A Look Back at 2010

Embarking on a New Year is a time for reflection, and one thing I do know is that I neglected the blog. As I said on Christmas, I'll make a more concerted effort to share with you -- my family and friends -- more about the goings' on for the Bordner clan here in Boise. Here are a few highlights from the year:

• Ryder starting kindergarten
• Jeremy's boxing match - if you haven't seen, check it out on YouTube.
• Payton's lively, girly personality
• Peter & Kaitlyn getting married
• Making our house a home
• Long weekend in Hermosa Beach with Jeremy, Julie & Jeret
• Our week at Camano relaxing, waterskiing, reading, eating and drinking wine
• Girls' weekend in Leavenworth
• Welcoming a new Bordner Boy to the family - hello Liam Bordner! Congrats David & Katka!
• And many more ...

And for your visual pleasure (in no particular order) ...

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Christmas Eve 2010

It's Christmas Eve, and one of the gifts I would like to give to my family and friends is to reinvigorate our blog. That's it for now ... I'll recap the year on New Year's Eve.

Merry Christmas!!

xoxo

A tribute to an amazing man, Irv Marr

It was the summer of '98 when I first met Irv. Jeremy and I drove from college at WSU in his S10 Chevy pick-up to Seattle; he was taking me to meet his family. Not just immediate family, but his extended family as well. We drove straight to Irv & Frannie's house in Laurelhurst. I was so nervous, I thought I was going to be sick.

Looking out the bay window of their house down at the pool, I saw Irv & Frannie sitting together in the shade. Such a sweet couple, and so in love. Jeremy's mom and dad were there, as well as his brothers and sister. But there were also aunts, uncles and cousins galore swimming and doing tricks off the diving board. While I was nervous, my emotions were overcome by something else. It was at that moment - looking down at the pool, seeing the love and joy Irv & Frannie had for their family - that I knew this is exactly where I'm supposed to be.

Irv lived to be a 103. This fascinated Ryder. At five years old, how cool he thought it was to know somebody that was 103. When we talked with Ryder about Irv's passing, I told him we need to give daddy some extra love and attention because his grandfather had passed away and he was going to miss him. Ryder got sad and said, "well, I'm sad too. I will miss him." It was so sweet. Irv had that affect on people; he will be deeply missed not just by those who knew him well, but all of us. But, he is in peace now, with his loving wife, Frannie.

Irv was witty. He was caring. He was an honest man. You don't find that much these days. His life story amazes me, and I am so honored to have known him and to be part of his family.

Most of all, I am fortunate that my husband has a little Irv Marr in him.

We will be coming to Seattle this weekend to celebrate the life of Irv Marr, what a celebration it will be!

And for some more perspective on Irv's life, I encourage you to check out this article from the Seattle Times - have a box of tissues ready; you'll need them.

Sweet Memories to Savor
http://community.seattletimes.nwsource.com/reader_feedback/public/display.php?source_name=mbase&source_id=2010922122&offset=20

Ryder Turns Five!

We hit a major milestone in the Bordner house ... Ryder turned five years old on January 28th! What a great five years we've had in our family. Recently, the five year curiosities have sunk in, as well as his literal and determined ways. We've been asked interesting questions like when you die, who takes you to heaven? Or, he likes to tell me "mommy, you need gas," which yes, I usually am, or "mommy, you're driving wrong; both hands need to be on top of the steering wheel."

Also as a five year old, we've learned that Ryder can help out around the house. For example, we now have a chore chart for him. We have his daily activities that he needs to accomplish by just being a part of the family, but there are also things that he can do to earn "commission." It's been fun watching him go through these ropes. One of the things he tried this weekend was undressing - and dressing - Payton. She actually let him. She laid down and he took off her jammies and diaper and then he took her back to her bedroom, and actually put a diaper on her (!), some tights, and a pink tu-tu. The only thing he had a problem with was the shirt. It was quite impressive - I even have trouble putting her diaper on!

On Sunday, we had his birthday party - inviting a whole gaggle of kids over to play and make ice cream sundaes. We had all sorts of candy and goodies to pile high on top of their big bowls of ice cream. The funny thing is, Ryder woke up this morning saying his tongue hurt ... he has a mouth full of swollen taste buds from eating too much candy yesterday. Ick.

