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This year, so many things have happened that are worth remembering. As
I said on an earlier message, we had great happiness and sorrow. Below
on the right, Marty and Cindy are dancing at Dave Gus' wedding. That
was a great moment. |
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We are left with only pictures and memories of Marty's mom. The
pictures below are how we remember her, smiling and enjoying just being with
her family. |
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We did have a great tribute to her. It was a sad occasion, but the
entire family got together and that was a treat. Dave Vik was there
and we had a good time shopping for a new guitar so Marty could practice.
He is actually getting okay. After a year he plays like somebody that
has practiced for 3 months.
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The end of the year
finds our kids both doing great. Lars has taken on-line classes over the
winter semester. He is working very hard at Longwood U. The hard work is
paying off and he is still having fun. Click on his picture to see a larger
version. |
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Kate wanted to write her
own note this year. She hasn’t completed it yet, but that doesn’t mean she
isn’t writing. Kate is like a leaky faucet. Some poems and songs are
always dribbling out, but when she opens the spigot, there is a real flow.
It is her gift. Lately, when she reads us poems, it is usually by singing
them. |
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The pond really took off. So did Goldie, Spot and Tiger. They
are the big Koi we have. We will need to get them a bigger pond next
year. |
Unfortunately, we lost a tree to wood borers. We hired some folks to
cut down the tree so it wouldn't fall on the shed. They were so broke
they couldn't afford shirts. |
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The last three pictures depict a great weekend Marty spent on a youth group
retreat. The folks in the picture are Bob and Gail.
There was a message that Bob had to deliver to the young folks in our
church. It was about making good choices. We had a great time
roughing it for a weekend. I am sure we will do it again in 2006. |
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This is at Cindy's XXth birthday. She looks great and she is having
fun. At this point she is as old as Marty for a few months. |
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When she sits at the kitchen table with Kate, can you tell that they are
mother-daughter or is it more like sisters? |
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We wrapped up the summer with a
visit to the National Folk Festival. We got to see Ralph Stanley and
some other great groups.
It will be back in Richmond for a few more years and we are looking
forward to it. |
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In the pictures below, we celebrate Thanksgiving. Bob and
Vicki were gracious hosts. We got there on Wednesday and there was a 4
inch dusting before Thanksgiving Day morning. It was perfect and
picturesque. |
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What a beautiful table. |
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| Jordie looks around for something
to do. |
Finally, he finds the best thing
to do is take a nap with a friend. Kate provided the warm body for
cuddling. |
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At left, Vicki is laughing about
something. It may have been something funny Cindy did to the sweet
potatoes. |
| Big Bob plays 20 Questions with
Lars and Kate. |
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We wrapped up the year with a traditional Christmas in Virginia.
Kate and Lars pass out the presents. Kate also has to make sure she
takes care of Henry. He really needs attention some days.
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Cindy is surrounded by her Christmas presents, but has nowhere to sit.
As you can see, Charlie thinks he deserves a seat for all the hard work he
does protecting the house. |
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Lars enjoys a 100 song classical music CD and goofs around with his 6 way
jacket. I think he has found a 7th way to wear the jacket, hood only. |
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| Marty is getting
into a treasure hunt for his gift. The package from Lars contained a
roll of duct tape and a dollar bill. He went to great lengths to trick
everybody this year. Cindy really surprised Marty with satellite radio.
She thought he had it figured out, but it never really crossed his mind.
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| Cindy is working on her piano
skills. It would have been a surprise if she had not already seen the
box.
Lars is smiling, I guess she has not forgotten how to play. |
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| It has been a long
year in some ways and a short year in many others. Lars and Marty
learned how to water ski. Kate came close and I am sure she will get
up next summer. She spent so much time working this year. We are
reminded that we don't get to pick what happens to us. We only have
choices over how we react.
We hope that only the best happens to our friends in 2006. We also
hope that we are tested by the abundance of good things that happen to all
of us, and that our reaction is to share with others.
Have a great 2006. |
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