Here's our family Christmas photo

After our June vacation, the rest of the summer was a whirlwind for us. I was working about three days a week at Shopko, getting trained to be their relief pharmacist by the end of July. I started working approximately two to three days a month since then. In the first two weeks of August, my mother, sister and her family drove down to visit us from Edmonton. Jeff's sister, her husband and their friends rode down on motorcycles from Medicine Hat to visit us the third week of August. Jeff later rode with them for a few days on a borrowed Harley (because his doesn't have saddle bags). They visited Tillamook, Oregon, and rode midway up the Washington state coastline. It rained from the time they reached the Oregon coast, all the way back over the mountains and back to the "east side". Jeff was happy to be home to the usual hot and dry Yakima climate.

Adam started 11th grade at West Valley High School at the end of August. He was in a driving school since end of July and finished before the start of high school. Adam received his learner's permit two weeks after his birthday in June, and now has to wait at least 6 months to obtain his driver's license. Adam was taking Math, Physical Education, Washington State History, Computer Drafting and Guitar at the high school. He got A's as his final grade now that his first trimester is completed last week. This trimester, Adam is taking Chemistry, Literature, Physical Education and School Store. He is also taking a class called Ram Prep in all of his trimesters. This class is like a preparation class for a career as well as a senior project. Adam also did a HIPPA seminar and test at the high school. It is possible that Adam will head toward a career in the healthcare field like his parents. We drove ten hours each way to Stewart Stevenson's missionary farewell in Rexburg, Idaho on a mid-September weekend; and then we also managed to go the Seattle the day before our 22nd wedding anniversary in November for a family weekend trip. Adam drove us there that evening and it took him about two hours and a half to get there. I was in the backseat clinging on for dear life while watching Adam drive and trying to find a song on his Ipod at the same time. I tried hard not to be a "backseat driver" and I found it very difficult to refrain telling Adam to stay between the dotted white lines, stay two seconds behind that vehicle and slow down, especially on the curves and the wet roads of Snoqualamie Pass. I'm sure it took several years off my life. I was relieved when Jeff took over driving later and as usual he managed to get us lost somewhere north of Seattle. The next day, we went to Staples in Renton and got a GPS. We visited Carl, E-beth and their baby Audrey; we visited Pike Place Fish Market and had dinner at ClaimJumper's in Kent.

Jeff is scheduled to work during the Christmas holidays. Adam and I will be in Beaumont for a couple of weeks for the holidays. I know it is so cold in Canada during that time of the year but my mother will be alone on Christmas Day. This is why I picked the Hawaii picture as our family Christmas photo to show to all of our family and friends. We hope you all have a very "warm" Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!