Dearest friends and family:

What a year. 1996 was filled with love, happiness, and the growing awareness that yes, it just keeps getting better and better. As we review the year to discover where it all went, we find some highlights to share…

C loves his job. He transferred within T___ from a quality engineering job to one in design and it has made all the difference. He looks forward to going to work and is very happy. N also enjoys her work; she remains with Dr. M’s office and is challenged to get all on her plate done in the 25+ hours there.

We are actively house-hunting and close to buying a house. We are looking in the nearby neighborhoods and finding some strong possibilities. It is heady business planning to spend so much money at once on an imperfect choice. We are trying to see many houses so that our decision is more informed, but we would also like to get in a house before the market gets tighter.

Bountiful garden produce was put away (48 pounds of strawberries, 42 quarts of applesauce, etc.) this year, though we still have not had much luck against the slugs in growing zucchini and are looking forward to a sunnier spot for tomatoes. It feels like a continuation of the good in life and family to enjoy a jar of home-canned golden peaches when the weather outside is dreary.

N begins a fiction writing class series in January at the UW. She looks forward to kicking her writing into a higher gear. She is also pondering directions for further schooling but will take it one class at a time, at least for a while.

The family continues to flourish, growing up and growing more wonderful every year. Great families are such a gift; we are both thankful. Niece A is in first grade and will turn 7 in January. She wrote her first e-mail letter to us recently and is a full participant in everything. Nephew J turned 4 in October and also continues to astound. They are great kids. Sister B graduated from college last week and has been eagerly accepted to a masters program in wildlife biology at MSU. Sister M graduated from high school this June and we were glad to be able to travel to Michigan for that. She also just started her first year at Northwestern University and her trials and tribulations remind us of our own frosh years. We have every confidence that she will do beautifully, no matter what path she decides to take. We are very proud of both of them.

The two of us are truly happy together and enjoying married life very much. It’s wonderful to have a home and a life with someone who fits so well.

We wish you the warmest of holidays and a joyful season. May your memories and future plans bring you laughter and comfort through this month and in 1997. Peace be with you.

In Search Of… Givers of wonderful colorful fish design plate and set of 4 large plastic lemonade glasses. They came addressed correctly without note, name, or return address just after Mother’s Day. Will the mystery giver please step forwards to receive their thanks?