Holiday letter 2023

Dear friends and family,

Season’s greetings! We hope this letter finds you surrounded by loved ones and holiday cheer.

2023 has been one for the books as we welcomed our sweet Emma Reese into the world on June 8. She’s a very smiley, happy baby who is already 6 months old! She currently loves rolling around, playing with anything that jingles, and watching Eliah play.

This summer Hanna and I were on parental leave and we enjoyed days at home cuddling with Emma on the couch and playing in the backyard with Eliah. When we were feeling adventurous Eliah and I explored local parks and trails, providing some quiet time for Hanna and Emma. We all ventured away from home at the end of July to spend a week with family in the San Juan Islands.

Eliah Ziggy, turning 3 years old in January, stepped into his big brother role with curiosity and empathy. He began echoing messages such as, ”We hear you, Emma,” or “Are you okay, Emma?” And he often shares his interpretation of her cries. “Emma needs a bottle, Dada.”

When we asked Eliah what he wanted to share in our letter, he said he loves to hike, help his dad grocery shop at WinCo, and ride his bike on the trail. He also loves dancing, playing, and listening to music. His current favorites are Taylor Swift, Brandi Carlile, and the song Frosty the Snowman. And his favorite instrument is probably the “doo-doo-doo.”

In mid-September, Hanna returned to work part-time at Oregon State’s College of Health, and Emma joined Eliah at an excellent daycare on OSU’s campus for Hanna’s work days. I have been able to space out the second half of my paternity leave, one to two days at a time, allowing for three-day weekends most weeks and much cherished one-on-one time with the kiddos.

Determined to feed our adventurous souls, we managed to sneak in a camping trip on the Oregon coast in October. Eliah thrived playing on the beach, Emma hated the wind and went on a hunger strike, and Hanna and I managed to get a few hours of sleep.

We also made two trips to Washington to visit grandparents, celebrate Thanksgiving, and meet our niece Sienna Rose Bell.

This year marked six years of living in Corvallis, Hanna’s fifth year working for OSU, and my fifth year working for HP. We are both very thankful for the balance our careers have enabled, providing technical and intellectual challenges without demanding 60-hour work weeks or significant stress. 

While by far most of our energy is directed at parenting, Hanna continues to find peace and joy in the depths of a book, swimming laps in the pool, or hiking on the many trails in the area. On the off-chance she wakes up well-rested and in a house still sleeping, she loves to free-write, and has recently joined a book club. 

Mountain biking continues to be my biggest hobby and social outlet, and I recently joined the board of the local nonprofit that builds and maintains most of the biking/hiking trails in the area. I also continue to grow as a woodworker and occasional writer. 

As we reflect on all the changes that 2023 has brought, a few things ring true. First, if having one kid is akin to getting a dog, two kids qualify as a small zoo. Second, how our time is spent is often chosen for us by a cry, a yell, or the pitter-patter of tiny feet that ought to be in bed. This makes our “me” time taste pretty darn sweet. Third, there may not be a more heart-bursting moment than watching your children develop and bond, with a kiss from the toddler and a giggle from the baby. Somehow those moments wipe away all the noise that life can bring. For these things, we are thankful.

Wishing you love, peace, and joy,

-Kyler, Hanna, Eliah, and Emma