Holiday Note 2008

This year most of us are happy to be in Tucson, grateful to be employed, and hopeful about the future. Here are some 2008 headlines:

Accomplishment of the Year:  Ryan graduates from high school, and attends the honors ceremony to receive a 12-year perfect attendance award. The Principal notes: "I don't believe we've ever given an award like this before." He rides the 67-mile El Tour de Tucson, is working at a car wash, and plans start Pima Community College in 2009.

Personal Growth Award:  Danny gets a job and buys a red car, quickly outfitting it with a bumpin' sound system. The words "I want. . . ." continue to be heard often. He is still biking and drumming for fun but not for long, as he's spending the next school semester in Truckee, CA .

Physical Growth Award: Laura has her hair cut and donates 10" to Locks of Love. She is active in Key Club, and spends a lot of time on her school art portfolio. She is also hoping to get a job (and a car) for the New Year.

Globetrotter Award: Sam goes to Ecuador & Galapagos (with Richard), Sedona (50th birthday with family and three surprise guests, arranged by Richard), a short cruise with her extended family (16 people on Royal Caribbean), to New York City, to Sanibel Island FL with the whole extended Cook family (50th anniversary), to Hawaii, and short trips to Flagstaff and Truckee, CA. When in Tucson, she still works at the Birth Center as a midwife.

Honorable Mention: Richard gains heightened environmental and economic awareness and installs a bunch of solar panels on our roof. He also rides his bicycle 2300+ miles, including 100 in one day from Irvine to San Diego and 109 in El Tour de Tucson.

Sam & Richard in Quito

Cooks' 50th Anniversary Photo