Happy Solstice! Merry Christmas! Happy New Year! Happy Festivus!

Here at Octane Acres we’re celebrating the return of the light. When the kids ask if it’s nightime on our way to town in the morning, you know we’re looking forward to longer days!

This past year has had it’s share of highs and lows, and we’re just thankful to be riding the roller coaster of life.

Eliza is in kindergarten this year and seems to really enjoy it! She had her first ever Christmas program a couple of weeks ago, and that was fun for all of us. She is also in two dance classes this year. It amazes me how smart she is, too. She’s doing a great job learning to read, loves to count and play games, and REALLY likes to do crafts. 

Highlights from Eliza’s year include: 

  • Losing her first (and second) tooth
  • Having a GOLDEN birthday (5)
  • Preschool graduation
  • Helping Mom at the farmer’s market
  • Starting kindergarten (and getting to ride the bus!)
  • Dance recitals

Seger continues to be a handful. He tests me daily, and JUST when I think I’m definitely going to lose my mind he goes and does something adorable. He’s my sour patch kid. Seger loves anything with wheels and a motor, and especially loves hooking up trailers and trains. He’s still a pretty big fan of his sister, but they have started to tangle now and again. It’s always and adventure.

Seger was trying to show that he was three by holding up thee fingers... and this is the shot we got. I'm in trouble.

Highlights from Seger’s year include:

  • Going ice fishing for the first time (the best part is driving on the lake)
  • Watching the tractor pull in Sunburg for Syttende Mai
  • Making s’mores by the campfire
  • Naming the cows in our pasture for the summer (Ba-Tina, Flower, Snowflake…)
  • Watching the tractor pull at the county fair
  • Hanging out with the guys during deer camp

DS Powersports has been very busy the last year. There really isn’t a “slow time” anymore, instead it toggles between “busy” and “hair on fire – busy.” Derrik is managing, and hoping to have more help in the coming year which will afford him some time to do things outside of work. 

I recently accepted a new position working for PrimeWest and am excited to be starting that in January. I will miss my ALP coworkers tremendously, though, so the transition is bittersweet. The new job will allow me to work from home and give me more flexibility with my schedule, and at this stage in our life that’s really important. 

We tried our hand at tapping walnut trees to make syrup last spring and it was a success! We learned some lessons along the way, and plan to do even more this year. Between the walnut syrup and the walnuts we harvested from our yard, we were inspired to make some goodies and sell them at the farmer’s market last year. The kids joined in on the fun too! 

In more somber news, Derrik’s dad Mike died on December 3rd after a long battle with cancer. Derrik did a great job writing Mike’s obituary which I’ll link to here. Even when you know it’s coming, nothing really prepares you for when that moment comes. He is definitely missed.

If you’ve made it this far, thanks for keeping up with us. We hope you had a good year, and wish you all the best in 2023!