Hello all, and Happy New Year! As usual, it's been too long since our last post, and we've been busy as ever since then. The holidays are especially fun in the Last Frontier, and Christmas was definitely a white one this year, with nearly two feet of snow on the ground these days. The trip from the North Pole isn't very far, and Santa was good enough to stop by on his way to the Lower 48 and beyond. He gave us all ice skates, plus a couple hockey sticks and pucks, which Malcolm has already taken to. Our family knows that Santa prefers a good rich beer to boring old milk, and this year's Christmas Eve snack was no exception. The reindeer had a selection of vegetables, naturally. Even our tree was truly Alaskan - a little Sitka spruce from the woods behind our house. It was scrawny enough to make Charlie Brown proud.
We've been playing outside a lot, sledding and jumping in the snow, which we've received much more of this year than last. We're also beginning to see a snowblower as a wise investment for next winter! With the extra days off for the holidays, we all went to see our first movie together at the theater, Charlotte's Web, and yesterday we drove into Anchorage and visited the Imaginarium - always a treat for us.
Stephanie will start soon at her new job, preparing to administer the kids' preschool! It's an exciting return for her back into childcare, and it gives her and the kids the opportunity to spend more time together. Plus, it will bring a welcome raise, and will allow Steph to do something she's really passionate about. The promotion march goes ever on for Brandon, who at least should be running his office within a month or two, now that he's favored to take over his old supervisor's position. The kids love their school, and have made many close friends. Alaska has been very good to all of us. We just wish we weren't so far from our family and friends. Then again, the tourism industry here is superb (hint, hint)!
We've included several photos, so enjoy. The kids are growing up too fast. And who knows, with a little luck, we may be planning for another Tucker in the year or two ahead... Take care of each other; we love you all.
-Chloe, Malcolm, Stephanie and Brandon
