Cronquist’s Blog

Well this has to go down as one of the most special Christmases.

experiences I can remember. Sharing Kaden’s first Christmas with our parents (Cronquist and Goodwin) provided for lifelong memories. More so for us, then him, but great memories nonetheless. We took a lot of pictures, so we can bring him up to speed later. He has grown and changed so much in just his first three months and his big smile sure lights up the room.

Grandma and Papa had quite the trip down due to the weather, but once that was behind them it was Kaden time. Grandma didn’t want to let him go, especially when it was time to go home :(. However, the grandparents each received a webcam from us for Christmas, so the distance won’t seem so far away and they can “see” him grow up.  Should be fun.

Dad

Papa bought Kaden (okay me for now) a new rear bumper for Big Red. So dad and I spent some good quality time workin’ on the truck. I was
glad he liked the new rims and we had fun talking about when Kaden will be driving the ol’ truck someday. Lots of good memories there.

Grandma brought down her traditional christmas chex mix and she helped pave the way for Christmas cookie decorations. It was tough not being all together as a family for Christmas this year, but those little things made our small gathering memorable.

We also had a chance to tour a greenhouse here in Carpinteria, so they could see what their son does for

work. We never leave Rene’s empty handed. Thanks June and Rene!

Miss you Grandma and Papa!

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I have to give credit to Bob B. for this one. . .it might just be my mood, but I laughed out loud with this one.  Thanks Booby.

romantic sleigh ride

Grandparents (my parents) expected to fly in for Christmas, but we just keep watching the news and weather.

I recommend they don’t take the bus to the airport:

School & Work Closures Today in Santa Barbara

Originally uploaded by Mr_Cronquist.

We woke up this morning to snow visible in the foothills, forcing all
kinds of chaos for the commute, schools and work. Many people are
likely working from home to avoid the cold.

Ah, life in California!

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Christmas with the Grammi and Poppi Goodwin

Originally uploaded by Mr_Cronquist.

This weekend we celebrate Christmas with the Goodwins. Bob and
Raylene are down and last night we celebrated Christmas together.
However, we had to start by getting the tree, so we ran down to the
Carpinteria Boy Scout lot and grabbed ourselves an expensive noble
fir. I won’t tell you what we paid for it, because you guys in the NW
would just make fun of me. I just couldn’t bring myself to doing the
u-cut Monterey Pine this year, its just not a Christmas tree.

Kaden is loving the lights. In this picture he was staring at the
lights going around the tree lot and now that we have lights on the x-
mas tree, he’s mesmerized. Last night was very fun, with a great
dinner and some presents. I’ll try to update this with more photos
and upload the rest to our flickr album.

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Traditions continue

Originally uploaded by Mr_Cronquist.

Well this weekend we pulled out all of our decorations and began
decorating for Christmas. Kaden received a special decoration this
year from his great grandma Kautz. . .his own stocking! It was
certainly a special moment when as a father I hung the third stocking
up next to mine and Tarah’s.

Thank you Great Grandma! It was very very special.

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New Rims for Big Red

Originally uploaded by Mr_Cronquist.

Well it only took 15 years, but Big Red got some new rims yesterday.
This is a rather momentous occasion for this truck, considering the
rims that I took off have been with the truck since my dad purchased
the truck when I was in 5th grade. Needless to say the change was due.

I also had to install a new exhaust system since the right muffler
went out two weeks ago, so between the wheels, the exhaust and the new
clutch, this is feeling like a new truck again. I’ll try to upload a
video later so you can hear how it sounds and some pics of the
mufflers underneath for those that care.

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Like Father, like son. . .

Originally uploaded by Mr_Cronquist.

It sure is fun watching him watch him. He is noticing and tracking
just about everything now, found both of his hands, sees himself in
mirrors. . . Tarah caught the two of us checking ourselves out in
the mirror. He’s just almost laughing out loud in this picture.
We’ve heard him giggle a few times, but nothing that we can see is a
true laugh yet. We’re getting there though!

Grammi and Poppi (Tarah’s parents) are coming today for Christmas.
We’re going to go get our first tree as the fam!

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The Boys

Originally uploaded by Mr_Cronquist.

It has taken me a bit to get back to blogging since the break, but
here is another Turkey Day photo that I hadn’t shared that I think is
awesome. These are our boys represented from the families (Sandridge,
Cronquist, Carlisle) at our post Thanksgiving, but thankful for In-N-
Out dinner party. These boys are all separated by about a year. They
were sure fun to watch. One is walking and talking, one is just
crawling and standing and one is eating and sleeping (oh and cooing
and smiling).

I think Kaden’s hair is going blond! What do you think?

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