Yes we can!

I am not sure exactly what will become of the words and images we have been collecting on this blog. But so far, it has become a place to record our personal histories in a journalistic fashion. And therefore, I can not pass up this opportunity to document the power and inspiration of today's inauguration for Chip and I. This marks a U-turn in our attitude and pride in being an American. Never before have we stood so tall and felt so confident in our country. The same people walked the streets in cities and towns aroud the country yesterday and yet, today we seem to have more hope in their potential...our own potential...than we did just a few months ago. I never thought I would live to know a great leader like the ones we learned about in school, but it seems the day has come. We are not naive to the fact that Barack Obama is walking into a "storm" as he put it today- wars, economic colapse, evironmental and health crisis...the list goes on. And, we do not expect a magic wand or one great speech to solve these issues. Thankfully, throughout his campaign, he remained humble to the fact that he can not really "fix" anything- All he can do is try his best and inspire the rest of us to do the same. And with that positive cumulative energy, change IS possible. I feel honored and excited to be led by a man of such humility, intelligence, and insight- qualities that are not modeled in a modern way for us often enough. So, put me in coach! I am ready to do my part!



"A genuine leader is not a searcher for consensus but a molder of consensus."
Martin Luther King, Jr.

Serving surf and turf...

In 2008! Another great year.

First, to recap the holidays, we spent Christmas with Mindy in Portland and New Years in Bend with Chip's parents.

I particularly love this odd photo to the right. Chip is reading the sweetest note from my mom about how she was sad that we couldn't be together for Christmas, but that she wanted to still share in our traditional Christmas cookies by sending some along (made by her and Madeleine I believe). She assured us in the note that her love for us was baked into the cookies, and I believe it! The deliciousness brought us all together even though thousands of miles separated our physical bodies.

It is always awesome to reunion with my sister and friend, Mindy. And, this visit was no different. I feel so blessed to have a family member with whom I share so many interests, passions, and view points. And, one of Mindy's Christmas gifts to us topped the list of funniest gifts we have gotten. If you ever thought that us "white people" don't have culture, check out the book "Things White People Like". It turns out Chip and I are about as white as they come...and proud of it, despite this author slathering sarcasm everywhere as he describes all of our apparently not-so-original values and interests. Be prepared to laugh. But, in the end, Mindy's efforts and presence (again- no pun intended, I am really on a role these days) was the greatest gift she could have given us. Thanks!















The DuRoss' were our next guests in Portland for this holiday season. We headed down to Bend, OR to ski and hang out closer to the mountains for a few days. We ended up really getting to hone in our Blokus skills since Bachelor didn't open half the days we wanted to ski due to high winds and rain. But, not to be defeated by mother nature (I mean, who does she think she is anyway...trying to keep DuRoss' off the mountain?!) we got mom DuRoss out on cross country skis for the first time in a while and, Chip and dad tackled the fog and 50 mph gusts the minute the lifts allowed them. We were all rewarded with a delightful, powdery, clear day before we left too. We always cherish our meals, conversations, and the unending generosity of Chip's parents. Thanks!


So, in reflection of the year, it seems we were offered a wonderful spread of surf and turf to nourish our bodies and souls throughout 2008. We surfed both oceans (Chip in NC and myself on the OR coast below) and played on lots of turfs between the two throughout the year. Many of you reading this entry have led or joined us in these adventures of mind, body and spirit. We are endlessly grateful for your friendships, thoughts, and influence on our lives. We wish you all a wealthy 2009 ....you know, the kind that isn't affected by Freddy Mac and Fanny Mae. Love you! Kessler isn't sure how she made it through 2008. She is resting up for our next adventure with you in 2009.

"Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the judgement that something else is more important than fear."
-Ambrose Hollingworth Redmoon

Port Boat Springs

Some might think that Portland isn’t a ski town…and those people are probably usually correct…but not this year!

Portland has received a foot of snow in past week. I know, this sounds minor for any ski town. But in this port ski town, they don’t know what a “snow plow” is, they aren’t sure how to use the 4-wheel drive on those SUVs they are driving, and really, when it warms up just right, and that snow turns into freezing rain, those snow covered hills around the city are more accurately described as “ice covered”….which will give any car, truck, or van with chains on, in 4-wheel drive, a run for its money. …Like the double-trailer-oil semi that was jack-knifed in the road outside our apartment window yesterday morning. We should have charged for seats in our apartment window yesterday which looks out onto a more major thoroughfare on a hill.

