Best of 2023

Yet again it is time for our superlative list for the year! 2023 was a big one, and we probably didn't do it justice here, but we tried our best. In no particular order:

Best Sporting Event (TD Garden Edition): Bruins Game

Early in the spring, our friends the Wendts returned to Boston for a weekend to see the Bruins. They invited us to go with them (though we are a little suspicious that they really just wanted an excuse to see Cleo, their favorite dog). We had a wonderful dinner in the North End, watched an intense game, and Abby developed a small crush on Patrice Bergeron (who among us hasn't?). The game was very exciting: there were a couple of fights and it went right down to the wire. We definitely got our money's worth. Also Cleo got to see some of her favorite humans.

Best Sporting Event (Fenway Edition): Red Sox Game

It was the Red Sox vs the Pirates. We were having a wonderful time together, enjoying the game from near third base, eating a couple of famous Fenway Franks. There were three home runs in the first inning, people were cheering, spirits were high! But wait - what's that? Abby's 39 1/2 weeks pregnant and she's starting to have irregular contractions?? Oh boy! Thankfully they were only Braxton-Hicks contractions, but we almost had a Caroline instead of a Frances.

Best Sporting Event (Vacation Edition): Cape Cod Baseball

The Cape Cod Baseball League is a venerable institution. The only US league where you can still hear the thwack of a wooden bat, the games have a beautiful small town feel while also being a showcase for upcoming talent (at least that is the way it seemed to us when we saw the recruiters in their special box taking notes). The game was even better since we saw it with our friends the Poulsen-Stevensons!

Best Sporting Event (Park Across the Street Edition): Bocce

Two to four people enter the park, but only one or two are crowned champion! Eight big balls, one little ball, and a cute little measuring tape: this is BOCCE! Braden got a bocce set for Father’s Day this year and would love to play with you. Please come play Bocce with him. He’s begging you. Anyone?

Best First Meeting: Frankie and All of Her Cousins

This summer we flew west to Utah and Idaho and did the grand tour of showing off our baby! Frankie got to meet grandparents and great-grandparents, aunts and uncles, lots of friends, and most importantly, all 13 of her cousins (14 if you count baby Coco, who was still in utero). All of the cousins had the best time snuggling her, making her giggle, and teaching her how to play peek-a-boo!

Best House Guest (Human Edition): Julie

Julie came to visit the week Frankie was born and she absolutely nailed it. She took us on labor-inducing walks, organized picnics, and gave Abby endless foot and back massages. Then, when the time came, she held Abby's hand during contractions and talked her through difficult decisions during labor. Then, outside of hospital visiting hours, she took care of the dog, stocked the freezer, and even did a little kitchen reorganization! What a champ!

Best House Guest (Non-Human Edition): Dora

We got to spend a few nights with Dora this year and we highly recommend it! She is a big snuggler, and Cleo only gets a little bit jealous when Dora gets your entire lap for movie night. Keep an eye on her though; she might eat your pork chop off of your plate while your back is turned (based on true experiences). 

Most Romantic Existential Crisis: Waiting for Godot on Valentine’s Day

On Valentine's Day we went on a lovely date to get some corn dogs and see a play. The corn dogs were pretty good. The play was Waiting for Godot, Samuel Beckett's famous tragicomedy. As we sat in the dark, we confronted existential questions such as, "How reliable is memory?", "When does hope become naive?" and "Do I exist if no one acknowledges my humanity?". But we were holding hands, so it all worked out in the end. 

Most Missed Stand Up-Show: Mike Birbiglia's Christmas Parmesan 

When Braden found out that Frankie was on the way, one of the most useful books he read/listened to was Mike Birbiglia and J. Hope Stein's The New One. (The stand-up special version is on Netflix, but the book is better because Stein's poems are great.) So this year, very thoughtfully, Abby bought Braden tickets to see Mike Birbiglia at the Wilbur for his birthday. Little did she know that Frankie would bring home RSV from daycare and ruin their plans. Oh well, maybe next year. (Mike, if you are reading this, come to Boston in 2024!)

Best AirBnB: Brenda and Kim's Visit (Bonus! Best Surprise: Dallas, Again!)

Braden's mom and sister came to visit shortly after Frankie was born. His dad snuck on a redeye and showed up by surprise again! (see Best of 2017 for more Dallas shenanigans). We mostly spent our time chatting and cuddling Frances, so their AirBnB was really important. It was in a great location, had an office chair that inspired Kim to buy a new office chair, and had a very comfortable couch. Basically, it was everything we needed to spend some valuable family time together.

Scariest, Most Ferocious Wild Animal: Frankopotamus 

Did you know that the Frankopotamus is the deadliest large land mammal on the planet? Well, now you do. Be careful out there. 

Most Crying During a Video Game: Blanc

Braden downloaded Blanc to play with Abby because he saw it on a list of best co-op games. The music and visuals were stunning, and we had a lot of fun solving the puzzles to get the little deer and wolf back to their respective packs, BUT we were not expecting a certain scene involving lost lambs to pack such a punch (no spoilers). Abby, in her pregnancy-induced heightened emotional state, cried A LOT and had to put the game down for a few months. 

