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Wednesday, January 03, 2007
Christmas 2006
You have probably already read this (since you are here), but if not, here is our 2006 family letter:
December 31, 2006
Dear Friends,
In keeping with our well established family tradition, this is the Annual McClelland Post-Christmas Family Letter (things are just too hectic before the 25th to work on it!). We are in the process of updating our blog, http://mcclellands8.blogspot.com/, where you can see pictures.
Since we did not send a letter last year, here’s a brief recap of 2005. Eddie married Andrea Howell in the Washington, DC temple on 4/23/05, and Sara married Christopher Hiltner on 5/14/05. In June of 2005, Matt moved his family to Eagan, MN for his Dermatology residency.
We have just finished celebrating our 26th Christmas in our home on Bridgeport Court – so many years, so many memories! There are very few things in life that are certain, but one of them is that you will find us here if you come to visit (and another certain thing is that you will be welcome to stay with us during that visit). Anyway, it was a wonderful year for our family:
Chris – Had a very successful year academically at BYU. He was toying with the idea of getting a combined Economics/Accounting degree, but a boooring (!) accounting course changed his mind. This fall, Chris got a job as an Economics 110 TA.
Dave – Continues to plug away at his very difficult major—Mechanical Engineering—at BYU, somehow keeping his wonderful sense of humor. He and Chris are roommates in an apartment just south of campus, which facilitates the sharing of a car and a computer. Along with Mom, Dave took a road trip from VA to Provo in said car in August.
Eddie and Andrea – After getting his Masters of Accounting Degree at BYU, Eddie is working for Price Waterhouse Coopers in Columbus, Ohio (and should acquire his CPA in the next month or so). Andrea graduated with a Psychology degree and was hired by the Ohioanna Library. She has informed her disappointed employer that she will be leaving when she becomes a mother next June. For pictures and more news: http://mcclellands.blogspot.com/.
Sara and Big Chris (we call him “Big Chris” because he is big and to distinguish him from “Little Chris”) – In November, they became the owners of a beautiful home in Potomac Falls, VA. Sara continues her successful career with Computer Sciences Corporation, while Chris left CSC for new opportunities with the Siegfried Group. See http://hiltners.blogspot.com/ for more news and pictures.
Matt, Emily, Annabelle, Ben and Jake – Matt has another 1.5 years to go in his dermatology residency (although he is considering doing a one year fellowship). Emily is going to bestow another grandchild on us in July (one can never have enough grandchildren). The children are growing up so nicely – good genes & good parents! Check out http://emilatt.blogspot.com/, where Matt has posted links to some awesome videos and his Christmas letter.
Dan – Continues to work for a property inventory firm and serves in the Elders’ Quorum Presidency in his Ward. It is wonderful to see him once a week for dinner, and to feel his warm, happy spirit.
Mary Anne – Continues to work at Windows by Betty and for a Washington Post Distributor. With the nest empty, there is more time for service and travel.
Charles – Has had a lot of soul stretching experiences this year, mostly associated with church-related responsibilities - it is so much harder to get others to do a job, than to do it yourself! A major highlight of the year has been his opportunity to visit various state capitals (Phoenix, Lincoln, Des Moines, Albany, Columbus, and Minneapolis – and San Juan and California next month) to provide investment planning instruction to state and local government homeland security officials.
Well, that is it until next year - have a safe and joyful New Year!
Love,
Sunday, December 31, 2006
Costa Rica!
In February, Mary Anne and Charles and 3 of her siblings and spouses spent several days exploring the grand country of Costa Rica. The adventure began with a 2 night stay at the Pura Vida Hotel near Alajuela (close to the airport). Shown is our Casita and some of the surrounding gardens.
While waiting for the rest of our party to arrive, we took a tour to the Poas Volcano. Poas is an active volcano, but during quiet periods, you can actually look into the crater. From Alajuela or San Jose, it is a pleasant drive through coffee and fern plantations. Shortly after our trip, the volcano became more active and the area was closed to tourists.
After all 8 of us were assembled, we headed for Villa Encantada on the shores of Lake Arenal. It was an exciting trip at time, especially when we nearly lost the spare tire of our Toyota Hiace Van as we drove over the "Bridge of Death." We managed to avoid being swallowed by the potholes in the road and did not run over any of the friendly Coatimundis as we drove from the dam to Villa Encantada. And what a villa it was. The pictures do not really do it justice.
From the house, there were gorgeous views of Lake Arenal.
On the property there was a swimming pond stocked with fish.
On the left is the view from our bedroom window. Right, the grounds looked like a modern day garden of Eden.
On Sunday, we drove 1 1/2 hours to the nearest LDS church in Ciudad Quesada, a.k.a. San Carlos. It was election day so we saw many Costa Ricans out doing their civic duty.
Monday, Monday, I thought rainy season was over. We made the best of it by shopping and visiting the local hot spring.
Tuesday, time for a hike to La Fortuna waterfall.
The howler monkeys spent the day in the trees on the property on Wednesday so we finally got to see them close up.
On Thursday we finally saw the Arenal Volcano in its entirity on the way to whitewater rafting!
Friday, we enjoyed the grounds, did some bird watching, and kayaked at Lake Arenal.Farewell to our lovely home for a week.
Saturday, time to return home. Not so fast!! At San Jose Airport we are told that the airports in the DC area are all closed and we cannot get home until Tuesday (unless we want to drive home from Miami). Too bad, we have to stay. Back to la Pura Vida for one more night with Bonnie and Richard!!
On Sunday, we moved into cheap digs in Alajuela and attended church. Monday, we made it into San Jose for the first time--the airport is actually near Alajuela.
In San Jose, we toured the impressive National Theater (upstairs room above)
and the Gold Museum (no pictures allowed inside).
Friday, December 29, 2006
Where did 2005 go?
No updates since December 2004?--how pitiful is that! Well let's see what happened in 2005.
Weddings, that's what happened in 2005. Eddie and Andrea Howell (from Riverton, WY by way of BYU) were married on April 23rd 2005. From left: Matt, Emily, Chris, Mary Anne, Ben (Matt's son), Charles, Jacob (Matt's son), Eddie, AndreaDan, Annabelle, Sara, and Dave.
Sara married Chris Hiltner from Baxter, MN on May 14, 2005. From left Jacob, Emily, Matt, Annabelle, Dan, Dave, Sara, Big Chris, Ben, Charles, Mary Anne, Little Chris, Eddie, Andrea.
In June of 2005, Matt and Emily took all of our grandchildren (Annabelle, Ben, and Jacob) to Minnesota where he will do a dermatology residency. Here is the motley moving crew--Dave, Emily, Matt, Ben, Mary Anne, Annabelle, Charles, Sara, Big Chris, Dan, Jacob, Little Chris.
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