2007 Year In Review

2007 started and Cindy was installed on the LCOS council. She was elected to vise-president.

Cindy ran the Monument Avenue 10K with her friend Delores. We did this to remember our friend Joannie and rasie money for breast cancer research.

Marty ran the course too.

Lars had a birthday. He become drinking age so we had an early party at home.

He was practicing his guitar chops on his new Guitar Hero controller.

Marty got something he really wanted, an 8 person 11 foot wide raft. It is almost too large to blow up.

We drove up to Chicago to help with some chores around the house that were too large for Eva to do by herself.

We did a lot of work the first couple days trimming the bushes out front

We replaced that with some new bushes and flowers that should be easier to take care of.

Lars and Marty put up some wall cabinets

Mike and Lisa came by each day and helped also

The result was a look-new kitchen. Dave and Judy made this possible by prepping the kitchen so we could get it all done in one week. It was a family affair.

We even had half a day to get into Chicago on Friday afternoon.

Things looked different than Richmond

We got to Navy Pier at night. Here is the Chicago skyline from the ferris wheel at night

We went through the botanical gardens too

An we squeezed in Saturday breakfast with friends. It was great to sit with friends and relax for a little while. Even though it is months between visits, it seems like only days have passed when you are with friends.

A final goodbye lunch at Portillos.

Driving back was long, but the scenery was great

This is part of West Virginia

These "mountains" are beautiful in the summer.

We had the chance to get out and relax on the boat with our friends the Coyles

We also got out with the Mattesons. I love the sun glasses.

This may not seem too exciting...

...but just floating...

...in the cool water...

...or using a noodle to help us float...

...is one of the best ways I know to forget about work and worry for one afternoon.

Cindy was driving while some of the rest of us skied.

Lars is pretty relaxed behind the boat. I think 2008 will be the year of slaloming for him.

So now there is photgraphic evidence that I can get up on skis. I don't have those six-pack abs I want. It looks moore like a couple 2-liter bottles.

Cindy and Marty got away for a couple days by themselves.

We got backpack chairs to hold all of our stuff.

We walked to where the beach was almost deserted on the first day. That was about three miles in the sand. After that first day, we were just as happy to stay near the car. There still were not too many people.

We took a tour of the Eastern Shore on the way back home.

Here is the entrance to the winery we visited,

The beach just before we got back to the mainland.

I should look sad to be headed home.

We sponsored a music festival for teens in Chesterfield county. Our good friends donated the good eats.

Kate was there with the kids, manning the food line.

We had a picnic area set up in the woods.

And three performers. Alex showed up with a sore throat even though the rest of her band was sick.

Andrew was an amazing performer that came.

Kate and the kids spent some time coloring and listening to music when the food service was done.

Dale has been there before, and was a hit again.

Even though it is out of focus, you can see that Marty got up to perform a Jimmy Buffett song. Not great playing, but it was great fun.

Music seemd to play a large role in our lives this year. Marty was inspired by some of the players at the National Folk Festival.

We got a real kick out of some folk players/story tellers.

One day in the fall, Marty took a trip around Lake Chesdin. This is the spot we were swimming earlier in the year.

You can see how far the water has dropped in the drought.

This is the marina we used during the year.

During September, people were walking in what was the lake.

There is definitely a big water shortage.

But much of the water returned. This is a different lake.

The leaves and plants were changing colors by the first week of November.

We spent a weekend in the woods with 12 teen agers and a few good friends from church.

It was hardly roughing it. The lodge was new in 2007 and just beautiful.

Even the leaves that washed up on the shore were pretty.

And it was all smiles as we posed for this picture before packing up Sunday morning.

Then we got into the holiday eating season.

We tried something new by frying the turkey this year. It turned out really well, which surprised all of us. Of course, we did try it with two practice chikens first.

It was a time of just recuperating from the workday. Kate has a new job in a call center and is working regular hours and doing a great job.

The table is almost set. There were only four places because we did not have guests this year.

Cindy took a little time out to play with the puppies. She is giving Charlie a big hug.

You can't give Henry a big hug, he would get squished. But you can still pick him up for a little squeeze.

Charlie is just being toyful and wants to play.

The trees have not given up all of their leaves or color yet.

Lars is home from school now for break. He will return in January for one more semester and then GRADUATE. It really has been a short 4 years.

Kate took the camera and got some pictures of herself. She wanted to make sure I had good pictures of her.

As usual, we have more than we need. The tree is full of presents. Each one is a gift from a friend or family. Each gift reminds us of the love that comes with it.

Really, Cindy bent down just as I was snapping the picture. We were passing out the presents but Charlie didn't see the need to move.

Lars and Kate are obviously VERY excited to get started unwrapping.

We all got something that tickled us. For me it was a Sirius radio.

We say good bye to 2007. It was a scary year on some fronts. It was a year full of growth and helping and nuturing and being with friends. I am happy that I have a job that lets me devote the time needed to things other than just work.

We hope you had a blessed Christmas and look forward to a great 2008.