We wish you and your loved ones a joyful holiday season and eagerly await your tidings from this past year. Our 2022 highlights include a reunion in Phoenix with Dave’s 99-year-old Mom, Grandson Grey turning 6 and starting 1st Grade, celebrating Dave’s 75th.

We traveled to Arizona in October and, thanks to Dave’s sister Linda, managed to see 5 generations of family, as well as having several visits with his Mom in her Assisted Living home. Our friend Kathy came to join us from south of Tucson.

Other travels for us were a getaway to Coronado/San Diego in May, a return to family favorite Pajaro Dunes (and a visit to the Monterey Bay Aquarium) in September with Brian, Chris, Danielle & Grey, and our 26th Monterey Jazz Festival.

Grey celebrated his 6th birthday and lost his first tooth at a well-attended party last May. In July, we took him to his first Rock n’ Roll concert complete with bounce house. Grey experienced his first visit to Disneyland, traveled to see grandparents in Northern California Sierra foothills, and had a visit with his grandfather in Southern California where he met his Uncle Darren for the first time. After his family bout with COVID-19 in October, Grey recovered in time to celebrate his favorite holiday of Halloween.

We’ve loved spending time with our local family (Chris, Danielle, Grey, Brian) celebrating birthdays, attending the Great American Melodrama, going on our annual trek to the Pumpkin Patch, trick or treating in the neighborhood. We look forward to gathering for Thanksgiving, going to the annual Christmas parade, attending the Nutcracker ballet, visiting our favorite Christmas tree farm, reveling in the joys of a 6-year old’s Christmas, with a special birthday celebration for Danielle.

No one is quite sure when it began, but Grey originated “the family hug”, which he asks for whenever we conclude our family time together and we gladly accommodate.

Brian has been 18 months in his independent living residence, with a change in his fellow housemate last Spring. We are grateful for the support he has received and that he is in a stable environment. It’s been such a joy to have him participate in family trips and gatherings.

Dave continues his leadership as Board President of SLO Village, our 6-year-old non-profit www.slovillage.org. Challenges this year involved a software migration that Dave orchestrated, which coincided with the resignation of our Executive Director. Meanwhile, I have taken on the role of Secretary on our church Board of Directors, as well as Treasurer of our SLO Village Board. Life is full and good.

(see photos of year’s highlights at www.velcrosworld.com)