   In January, we narrowly escaped the East Coast snow and thoroughly enjoyed touring the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico. Click here for more trip photos!    In February, Rebecca once again performed with the Frederick All County Band. In March, Stephanie & Jim spent a few days soaking up the history and beauty of Richmond, VA and Raleigh, NC.    Later in March, Jim celebrated his dad's 70th birthday in New Mexico. A highlight of the trip was his mom's performance in a Socorro church celebrating its 400th birthday! In April, Rebecca presented her ACE project and performed in the Hood College Wind Ensemble spring concert. Stephanie's parents hosted an Easter feast.    In May, goslings hatched on our island, Stephanie & Jim appreciated the spring thaw by hiking along the C&O Canal towpath, and we all visited Mary & Bo at their house near Bethany Beach, DE.    In June,
Rebecca graduated from high school with a 4.7 weighted GPA and was most
deserving of a grand party. Among the approximately 50 guests were Christine & Bob in from Ohio and
Larry & Sandi Stevens visiting from Seattle with daughter Lindsay.    Rebecca circumnavigated Wye Island in a kayak with other rising freshmen in the University of Maryland A. James Clark School of Engineering honors program. This led to the purchase of a stand-up paddle board for our pond, which is great exercise (and easier than the canoe when rounding up the ducks each evening). Later in June, Rebecca was honored with a scholarship for her achievements through the Werner H. Kirsten Student Internship Program at the National Cancer Institute on Fort Detrick.    In July, Colleen & Stephanie hosted a visit by Heather & Eric from England and Rebecca professionally packaged her home-made soaps as beautiful hibiscus bloomed around our pond.    In early
August, Rebecca moved into the dorm at College Park and completed two
classes through the Freshman First program before fall semester began
later in the month.    Jim & Stephanie attended the Clustered Spires High Wheel Race in Frederick, and during her weekend at home before fall semester, Rebecca visited the calves at South Mountain Creamery and joined Colleen & Scott in Annapolis to see Jake Shimabukuro master the ukelele at Rams Head On Stage.    In September, Stephanie opened her Etsy shop, Green Valley Fiber, which is doing quite well! In October, Stephanie & Jim dined at the Bavarian Inn exactly 21 years after honeymooning there, and Stephanie's parents joined us for Sunday brunch at the Old South Mountain Inn where we were married. Later
in the month, Jim joined friends Dan & Pete for a spectacular
autumn mountain bike ride through Caledonia State Park in Michaux
Forest, PA.    In November, we hosted Stephanie's parents' 50th anniversary party, which was attended by about 30 family and friends, including Mike & Megan in from Des Moines, John Wright Stevens from New York and Susan Schmidt from Atlanta. Christine & Bob came in from Ohio and created a fabulous spread of delicious food (when visiting Athens, be sure to stop by their restaurants)!    The out-of-towners also joined us for Thanksgiving at Stephanie's parents' house.    We enjoyed a long, colorful autumn which lasted until December! As temperatures finally fell, Rebecca survived finals week (and her first semester as a bioengineering major!) and is continuing in her role as President of the University of Maryland Argentine Tango Club by dancing out the year at milongas in the Washington, D.C. area (in this photo, she and club Treasurer Josh demonstrate at the Maryland Latin Dance Club Fall Social "Fire & Ice" in the student union).    This year, Rebecca is spending her winter break in London and New Mexico while Stephanie & Jim relax in the area with friends and family. We hope to see or hear from you soon!  |
