May Christmas warm your heart . . . with happiness to share, friends who deeply care, family to love and blessings from above!  As we close another year and look back, we all share similar feelings that life is no longer the same and Peace on Earth has an even greater meaning in our lives.  May His Peace wrap you in warmth and gratitude this wondrous season!

WISHFUL SNOWBIRDS
Aloha!  February took us to Hawaii for 12 days of vacation. The thought of warmth and sunshine in the middle of winter was more than we could resist.  But for those two weeks, we got to pretend we were living the good life as snowbirds.  Neither of us had been to the Big Island, so we started our trip there, staying in the Kona area. This area is much drier and more desert-like than the wet, lush, vegetation of other islands. Massive past lava flows are also visible from the highways, adding a sense of desolation.  Their awesome paths of destruction, where they once flowed from the mountainous volcanoes to the sea, is visible from the higher elevations.  Two couples joined us for part of the trip.  In five days we were able to visit most of the island, except for Hilo. We hiked through parts of the usually dormant volcano Kilauea.  Walking on a steaming lava field was surreal.  Parts of the volcano had very active sulfur plumes and steam, making breathing a bit difficult.  But the power of nature was visible everywhere.

Our favorite trek was renting a kayak and paddling 45 minutes to see Captain Cooke’s monument, and snorkeling in what were the best waters we have visited in all of Hawaii. The fish were everywhere and of all varieties.  You could even stand at the waters’ edge and see them.  When we finally pulled ourselves away and were kayaking back, we were surrounded by spinnaker dolphins.  They put on quite a show jumping out of the water and spinning in mid-air before diving back into the clear blue sea.

We then traveled to Maui with friends George and Pat, where we enjoyed watching gray whales breach.  February is the time of year they complete their migration from Alaska to give birth to their young.  When these huge creatures breach, it truly is magnificent.

ON THE ROAD AGAIN
A trip to southern Idaho in early August brought together the culmination of a year of planning. About 25 of Rich’s family, from the Northwest, Texas and Florida, traveling together in cars, trucks and RVs, set off to visit the birth place of Rich’s Grandmother and other relatives (Anderson, Malm and Coryell).  Armed with hand-held radios, his mom and uncle were able to provide commentaries along the way for all to hear and enjoy.  Our destination was Custer, ID, a mining town founded in southern Idaho during the late 1800’s.  It boomed until about 1904.  Eventually it was abandoned and is now a museum.  Margaret’s grandfather was a foreman there for the Lucky Boy Mine.

A number of Rich’s mom’s relatives were pictured in the museum as they made up a large percent of the townsfolk.  A great-cousin of Rich’s is now dead, but she was known for her humor and feistiness.  When they dug up the floorboards of the old school for replacement, they found a note she had written to another classmate about how she was going to “beat the stuffing” out of a third classmate!  It is now preserved behind glass in the museum!!  Additional highlights were locating his great-grandparent’s graves in Challis, ID and purchasing a video from the museum that included pictures of many family members.  We ended the large family event by driving through the Saw Tooth Mountains to Sun Valley—beautiful country.

Rich’s immediate family traveled on to Twin Falls to spend a few days with cousins Bob and Linda at the Parkinson farm, where his Grandpa Hopkins had lived.  For Rich and his brothers it was a trip down memory lane.  The trip also provided an opportunity for everyone to visit with brother Ron's Family from Florida, and meet for the first time their daughter, Jennifer.

Just two weeks after the terrorist attacks, we flew to San Diego so Rich could attend a technical conference.  Afterwards, we took an extra 5 days to enjoy San Diego and visit Rich’s cousins, Rob and DeeDee, and family.  They are always a delight to visit and were such gracious hosts to us.

For all the traveling we have done, it was a bit scary getting on the plane, but once air-borne, those jitters passed.  People were so respectful of each other and accepted the long lines to check-in and clear security.  Much of San Diego’s downtown tourist places were vacant.  The naval frigate’s and air force activities were visible reminders of what was to lie ahead. On our return flight, we sat next to a young man of Middle Eastern descent.  He was very quiet and it was obvious he wanted to not be noticed.  For the first time we sensed what it must be like to carry the burden of imposed guilt for resembling photos of terrorists.

