Socks (and snow please)

There is nothing quite as satisfying as finishing a craft you've been working on for a while. Over Thanksgiving break I finished knitting my very first sock, something I've been wanting to do for so long. Since my super-knitting aunt was in town, she was able to teach me how to knit a heel. I think it was quite the success, holes and all. Now I'm starting a new pair with prettier colors and I think I'll use my first one as a stocking. 

I had a lovely birthday with my family and am celebrating again with friends this weekend. The only thing that would have made it better was a little snow. It still feels like fall here and I'm really ready for some Christmassy white. Tomorrow is the first of December, so the music and lights are bound to make an appearance.- K

Two Oh!

I'm wishing the happiest twentieth birthday to my beautiful twin sister and very best friend. It'll be a day filled with classes and work and busy busy times but we'll sit down tonight and celebrate by eating gluten-free cake and exchanging a gift to each other. This first picture is one of us as six-year-olds after we moved to Montana. The second one is at our senior prom. And then a poem I wrote last year around this time. Happy happy day!

Birthdays

I was held between

flesh wall and twin.
Warm, wet darkness

and shifting breath of sister.

We were born 

and held the same smile,

a zigzag across our peach faces,

creating kaleidoscope pictures

from the brightened hospital room.

Our hands and feet knotted

together

in the cradle,

a tangle of crisp blankets,

wisps of light hair

and wailing toothless mouths.

Twinhood, a dual mosaic

of first steps and first words.

I crawl and you watch,

I step and you watch,

and you mimic like shadow.

A lightness holds us,

like soft hands hold

a fish or a bird,

your body and mine

in a quiet, still space

of utter unison.

- K

Walking, November

With our curiously warm Saturday, I took a hike with friends up the north side of the city. The crazy-college-rival-football-madness had consumed the valley and we were looking for a perfect escape. Waterworks it was. 

The last weeks have been pretty busy- playing catch-up from our jaunt to Seattle and now getting ready for our Thanksgiving break. Today is our last day of school for the week- Nate and I are both staying in town for the holiday but most of my friends are hopping in planes and cars this afternoon. I can't explain to you how excited we both are for this break. A little relief from responsibility and even more importantly, time to be spent with our family (and dogs too). I'm anticipating a week filled with good food, happy families, playing with clay, knitting, running and many thanks. 

- K

Kicking Off the Off Season

Last weekend was Sundodger 2012, a major tournament located in Burlington, Wash. This was the first tournament of the year for the two of us, as well as K's first tourney with Montana Pillow Fight. The boys ended in 5th place out of 32 teams behind a couple college squads and two fogey alumni groups. The girls finished as 10th of 16.

But I won't be a boy forever ... and winter is coming. Now we look forward to gymnasium practices and prepare for our spring time run at college nationals, ladies and gentlemen.

- N

Election Day

It was our first time voting, and we feel we did a pretty good job. The cookies turned out well, too. We were glad to have some sweet treats to help us through an evening of nervous excitement.

Happy America, everyone.

N & K