2012 - Good Times

As the year ends, one looks back and takes note of the events that shaped our lives during the year.  For us, as with many families across the country, our lives centered primarily around our nuclear family, our church, our work/school, and our special activities.

Jackson with his "Myga"

At the beginning of the calendar year, Jackson's 2nd grade (he's now in the 3rd grade) class had a small school production called "The Cheese Stands Alone."  Jackson loves to sing and act so we were not surprised when he came home and announced that he had won the role of "Cheesy" which had quite a bit of solo singing in it.  We were thrilled that Evelyn (Charee's mom who lives next door to us) was able to attend the play.

We have a "new" female cat whom we've named Coco.  She just showed up at our door one day and decided to stay.

Rockies Spring Training in Arizona

Isotopes Game in Albuquerque

At Petco Field in San Diego

At The Ballpark in Arlington to watch the Rockies play the Rangers

We are a baseball family.  This year we were fortunate enough to attend many AAA minor league games and caught the Rockies at Spring Training as well as in Dallas and in San Diego.

Jackson's First Broncos Game!

2012 was the year that Jackson was able to attend his first Broncos game at Mile High Stadium.  Although the Broncos lost to the Houston Texans, we had a lot of fun seeing Peyton Manning.

With his Pro Challenge jersey

For the second year, Colorado hosts a world class professional bicycle race in which many of the world's top teams and riders compete.  This year, Colorado Springs was the end of the 5th stage with the riders ending the day with a circuit sprint through downtown.  I pulled Jackson from school at noon so that he and I could get a great vantage point to watch the racers zooming down Tejon Street.

Bradford and Mel at the zoo

Since moving to Anchorage in 2008, Bradford is able to "come home" only once a year.  We usually see him and Mel in the summer for one week.  This year, Brad and Mel were able to be home around the time of Jackson's birthday party.   Brad learned (from being around 20 eight and nine-year olds) that he's a long way from wanting to be a parent.

View of the Springs on fire driving home on I-25

In June, a wildfire that started west of the Springs exploded over the mountains and into the city.  About 350 homes were destroyed by the fire.  We were packed and ready to move out if the evacuation call came.  Thankfully, we were spared.

Family - During the year, we were fortunate to be able to see family.  We met with Charee's uncle and aunt who live in the Los Angeles area during our Disneyland trip.  We met with our niece Jillian when we were at San Diego.  My mom visited once or twice and Charee's brothers both came to the Springs to visit with their mom, Evelyn.

With Uncle Harry, Aunt Cho, Cliff, Liz after dinner
during our vacation to Southern California

Jackson with Jillian at Seaworld.  Met her and her
Aunt Leslie there during our vacation.

Jackson with his Myga on Christmas

Jackson with Aunt Billie

Charee and my mom during a walk

Ryan with Evelyn.  Ryan and Kiva visit two to
three times per year.

Jackson with his Country Club of Colorado teammates


Jackson has been playing more and more tennis each summer.  This year he was able to play on his first team tennis.  The team qualified for "state" and they played in Denver.  Although they were eliminated during the first round, it was a fun experience for him.

Holidays and Family

We went to see my Uncle Ben and Aunt Billie right before Thanksgiving.  Like us, they live in Colorado Springs (on the Northeast side of town).  They met in Kansas at a ice skating rink.  My Uncle Ben was in the navy during WWII and was one of eleven children (my mom being the last).  We have so enjoyed living in the same city as they since we moved to the Springs in 1994.  They first watched Bradford grow up (from the age of three) and now they have watched our Jackson grow!  They lived in California (bay area) when I was growing up so I've known them all of my life as well.

My mom was here that week before Thanksgiving (she went with us to Uncle Ben and Aunt Billie's house).  The weather has been unseasonably warm so my mom was able to get all of her training runs in easily.  One afternoon, the four of us took a walk in the neighborhood (Jackson rode his bike).  I had my new camera so I had to snap a bunch of pictures (I'm sure that I was a little annoying - but they were all good sports).  I really like this photo.  I call it "Two Moms."  They are both incredible mothers to their sons and, in my mom's case, daughter.  My mom has an amazing family story and I hope that she will write it in a blog.    My wife, Charee, is also a wonderful spouse and teacher.  Her mom, Evelyn, has lived next door to us for about five years now.

Jackson is now an acolyte at our church.  His brother was also one and was honored to carry the Christ Candle during one Christmas.  Jackson takes his responsibility seriously.

Our city is blessed with many sculptures.  Most of them are downtown.  This one, called "The Dance', is in front of the building in which I work.  I typically don't go for "Western Art" but I really like this one.  The sculptor (James Muir) really captured the joy that this couple has in dancing.