We are so proud of our little man - that's what he is, if you haven't seen him recently, he's HUGE. Here are some pictures from his party and other birthday celebrations ...

Geeks in Vegas.

I just got back from Vegas tonight -- was down there for work. Super-dad Jeremy was here with the kids. Ryder told me he didn't miss me because I wasn't gone for five days, only four. I sure missed him, though. I of course missed my little girl too. She's got some molars coming in, so she's not eating much these days. Her basketball tummy is slimming down to volleyball size. And Jeremy, thanks for being such an amazing dad and supportive husband.

Now onto the geeks in Vegas. After seeing what I've provided below, you'll see that I fit right in. I'm going to be very bold here. This will give you a good laugh. You can see me talking on camera in the second link. I. AM. SUCH. A. GEEK.

http://www.anandtech.com/tradeshows/showdoc.aspx?i=3712

http://hothardware.com/Articles/CES-Showcase-Crucial-and-Seagate-Display-New-SSD-Products/

I need to get back to reality and go watch some chick-flick.

Happy New Year!

In order to kickstart 2010 the right way, I am going to get back to updating our blog. Many apologies for the delay in postings. It's been a hectic few months for us with my recent uptick in travel for work, many family and friend holiday gatherings, as well as the usual life of two working parents with kids. My New Year's resolution is to be more vigilant in keeping the blog updated, and now that I'm sharing that with all of you, I'm more inclined to keep with it. Right? Well, I'll try my hardest. I promise.

So the first post of 2010 will be a recap of the past few months from us, told via pictures, videos and a brief summary of each. Enjoy!

Here's to a happy and healthy 2010!!

xoxo,

Kirstin

October-ish ...

Ryder learned how to mow the lawn all by himself (with close supervision, of course).

We took the Pumpkin-liner train to get our pumpkins.

Our next door neighbors grew these pumpkins and gave them to Ryder. Such fantastic neighbors!

Ryder likes to shower by himself now.

I don't know what this picture is from, but I thought it was funny.

Carving of the pumpkins ... a lot more work than you think.

November-ish ...

Jeremy and Payton were home with the Swine Flu and this is what I came home to.

The house was a disaster with tissues, food, toys, diapers, etc strewn about the house.

I went to New York for work and Ji Young joined me the last few days. We had a GREAT time. Sadly, I didn't get many pictures from the trip.

More November-ish ... For Thanksgiving we went to my parents' cabin in Oregon. We had a great time!

Miss P and Grandma Jan getting some snuggle time in after Thanksgiving dinner. Look at the belly on that girl! It's HUGE! But so cute ...

Ryder and I made a snowman.

Playing in the snow!

Miss P was a little cold so she hopped in the hot tub with Jeremy.

December-ish ... Christmas and New Year's celebration!

We celebrated Christmas Eve with the Kearney's. Before dinner we went to the Idaho Botanical Gardens, we got there a bit before they opened we hopped over the park to let the kids run around.

Ryder, Payton, Morgan and Aidan. Such a fun night!

Merry Christmas!

Miss P showing off her teeth, so excited about her new pink wheels from the Kearney's. Thanks guys!

I've taken to calling us the Borney's. (Bordner's & Kearney's mashed together) What fun times we've had together!

Ryder and Morgan saying their goodbyes on Christmas Eve.

Little more ...

One more hug.

Christmas morning.

Susie and Tucker flew in Christmas morning. Thanks for making the trip. It was so fun to celebrate Christmas at our house!

Payton had a good time with Grandma Susie!

I made a turkey. Yes, I cooked. It was quite yummy, if I do say so myself.

For Christmas dinner I used my grandmother's china, silver and linens ... it looked so beautiful.

Thanks Grandma Jo! It was so fun setting up Christmas dinner.

For dessert we made brownie sundaes ... Payton snuck a few bites.

On New Year's Eve Ryder and I built a huge snowman. Jeremy and I ended New Year's Eve with a bang, playing a 2.5 hour War card game. It took a lot of skill, but I won. If you know War, it's all about skill, not luck. :) At least the game kept us up past midnight!

On New Year's Day we had some "split P" soup for dinner! Ha!