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This year we are going to attempt to start a new Christmas tradition: the Christmas blog post. As I write this, the snow is streaming down outside and the lovely Jakki is busy gluing things to other things for our entries in an Unfortunate Holiday Sweater contest. Without further ado, here’s what we did in 2010:

After much review of Facebook and Twitter, it appears that 2010 started off with head colds for everyone, and braces for Jakki’s teeth. The early part of the year contained much internet browsing and watching of TV. Such is life in the Inland Northwest in the first quarter.

After thawing out, March came along and brought a fabulous gig for the band I’m with: Fairmount Chase. St. Patrick’s Day tends to bring out our most loyal and hardcore fans. Fortunately, the more they drink, the better we sound.

As temperatures began to rise, camping became possible and we scooted up to Farragut State Park along Lake Pend Oreille to celebrate Jakki’s birthday. In attendance were our friends Chuck and Leann and some of her family. After raining on the way up, the weather cooperated until we left.

In July, Lake Sullivan in the extreme northeast corner of Washington became our camping destination. Bocephus (our Dodge truck) got a new canopy and was able to keep our gear dry despite rainy weather.

To celebrate our anniversary in August, we returned to Packwood, Mt. Rainier and Mount St. Helens; the site of our wedding five years prior. We found the tree we were married in front of in the Ohanapecosh camp ground (not surprising, since that tree is probably 700 years old).

The last part of the summer was punctuated with two quick gigs for the band, one outdoors at a neighborhood block party in North Spokane, and one at O’Doherty’s; a staple in Fairmount Chase’s venue menu.

In early fall, we took a trip over to Seattle to visit Grandma Flo, Bob & Linda, Jim & Phyllis and Kelsey, and take in a Seahawks game at Quest Field with our friends Chuck & Leann. The family visit was wonderful, but the performance of the Seahawks left a lot to be desired (they lost 41-7 to the NY Giants). We also managed to see some old friends: Charlotte, and His Holiness Gary (the padre who presided over our wedding), and Georgie & Roger and their son Brian.

During fall, after much excitement with broken garage door springs, Jakki and I managed to get two new garage doors installed on the house. This was fortunate, as the first snowfall of the season set an all-time record for the area in November. Which, of course, brought out the Snow Robots.

This year has been heavily dosed with visits with family and friends, completely lacking in stays in the hospital, and fueled with music and good cheer— and we couldn’t be happier. May the holiday season bring you and yours peace and happiness in the coming year!

-Much Love, Kelly & Jakki (and Tigger & Cleo)

Yesterday Mom & Dad had to put their kitty Prudie to sleep. She had been sick for awhile and had the vets flummoxed. She was a very loving kitty and I think they had her for almost fourteen years. In Lucky’s later years, we used to bring him down to visit Mom & Dad, and he and Prudie got on well, so she’ll have a buddy up in Kitty Heaven. Rest in peace Prudie, we’ll miss you.

The annual feasting ritual that is American Thanksgiving is upon us. Cooking schedules have been made, trips and extra trips and extra emergency trips to the store have been executed. This year marks a first— because Jakki is working, she will have to sleep all day to prepare for her graveyard shift tonight. The downside of that is no magical Sweet Potato Corn Bread Stuffing with Greens. Emelie is on point for most of fixings this year, so we are looking forward to sampling her wares. Another first is Mom blogging the whole procedure on their new blog. It’s been over five years since this blog began, and it’s finally starting to rub off on the late-adopters.

This year, I’m thankful that everyone [EDIT: everyone in our time zone] can be together so easily, and that everyone is healthy. How about you?

This year we are going to try to use online Christmas lists using Amazon’s Wish List functionality. Feel free to browse:

• Kelly’s list is here.
• Jakki’s list is here.

Let us know if there aren’t enough choices or price ranges. This sure beats circling items in the Sears catalog (like we used to do years ago)!

Today we are mourning the loss of Lucky the Cat. He had gotten progressively more sick, and after a rough night, we decided to send him home this morning. He was a good boy and nothing will ever completely fill the hole in my heart he has left. I have put together a special album of all the pictures we’ve taken of him over the years. Please visit and hold his memory in your heart.

Lucky, I will miss you and love you always…

“No heaven will not ever Heaven be, unless my cats are there to welcome me.” —Author Unknown