The Browns at the St. Alban’s Parish Christmas Day Dinner 2016
As we enter this season of Thanksgiving, I continue my tradition of posting family photographs from the past year on More to Come… We have much for which to be thankful in 2017.
This has been another difficult year in our country, as we break into tribes and as the growing income inequality pushes us farther apart. We forget that the American experiment is built around ideas, not tribal groups, and that a sharing of common opportunities and challenges is important to being a citizen. That experiment survives only if we celebrate all our fellow citizens and embrace the full American story. We have not always succeeded, but we must keep trying in the year ahead.
Candice and I were thankful that Andrew and Claire were home for the Christmas break late in 2016. Some of the errands and visits were more mundane than others—such as shopping for new glasses—but this one made for a good opportunity to take a picture of our two favorite children!
Clarity is a pair of new glasses: Andrew and Claire, December 2016
In January, Candice and I were fortunate to spend the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday weekend in New York City, where we saw the amazing musical Hamilton. It truly lived up to the hype. (Our selfie-taking abilities…on the other hand…leave much to be desired.) Andrew was also “on stage” in January as one of the three kings at St. John’s Lafayette Square’s traditional Epiphany celebration.
In line to see Hamilton in New York City
Andrew (left) as one of the Magi during St. John’s Epiphany celebration
We were back in New York State not too many weeks later. Thirty-five years ago in March, Candice and I began our life journey together. To celebrate, we had a relaxing and restorative long weekend at Mohonk Mountain House, one of our favorite places.
Celebrating our 35th Anniversary at a snowy Mohonk Mountain House in March 2017
While we were in the snowy northeast, Claire was enjoying California, her home for the past six years. She has always been our lover of the great outdoors, and during the first half of the year she went hiking and camping in the beautiful Joshua Tree National Park, visited the Grand Canyon with Southern California friends, hosted Andrew during her last couple of months in Los Angeles, and gathered together for a reunion with her Episcopal Urban Intern Program housemates.
Joshua Tree at sunset (photo by Claire)
Hiking the Grand Canyon
Claire’s reunion with EUIP Housemates
Baseball season began in April, and that can only mean one thing: Let’s Go Nats! David made it to Opening Day for the first time in his life, and Andrew went along to help kick off the new season. (Andrew ended up going to five games on both coasts, perhaps joining Dad and Claire as true-blue baseball fans.)
Old Glory at Opening Day
Celebration was in the air in May and June for all types of special family events: Mother’s Day, weddings, Andrew and Claire’s exploration of LA, and Father’s Day.
Celebrating Mother’s Day
The family gathers to celebrate life and love with Erin and Jonathan
Claire and Andrew explore LA
Drinking whiskey at Jack Rose on Father’s Day
Andrew and Claire look very stylish in celebrating a dear friend’s wedding in Sarasota
Claire was home for a month between July and August, as she transitioned from living in Southern California to attending graduate school at Berkeley. She took time to hang with Andrew, Mom, and Dad and attend a beach weekend with close friends from Pomona College.
Dad does his best to make baseball fans of the next generation
Pomona College friends reunion at the beach in Maryland
The entire family was able to come together in August for a week in Wellfleet, Massachusetts on Cape Cod. It was a nice time of relaxation, exploration, and—of course—eating well.
Finishing up a puzzle – a Brown vacation tradition
Andrew meeting author Alison Bechdel during a book tour event in Wellfleet
Fall has been a busy season, with another family wedding, Claire beginning her new adventure in graduate school, Andrew’s singing career stepping up to a new level, celebration of holidays, and traveling across the country.
David and Emily Ghattas celebrate with their cousins from around the world
Candice and DJB enjoy Chicago with David’s sister Debbie and her husband Mark
Claire – on the first day of kindergarten and the first day of graduate school. Time goes by much too fast.
David at Pink Martini Headquarters in Portland, OR
Claire – new glasses, new haircut, ready for a new home in the Bay Area
Andrew ready for the next move in his singing career (© 2017 | Kristina Sherk Photography | http://www.Kristinasherk.com)
Pumpkin carving time with Andrew and Candice
Andrew sings the Mozart Requiem at the Mexican Cultural Institute for El Día de los Muertos
Dinner with Claire at Alice Waters’ Chez Panisse
Claire’s view from her back porch hammock in Oakland…life is good
Wine tasting in Sonoma
As you can see, it has been a busy and fulfilling year. During this Thanksgiving season, we give thanks for you, our wonderful friends.
Enjoying one of many wonderful meals on Cape Cod
Have a terrific Thanksgiving holiday with friends and families.
More to come…
DJB
Filed under: Family, Heritage Travel, Random DJB Thoughts | Tagged: Family, family photographs, Heritage Travel, Thanksgiving |
Happy Thanksgiving, Candice, David, Andrew, and Claire! Such fun to see your wonderful photos. Fondly, Lolo
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