Duggan Family Christmas Card 2017

Merry Christmas from Dan and Becky Duggan! We hope this greeting finds you in good health and spirits.

I am emerging from a busy season of Veterans Day Programs and Winter Concerts at my school in Boise, Idaho. I still teach K-6 General Music and conduct a 70+ member Choir at Grace Jordan Elementary School. This year, a half-day of PreK music at Madison Early Childhood Center was added to my schedule, and I definitely end my day on a fun-filled, energetic note (pun intended ♫). 

Last spring, the 5th and 6th graders presented an adapted version of Peter Pan. This year, we are tackling The Lion King. Over 100 of my music students have auditioned for a role.

Dan is still busy working as a software engineer at HP. This year, he volunteered once again for the Hour of Code, helping kids learn how to code at a Treasure Valley elementary school. He also attended a security hackerthon near Portland, Oregon in the spring.

We welcomed my brother’s and sister-in-law’s second child, Bennett, in April. Dan and I enjoyed spending time with our nieces and nephews throughout the year.

This summer, we vacationed on Orcas Island and in Leavenworth, Washington. We went whale watching and did some hiking and mountain biking.

Dan and I celebrated our 40th birthdays this year. Dan turned 40 in April, and I turned 40 in June. We are officially #adults now, although I guess we have been grown-ups for a while now anyway.

I have continued performing in studio recitals, and I joined the Cathedral Choir at the Cathedral of the Rockies this fall. We performed at a state choral conference in Sun Valley in October, and we are planning a potential choir tour in Belgium in 2019. I also performed with the choir in the beautiful Christmas at the Cathedral Concert this December.

Over Thanksgiving break, Dan and I ran with the Turner side of the family in the Turkey Trot 5K in Twin Falls, celebrating nephew Desmond's first race ever!

Dan and I will be celebrating our 14th anniversary and going on a few Nordic skiing trips this winter. Dan (and Dan ONLY) is looking forward to snowboarding too.

Have a wonderful holiday and a Happy New Year!

Love,
Becky and Dan

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How My Wrapping Paper Ended Up With an Identity Crisis This Christmas (RE-POST from 12/28/14)

Don't worry. I am no overachiever. I have yet to wrap a single Christmas gift. This is a re-post from three years ago. Enjoy the reread! 

The holiday season crept up on me this year. It usually does. As a music teacher, my holiday rehearsal and program season begins in September and doesn't let up until the first day of winter break. It can last longer, depending on the commitments I've made within the community. By Christmas, I'm ready to hole up in a room somewhere, away from the general public, until the second week of January.

I barely decorated my house this year, although I did put up a tree. Come to think of it, my husband, Dan, took care of that too. It wouldn't have happened if it had been left up to me.

I did wrap my gifts. Not well, but I wrapped them, nevertheless. If you have been reading my blog for a while, you will recall that I am a bit of a failed gift wrapper.

One night, I found the cutest Christmas ornament wrapping paper hidden away in our closet. Dan had gone snowboarding in Sun Valley, leaving me with the whole evening to wrap his gifts.

"I wonder why I don't remember this paper from last Christmas?" I thought.

Dan came home late that night.

"All of your presents are wrapped," I bragged.

"Cool."

A few minutes later, he joined me in the living room and asked, "Why are there birthday gifts under our tree?"

"There aren't any birthday gifts under the--oh shit!" I exclaimed and slapped my forehead. "Birthday balloons?! I thought they were ornaments! It took me forever to wrap those gifts."

"That's hilarious."

"Should I wrap them again?"

"No, it's fine," Dan said. "It's difficult enough for you in the first place."

A few days later, I saw this photo on the Internet. I showed it to Dan.

"Oh yeah, this is what I meant," I told him.

He didn't buy it.

On Christmas morning, Dan kept saying things like, "You mean, I don't have to wait until April to open this?" (Because Dan's birthday is in April. Clever, very clever.)

A couple of gifts later, he said, "Only one more birthday gift to open."

Then he paused.

"This is the last time I'll get to make fun of you," he said.

"I'm sure you'll find something else eventually."

He stared at the gift for a moment.

"You're going to miss this so much," I said, rolling my eyes.

Finally, he opened the last present wrapped in birthday balloons.

It's the thought, not the wrapping paper, that counts anyway.

Right?

For the latest blog updates, visit and "like" Rebecca Turner-Duggan.

Top Five Winter Faves

In the past, I have blogged about my Top Five Fall Faves, but I have never written about my winter faves.

"Why is that?" you may ask. "You certainly like talking about yourself and your preferences and your opinions on every other subject, Becky. Why have we never heard about your favorites during the winter?"

Well, let me tell you.

This time of year, I am overwhelmed with coordinating programs and concerts involving 100+ children between the ages of six and twelve and, depending on the year, taking on the role of performer in various community events. Sometimes, I forget there are things I like about this season.

I figured I had better put my favorites in writing before the cynicism of being a musician at Christmastime takes over.

1. Fluffy Scarves and Hats

Need I say more? Part fashion statement, part concealer of winter hair static and turkey neck, I can't get enough of fluffy hats and scarves.

2. Christmas Decorations and Lights

Even though I whine like a baby while decorating my house, I do enjoy my month of festive decor.

I also enjoy looking at all of decorations and lights around town, even though last year we had to drive around in that crazy snow on Christmas Eve, which did not mix with someone who occasionally battles motion sickness.

Let's just say I took my husband's favorite expression, "It looks like Santa threw up on our house" a little too literally.

3. Holiday Music . . . ?

I feel like I should say holiday music is my fave, being a musician and all, but music teachers are kind of like the Walmart of school. We start teaching the holiday standards in October because it takes that long to put a Winter Program together.

I do love listening to my cute first and second graders sing their holiday repertoire though, especially when I announce the song we're going to practice, and they all exclaim, "YES!" for Every. Single. Song.

4. Comfort Food

My enjoyment in life is mostly determined by food, and during the winter, there are just certain dishes I have to eat.

Butter Braid on Christmas morning? Christmas Eve Taco Dip? Butternut Squash Soup? Mac and Cheese? Christmas Date Log? Hello Dollies? Veggie Lasagna? Yes, please!

5. A Winter Wonderland . . . maybe . . .

I would say snow is one of my favorites, but then I think about last year . . . Snowmageddon, anyone?

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