Family News 2007-2008

 

Here we are again, the end of another glorious year that moved at warp speed!  As always, it has been a busy one. We are happy to report that our Mom’s, our kids and our beautiful grandchildren are all in good health and busy as ever.

 

Cristian, our oldest grandson has earned his temporary drivers permit and will have his license this year.  How exciting for him, one of the first passages to adulthood.  He is still playing football and school is going very well for him.  Caity is busy with her horse, spent much of her summer working at the barn.  She has been jumping and improves with every day.  Zoë and Stelle, as well as Juliet are our dancing queens, kicking it up with Irish dance.  They performed at Irishfest and were wonderful.  How proud we were to sit with our friends and watch these lovely girls dance their hearts out.  Celina and David have been busy with a new school and gymnastics, which they thoroughly enjoy.  Additionally David was in football this fall, perfect for the boy that never goes anywhere without some kind of ball in his arms.  This spring he will start in Little League.   Our little Thomas is busy exploring all there is to explore.  He has that wonderful little twinkle in his eyes, mischievous, not naughty.  He will enjoy his second birthday this year!  We marvel at our grandchildren that are so smart and so sweet.  Our kids have done a really nice job with their children.

 

Our children have all had busy years as well.  Gina has taken a position with Elm Brook Memorial Hospital and loves the change.  Mark left DRS this year and has enjoyed the time off (sure with his 2 or 3 side jobs) to decide what direction he wants to head to next.  Danny has had quite a year.  He is attending WCTC and working towards a degree.  Since he has been out of school for some time this has been a real eye-opener for him.  His babies (the boxers) are adjusting to him being gone all day every day.  MaryBeth has landed a good job with Kohl’s corporate and is looking forward to the challenge.  Kim and Jack have had quite a year too.  They are in the midst of a big remodeling project they hope to have completed by the time their friends from France come for a visit.   Additionally Jack has just taken a position with the City of Milwaukee, which is very exciting.  Laura graduated in August and landed her dream job with Cardinal Stritch College.  Mike and Renee are busy with their jobs as well.  Renee spent 3 weeks in China in November and will return in March.  They spend a lot of time working on their beautiful yard and enjoying their place near the Dells.  All in all, life continues to be a wonderful journey we relish daily.

 

We went to Slovenia in September and had a wonderful vacation.  We loved the country and the people.  September is such a wonderful month to vacation overseas.  We seem to be partial to the fall season.  It isn’t too hot, colors are stunning and the packs of tourists for the most part are gone.  We were able to enjoy the simply breathtaking natural wonders that country had to offer as well as the wonderful food and wine.  Next year we have Croatia on our plate, around the same time.  Our friends Bonnie & Rollie will travel with us this year and we will catch up with our other mutual friends Tom & Nancy while there!  Should be a blast!   Of course one of the best parts of our vacations is the planning.  That anticipation level is quite high by the time we board a jet to our destination.

 

While we always expect that we will share birthdays, holidays and special occasions with the people we love and cherish, we NEVER take it for granted.  We savor every moment we are able to enjoy our families and our wonderful friends and count ourselves among the luckiest alive.  We are quite grateful for good health and good prospects for our future and for our loved ones futures.  We are happy to live in a country that allows us to achieve our hopes and dreams.  Have a safe, healthy and prosperous year everyone.

 

      Love, Tom & Shirley