Season’s greetings. It is still 2006 as
I write this- so I guess I made it in time! I send out a Holiday newsletter
every other year- this is the OFF year so I send an electronic version instead.
So follow the links below by holding down your CTRL key and left clicking on
your mouse), and you will be directed to my web page where over 1000 new photos
are displayed.
JANUARY started out with our family plus one taking a cruise to Mexican Riviera.
We visited the ports of Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan and
Cabo San Lucas.
Click here for photos.
In FEBRUARY our long-time friends, Gwen and Kerry Nicholson, moved away from us
on Rosemont- fortunately they moved only across Elliott Bay to a condo at Alki
Beach. So January and February was spent
helping them to move
MARCH was a quiet month- but in APRIL Dad and I hopped on a plane and flew to
Baxter, MN to visit
Kevin and family.
It was fun have four generations (Dad, me, Kevin, Makaila) together at the same
time. We took a side trip to Duluth, MN and visited the house where Dad was
raised. Dad has kept in contact with the owners of the years, so we were able to
get a tour of the home. At the end of the month Kimber’s Willamette University
crew team had a
supper at our home
before rowing the next day at Lake Stevens, WA conference championships.
In MAY, the Crew team returned to Seattle to row in the
Windermere Cup. Kimber’s 4-man boat captured second place. And Kimber turned
21 in July- Gretchen threw her
a grand dinner
at our home.
Bill McMonagle,
Gretchen’s 91 year-old step-father, passed away in August.
SEPTEMBER brought another trip for me to the east coast. LG had a training
meeting that I needed to attend in Chicago- so I extended a few days and
visited the city
as well as enjoying a wonderful dinner with Tara Nicholson.
Then on to
Washington DC/Baltimore
to join follow Washington Restaurant Association Board members (yes, I am still
active with the WRA as its Health Insurance Trust Chairman) in the annual
lobbying effort. I always visit Ft McHenry in Baltimore to return to the site
where my great-great-great- grandfather, Colonel George Armistead, was the
commander during the War of 1812. Then I returned to Seattle via Baxter, MN
where I spent a
few days with my son Kevin
and his wife Tamara as well as my 4 year old Granddaughter, Makaila.
OCTOBER brought another significant birthday celebration: Gretchen turned the
big 6-0. Our brother-in-law, Ken Plante, also turned 60 on the same day so I
joint party
was created. Ryann and I made
a quick visit
to Laguna Niguel to visit Dad.
In NOVEMBER, KImber’s crew team had a
fall regatta
at Tacoma’s American Lake. My cousin Dave Thomas and wife Carol attended this
event together on a very cold and windy day.
Finally we had an incredible DECEMBER. It started out with Gretchen and I flying
to
New York City.
We absolutely love going there to visit during the holiday season. We saw the
prerequisite plays (Nathan Lane in Bentley- and the musical “Avenue Q”). We also
attending the Wolfe Pack Black Orchid dinner, had dinner at 3 marvelous
restaurants (Felidia’s with friends Jonathan and his wife, as well as O’Briens
Irish Pub and the historic Old Homestead). Gretchen had never seen the Statue of
Liberty and Ellis Island, so we spent a day there. We visited the Picasso and
American Art exhibit at the Whitney Art Museum as well as the Cezanne to
Picasso: Ambroise Vollard: Patron of the Avant-Garde exhibit at “the Met.” We
toured the NBC studio- and the Rockefeller Center was truly spectacular at
Christmas time—especially if followed by a piece of the famous Lindy’s
cheesecake. December continued with Dad’s visit to Seattle. The festivities
included the annual
Christmas Eve party
at Gretchen’s sister Marianne’s Tacoma home, followed by Christmas
breakfast and package opening,
and a traditional prime-rib with stuffed baked potatoes Christmas dinner also at
our home. This year, we had a special celebration at Seattle was
Teatro Zinzani
with the 5 of us plus Ryann’s friend Josh—and Kerry, Gwen and Tara Nicholson
(with Kerry’s sister Leanaa). What a grand way to end a year. And Gretchen,
Kimber and I visited cousin Dave Grady and his wife barb and sons Jeremy and
Joshua in Jeremy's Seattle area's home and got acquainted with
Jeremy and Thera's new 4-month baby, Meriel.
And 2007 starts off with a bang- Kevin and I will attend the famous CES
(Consumer Electronics Show) in Las Vegas January 10-13. Then all the GRADY
family will convene in Laguna Niguel CA on January 27th to celebrate
Dad’s 90th. But the details must wait until next year’s Holiday
letter!
CHG
