Well, the Bachs of 2022 are just as crazy as the Bachs of 2021 and of 2020...but for an entirely set of different reasons. Maybe we are actually just plain crazy! And we love it and wouldn't have it any other way!
First, I really feel like clarifying, that I have been doing printed Christmas cards since 2006! Not 2014 as previously mentioned in my 2021 Christmas post. But here I am, again, not doing printed cards. This year, we are using the money we would have spent on printing and shipping cards and donating to the Hope Center in Waukesha. We were "introduced" to this local non-profit this fall, through our church. I love that, when we were discussing where to donate this year, the kids even mentioned this as an option and we all agreed that we liked keeping the donation local. We also have added volunteering here as a family to our 23 for 23 lists!
Second - How is it possible that I don't have a family picture from New Year's Eve 2021? I always start the blog with a picture from the previous New Year's Eve.
Anyway...What have those Bachs been up to in 2022?
OLIVER WALTER BACH - 8 Years Old
The baby of the family is 8. He's still keeping us on our toes and he still has us saying, "If he was our first, he would be our last." But seriously, this kid has GROWN in the last year! He still has really big emotions, but he has learned to manage them SO well. Oliver finished up first grade and spent the summer at the same camp he went to last year; except in 2021 he had so much fun, he asked to go 5 days a week this year. Big sister was all too excited to hear she would have a summer all to herself! Oliver officially learned to ride a 2 wheel bike this spring and kicked off summer with an early birthday present of his first official bike, complete with gears and a kick stand! We didn't see much of him after that! He's having a blast navigating the neighborhood with a few of the other kids! He feels like QUITE the big kid now! In the fall, Oliver started 2nd grade with another perfectly matched teacher, and is just loving school! He had another successful soccer season this fall and officially joined the New Berlin Swim Club in November! He is SO excited to be a Muskie and we can't wait to see him show off his skills at his first meet in February! Oliver still loves to make you smile and laugh. He's my class clown and story teller. And he's still my lover and my cuddler. He's still my thumb sucker and loves to sleep with the hallway light on. I'm not entirely sure he can tie his shoes. He has big career dreams of being a YouTuber and if that doesn't pan out, then he'll be a deconstructer (whatever that is, it sounds dangerous).
ELEANOR FRANCES TERRONES - nearly 14!
All I can say with this one is STOP IT! You guys. I have a 14 year old. Eleanor has had all the bumps and bruises that come along with navigating adolescences. All in all, she is doing it SO well and I am SO proud. She might be doing it better than I am as the parent! Eleanor wrapped up a big year, transiting to 7th grade in her new school. The day after school got out (and Mom and Dad were in California) Eleanor went to her first overnight camp for almost a week. She had a blast and is already talking about going again. As 8th grade started, Eleanor decided to go out for Cross Country again; however, shortly into the season she was asked by a friend to play soccer for the weekend because their team had so many injuries. Andy and I laughed and scrambled to find her some soccer cleats and shin guards. Well. It was Eleanor who laughed at us, because she LOVED it and dare I say, for never having kicked a soccer ball in her life, she was fairly descent. Fairly competitive. She quit cross country and played the rest of the season. What a thrill to watch her on the field! It was a very tough day when she was required to go to her home hosted swim meet, instead of the soccer finals. But as much fun as soccer was to watch, Eleanor is a swimmer. When the soccer season was over, Eleanor quickly found her "swimming groove" again, dropping times in most of her events. Her stroke is free style, but she's a great butterflyer too. Eleanor will still devour any book you put in front of her, loves to write short stories, and finds plenty of time to binge series on Netflix, Hulu, or Prime. She binged the entire season of Stranger Things just in time for the new season to come out, but also got the entire family hooked on the Night at the Museum movie series. And that sums up Eleanor. Growing up, but hanging onto childhood - as she should! Eleanor is my quiet listener, my empathetic feeler, my old soul, my cautious thinker. I also can't believe I'm approaching my last 365 days before she starts....driving!! Just her temps next year, but still. Blows. My. Mind. She's not entirely sure what happens after high school, but I absolutely know that whatever she decides will be absolutely the right thing for her.
ELIVER
They are the best of friends, they are the worst of friends. They are siblings. They can be so short with each other, it makes my blood turn cold. But don't you dare cross one of them, because the other will be quick to defend and protect. Eleanor is constantly asking Oliver to quiet down, stop touching her, stop invading her space, leave her alone, chew with his mouth closed, or addressing some other general annoyance. But the other day I listened to them play with an empty Christmas Tree box for the longest time. They made up some elaborate story, were whispering and giggling, and were not anywhere near electronics. It was magical! They are there for each other when they need to be, and that's what matters.
