1997

Dear Friends & Family:

It’s once again time to remember our friends and family with an update on our doings.  This last year has been one of settling into our new home, with a few exciting changes in other areas of our life.  We said good bye to the dowdy, dark brown cabinets in our kitchen in June.  We had them resurfaced in white and it’s like an entirely new kitchen.  Anne is eager to move ahead with the other remodeling projects, but she is very patient and “life” has taken precedence so far.  We might get the tile in the entryway done next.  Exciting, huh?

There were several new additions to the family.  Anne got a new nephew, Liam, and Don got his second great nephew, Alex, with a third (great niece or nephew) due around Christmas.  There were 9 other little people born in our extended families this year!

For Anne’s birthday, June 1, we took a low-key trip to Galena, Illinois and lazed about in bed & breakfasts.  Then, toward the end of June, we made a whirlwind jaunt to Los Angeles and San Francisco to see cousins and attend a wedding.  We flew 4 times in 4 days, but had a rewarding and memorable time.  In August, Don drove to Denver to visit some cousins and attended a family reunion at the YMCA of the Rockies outside Estes Park.  This was a big deal for him and gave birth to many new friendships.  Anne flew out to Estes Park and joined Don for the weekend and we went whitewater rafting and enjoyed the spectacular majesty of the mountains.  In all, we attended four family reunions this year.

After two years as a medical software trainer and support tech for WellMark (Blue Shield of Iowa), Don took a new job with a medical software company called CareMedic Systems.  It’s been a fabulous experience that is stretching him professionally and personally.  Anne is still working for The Principal Financial Group as an Area Asset Manager.  She still flies to Los Angeles once a month for a week at a time.  We’re both very grateful for our jobs and the people we work with!

We celebrated our 4^th anniversary quietly but plan to take a big trip for our 5^th.  Quinn turned 2 in November.  Anne put together a great party with a Winnie the Pooh cake and decorations.  Quinn loved it (and mom had fun).  Both our families were there for cake, ice cream and lots of presents.  Quinn has quite a vocabulary and is always trying out new behaviors.  He likes Pooh, Mickey Mouse, Toy Story and construction vehicles.  And mom.  Quinn had ear tubes put in last March.  This put an end to ear infections, antibiotics, and sleepless nights.  We’ve been blessed to get to spend a lot of time with Don’s aunt, Esther.  She is seriously ill with cancer, but we are savoring every chance we get to see one another.  Don’s Family Web Site continues to keep him in e-mail from distant cousins and like-minded genealogists.  Total known family members is at 23,500 and growing.

Staying in touch with all of you is our favorite part of the holiday season.  We are so grateful for all our friends and family.  We wish you every good thing in the coming year. 

Sincerely,

Anne, Don & Quinn