Apologies for the delay...

Yet again, I let the blog lapse. Oops!

Let's chalk it up to livin' it up in my new decade. 

I started celebrating a few weeks early by flying out to Cali with Chris and meeting up with Steph and Elizabeth for a bit of sunshine together. 

I enjoyed lots of walking along the beaches, cliffs, and canyons. We got fancy drinks and Steph was a true influencer, convincing me to buy the Shark hairstyler.  

I left the west coast a bit sooner than planned because a new nibling arrived! Barrett Parker (the newest BPL), desperately wanted to join his family and tried to escape way too early! He was eventually successful in late March, which meant that I got to spend some time with the fam in VA helping while Barrett and Lanie got what they needed.

In May I celebrated my 40th in Tarrytown with colleagues, and in Oakton with friends and family. I was super lucky to have Aunty Jill and Uncle Trev join me for both! I am still blown away by the folks who flew in or drove long distances to join the party! Tremendous thanks to Kelly for doing everything to make it happen from ordering cupcakes with my face on them, to creating a garden party of my dreams!

Throughout these months, my left foot had been really bothering me. Then, I took a small stumble and ended up in the ER. The X-Ray didn't show anything, but the swelling and pain was real. After months of boot-wearing, podiatrist visits, and searching for comfortable summer shoes--I finally got an MRI which showed that I had a stress fracture. Back to the boot! Unfortunately, boot-wearing made walking and moving more challenging. 

The summer was wonderful-- I got to spend a week with the BeLanie family, a week at the beach, a week with Kenny! July was a delight at the lake with the wonderful Emerald Green folks. I also engaged a trainer during the summer to help me begin to move a bit more. 

The fall was delightful-- I got to spend a long weekend in VA,  host a vegetarian Thanksgiving (mushroom wellington!!!), and a traditional Thanksgiving, 

The holidays were lovely! Lanie and Beau hosted an amazing week full of festive adventures. We went to the Nutcracker; had a high tea with a chocolate theme at the Jefferson Hotel; and of course, we were treated to Lanie's lovely feasts! It was wonderful to see Robin's excitement as she opened gifts, watch Max and Kenny's cousin cubing time, Barrett begin to crawl, and enjoy time together as a family.

The New Year is going well. I am hoping to just push past the foot discomfort and begin moving more (my perennial resolution). I even have a new trainer Taylor who is committed to listening to me whinge about exercising twice a week. Furthermore, I have a whole lot to look forward to! I am going to Mohonk for a conference, Chris and I are spending Valentine's Day in Montreal, and we are returning to France for spring break!  

It looks like 2026 is shaping up pretty well!
XOXO