However, along with all of the hazards of snow and ice in Port Boat Springs, come some beautiful sights that not many eyes get to see in a lifetime. Snow in the rainforest…pretty incredible. People skiing through downtown…hilarious. And, the wonder in people’s eyes…every conversation you overhear, the topic being the weather…and of course, LOTS of people missing lots of work and school, being advised to stay home. You gotta love it! Chip put together a little video featuring the skiing he/we have gotten in during the past week. At this point, my biggest concern is whether (no pun intended) Mindy and mom & dad DuRoss are going to be able to make it in for the holidays. We wish safety and patience upon everyone traveling!

Happy Thanks 60th Addition!

There were many reasons we made the trip back east again this year. First, the obvious- Thanksgiving- a perfect holiday for hangin out with family- especially in our home town. Chip and I had a moment to get breakfast with a friend from high school (great to see ya, Brad). It was so fun to run through so many memories, trying to recall exactly where all those streets are he would mention and that we knew so well as teenagers, but now can hardly piece together in the mind's eye. It is a mind blowing experience- looking at pictures of his new baby and glowing wife....the same guy who caused plenty of irresponsible raucous with us in our little home town...I know we are older (and wiser, and more beautiful), but sometimes it just really stares ya in the face and causes this explosion of mindful awareness about me, us, time, and life.



Another draw was the celebration of Chip's mom's 60th birthday. As you can see from the balloons in one of these pictures, we didn't stop the feasting and celebrating on Thursday, but kept on partying Friday night too! We enjoyed an amazing dinner cooked by Hope, more cake (yes, also had cake on Thanksgiving celebrating Gammy's birthday too!), and decorations for the event. Everyone pitched in to make it a special event.









The DuRoss' also put a beautiful new kitchen addition on their house that has been in the planning as long as I have known them. Their open hearts and home are constantly entertaining family and friends for dinners, birthday celebrations, or just general communion. The addition is well deserved and was christened in good form with the crowd using it heavily, testing it's abilities and capacities, and loving every meal and moment in it.

And a final highlight for us- getting to hang out with our niece and nephews! How sweet are they?! It was so fun to watch their interest in each other grow over the four days.- Just another reminder of how time flies. I feel like it was just yesterday that Evan and Madeleine were these ages.

We are thankful for the time we got to spend with not only the kids, but the amazing people who created them, our siblings, and our own parents. Thanks to all of the DuRoss' for making the trip. We love you lots and look forward to the next reunion!

"Gratitude is the heart's memory."
- French Proverb

Halloween

Well, our costumes this year were creative (I was "everything but the kitchen sink" and Chip was Q-bert...I know, random), but the executions were marginal. We were more proud of the many costumes Kessler wore (endured). She started out the evening as a princess, handing out candy to all the little girls and boys that stopped by our house (there were none- perhaps it was the locked gate we live behind that scared them off- I guess we will have eat all that candy).

It wasn't long after running into her uncle Josh, that he was trading costumes with her and she got to be a french fry (and Josh the princess). As you can see, Chip started trading costumes at this point too.
Costume number three was a pirate- she went from girly, to greasy, to greedy.

And finally, she was tired of all the costumes and sat at the door ready to go with her final costume on, Q-bert's conversation bubble- likely expressing her true feelings at this point.

I just couldn't leave this picture out.
"Double, double toil and trouble; fire burn and cauldron bubble."
-Shakespeare "Macbeth"

Things n' Stuff

Here are some random photos from the last week- some things we did, some stuff we saw.




Random art around Portland.
A walk in Cathedral Park.






The sweet puppy- always along for the ride!












Incredible trees.....so many incredible trees....







































And beautiful food.....so much beautiful food....

"Education's purpose is to replace an empty mind with an open one."
- Malcolm Forbes

Homies

What a motley crew. These four boys went to elementary school together. Mike Jefferies (far right) got married this past weekend in Vail, CO. Several friends (and family) from home gathered to celebrate the occasion. I forgot how fun (and painful) it is to celebrate Ohio- style.
I can't believe I don't have any photos of the beautiful couple- I will have to add them later. In true Jeffries style, they picked the most beautiful weekend to tie the knot- the leaves were in peak fall performance and the weather beautifully cool and crisp. It was great to reconnect with so many great people. Thanks for an awesome weekend homies!
"Home is not where you live, it is where they understand you." - Chistian Morganstern