We are blessed by God to have many friends and family throughout the country who stay in touch.
Last February Joan celebrated her 50th birthday in style. I hired a disc jockey and decorated our People of Praise Community Center for the occasion. Teresa was turning 25 on the same day, so they both joined in the fun - dancing, eating and visiting with our Northwest friends. It was a treat � wish you could have come.
I've has been working at Horizon Air for 2 years now. I teach Avionics maintenance for the Horizon Air fleet of airplanes. These are newer aircraft with modern �glass� cockpits for the crews. My instructor status allows me to �jump� ride in the cockpit and allows for some traveling to provide training on these new aircraft. I really love my work and it means we can travel the US practically free. Now the problem is finding the time to travel. We did manage a few trips in '03.
In February, we flew to Missoula, MT to attend my sister Fran�s wedding. We had a wonderful visit with other family members who also came. There was even a little snow on the ground. In April Joanie took a trip to New Orleans to see Matt, Julie and Harper for a few days. June brought us to Lake Tahoe for a Milano family reunion. Most of our children and all of my immediate family were there. Late in the fall we got one last trip in to Victoria, Canada.
Joan started working full-time for Freightliner in Portland, OR on September 1st. Her new title is Accountant II in Accounts Payable. The work involves contacting the many companies that provide parts for the Freightliner truck fleet. She handles the debits, credits, and invoicing issues surrounding these purchases. It has stretched her mind and is starting to understand the SAP accounting program she works in. I think she can even say that she's beginning to like her job!
Teresa, Jason and Michael moved back home with us so that Jason could work part-time and complete his college courses. On September 17th their son, Christopher James, was born. Everyone is thrilled! He has a very sweet temperament and boy, does he look like his daddy! Mom & baby & Michael are doing great. Jason will complete his 2-year degree this Spring.
Sherry will be moving back home in January so that she can start back to college. That will be 7 of us in one house! Jason, his dad Kris and I are building a room in our garage for her. That way all of us will have a little corner of the house for privacy. I'll report next year if all this worked out.
In November, we heard from Matt and Julie that they are expecting another baby boy by the second week of March. That makes 5 grand-sons and 2 granddaughters! We are very close to having our own little league team! Matt just changed jobs recently. He is now managing a PJ�s coffee shop, a New Orleans style Starbucks. Within the next year they may have him manage a total of 3 stores. Different work from managing a football stadium.
Joan's dad, Bruno, turned 82 in November. Joan and I and our friends - Tom and Ann Davis - drove to Pomeroy, WA, to celebrate with him. We had a wonderful time playing cards and eating leftover turkey. We even watched Bruce Almighty, together.
We may still get a visit in with Jim & Carol and their girls sometime during the holidays. Plans are still being finalized. Misty may come to Portland this year. Her son, Wyatt turns two January 3rd. |
