascade!).  Once we reached the coast, a strange and smelly, but intriguing carpet of crunchy blue Velella jellyfish greeted us, and Patrick and Fiona slept survivalist style in a shelter made of ferns during a sleet/hail storm.  With the water in Clear Lake at its height and fueled by hearty pancakes Patrick slung at the Fisherman’s Breakfast, we launched our experimental airplane drop tank dock at the public ramp with the help of the tractor.  We were exhausted with the effort, but thankfully the dock floated and was relatively balanced!  Our friend, Megan, came to visit towards the end of April and accompanied us in rather James Bond fashion to a fancy fundraiser in a smokin’ red dress and then in a wetsuit through the white water of Bowl and Pitcher on the Spokane River…oh and of course blues dancing to Will Smith.  Patrick and his parents bravely rescued several beehives that had fallen off a truck along Salnave Road and gave the traumatized honey bees refuge in care of the West Plains Beekeepers Club.  Papa Jerry joined us in May for capricious games of Labyrinth (Fiona’s rules), a picnic boat ride on Serenity, feeding stock salmon at the fish hatchery near Fiona’s school, morel mushroom hunting (and eating), and contrasting rides in both a 1980’s vintage RV and a Tesla.  His manufacturing engineering background was greatly appreciated as he expertly troubleshot, drew a technical diagram, and confirmed the necessary specs to local professionals for the machining of a critical tractor part to get our Ranch Hand back in working order.

Warmer weather found us trying our hand at filling French cream puffs (Pate Choux), assembling and transporting a giant smoking volcano to a Luau-themed birthday party (the hostess’ mom likened it to steaming dino shite), taking myriad photos (with neck cramps) while gazing at the mesmerizing aurora display, holding baby goats at a Mother’s Day tea, dancing in the rain at a 70’s themed outdoor speakeasy in honor of Spokane’s world’s fair, recruiting a rooster (Tiger Lily) to protect our flock of mysteriously predated hens, watching Fiona sing about healing a toucan wing as a rainforest shaman (school production of Rumpus in the Rainforest), collecting items to price and sell at our neighbor’s antique store, and kicking off Patrick’s campaign for state representative in the 9th legislative district.  To wrap up the school year, Fiona “peacocked” during a theatrical dance number choreographed to “We Go Together” from “Grease”, wore a newly gifted flamenco dress (souvenir from Jack and Ellen’s European river cruise) to track and field day, and said farewell to her friend Mabel with a somewhat spontaneous journey down the Little Spokane River from Mabel’s house to Saint George’s Lower School movie night. Three hours (and multiple people unexpectedly in the water) later we made it to a conveniently located park, three more hours upstream from the school!  We called Mabel’s mom to extract our slightly sheepish, sodden selves and rush us to movie night.

This June we had the opportunity to reinforce Fiona’s rainforest unit in school with a budget-minded month-long summer trip to Costa Rica.  We’d never committed to such a long excursion and we were curious to give it a try focusing on Airbnb and hostel lodging.  Unfortunately, as the stereotypical “Type A” planner, I overscheduled and caused us to be constantly on the move, but now I have a better idea of our family travel style.  The country is as varied as it is beautiful…so many microclimates and ecosystems.  Starting in San Jose and generally moving counterclockwise around the country, we hiked to an active volcano crater, fed hummingbirds from heliconia plant frond, white water rafted the Sarapiqui (I fell in twice, much to the delight of our daughter), spied sleepy sloths, rappelled down waterfalls (really had to psyche myself up for that), ground cacao beans, relaxed in beautiful hot springs, learned folkloric dances (Patrick made the most of his fisherman’s hat and handkerchief), traipsed across hanging bridges, tracked down the elusive quetzal bird, slathered each other in medicinal mud, tubed azure river canyons, created bioluminescent trails while swimming in the ocean, watched crocodiles sunning themselves along the freeway, tried not to smile at monkeys (they can interpret this as aggression), learned to surf in the rain (still got sunburned), tiptoed past a resting tapir, caught water taxis from the beach (I think I puked 8 times on one of the rides), and swung from castle trees in the Highlands.  The culture was incredibly welcoming and my Spanish came in handy.  Ultimately, I think we could have stayed longer…we didn’t even make it to the Caribbean side of a country the size of West Virginia!  We are so thankful for the amazing family and neighbors who made this trip possible by caring for our home, plants, and chickens.  There was even a note on the coop door when we came back stateside indicating that the flock had missed us.  

