When I was young I used to wake up early in the morning
When I was young I could climb up a mountain didn’t matter how tall
When I was young I didn’t listen to anybody’s warning
When I was young I could jump; I wasn’t afraid to fall
-The Wood Brothers
Indeed, not afraid to fall. In fact, we hesitate to say “final” score when the year isn’t officially over as we type, but we’re counting 2 broken bones per kid so far, plus 4 stitches in Vaughn’s right eyelid as a bonus on Christmas week. All recovered! Knock on wood?
Logan (9) & Vaughn (5 1/2) have been playing a ton of soccer, with both of their seasons just finishing before the holidays. A love for “American Ninja Warrior” arose this year, so every seemingly harmless object is a potential “obstacle” or “challenge.” Nothing is safe, and we have found the kids “spread eagle” at top of the walls, like Spiderman under the ceiling. Our white walls? OY!
The year brought us two trips to visit Emily’s family in Indiana, and we couldn’t be happier to welcome Sonya to the family, marrying Cathy’s son, Jared, in October.
This year also brought us profound sadness as well, as Eric’s dad, Arthur, succumbed to Parkinson’s in July after battling the disease for the last 3+ years. We miss him so much, and we toasted to him during the recent holidays. Margaret joined us for both Thanksgiving & Christmas, and it won’t be long before she moves back to Redondo Beach. We look forward to having her here!
Here’s our annual video with some slices of this year!
The circle of life has a way of making you appreciate everything just a little bit more, and we’re so grateful for the health of our boys, for the smiles on their faces. With Vaughn having started kindergarten in the Fall, both boys are now at the same school, and it’s wonderful. They have a routine every morning where they hug one last time before heading to their separate ways to their own classrooms! Hope they continue to hug it out for years to come!
Happy New Year!
Love,
The Tanakas (Eric, Emily, Logan & Vaughn)
Happiest of New Year’s to all of you. Love your photos, words, energy as you share another year of your family life with us. love to you!! I look forward to another ‘basement pool party’ with you guys this summer..and we have some added attractions. you will approve! I (will) raise a glass in your direction (it’s morning, so I guess it’s coffee now) to a wonderful year for us all.
Thanks for sharing your family video. Hope to see you folks again this summer.