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Published: December 6th 2014
CHRISTMAS 2014 Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all our friends and family near and far. We feel so blessed this year, as we so often do, after a year of time spent with loved ones.
Our picture this year is the whole family at our house for Easter. Not sure if and when that will ever happen again. It was our dream to get them all under one roof for a holiday. Bodies everywhere but we had a ball!
A quick update on the family. Leslie and Tim are still in Seattle. Jack and Joe continue to grow and thrive. We are able to spend much more time with them since moving West. They were here for Easter/Spring Break, summer camping in Eastern Washington, Halloween at their school parties and trick or treating with them and their friends. Joe has finally figured out it is okay to take chocolate, even though he doesn’t like it, because Nana will eat it.
Adam and Jessica must have been getting Island fever. They decided to leave Honolulu for a new adventure. Jessica was asked
to develop the Special Education Program at the Shanghai Community International School in Shanghai, China. Adam has found ways to keep busy while living there. He tutors two six year old Chinese girls, gives diving lessons and certifies expatriate kids at the International Schools and has done some substitute teaching. He begins a 3 month stint as a sub for a maternity leave next Monday. He will be working with the computer classes that put out the monthly newsletter and the yearbook. They are able to do some travelling during the school breaks and spent time in North Vietnam and will spend Christmas in Thailand. We plan to visit them in March, 2015.
Not to be outdone in the adventure department, Ben and Jennifer announced they would be moving to Brussels, Belgium in January. Brussels is the European headquarters for Levi Strauss and Ben will continue to work in merchandising. They too should have some travel opportunities while they are there. Of course, we will miss them and our two grandchildren, Henry and June. A trip to Europe is in store for 2015 as well. Both couples signed 2 year contracts, but you all know how that
worked out for us!
Speaking of June….The highlight of our year was the birth of our first granddaughter June Elizabeth on September 26. At 9 lbs and 13 ozs she is a beautiful, healthy and happy little girl. She was late to the party at our family Easter so hence the insert picture. I couldn’t resist buying the Tutu. I waited almost 40 years to buy Pink!
We are still loving every minute of California life. Our latest adventure took us to Morocco for 2 weeks in November. It was a great trip and a beautiful and exotic country. 1400 miles on a bus allowed us to cover most of the country. From the cities of Casablanca, Marrakesh, and Fez, to the desert and the Atlas Mountains, we feel we have seen it all. We had wonderful guides and fun travel partners that made the adventure all the better. The picture of us is at Rick’s American Café in Casablanca. “Here’s looking at you kid”
As we gather for Christmas with Ben and Jennifer and their family we will savor every minute until they leave but know that we will always be connected with all our family in our hearts and on Skype!
Our wish for you is a Merry Christmas and Healthy and Happy New Year. We still love seeing all of you, so feel free to visit in 2015 or anytime!
vwjoan@aol.com Joan
drose45572@aol.com Dwight
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Ken Deguchi
non-member comment
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year
Thank you very much for your Christmas card. Congratulations on the birth of your first granddaughter. She is pretty and looks like a doll. Fortunately both Atsuko and I are feeling well while I am losing strength a bit. Please let me know if you and Joan plan to visit Japan and see some countryside where I live. Warm regards. Ken Deguchi