With love from the Moore's 2010

Hello Friends and Family. Every time I write a new blog entry, I think "I should do this once a month" and then I return to find I can't quite get here more than once a year. That means that I have to recap the whole year which leads to fuzzy details and sometimes haphazard embellishments.

I hope your 2010 was a good one. I have enjoyed reading many Christmas letters and Facebook posts over the Holiday season. Thanks for all the updates, cards and photos.

A topic that comes up regularly now in our household is running. More specifically, ultra-running. Even more specifically, ultra-trail-running. So, I'll fill you in on Steve's 2010 year of ultra-trail-running. He also has a blog if you haven't read his race reviews (and would like to), go to www.wheelsandlegs.blogspot.com. Steve doesn't usually do anything half-way, so it should not surprise you that he completed his very first 100-miler last year and this year had two amazing 100-miler finishes. In August, he spent his birthday weekend running 100-miles in Leadville, CO. He placed in the top 20 and received a belt-buckle which is awarded to those who complete the course in under 24 hours. His parents were there to support him and were excited to be part of the event. The belt buckle is cool, but I think they should make them a little smaller for ultra-runners of medium frame. Steve had fun visiting friends and fellow runners, but bee-lined home so he could celebrate his birthday with us. In October, Steve returned to Bandera, TX, for the Cactus Rose 100-miler. This is the one he did last year. But, this year, he came in first (by a long shot) and set a new course record. The kids and I were there to take part in his glory and my parents and Sierra's friend were also a welcome part of the support-crew. He also did well in some shorter races (as in less than 100 but more than 30 miles), but they are starting to blur together. Believe me, this is only the beginning of his obsession with swift foot work on trail. He is not sure which 100-mile races, he'll be able to join this year. But if he has his way, he will be back in the higher altitude sometime around July for the Hardrock-100 in the Telluride area. So far, there has been a lot of talk about running on trails, but Steve will be found running on pavement this February for the Austin Marathon. He is not competing, but has been asked to be a pacer. You know the guys and ladies that run with a sign indicating a specific finish time? That will be Steve this year. He will be pacing the 3hr, 15 minute group. The funny thing is that he has never run a marathon and he won't be able to charge ahead to try to beat the 3:10 group. Tune in next year to see how that went.

Calvin, now 10, seems to have inherited his Dad's love for running (as well as his Mom's big feet). He ran his first 10K trail run with a very respectable time ~1hr 6 minutes and something like, 12th place out of 18 adults and one 10-year old. He also placed third in a cross-country one-miler this November. He is having a marvelous year in 5th grade and sports continue to be his favorite topic. He played two seasons of baseball and has become known as a great defender in the position of short stop. I never thought I'd enjoy baseball this much, but I am so looking forward to more baseball diamond action this Spring. Calvin also plays basketball and you can't hardly pry his favorite possession, his beloved football, from his hands. He and his friends are constantly passing and kicking that thing around. He takes it wherever he goes. I'm not kidding.

Sierra is now an official teenager. She is a delight to have around. As usual, her school work is done to perfection and her creative impulses are a joy to witness. This year she delved into school sports. She played volleyball in the Fall and plans to run track and play soccer this Spring. She traded in her flute for a spot in the choir. I am hopeful that next year, I'll have some cool pictures to post, because she loves photography and has saved enough money to buy a new camera.

We traveled a bit this year. I went on a business trip to San Jose with a side trip to Santa Cruz last March. Then, our family went to Telluride with friends for some Spring skiing. The accommodations are always over-the-top at Sunshine Mesa by Granny and Grandad and it was fun to share the whole experience with our friends, the Gregans. On the drive home, we were a bit unlucky as a huge snowstorm plunged its way across I-40. Just as we were about to exit at Cline's Corner, an 18-wheeler near the exit jack-knifed and stopped all traffic moving East. We were stuck in the blizzard for 7 hours, at night, just one mile away from our exit. Eventually, the cars in front of us started moving again and we made it safely to shelter in Roswell at 4a.m.

This summer, we took a couple of weekend trips with friends. One to the Texas Hillcountry at the River Inn and another to the Highland Lakes. We enjoyed kayaking in the Guadalupe River and trips in the speedboat on Lake Buchanan. While Steve was in Leadville, the kids and I trekked to Dixon, New Mexico for a visit with Uncle Jeff. Jeff's girlfriend, Miya, provided the kids with the opportunity to make pottery and experience Raku firing method. They made some beautiful pieces and enjoyed the whole process. In November, I went back to Dixon for the Studio Tour with my sister-in-law, Dawn. We had the best girls' getaway weekend and wondered why it took us this many years to take such a fun trip together. Watch for future reports on Girl's Getaway weekends in the years to come.


The sad news of our year came late last January when we learned of my Dad's lung cancer diagnosis. I know that he would not want his death to overshadow our life that is so full of love and joy. So, I think about the good things that come from loss, such as a deepened relationship with those who also knew and loved him. I was able to spend a lot of time with his wife, Sarah and will forever be thankful for the companionship and support she gave my father. At the two memorial services, I was able to spend some quality time with friends and family that I do not get to see very often. We shared many fond memories of the character known as Randy Spicer. This year, I have felt a deeper level of gratitude for each and every person in my life and I wish the best that life has to offer for everyone.

We spent this Christmas in Granbury, with my mom, step-dad and extended family. It was good to be together. As I write this, the kids are still there, enjoying a little more grandparental affection while our house in Austin gets a new finishing on our wood floors. I like the idea of starting 2011 on a freshly finished foundation. Steve will be back to Bandera for the 100K race January 8th. Our other plans for the year include a family trip to New York this summer with Sarah. Who knows, maybe I'll post on our family blog after that trip.

May you and your family have a wonderful, safe and healthy New Year!

Much love from Sandi, Steve, Sierra and Calvin