Happy New Year!

We hope that everyone had a great holiday season and a fun, safe New Year. Here are some highlights for the Brewsters from 2012:

Craig

He launched his company's newly designed website. Every year he also designs their Christmas/holiday card and it was a great success. Click here to get a look at the card on their FB page. Everyone, from the CEO to iovation customers, loved it. Craig also attended the HOW Design Conference in Boston this past June courtesy of his job.

Gabe

He is enjoying a weekly art class at Masterpiece Studio in Beaverton. His favorite characters are Plex (Yo Gabba Gabba), Pablo (Backyardigans), Big Bird and Oscar the Grouch (Sesame Street). Gabe also enjoys making all kinds of improvements on his toys.

Zach

We have another "late" walker here! Just a few days ago Zach walked around, unassisted, for the first time. Yesterday, he seemed to think that was enough walking, then today he got into it again. Ironically, he is incredibly adventurous physically, willing to climb steps or jump onto anything and anyone. To address the delayed walking, we do have him scheduled to see a PT at the end of January. However, with this latest development we may not need to go. We'll see how things progress within the next few weeks.

In addition to taking the philosophers route on walking, Zach loves dancing, being in the water, copying big brother and is very attached to Daddy during weekends and off-days.

Carisa

I wrote two articles this year for Portland Family Magazine. One was on unschooling and the other on Myers-Briggs and parenting (hopefully to be published in January). Currently, I'm working on a cover letter project for a colleague. I was also interviewed by ITYC Radio, about raising mixed-kids, being in an interracial relationship and living in Oregon. I still maintain my other blog and update when I can.

The Fam

We took three trips this year: Philadelphia, Lincoln City, Ore. and Gig Harbor, Wa. 

In Philly, I was able to see my maternal grandfather but he was too sick to interact with us. He was ailing and unfortunately passed away not long after we returned home. He did bounce back a little and told us over the phone how he appreciated our effort to see him. He was 97 and lived a great life. He will live on in myself and the boys.

In Gig Harbor, we visited Craig's paternal grandmother. She recently relocated there to be closer to her youngest son. She was very happy to see the boys and meet Zach for the first time. We also hung out with Uncle Bill and his family.

Lincoln City was a nice family oriented beach town. Easy access to the beach and very beautiful of course (it's Oregon, duh).

As far as visitors to our home, were were honored to host Grandma Claire, Uncle Will and Uncle Mark…although not at the same time, haha. Cousin Alamea had some soccer games here in Beaverton, so she and Uncle Mark stayed a few days with us. Grandma Claire and Uncle Will came from Philadelphia to stay for two weeks in August, as they do every summer.

Education

In short, we're still homeschooling and it's going well. We made some changes to our approach for the coming year that I'll start implementing tomorrow. I believe that all children are born geniuses, but Gabe definitely has an amazing attention span for academics, considering his age and gender.

Regarding New Years Resolutions, one that I will share is that I hope to update our family blog more often, :) Y'all know how I be...

We hope that 2013 brings much joy and happiness for you all. 

Hugs+Kisses!