2011 -- The Only Constant is Change ...

!!!! Y E A H – C h r i s t m a s I s A L M O S T H e r e !!!!

The Blizzards of 2011 Didn’t Dampen Our Spirts!!!!

The hardest part about these letters is trying to remember the key points from the last 350 (or so) days – the most recent things are right there, but going back to Jan, Feb, March… the details get a little fuzzy. So it was kind of fortuitous that I was sitting with Richard “Murph” Murphy Tuesday night and we discussed the very first hours of 2011. Tracy and I had been out until the wee hours, and somewhere around 2AM remembered we had been invited to Murph’s house for New Years Eve… we somewhat-drunkenly-stumbled through the neighborhood to bang on their darkened door … but it was to no avail – they had already passed out… uh “gone to sleep”. And thus brought in 2011.

And now it’s over… thanks, have a good night.

OK, maybe I have a bit more.

It’s been a pretty cool year for the Pratts… perhaps, most notably because we increased our headcount by one. In August, Ilona Laine, of Helsinki, Finland, came to stay with us for the school year – both she and Zoë are attending Lee’s Summit West High School (Zoë a freshman, and Ilona a senior). It was all honeymoon for about a month, but pretty quickly we settled into being a “family of five”, where now she has her own household chores, and thinks I’m just as weird as the other two do.

On the occupational front, we made two changes – the most impactful is that Tracy went (physically) back to work. Even though she had taken a … uh … sabbatical for the last couple of years – for the preceding three or four prior to that, she worked from home. In November, she accepted a fulltime position with John Knox Village as a Systems Analyst in their IT Department. It’s a great role, for several reasons; while not directly in the “medical field”, it is medically-adjacent enough that it is pretty stable, she is very good at it, and a very nice plus, is that it is located in Lee’s Summit (about three miles from the house -- she has even walked to work a few times).

I changed companies too… nothing too drastic, just selling IT for a different company – doing the road-warrior thing – covering from Minneapolis to Texas, Phoenix to Denver.

In addition to my professional travels, the entire Pratt family was racking up the miles this year. We had our “annual” trips, of course: Florida for Spring Break and a summer trip to the North Woods to see Ray. But we had some new ones as well…

n With Zoë being on the High School Cross Country team, Tracy chaperoned Zoë and about 20 others for a week of altitude conditioning in Colorado, where they camped at 9,000 feet, ran every day – and took one day to go white-water rafting.

n While Zoë was in Colorado – Zander took the opportunity to have some alone time with Pete & Sue in Clinton for a week. Pete took Zander to the shooting range and taught him the ever-important life skill of shooting an assault rifle. (So, when the Zombie Apocalypse comes… Zander’s our guy!!!)

n In April, Tracy and I took an impromptu, quick weekend getaway with the Murphs and a two other couples, to warm, beautiful Cancun Mexico.

n Tracy managed two “Girls Weekend” trips this year; the first early in the year to Las Vegas with Kathy, Phyllis, and Carol. And in September, in preparation for Timmi Otte’s upcoming wedding, she went on a Bachelorette party weekend to Hermann… Odd, I never really got much info about what happened at either venue?!?!?

n To celebrate Zander becoming a Man (or at least, turning 13), he and I shoved off for a Manly weekend in Orlando, Florida. We visited with my mother, grandmother, sister, and cousin; as well as a quick trip inland to see Ray. However, the main reason for the trip was to visit the newly-opened LegoLand Florida (set atop the old Cypress Gardens theme park). From the Lego and Botanical Garden perspective, it was GREAT; from a theme park it was just OK – but still very much worth the trip. We also rented a canoe for a two-hour river float – which ended quite abruptly when we spotted a very large alligator ambling our way.

As mentioned above, Zoë was on the HS J-V Cross Country team, and much to our surprise, Ilona joined too, and was running with them her first day at our house. Per usual, Zander played spring and fall football… although we are not sure if he will switch activities now that he, too, is approaching high school.

(Editors sidebar: HOLY COW – I have all teenagers!!!!!!!!)

Tracy and I are still running the odds and ends races … Tracy, Zoë, Kathy, Rose, and a few others did the Mother’s Day 5K (for the second year); Tracy and I both did the Rock the Parkway; Zoë, Tracy, and I did the Trolley Run (for what seems like the 10^th time?!?!?); I did the Hospital Half in June, and the Gobbler Grind Half in November; as well as pulling double-duty for both the Chicago and Kansas City Marathons in October.

While looking back over this, it seems “WHEW, what a YEAR!!!” – but somehow (for us, anyway), it is not all that remarkable, just an average 365 days for the Pratts. I am also (as always) amazed that the year can already be over. Tracy and I just celebrated our 19^th wedding anniversary this past Tuesday, and Zoë will be learning to DRIVE in the Spring… I don’t know how any of this is possible. Tracy and I are in our early 30s, and Z&Z are just babies… (or so it seemed just a few months back…).

Regardless, on behalf of Tracy, Zoë, Zander, Ilona (and a couple of good-for-nothing hounds)… I wish you all the very best of holiday seasons, and the happiest of New Years. May 2012 be the best year of your life. While I don’t know what it will bring for me, the one thing I can be certain of, is that I won’t be bored.

