2019 Happy Holiday from HKfamily5

2019 was an excellent year for the HK5. Full of fun changes for the family and a new addition! Last Christmas, we brought home August Nova, a very energetic German Shorthair Pointer puppy. He loves his walks and has been great motivation for us all to get out and exercise more.

We have enjoyed the open road this year with travel locally, the western US, and even ventured overseas with the kids! This summer, the kids returned to camp in the Santa Cruz hills, and as a family, we adventured across the Pacific to Japan and Thailand. Going to  Tokyo had always been on Clem's bucket list, and Brian had always wanted to explore the islands in the Straits of Malacca. We started celebrating Clem's 50th birthday early on this epic trip. The family explored the streets and parks of Shibuya, Bangkok, and Kyoto. On the hunt for the best ramen shop, which we found in Kyoto. We are 100% ramen-heads! From Bangkok, we landed on Koh Phi Phi Island, a 2-hour boat ride east from Phuket. Endless swimming, snorkeling trips, perfect weather made summer feel like it was never going to end. 

In September we celebrated the marriage of cousin Cathy and Christian in northern Idaho, where all three kids had the honor of participating in the fantastic outdoor ceremony. We all loved being amongst family, with Linda and Bob opening their arms and doors to all, as we danced into the warm September night. 

Paley had a big year - turning 11 and starting her journey in middle school. She ended her elementary school career with a lot of stage performing in the variety show, joining her brother and sister in the school musical and delivering the 5th-grade graduation commencement to her class, teachers, and parents. We are so proud of the engaging and spirited young person she has become. 

When she can put down her book she has picked up a new hobby in geocaching. She has chosen to stay in scouting and has enjoyed multiple camping trips with this close-knit group of girls.  She has embraced middle school with gusto - really loving her new teachers, exploring multiple school clubs and singing in the school’s production of Shakespeare’s “As You Like It”.

Margot and Lochlan have been, like usual, going strong all year. They left behind the kinder years and started 1st grade. As eager 7-year-olds, they want to do it all - ride their bikes and scooters, swim, and eat Tamago (egg) sushi. There was some strong dispute on our Jelly Belly factory tour about which flavors rule - Margot goes for chocolate while Loch is all about lemon.

Margot is drawn to drawing, while Lochlan has shown a real passion for tossing, kicking, throwing balls of all kinds. Both of them ask to read a book almost every night and are full of questions about the sky, electricity, ghosts, and volcanos. The year was a reminder of lessons that had gone by with their older sister. For Lochlan, the lesson of no girlfriends appeared in Kinder, and in first grade, Margot had her first discussion on the subject of no boyfriends.

Brian turned 45 this year, and he can't believe it been five years since his #BrianHK40th. He continues to be deeply involved in volunteer roles for the kids' schools - leading Art Vista lessons, room-parent for Margot's class, and coordinator for events. He is part of loose network of walking buddies and is spending as much time outside as the kids’ schedule allows. 

Clem ushered in two significant milestones this year. Turning 50, he celebrated with a global adventure, and he entered into his 20th year at Apple. 

Looking ahead, Paley’s docket is already filled with two shows. She will be on stage again with CMT’s production of Into The Woods (Her all-time favorite musical) and Footloose at school. Lochlan is looking forward to joining his first baseball team this Winter and his last round with Kidz Love Soccer in the Spring. Margot is also joining her brother for the last round of soccer and is looking forward to heading back to the dance studio in the Spring after begging dady all Fall to get back into dance. Next summer the trio will be joining a summer league swim team for the first time. After spending over year working with an amazing swim teacher, they are all ready to workout on a regular basis. As for the two dads? Clem is returning to the yoga mat after many years away, while Brian is returning to therapy to learn to say "NO," again!

We are incredibly thankful for our blessings of home and health and treasure our time with family and friends. We send our love and warmth to all on this Christmas and wish peace to all during the winter holidays.