Gratitude is heaven itself. William Blake
How grateful we are that Julián is healthy and celebrating his first birthday on November 29th! The February family get-together in Chile to meet the little baby was indeed “heaven itself”.
Chile was the headliner to a year that contained many other joys: friends Brad & Holly’s wedding, sightseeing and hearing friend Marc Bonilla’s concert in Seattle, good times at Black Butte and just enjoying life at home.
We are excited that HOME is being reinvented: our ADU (Additional Dwelling Unit) is under construction! At nearly 400 square feet, it will serve as a pool cabana, guest room and tiny house. Additional room for visitors … please come!
Kevin is a diligent project manager for the ADU and, of course, he PLAYS GOLF! Highlights this year: a trip with bro-in-law Brian to Arizona in March, another successful Southern Oregon championship, a round in San Jose with nephew Patrick and the annual December Borrego Springs trip coming up soon.
Penny remains active with the Family Nurturing Center and has been a Spanish student on DuoLingo since January 1st. She and her mom (age 91) flew to Fresno for Mother’s Day to see all the Howes and meet Mom’s great grandson Gabriel! In August Penny flew to Chile to visit Rachel, Héctor and Julián. In September she flew to San Jose to care for Arden so Becky and Jonathan could enjoy a getaway. Kevin drove down for the second week. Daily life with a first grader was wonderful (and confirmed that we are not as young as we used to be!)
Becky and Jonathan (the first mate) had a terrific time sailing the Mediterranean around Sicily, but we didn’t get to hear the details. They came home with COVID so we waved goodbye and headed home. Despite moving over to his cousins’ house, Arden also caught the virus, fortunately mild cases for all. Other than germs, the family is thriving.
COVID kept Héctor from traveling but Rachel and Julián came to the US in May, the visit culminating in a Klabunde/Adolph reunion at Black Butte. Penny’s mom met Julián, her youngest great grandson, and we met Gemma, our grand niece!
Rachel had work in London in November and Becky flew over so they could hang out together. Becky was at the height of immunity but COVID caught up with Rachel. That extended her time away from Héctor and Julián but she has recovered and is happily back home. Héctor completed his thesis in October and will be finished with his master’s degree in December. Hooray!
We are grateful that the kids and grandkids plan to be here in Medford for Christmas. If it is finished enough, we will sleep in the ADU and leave the house to the younger generations!
May the days ahead bring you love, joy and glimpses of heaven itself!
Kevin and Penny