Cheers,

Daron

Daron L. Pratt

December 15, 2011

Pratt Family Christmas...

Season Greetings Friends!

I haven't done a holiday letter in few years -- so I think one is due; and like every other, I feel the need to begin with "wow, I can't believe how fast this year has gone by". I know it is a cliché, but it truly does seem each year passes more rapidly than the prior. So with that out of the way... I've launched my local Christmas music station -- and shall begin.

I know these letters always say how blessed everyone is ... but I am sitting here writing this, early on December 13th -- the 17th anniversary of my wedding date; a beautiful, intelligent, honor-roll-earning daughter sleeping in the next room; "The Boy", who creatively impresses (and humors) me more and more every day; two dogs (one good, one evil) sleeping at my feet; and my best friend still upstairs in my bed -- and I honestly cannot image life any better or any differently.

This year has not been without its trials; most notably, we lost my father in April, after a lingering illness. Yesterday, I told Tracy; I think that is why I have put off writing this letter -- I am still not really over it -- and as I guy, it's just easier to avoid it. I think of him every day and miss him very much; preferring to remember him younger, healthier, and happier -- much like the Skinny Elvis.

This year also brought the lengthiest and scariest accident for The Boy. While taking a simple bike ride with his mom and sister, he made a stop along the path. Never to be last on the trail, he sped up and did not take one of the bumps in the road very well; soaring long and far over his handle bars and smiling all the way to the pavement; where several of his newly-grown, adult teeth decided to move out and try life on their own; that, along with a sprained wrist, eight stitches to the face, and full-body road-rash... Ouch! In fact, the Boy (being his father's son) was flirting with the hospital staff and smiling his bloody, toothless smile, before he left the ER. And... to help our parental status, he repeatedly said to everyone, "No, I WAS wearing my helmet just not my shirt".

I turned 40 this year -- and for me, the pinnacle of the year was Tracy's surprise birthday party in Las Vegas. Now it was not QUITE on par with The Hangover (on DVD, 12/15 -- check your local retailers), it was definitely the soiree of the year (dare I say "the DECADE"). If you missed the party or recap -- it is on my blog (http://daronpratt.blogspot.com -- which, oddly recaps most events -- but I digress). I decided to hit 40 healthy and planned 4 great marathons. One of the races was on Easter weekend in lovely Champaign-Urbana, for the Illinois marathon. Tracy, my cousin Kim, Iowa friends Dave and Missy all ran the half; and I had the pleasure of cheering Hollie, and sister-in-law Aimee on to finishing their first Marathon. Having the best cheering squad (thanks to the kids, Chris, Rachael, Dave, and Wes) made it more fun too. And... Chris was great in helping me rehydrate after the race too -- but that is story for another time. I have only missed one marathon due to a very bad ankle sprain but I am still dedicated to complete the GOOFY RACE at Disney even if it kills me (which it just might). On a funnier note, the entire family did a 5K in Lee's Summit ON my birthday. And... had I been born on the 11th, I would have been first in my age division. As luck would have it, other guys in their 40s want to stay healthy too so I came in 4th joining the toughest age group for male runners.

In late Spring, Tracy decided to take a "hiatus" from the workforce and it kind of stuck. She used the term "stay home mom" -- I corrected her, noting that the kids are 'tweeners, and don't stay home. She hit me; I don't talk any more. J Seriously though, she is loving it and having a blast with the kids and visiting everyone. She coordinated a great weekend bike trip along the Katy Trail. There was music and activities along the route, and we spent some time with the Gray clan before and after since we were in their neck of the woods. Then, for about six weeks there were visits to Iowa (Pete, Sue, and all the aunts, uncles, and cousins-galore); family from ALL sides in Chicago; and then up to the Northwoods (We love you Ray!!!). The summer ended with a nice trip to Daytona. While enjoying the beach, we visited with Carol and Jessica, as well as, Don, Kim, and Emma who made the trek down there too. A nice visit was enjoyed by all and a very forgettable tequila shot.

Zander had another triumphant football season. He showed his strength and agility on his team (RUSH) and stopped some critical plays as well as a few quarterback sacks. All in all, the team did good and played hard. He is also showing his artistic talent on the Stallion Singers, where he was selected for a solo on one of the Christmas songs, which he sang with gusto.

Zoe has been very active this year too. She is currently a brown belt in Taekwondo and recently competed in her first tournament taking second in sparring. We are very proud. Zoe also was on a member of the Summit Lakes Cross Country team; competing in several of tournaments around the metro area, and placing as high as fifth!!

With two weeks left in the year, we are not slowing down one bit -- next weekend finds us in Nashville for the "Gray Family" Christmas. From there, the Griswold Family truckster points north to Iowa for Christmas with the Motroni clan, before returning home for New Years -- and a refueling for a week before a final trip to Disney World. Whew!!! I'm a little winded just writing about it. All-in-all, another great year with friends and family.

We are thankful for, and love you all; The Pratt's -- Daron, Tracy, Zoe, and Zander ......oh, and Wonder-dog Gracie, and Evil-dog Roxie

Zoe's Cross Country Days

Zoe did really well in her cross country tournaments. Daron was really proud to see someone loves running as much as he does. :-)