Best Girl: Cleo

It was a close one this year, with a new girl in the house giving Cleo some serious competition for this category. But, in the end, we just couldn't take the belt from the reigning champion. She learned a lot about sharing and being more chill this year, and we are very proud of her!

Best Porch Activity: Braden's Little Garden 

When we moved into our Somerville apartment, the previous tenant left some plant pots on the porch. Braden also got a salsa garden kit for Christmas last year. These two facts combined and Braden created our first garden! It was one of our first family activities after Frankie came home from the hospital. The flowers thrived, the herbs flavored many of our meals, and the salsa garden produced one measly tomato. Next year we’re sticking to flowers and herbs!

Best High Five: Jens and Frankie

Frankie's first high five, and definitely the cutest!

Best Leaf-Peeping: Vermont

We had a lot of fun on our annual leaf-peeping road trip this year, including stops at some lovely waterfalls, a great bookstore, and a cool diner. We also visited the Vermont General Store, which Abby had visited as a pre-teen on a trip with her grandparents, and it brought back a flood of memories!

Most On-Brand First: Crawling at the Library

When Abby has a Saturday shift at the library, she sometimes works in the Children's Room. At the end of her very last Saturday shift of 2023 (and her very last Saturday shift at the Central Square Branch), Braden and Frankie came to visit. Frankie had been on the brink of crawling for weeks, but on the last Saturday of 2023 there was magic in the air, and she really crawled on the solar system rug!

Best Treat (Adult Edition): Strawberry Shortcake Frappe at Boston Burger Co.

Sometimes your hat needs a hat. Sometimes you go on a date and have a delicious dinner and then decide as you walk home that you need a dessert. Then you see the advertisement in the window: a frappe (also known as a milkshake for those of you outside New England) with a cake on top of it, the hat on a hat of desserts. You walk in and order the strawberry shortcake frappe: a strawberry frappe in a glass rimmed with marshmallow fluff and surrounded by whipped cream and topped with shortcake, strawberries, more whipped cream, and, of course, a cherry on top. You walk the last couple of blocks home with a tummy ache, but a happy heart.

Best Treat (Baby Edition): Papa's Waffles

Papa Dallas's waffles are a Clinger family delicacy, and Frankie's first taste did not disappoint! She was grinning so big she could barely chew.

Best Baby Shower: Tie!

We were thrown two baby showers, and they were both so lovely! The first was an in-person shower thrown by our friends the Browns. We had such a nice time with friends from church and school, eating brunch foods, opening presents, and getting so much good advice. 

Then we had a Zoom shower with family. Maren flew all the way to Boston to help blow up balloons for the shower, which was good because Abby's lungs were pretty squished by this point. (Maren was a strong contender in this year's "Best House Guest" category.) We played some fun games and opened presents, and it was great to see everyone!

We were so spoiled this year. Thanks to everyone for all of the baby gear, advice, and love you showered us with. 

Highest Point: Rhode Island 

A few years ago Braden made a goal to visit the highest point of each state in New England (and the rest of the US? we'll see...) This year, Rhode Island was the only high point we crossed off the list. One hot June afternoon, to beat the heat, we hopped in the car and drove south to Jerimoth Hill (with an elevation of a whopping 811 ft). We took the arduous hike to the peak—just kidding, there is nothing arduous about the 5-minute walk to Jerimoth Hill. We also made a pitstop at the nearby A&W for some root beer and burgers.

Most Unbelievable: Having a Baby

Even almost 9 months in to Frankie's life, we often think to ourselves "I can't believe we had a baby!" It was unbelievable the first time we saw her, and it is unbelievable now, as she naps in her crib. It's unbelievable how well she fits in with our little family. It's unbelievable that she has curly red hair! It's unbelievable how much she's grown and learned in her short life. She is curious, loving, empathetic, adventurous, and unbelievable, and we thank our lucky stars every day that we get to be her parents. 

Biggest Accomplishment (Abby Edition): A Promotion!

Starting on January 8, Abby will start her new role as the Branch Manager at the O'Connell Branch of the Cambridge Public Library! It is an adorable branch with a great staff, and she's very excited to take on this new role. Wish her luck!

Biggest Accomplishment (Braden Edition): TBD

Sorry, I’m a bit busy with my dissertation at the moment. Ask me again once I’ve finished.

Best Bum: Yours!

We didn’t get any pictures of good bums this year, so let’s take this opportunity to appreciate the great bums on all of us. Go ahead - find a mirror and take a look. Wow! That’s a pretty great bum you’ve got there. 

Abby's Favorite Books of the Year

The Last Devil to Die by Richard Osman

I Have Some Questions For You by Rebecca Makkai 

Wellness by Nathan Hill

Braden's Favorite Books of the Year

The Lathe of Heaven by Ursula K. Le Guin

Ideas to Postpone the End of the World by Ailton Krenak

Essential McLuhan  edited by Frank Zigrone

Frankie's Favorite Books of the Year

Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown

See, Touch, Feel

The Thankful Book by Todd Parr (as read by Grandpa Vince)