Christmas 2016

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6

Greetings to our family and friends,

As we get closer to the day that we celebrate our Savior’s birth we hope that you join us in the preparations for this time and pause to consider its meaning for us all. We hope that these greetings reach you in good health.  Our activities this year have again been varied and spent enjoying visits with family and friends.

Our year has had its joys and events to remember.  In January, Werner went in for his annual physical and exited March with a quadruple arterial bypass.  Mark and Brian came and helped Werner & Carol over the rough spots.  Luckily it was caught before there was any heart damage and he recovered quickly and returned to normal (almost) activities. He still isn’t acting his age, but is now more aware of it.

Six weeks after the surgery Werner was well enough to travel with Carol and our friends the Clouds to Victoria BC where we spent a lovely 3 days touring Butchart Gardens and relaxing at the Sooke Harbour House.  That was the first test of his stamina. 

Carol and Werner are still very active in their church choir.  Our major music event for the year was the presentation of John Rutter’s Mass of the Children. This Spring we will be presenting the Mozart Requiem. Werner continues to format and upload the weekly worship music selections by the varied musical groups in the church.  Here is a link to the videos of the presentation, with the Sanctuary Chorus, Bel Canto and Festival Orchestra Enjoy! https://vimeo.com/album/3967891/video/168141349.  

In May we traveled to Georgia to celebrate the graduation of our Grandson, Tyler. We took a quick trip to Savannah, enjoying the sights, sounds and history of that beautiful city.  We always enjoy visiting with our son’s families and catching up with their lives

This summer we kept our fingers in the game of soccer by attending three Copa America matches held here in Seattle.  It was special to see the US Men’s National team play here in the Quarterfinals of that competition.  As always it was a treat to go with our friend Darla.

In October, we visited our son Mark’s family in Arizona.  It was a very relaxing time together with them. We did take a small excursion to visit the beautiful Sabino Canyon, splashing our feet in the cool waters of the creek.  It was also nice to get together with a high school friend, Dawn Neuman, and see her beautiful home.  It was there we saw our first sighting of a stick bug, very strange.  Good eye, Carol. We finished up this trip with a visit with Carol’s brother, Tim, in Mesa and enjoyed the chance to catch up with two of their family and grandkids. 

And now to the latest in upcoming events.  We are in the process of a major downsizing and plan to move sometime this winter.  We have a couple options that we are considering, so next year’s Christmas greetings will come from a different address.  That entails the thinning out of decades of accumulation and preparing the house for sale. We feel it is best that now is the time to do this while we are still able. We should get our cards out early next year with address change.

We wish you all a Christmas of Joy as we celebrate Christ’s birth and a New Year filled with Happiness and Blessings

Our Best Wishes,

Werner & Carol