DEBORAH JAZZ - 4 Years Old
Dang it! Even the dog is growing up on me. Growing up, but not slowing down. Debbie's life hasn't changed much. She still barks at EVERYTHING that passes our house - and sometimes at nothing too. She'll lose her mind if you come into our house - barking, complete with hair standing up. When you reach out to pet her...off she goes, scared to death. Just like she's scared of the vacuum cleaner, electric toothbrush, hair brush, and the newest one - my sewing machine CASE! She's a weirdo that one, but she needs to sit right next to you...mostly ON you, during movie time, she wants to sit on my lap during my weekend coffee, and she'll wrap her paws around you for a hug. I found a great deal on Amazon Prime day for a Doggie DNA kit. We learned that Debbie is 50% Australian Cattle Dog, with a little bit of American Staffordshire Terrier, a little bit Pit, and a little bit Bulldog! It was fun to find out, but ultimately she's just 100% Amazing! She's tolerant of the kids, the kids' friends, and of me (putting ALL the things on her head!) She's loved beyond measure and can't imagine life without Debbie da Dog.
DANA LYNN SCHROEDER-TERRONES-BACH - 40 + a few more
What's new with me? Well, I just wrapped up year one at TIKI Brand and still love it! It's such a challenge. The people I work with are some of the hardest working, smartest people I have ever worked with and they keep me on my toes all the time! AND, I love seeing our products "in the wild". I found out Cedarburg was having a 1/2 marathon over Memorial Weekend and immediately registered - both Andy and I. I can't say he was exactly happy with me for signing him up for a 1/2 marathon. So much so, that I signed him up for another 1/2 marathon this June! Seriously, I'm SO lucky he puts up with my crazy (stupid?) ideas! This summer, I had the joy of helping Ray and Diane with pickling. I certainly can't remember how I did it, but I do know I can't wait to do it again next year (and maybe take better notes). I've already provided Ray with a list of items we need to pickle next summer! I'm hopeful to be able to carry on that tradition!
THE ANDY BACH - 40 + a few more than me
Man are we lucky to have this guy around. He might drive us crazy, but he keeps us sane. Andy is still at Direct Supply and still working from home. It is one of the greatest work related benefits we have! He gets Oliver off to school in the morning and is home to make a quick trip up to school for a forgotten pair of snow pants or a missed lunch. He's home to get dinner started, usually at least one kid fed, and another kid out the door to some practice or another. He's there for every after school hug and random interruption during the summer work day, which I'm very jealous of. But he's also there for every random interruption during the summer work day, which I am NOT jealous of! Andy was able to coach Oliver's soccer team this year and I'm not sure who enjoyed it more - Andy or Oliver? He's already looking forward to next year! He's still the Treasurer of our swim club and lucky for him, his daughter may only have 4 more years of club, but Oliver is just starting! ;-) He's still taking guitar lessons, but assures me he's not ready to tour with Dave Matthews Band and he both loves it and hates it when I say, "Don't hate me, but I have an idea..."
DABACHERY - 9 years old
It's hard to imagine that we just celebrated our 9th wedding anniversary. We talked for awhile about going back to New York (where we honeymooned) to celebrate our 10th anniversary in 2023. However, when our friends suggested we tag along on their 2022 Napa, CA vacation, we of course said yes! We spent 5 glorious days with friends in some (very extreme) heat and complete relaxation! After purchasing a few bottles a wine for back home, NY may have to wait for a few years. Of course, we don't need to fly across the county to get ourselves into trouble! With our own built in babysitter, we can make just about anything an adventure! I'm incredibly thankful for Andy's easy going attitude, because I can come up with some really bad ideas - including the already mentioned half marathon,
BACHERRONES FAMILY
2022 was a pretty great year. For the most part we have been happy and healthy. We've made more memories that we enjoy sharing and reliving. Of course, we've also had a few moments that we are eager to forget. But even in our challenging times we have learned and grown. And most importantly, we've supported each other and remained open with each other. We visited many of our favorite locations including Spring Break in Perdido Key, Florida, Easter Break in Galena, IL, and Summer in Devil's Lake and Wisconsin Dells. As life all too often reminds us, we had to say good bye to a few people we love and shared tears through our grief journey. We've also met some really great new people and tried to spend as much time as possible with our "old" friends.
As we close the chapter on 2022, we eagerly await 2023. Full of new hopes, new dreams, new adventures, and new lessons. We are thankful for the memories we were able to share together in 2022 and look forward to the new memories we can make together in 2023.
From our family, to yours, a very MERRY Christmas, Happy Holidays, and a Wonderous New Year!
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