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January: The year started with the Richter Family in Boston for Grandpa
Norman's funeral--he passed away rather suddenly after Christmas last
year. We left Minneapolis for Boston in a rush to be
with the Hall/Fitzpatrick families during the sad occasion. The kids spent
time with many cousins, aunts, uncles, great aunts and great uncles whom they
rarely get to see. Back in Seattle, Charlie (3rd grade), Caitlyn
(Kindergarten), and Cooper (preschool) continued school. Working out of
his home office, Chuck was thankful to be busy with numerous projects.
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February: Charlie designed and built (with help
from Chuck) a car to race in the Cub Scout Pinewood Derby. In the open
class, Caitlyn raced a pink tow "Mater" and Cooper raced a red
"Lighting McQueen". Cooper, tired of seeing his siblings go
on play dates, decided he needed to have some play dates with Elliott, a
friend from pre-school, and became active on the pre-school birthday party
scene.
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March: Charlie and Caitlyn started Little
League--four days a week with practice and games. Being a
great mom, Chris took the kids to the Great Wolf Lodge and indoor water
park with a neighborhood family.
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April: Chris' work took the family to Indian
Wells (next to Palm Springs), California. A
two-day side trip to Disneyland and the
California Adventure meant that Cooper and the Little Leaguers got to catch
up with Mickey. For months Chris had looked forward to 80 degrees and
sun. We got 60s with lots of wind. At Joshua Tree National Park, which
is at a higher elevation, we hiked in T-shirts and shorts, only to get frozen
in a sudden snow shower. Back down in the desert, wind gusts shook the
heads off giant palm trees--one landed on the car next to us in the grocery
store parking lot. On Easter, Chris served up a brunch of tasty bacon quiche
and mimosas for friends. In school project news: Charlie (with help from Mom,
Dad and the nanny--lots of complex projects for 3rd graders) built what his
teacher termed a "Tri-o-rama", which is
like a Diorama, but with four sides. Why wouldn't they call it a Quadorama?
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May: Cooper went
from terrible three to fantastic four at Jump Planet. Caitlyn and Charlie
continued in scouting and baseball. Cooper continued with preschool,
and Chuck kept working, taking trips to St. Louis,
San Jose, and San Diego. In school news: Caitlyn
was presented "the school humanitarian award" at her school's award
ceremony.
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June: We walked around Safeco field with the
team on Little League night at the Mariners. Caitlyn had all the girls over from Mr. Miller’s
kindergarten class for an early birthday sleepover party. While
other children in the US
were already on break, our kids continued school until June 22nd,
but how awesome is it for your cousins to meet you at the bus stop as a last
day of school surprise! Derek, the Rasmussens, Jamie and Phil cheered on Julie and Chuck
running the Seattle Rock-n-Roll Marathon. And in health news: "Mr.
Richter, you've got what we call plantar
fasciitis."
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July: Charlie-the-scout built a Chuck-powered Cubmobile and rode it in the Bothell 4th of July
parade. As in years past, Caitlyn decided to celebrate her birthday
away from home. This year it was a Norwegian Cruise to Alaska. If this
keeps up, Mom and Dad will not be able to afford a 2012 birthday party.
During the cruise we saw glaciers, whales, Vegas-style shows, Bill Cosby,
Grandma Mary, and Uncle Gene and Aunt Ann. Some of us took an historic train
up to the Canadian border alongside the old Klondike
trail used during the gold rush. On the ship, we dined in the fancy
restaurants; sat in the hot tubs; and swam in the pools. It wasn't all
fun and games--Chris had to attend optometry classes on the cruise.
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August: Grandpa Chuck and Grandma Jackie came
out for cousin Jim's 70th birthday pool party. The birthday boy scared
everyone as they watched him prepare for a death defying swan dive from the
top of the slide. Fortunately, nobody got hurt, and all had a great time.
Chuck and Jackie came with us on a quick trip to Victoria, BC.
We toured the Butchart Gardens.
The ferry ride through the San Juan Islands
was very beautiful.
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September, After 74 days of summer vacation,
school started again. We were happy with teacher assignments. It wasn't long
before both Charlie and Caitlyn were filling up the family calendar with
soccer practice and soccer games. What room was left on the calendar
was filled up with cub scouts, daisy scouts, Charlie's cello
practicing. On Sept 8th, the family took a trip to Dallas
where we visited Nancy and Jake and many
people from Chris' family gathered for Tracy
and Dan's wedding. Next to the hotel was a large lake. The groom
rented two boats with tubes and water skis for a full day for everyone to
enjoy the sun and warm weather. Awesome! Back in Seattle, Mom and Dad gave in to three kids
wishing on their stars, and in mid-September an eight week old Golden
Retriever appropriately named Goldie arrived. She is a warm, cute, cuddly
little creature that can destroy furniture with her razor sharp baby teeth
and claws. While potty training only took two weeks, Charlie figures poop
scooping may last a lifetime.
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October: Soccer continued. This year, on her
birthday, Chris turned <errrp sound of jukebox being unplugged>.
Later in the month, Charlie turned 10 with his friends at Bullwinkle's Family Fun Center.
His favorite gift was 1-month's subscription to Lego Universe.
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November: Soccer was finally over. Charlie was
found often on the computer as he honed his Lego Universe skills. We
(read "Chris") decided that the Jeep needed to be replaced.
After test driving various vehicles, we decided to look for a used Toyota
Sequoia. Chris scoured craigslist and found a good price for a Toyota Sequoia
in 300 miles away in Southern Oregon.
The previous owner drove it to Portland
on business, and Chuck and Cooper took Amtrak to meet him. Everything
checked out--and we now have at least 15 cup holders. On Thanksgiving,
friends joined us for turkey, dressing, pumpkin pie, and Planes, Trains and
Automobiles. 78 miles per
hour? Yeah, I'd buy that, officer. You'd know better than I, since
our speedometer's melted. The last week of November, the
kids went ice skating in downtown Bellevue
before listening to the world's biggest Drum Line on Snowflake Lane. Giving in to the
pleas, Mom decided Charlie could have another month of Lego Universe.
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December: Chuck's friend
Dave stopped by for a visit. Clear skies at night brought cold weather,
and a chance to see the lunar eclipse. The kids have spoken with Santa.
No promises, but at least two out of three should be on Santa's nice list.
Goldie has mostly stopped chewing our sheetrock. Chuck has repaired the
holes. The tree and lights are up. The Christmas stockings are
back in the Midwest where we left them last
year--ready for coal, or goodies. We plan to spend holidays with family in
the Midwest, including some time at a cabin
in the Black Hills of South Dakota. Will there be be Snow? And in health news: "Mr Richter, you've still got what we
call plantar fasciitis. Take three ibuprofen,
and call me next month."
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