Family reunions were the theme of July and early August, convening with the midwest Brevick group at Brooks Lake for ski practice, cherry pit spitting, blueberry picking, face painting, Big Bubba tubing, dune riding, board game creating, and sipping Uncle Kris’ Waygo Coladas. It was extra sweet to get some one on one time with siblings and cousins.  Jack and Ellen hosted The Miller crew in Cheney where their newly completed pool and deck were a big hit, along with pinochle shenanigans, flashlight tag, motor scooter rides, and delicious homemade Filipino food.  Fun was had by all who made their way to Silverwood theme park for an impromptu after party.  To take a break from our drawn out porch/deck demolition and rebuild, we indulged in a relaxing weekend camping adventure with friends at Porcupine Bay complete with speeding bicycles, hammock stunts, precocious mermaids, and paddleboard charades.  We even managed S’mores over a propane stove in spite of the burn ban.  Fiona started Second Grade shortly thereafter, wearing Patrick’s old beret to school on her first day, and sporting a blue fox tail for picture day (from a trip to the Spokane Interstate Fair with her grandparents).  Repairs and replacements were necessary when most of the ways we cook at the house inconveniently colluded and went to pot in the same week (microwave, oven, stovetop, and grill, I’m talking to you).  Thankfully our house siding, deck, and trash trailer all received much needed paint jobs before the first frost, though it was close.  And the 6-foot tall thistle weeds…don’t get me started.

As Fall settled in, cooperative video gaming (ARK) surged, along with Fiona’s interest in most things Harry Potter.  She also practiced reciting a poem about chickens for a Friday assembly accompanied by a dozen helium hens and an egg headband.  Laurie celebrated her 42nd year with an emotionally moving immersive musical and visual experience in all things Van Gogh (projected work installation), swayed to the melodic strains of Imagine Dragons at a Candlelit Concert in Spokane’s Masonic Temple, and sampled a vast and entertaining collection of art installations (think giant anatomically-correct stallion made out of Amazon boxes) at Spokane’s Terrain Gallery for her birthday.  Just when we thought we might be wrapping up major projects for the year, bam, we rented a mini excavator for a week after the ground hardened enough to support its weight, mud season being what it is.  New paths were widened and constructed, including a steep golf cart ramp to the top of the cliff, and Fiona even commandeered the rig in her pajamas to move dirt away from the base of our “waterfall” project.  As Halloween approached we perfected our “spooky” cookie decorating techniques with a professional dessert artist, ogled chilling performances at a dance-themed Haunted House, sipped butter beer while listening to the enchanting strains of Hedwig’s waltz on Harry Potter night at the Symphony, stumbled around the clown room of The Davenport Hotel following a specially crafted trick-themed menu which concluded with a “poison apple” dessert,  and begged treats off of various rescue animals at the West Valley Outdoor Learning Center (Fiona especially loved the little Saw-whet Owl named Basalt).  Trick-or-treating in the 5-mile neighborhood was rainy, but delightful to celebrate and run around with friends over spiked cider.

A short November escape to Sayulita, Mexico came highly recommended and was just what we needed to mitigate election tension in the U.S. and celebrate Fiona’s 8th birthday.  I was especially pleased to participate in an authentic Dia de los Muertos cemetery procession and to assemble our own Airbnb-based ofrenda (altar welcoming loved ones passed).  Other highlights included releasing newly hatched Olive Ridley turtles into the ocean at sunset, massages on the beach, relaxing by the pool, and watching Fiona bat at a small pinata in the courtyard on her birthday.  Although Patrick did not receive enough votes to represent his legislative district in Olympia, he provided his constituents with an option, and garnered over 27,000 votes.  A huge thank you to everyone who supported, contributed, and voted during his first campaign!  Upon returning to Washington, I had the honor of attending Ellen’s informative presentation on Honey Bee Communication as part of her Master Beekeeper program.  I had no idea that honey bee antennas were specialized enough to detect motion, vocalizations, smell, and taste!  We all enjoyed a very moist and flavorful turkey (a challenging feat) at Jack and Ellen’s for Thanksgiving this year while finishing up quilts and harvesting a Christmas tree.

As the year comes full circle and sunlight seems in short supply, we’re turning our thoughts to what the coming year might hold.  Patrick accepted a position with a U.S. cyber security company called Neuvick (https://neuvik.com/) and is excited to try jump-starting an E.U. office for them in The Netherlands.  Instead of government contract work, Neuvick focuses on running security analyses for banks.  We are still working out details, but at the moment it sounds like we would be moving to The Hague/Amsterdam region by early August.  A good friend may be interested in renting out and taking care of the Clear Lake residence in our absence which would provide us with security and flexibility.  An international move is a lot to process, but we think it would be a good opportunity to explore Europe by train and expose Fiona to many different cultures.  I guess as a neighbor aptly put it, we would always be left wondering if we didn’t try it. Once we get settled we would certainly enjoy having visitors!  Let me conclude by thanking you for helping me reflect on the highlights and challenges presented in 2024 and put the year to bed so to speak. I would like to offer up kind thoughts for all those undergoing personal challenges and life upheaval (honestly, who isn’t?!) and a sense of hope for the unknown that undoubtedly holds nuggets of joy and beauty.  Our love for you does not falter despite the miles and time that lay between us.  Our sincerest wishes for another year of appreciating life’s moments and reflecting on the journey. Happy 2025!