Dear Friends,

It's been a relatively quiet year for our family - no big news - no "real vacations" - no major problems. However, Vince and I had to adjust to his retirement. And what an adjustment! At first he caught up on some projects and began applying for jobs. I got used to having him around to deal with whatever broke or dealing with insurance claims. But then he was spending more and more time at his computer and shuffling papers around - up the stairs, down the stairs, up the stairs, down the stairs! I cornered him on one of his descents and begged him to jump back into life. And while he was waiting for his scheduled interview with Net Jets (it took months), work on his small plane certification. I realized he needed a "flying" fix. This he did and began feeling better and in several months we had a flood of certificates arriving via the post office. While he was busy working on all of this, he began looking for planes for sale. Years ago I had issued an edict - "no small plane until I have a pool." I told everyone that when he agreed to put in the pool six years ago, it was because he knew he'd be looking for a plane once again. While looking at plane ads on the internet, in trade papers, making phone calls, compiling statistics, and taking test flights; he was hired by Net Jets. Did that mean he gave up looking? Not by a long shot! He had narrowed it down to two planes - a Mooney (he loves Mooneys) or a partnership in a Piper Navajo (carries seven people). He, or I should say, "we" bought the Navajo. He's flown it several times to pick up Lauren and Sant. He's also put time in to fix up the interior. I have not been "up" in it yet, but we plan to take Tracy and family to North Carolina to visit his folks in February. Well, we're back to the old grind - he flies seven days and is home seven days. As long as Vince is flying we're both happy. Net Jets is a fractional company. Rich people buy shares in the company then use planes like one would "time share" a vacation condo. Celebrities often use this way to fly. Vince has flown one celebrity to date - Richard Gere. The "gals" in the family were quite impressed. Vince said he seemed nice.

Tracy and family are doing well. Mike is now working for Burns and Wilcox and is enjoying it even though he commutes to New Jersey. Zach continues to make slow but steady progress with his speech, but everyone is hopeful he will one day be able to speak. He's integrated into the regular first grade class, but has an aide with him full time during the school day and is doing well. He's also in a soccer program and enjoys it a lot. Courtney is four years old and is quite the kid. She's in pre-school again and loves it. She's a sweet, warm, and loving girl. She reminds us of Lauren when she was little. She loves the Disney princesses, especially Ariel. So grandma is forever looking for princess stuff (especially Ariel). She's talkative and very entertaining. It is a challenge for Tracy and Mike to make sure she gets enough attention, since Zach takes a lot of time, but she is thriving. Tracy and Mike are doing a wonderful parenting job under somewhat difficult circumstances.

Chris and Jenn are still in New York state. He's still doing well at GE and Jenn is still active with the VFW auxiliary. She even holds an office. Amy is seven years old and in second grade. She's an unusually bright young lady. Her parents have received a glowing report from her teacher. She declares that school is "awesome". Fantastic! She is into softball and is good at it like her mom. Daniel is four years old and is now in preschool. He's made an easy adjustment and looks like he will be following in Amy's footsteps. He's our only blue-eyed, blonde grandkid. He's a bit like Chris was - on the shy side. He's quiet, but doesn't miss a thing. His passion is still cars and he can't have enough. Jenn keeps telling me no more cars, but he looks for them and Grandma doesn't disappoint - it's my job.

Lauren and Sant are still in Cape Cod working full time and fixing up their lovely home to suit them. They (a couple with no kids) did have an exciting vacation. They went to Colombia so Lauren could meet Sant's dad and other relatives. Of course they spent some time at a resort down there. I won't even go into what they said about how society in a Latin culture functions (laid way back)! I'll leave that to your imaginations.

Vince and I do the usual grandparent stuff - baby-sit, visit, be visited. We enjoy each and every moment spent with our family. It's quite something watching the grandkids grow up.

Happy Holidays!

The Collazos