VISITING FAMILY
We joined Susan’s family in late May to celebrate the high school graduation of her niece Sara.  She graduated with honors and a great scholarship to DePauw University, majoringin Communications.  We had a great time, as always, visiting Susan’s family and just being back in southern Indiana to enjoy the wonderful hospitality of those Hoosiers!  The family is blessed to continue having all seven brothers, sisters and families return to Bob and Irma’s.  We will be spending Christmas there for our second annual reunion of the year.

We made several trips to Salem through the year to visit Rich’s Mom and family.  We are lucky to live so close to Rich’s Mom.  Every one is doing well.  The nieces continue to grow, and next year they begin graduating from high school.

LOOK WHO TURNED 50!!!
This was the Big 50-year for Rich!  April 6 brought the half-century mark and he weathered it quite well.  It was also the beginning of several parties to commemorate the event.  Susan hosted a family and friends dinner party for about 25.  Relatives came from Seattle, Richland and Salem.  The gifts were quite hilarious—a micro scooter complete with home-made arm, elbow, head and backside protection; his very own Harry Potter book; a walking cane equipped with many unusual accessories;  and even an unmentionable gift!

In early September, a group party was planned for Rich and two other friends who also joined the 50 ranks.  About 20 of us traveled to Yakima in eastern Washington for an all day party, planned by their respective wives.  The event featured tours of several wineries, interrupted by a gourmet lunch.   Two vans with designated drivers got us through the tours, which were then followed by a group birthday dinner.  As Rich said, turning 50 isn’t so bad when you have so many good people helping you celebrate.

MARINER FEVER
Seattle experienced another sports outbreak this summer, and Susan was an early casualty.  Being an avid Seattle Mariners’ fan, she followed almost every game on either the radio or TV!  In July, we had an opportunity to participate in a fund raising event for Children’s Hospital during a Mariners baseball game.  Susan organized the volunteers from her Guild to help collect donations at Safeco Field before the game.  It was quite a success and earned the volunteers tickets to the game, food and t-shirts!!  And the Mariners had one of their 116 wins to make the day complete!!!!

WORK & ACTIVITIES
Although layoffs at Boeing have made headline news, Rich continues to have no concern about loosing his job.  In fact, the last 3 months have been busier than ever, which translates into 12 hour days.  Most of the year was spent developing new software and processes to track proposed changes to the design of airplanes.  The first of these should implement this coming January.  He also was recruited to a team studying ways to increase the efficiency of procuring airplane parts.  This might sound out of sorts, since September 11th nearly eliminated the need for any new airplanes for the next year or two.  But at the same time, it creates an environment in which it is easier to change old business habits that have survived for decades.  By November, his assignments on this team turned into a fulltime job, and looks to continue as such through next year.

While Rich works, Susan continues her volunteer work.  Her tutoring in ESL (English as a Second Language) had additional challenges with the events of September 11.  Many of the foreign students who came to the US to escape the war and tyranny in their own countries were very fearful.  A number of them are Muslim and were afraid that others would label them as enemies because of their religious beliefs.  Those from Somalia were even more fearful with the recent focus on their country.  They have shared accounts of the goodness of many Americans towards them and the prejudicial side of others.  Reassurances and respect are what they most need and appreciate.

Rich continued to hone his skill in tree topping.  By late summer he managed to extend our panoramic view of Lake Washington by another 15 degrees.   He learned that felling the tree tops is easy.  It’s the cleanup once they are on the ground when the real work starts.  And speaking of work, it seems there is always something that needs to be done in our yard.

We still found time to do some short and long kayaking adventures.  We visited Port Townsend, at the entrance to Puget Sound, twice during the summer.  Kayaking options are plentiful, as there are a number of islands and bird sanctuaries to explore.  The sea air is refreshing, and the scenery extends as far as the eye can see.  It is a invigorating way to mix relaxation and exercise.

 Our final Christmas wish for you—May your troubles be less, And your fortunes be more; May nothing but happiness pass through your door.  May family and friends join in your holiday cheer; And may you find peace and love all through the year.  Have a Blessed Christmas!