Saturday, December 31, 2005

Mexico






Mexico is a land of contradictions. The beauty and the beast together in one tasty but fattening lobster roll. The Rosarito Beach Hotel has a long history, and it's been perfect for us. We saw the Titanic movie studio at Foxplorations, where nothing is quite what it seems. Same goes for the lobster dinner we went to in Puerto Nuevo. This was the site of our first date 21 years ago, but everything has changed and grown almost beyond recognition. I love the whole enchilada down here. Perfect gorgeous waves, tasty food.

Jay, being 13, indulged in fireworks and ATV riding on the beach.

We love lounging in our big hotel rooms and watching Mexican TV.

Sierra loves the big freedom of the beach. She has smiled a lot down here.

Prospero ano nuevo

Palm Desert



Visiting family in Palm Desert = How important and right it feels to connect my children to their relatives and ancestors. I love those Joshua Tree Smarts. Aunt Meg is an inspiration, coping with her broken body, smiling and keeping up our spirits. My kids don't remember how vital and healthy she was before her back was broken stopping a rolling car from entering a group of children at her school.

Tuesday, December 27, 2005

Photos from Mammoth

Our new iPhoto photo album has been published at:

http://homepage.mac.com/jimsmart1/PhotoAlbum52.html

Saturday, December 24, 2005

Kids' White Christmas



Ah, kids at Christmas in the snowy mountains.



Fun with snow and cookies.



What a gift to be able to give my children these experiences.

Jim

Skiing in Mammoth




I love Mammoth. I stare at the frozen trees as they pass in front of the mountains where I've backpacked in sunnier seasons as I ride chair 14 to the sky. Renewal. Recreation. Settling back into my real self.

Jim

Thursday, December 22, 2005

skiing in Mammoth






having a blast!

Ski Sierra, ski!





Sierra had her first ski day yesterday, the first day of winter. She is a natural at age 3. Thanks to Devon Cole for the great gear!

Thursday, December 15, 2005

Christmas picture 2005

Peace...really!

Peace, yeah, that's still the thing. The Holy Grail that we just can't seem to get closer to. Sierra, who's about to turn four, has recently become a fan of the bonky head guys, those monks in Monty Python's Holy Grail who chant and then hit themselves in the head with a sturdy piece of wood. I can't help thinking that we humans are a bit like that. We say our lines over and over, pausing only to hit ourselves in the head.

Sierra is a joy to spend time with. XTC sang Every minute spent with her's a bulging wallet. In fact all of the lyrics to "The She Appeared" sum up my feelings for Sierra. What happiness to pick her up at pre-school and have her run into my arms with a smile as big as the sun.

Jack's voice is so low, folks who call our house wonder who that man is answering the phone. It's strange living with a tall basso profundo who used to be this size of a loaf of bread and ask to play Thomas the Tank Engine. Stranger still is looking at Jay, a long haired seventh grader who looks and acts like I did back when the first Star Wars movie came out. I feel like Scrooge with the Ghost of Christmas Past when I bump into my former self when we crash into each other on the way to Tutu's cookie tin.

Most of the members of our house are in good stead, but Gramma Betty is fading fast. She will turn 90 at the end of December, and her decline is hard on us all.

I'm always telling folks how busy we are, but 2005 makes past years seem like a lazy afternoon with a good book. Things are reaching their crescendo now as we have one last crazy week before flying off to California for the holidays. Away from all these house projects, school events, and lists of things to do.

All my resolutions will be about making our world more peaceful. I hope you are on that path, too.

Jim

Here's a brief rundown on where the family is at as 2006 approaches:

JACK
~ enjoyed roles in Godspell, The Importance of Being Earnest, and the Laramie Project
~ traveled to Rapa Nui and Tahiti with school group
~ A junior is looking at colleges
~ got certified in SCUBA; in process of getting driver’s license



JAY
~ learned to SCUBA dive with dad at many island dive sites
~ played water polo and swim team for Punahou
~ seventh grader
~ climbed mountains, sailed boats, and starred in a play at Camp Treetops in New York



SIERRA
~ moved up to the age 3 group at Kuapa Preschool
~ sings and plays piano
~ still likes sign language
~ swims like a fish



JIM
~ jobs included teaching at Punahou, leading Hawaii Writing Project, and teaching guitar at Camp Treetops
~ teaching sixth grade at Punahou and playing in bands
~ released solo album called “Mist” and played gigs in several cities (www.jimsmart.net)




SHARI
~ working as a substitute between massive home improvement projects
~ enjoyed teaching marine biology at Punahou summer school and crafts at Camp Treetops
~ inducted to the Hawaii Swimming Hall of Fame