I have a much better report this year than last. So many blessings – on so many levels! Beto transferred to San Diego and lives in an apartment by himself – unless you count his roommate, Mystic. Seth and Michelle added Rosalind to their family and had to get a minivan. Serafien is growing quickly and says, “What’s that?” We visited Beto while he was still in Connecticut, went to Texas three times, Mexico, and Alaska. It has been a very good year! God is Good.
God is on the throne and He continues to bless my family with His protection and provision. At home, we lack nothing! God has provided for us in amazing ways. We remain healthy with only normal, minor aches and pains.
Heidi and I look forward to the next Age – a time of peace, led by our Heavenly King.
Here are some picture highlights of 2024.
Family
Touring the George Marshall home in Leesburg
Dining in Guadelajara, Mexico
Yet another walk around Harpers Ferry
A week-long Alaska road tour
It was so nice to get together in Texas! Beto was temporarily stationed in San Antonio. Seth, Michelle, and Serafien drove to Katy, where Heidi judged a dressage show. Russ was there, too.
Beto visited us in April.. Yes- we are STILL obsessed with Monopoly Deal
Robin and Joe joined us for Christmas, 2023. We visited the Museum of the Bible and enjoyed the time together.
Heidi and Russ visited Beto at Groton, CT – March
A Christmas 2023 walk in the woods
On being Grandparents
I had to buy two more 8TB Network Attached Storage devices because of grandchildren:
“Grammy” and Serafien, Christmas, 2023“Grammy” holds her 2024 Thanksgiving gift – Rosalind for the first time.
Serafien in the back garden, Texas
Rosalind is a beautiful little girl!
Thanksgiving morning breakfast, 2024
Serafien is now 2 years old – This was near her birthday
Rosalind and Serafien in the new family minivan. “You can put a lot of car seats in this ride!” (Seth)
Guadelajara, Mexico – June-July
Catedral Basílica de la Asunción de María Santísima
Heidi judging at the Country Club
One of our many hosts. They treated us so well!
So well indeed! Russ played golf with some new friends at el club mejor y exclusivo!
Alaska Driving Tour July
Does the sign say “Keep Off Bridge”? Is this too much?
We took a one hour float plane tour around Moose Pass, AK! The weather wasn’t so good on this trip.Posing in a Rain Forest near Talkeetna, AK
…or, Maybe the highlight was a drive up Upper Willow Road, a seasonally-closed, dirt road to Hatcher Pass. We came from the North – not a very popular way in. It was quiet and extraordinarily beautiful.
A long (!) trail takes you up to a glacier that is receding. Signs along the way demonstrate, by past years, how much has melted as the ebb and flow of glacial change continues – as it always has.
We took a 5-hour harbor cruise out of Seward. It may have been the highlight of the trip!
The Seward “cruise” took us right up to a couple glaciers. We only saw a minimal calving event.
Miscellaneous Activities
We renovated the barn from August to October. New roof, new shed roof (left side), electric all re-done, stalls repaired, center aisle completely replaced.
We’re calling this the “poop deck”
Heidi still loves her garden “vertical gardening” is in its second year.
Mango still having a good life – especially at the bank, Southern States, Home Depot, the Dump and anywhere she can get a “treat” for being cute.
Greg Klein and his train, Christmas 2023.
Winery dinner and tasting at Bluemont Vinyards, December. The Sommelier (credit: Michelle) took speech lessons from Kamala Harris.
Now I’ve done it! And since I’ve broken the rule: We never had a chance to eat at Donald Trump’s – (who, Thank God! won the Nov 8th Presidential election).
