Yup, that's us - the trip of a life time, the Panama Canal - a 14-day cruise from California to Florida in February. We were joined by long-time friends and had a wonderful time. And just in case you're wondering, no we didn't get out our Christmas letter last year - the year just got away from us, but we enjoyed all your letters!
2013:
- February - Drove to Phoenix area for a weekend of Colorado Rockies spring training.
- April - Son Steve started a new job as associate pastor of Central Christian Church in Denver. He and Beth and the girls (Grace and Ava) moved to a home just 10 minutes from ours and we love having them close.
- July - Ghost Ranch, of course, singing in the Ghost Ranch Chorale (Sharon), and R and R (Dwight). Granddaughter Kyra still enjoys coming with us.
- October - Dwight's sister Donna married her long-time partner Annie in California. All the family came for a wonderful and celebratory weekend.
2014:
- February - Panama Canal cruise
- March - Emergency gall bladder surgery for Sharon; sure glad we were home from Central America!
- July - Ghost Ranch with Kyra, and a visit with grandson Kaelan in Albuquerque
- July - Our beloved Great Dane, Kirk, died at the age of 10. Two weeks later we adopted two Miniature Schnauzers, Maggie (5yrs) and Ana (5mos)
Kirk (2004-2014)
Maggie and Ana (August)
- August - grandson Caleb and his mom came for their annual visit from Kearney, NE
- September - Dwight's 3 Duarte (CA) High School bud's arrived for a private 50th HS reunion
- October - Dwight had surgery on his right elbow to "un-entrap" the ulnar nerve, which had caused muscle wasting in some of his fingers; hopefully this will at least stop the deterioration
- October - After spending several weeks trying to control the barking of our new dogs, we contacted friends who had a lot of experience with and love for mini schnauzers and asked if they would adopt Maggie. They did and now she is in a wonderful new home and we are once again a one-dog family. Puppy Ana, 10 months, is a hoot, lots of energy and loves to sit on our laps and chase toys.
- November/December - Sharon spent 6 weeks trying to get over a miserable cold and persistent cough, ugh, and thus missed out on all the Christmas music her church choir performed.
- December 19 - Sharon was involved in a 6-car accident coming home from work. Long story, but suffice it to say, God was really watching after her and everyone else that night. Only injury for her was a sprained wrist. The car is a wreck. Don't know yet if it's repairable.
- December 25 - we will enjoy gift exchanging and dinner with Steve's family, including Beth's parents who are visiting here from Indiana.
- December 27 - The Nutcracker!
Grace and Ava with Ana (November)
The grandchildren: We have the most wonderful grandchildren on the planet (smart, gorgeous, you get the picture)! We enjoy frequent visits and family gatherings with Steve's girls, Grace (almost 8) and Ava (6). Every January we go to a National Western Pro Rodeo event with Steve, Beth, Grace, Ava and our oldest granddaughter, Kyra, and her mom. Kyra turned 16 in September (yikes!) and is becoming a great driver (will get her license in July). We get together several times a year with granddaughter Jordan (almost 14) and her family. Jordan lives in Fountain (near Colorado Springs) with her mom, dad and brother Jaden (age 9). We also get to see grandsons Caleb (age 12, Kearney NE), and Kaelan (age 10, Albuquerque) once or twice a year, and we enjoy holiday visits each year with granddaughter Hannah (age 13) and grandson Trae (age 11), along with Trae's little brother, Tegan (age 5).
Dwight has done a lot of preaching this year, which he loves. He serves on two presbytery committees (COM, PJC) and he continues to struggle with chronic back and other pain, but refuses to be beaten. He had hoped to pull together a group to go on a "Footsteps of Paul" cruise and tour to Greece and Turkey in the spring of 2015, but got a late start on recruiting and then was set back by his elbow surgery. May try to do it again at some point.
Sharon is happily preparing for retirement in September after 18 years with the City of Lakewood and hopes to continue working on a very part-time basis after that, doing records-related projects. She serves on session and sings in the choir of Green Mountain Presbyterian Church, Lakewood. She continues to serve on an annual church women's retreat planning committee and says she never met a retreat she didn't like!
2015 plans include a Blackstock family reunion in southern California in April to celebrate Dwight's mother's 100th birthday. Dicksie died in 1998, but she was much loved by all of us, so why not??! And, of course, Ghost Ranch in July.
Merry Christmas! Our prayer is that the Prince of Peace will bring peace to our world and that you will experience God's blessings at Christmas and in 2015. We love your holiday letters, even the ones that don't arrive until Easter!
