Aloha Menehunes and Mele Kalikimaka,

Another year in the Islands. Vic turned 65 hoping to get older and Mary turned 59 hoping to convert that to 40-something. The biathlons, ocean races, power lifting, mountain climbing and flying kept things humming for Vic.

Grandson Johannes (aka "JJ", "Jon" and "Nino") kept things humming for Vic and Mary (aka "Nonna") which is Italian for "grandmother". Mary has got a BAD case of grandmother fever.

The athletic opportunities here really are amazing. It's a combination of weather and attitude. Folks out here, both young and old, enjoy huffin' and puffin' and the socialization that goes with it. Each event seems like a great big party. Vic did 3 out of the 4 North Shore swimming races (foot surgery knocked him out of the 2K race), 3 biathlons and the Fort Shafter bench press competition. Lady Luck gave him the bronze in the Marine Biathlon (500 meter swim and 5 K run) and top dog bragging rights for the bench with 200 pounds. Both were age group awards ... don't ask !!!

School continues to treat us both well. Vic is getting paid to teach history, geography, aerodynamics, weather and navigation AND he's getting paid to hike, camp, climb, fly and ..... organize and execute parties ..... sort of like being a Defense Attache with accreditation to the teenaged community. Working with high school students is a guaranteed 100% sure fire way to stay active and prevent boredom. There is always SOMETHING to keep life interesting. Mary continues to teach Kindergarteners and 1st graders how to speak English and loves it. Great boss, great kids and a great educational mission.

Lots of separation this year. Mary's Mom and Dad celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary and Mary was on board to do the honors. Unfortunately, her Dad passed away shortly after the celebration so we went back for the funeral and Mary stayed for another two months to look after her Mom who was doing poorly. Mary's presence was a real shot in the arm for her Mom who bounced back from some serious medical problems. Lots of visits by brothers and sisters during Mary's hospice tour.

Grandson Johannes constantly operates at 110%. We're just sorry that we can't put a video into a Christmas card (although we suspect that technology is coming and may already be here, but we're just too slow to figure it out). Johannes is the most charming, handsome, energetic, intelligent, friendly and dynamic grandchild who has ever been invented ..... but don't all grandparents think that way. Mama Sarah and Dad Jacques are doing all the right things to stimulate and motivate this 20 month old magneto including beach time, boat trips, Elmo and his own kid car plus other stimuli and the results are quite amazing. He's talking and interacting with every machine (and person) he can find. He's already learned how to use the cellular phone and even replaced the screen saver on Mary's cel phone without her knowing about it !!!! We're hoping to see Sarah, Jacques and Johannes on our Island soon.

Nathan and Sundi are making tentative plans to come out over Christmas and we're hoping to be able to show them more of our Island and, perhaps a shot at Molokai and Lanai. The North Shore of Molokai has the highest sea cliffs in the world .... sea level straight up to 5,000 feet with lots of waterfalls during the rainy season which is now. The North Shore is also the home of the Kalaupapa settlement where Father Damien (now Saint Damien) did such wonderful work with the lepers during the bad old days of medical ignorance. Leprosy (Hansen's disease) is now controllable and treatable thanks to medical advances. Whales should be coming back soon, so there's another attraction. It's not unusual to see 200 whales a day in the channel between Maui, Lanai and Molokai. The whales like the protection that these three islands give them from otherwise rough seas.

Best wishes to all for a holy and happy Christmas and a safe and prosperous New Year

Love,

Vic and Mary