A Year of Growth
The year 2023 represented growth. Our family grew; our faith grew; our garden grew; even our peach tree grew. What? You heard correctly. We planted a hardy peach variety and were blessed with a basketful of peaches in its first year.
The family grew through both birth and weddings. Anna and Alex were blessed with the healthy arrival of Theodora Jeanne Bauer, on June 27. Her older brother John is very gentle and attentive, though it is undoubtedly an adjustment to have a baby sister. Anna stayed home with Thea while Alex went back to work as a teacher. In December, Anna returned to work as a school counselor, and Alex began his period of paternity leave until Thea is old enough to begin childcare in the spring.
Elise and her girlfriend Jahda Bowes eloped in a civil ceremony, also on June 27. We were very happy to have met her on our visit in December 2022, even though we were not present in Vancouver to celebrate with them.
Our faith experience is growing as well, with a new church. We are attending a neighborhood church with the Bauers. We are meeting people, participating in a book club, and enjoy sharing the experience with our grandchildren (AND their parents!).
Judy was able to visit her mom in San Diego twice (March and May, and has planned a December trip as well); Rick participated in the Brule work weekend, reconnecting with the Swanson clan and helping improve the property. He also made a quick trip to Lake Oswego again this year to spend time with his mom and family.
Elise came to town in March, upon the occasion of her induction into the Kennedy High School Hall of Fame. One of her work assignments had her in Toronto for a month, so Judy and Rick scurried up to see her there. We even checked off a side visit to Niagara Falls from our unofficial bucket list.
In October, Judy had work assignment in Florida, so we went together, staying near Orlando. We toured the NASA visitor complex, and were captivated by the Cape Canaveral National Wildlife Refuge. Alligators and birds abound! We also visited with a former workmate and her family. They treated us to an airshow, with the Thunderbirds, so it was a full visit.
We are blessed by almost weekly visits with John as he comes for a sleepover many weekends. In April, while pushing a truck through our backyard John stood and shouted to the sky, “It’s supposed to be warmer!” He was right!
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!