Happy New Year 2012

The Tanakas would like to send you big hugs and warm wishes for a great new year. Here are some highlights of 2011 for us . . .

This past spring Emily left HMH, after 14 years, to be at home with the kids. Big decision. We feel very fortunate that we’ve been able to pull it off so far. We’re enjoying less day-to-day stress and Logan is now insisting that Dad should quit his job too.

Had a great trip to Chicago to see the crew in May. It was a long overdue. It’s wonderful to realize that even as so much time passes between visits, we have amazing friendships we can count on.

Making a New Year’s resolution to see friends more this year . . .

Piggybacked onto that trip was a visit to Emily’s family and we met our new niece, Ila Rose, just a week after she was born. Awesome.  We’re so happy for Sara, Chris and Jonah.

As some of you know, our holiday cards – pre-kids – used to be centered on our bulldog of a cat, Elton. This spring, he passed away at almost 18 years old. He was a dear family friend and as Logan says, “Mom, I’m really going to miss Elton alot . . . pause . . . but if we get a new cat, do you think we could get a nice one?”  Those who knew Elton will understand this statement completely.

Italy . . . where do we start . . .we had some friends who thought we were crazy for considering such a trip with 2 young boys, ages 4 & 1 at the time.  However, with our great friends, the Argentos, and their THREE young boys (a 7 year old, plus 2 1/2 year old twins), we knew that we wouldn’t be the only loud family in the country!  If you’re counting, that’s 5 young boys, a total party of 9, and let’s just say our presence was felt wherever we went. Italians love children – love babies even more – and we definitely took advantage of their “La Dolce Vita” attitude!  Nearly 3 weeks of travel, friends, food and (a lot of) wine (and, Ok, a bit of whining too), it was amazing.  So glad we did it.

Of course, trips like that are not easy. Nothing is really “easy” these days with two young “stuntmen in the making.”  They definitely keep us on our toes.  Logan is loving his karate classes, playing outside and jumping-off anything new…with Vaughn watching it all and trying to follow his brother’s lead.  It seems like we are constantly diving to stop Vaughn from another catastrophe.  His latest stunt is putting “anything” on his head to cover his eyes, then just running full speed ahead.

Whichever one of them falls, the other is almost always there to check on him.  That’s the difference in just a year.  They’re becoming – more & more – brothers, every day.  To Vaughn, Logan is his “bra bra” (brother), and he’s always looking for him.  Ok, for Logan?  He still enjoys his solo moments, but that’s understandable.  Even so, we catch Logan trying to sneak hugs & kisses on his little brother, not so easy because the li’l fella never – and I mean never – stops moving!

Moving into 2012, we know these boys will continue to bring us many surprises, and we look forward to it.  Along with them, we are determined to see more of you, more of our family & friends.  We miss you!

With love,

The Tanakas