First of all -WE'VE MOVED!!! We're now in the town of Cotati, about 10 minutes north of Petaluma. This time last year we were negotiating for our current house, and still looking. We still consider Petaluma our home but just couldn't find what we wanted there. Tim took 10 steps into the house and said "Let's buy it!" This was after months of looking, so it took me awhile to get used to the interesting upgrades the owners had done, and for the house to grow on me. We have one less bedroom, but more space to just move around - and have company. We had rather strongly hinted to our children that we wanted an anniversary party for our 35th, on February 12. We actually bought the house on that day, moved into our new house Feb 25th and somehow had a party here two weeks later. The trick was moving only necessary items before the party, and keeping the rest in the old house. The downside was that we spent the next 4 or 5 months moving the REST of the stuff (Another box of kids' books?!) We're very grateful to our kids and friends for all their help with the move and a great party. They decorated, put together some CDs of oldies, and Jocelyn created a photo collage, which we'll always treasure.

Some loved ones passed on this year: my Uncle Fred, my high school Spanish teacher, who was one of my favorites and very well-known in the community, and two friends, all in the spring. One of my UC Davis classmates also passed away. We're reminded how grateful we are for friends and family around us.

January - March Tim participated in a team activity at our gym, "The Absolute Loser", and lost 15 lbs! He spent several early mornings with his team running relays in subfreezing temperatures. (yes, we occasionally have a cold snap in California.)

In May we went to our friends' daughter's wedding in Oregon at Silver Falls State Park. It was at a beautiful setting, spent with a great group of people. It just happened to be in the 30s and the bridal party wore typically beautiful, but thin clothing. The best part was the late night jam session after the youngins' all went to bed.

Also in May came an event that was a highlight for Amanda. She left May 22 for a two month solo trip to Europe, after weeks of networking on MySpace, travel websites, and planning her itinerary. She was on her own for nine weeks but met people at every destination, and rendezvoused with several fellow travelers by pre-arrangement. She visited Spain, Morocco, Italy, France, Ireland, Scotland, and England. A turning point came when she arrived in Morocco - by herself - and her ATM wouldn't work, and she was feeling very alone! Just then, her on-line buddy Brian, from New York, met her and they traveled together during the Morocco part of the trip - quite a relief! She found Morocco a little different than familiar Western Europe. Check out her blog at http://www.thepandaknows.blogspot.com for her travelogue and photos. She is taking a small breather from fashion design at the Academy of Art in San Francisco, but will resume her schooling in the spring. She celebrated three years at Petaluma Health Center last month, with 2007 seeing her take a more specialized data entry and case management role in the clinic's women's health, diabetes, and chronic pain collaboratives. She is making the most of her time off from school by working, saving money, taking small road trips, spending time with her boyfriend, Chris, and hopefully shredding many a snowy mountain this winter in Lake Tahoe.

Terry and Lauren are going all the time. Lauren is still teaching music and finishing her credential program. Terry is working at Medtronic. They now have three cats, and continue to find remodeling projects in their house. On February 12, after signing house papers, I dropped by and could tell something was up when I saw the, uh, commode, sitting in the front yard. After a weekend tiling the bathroom floor, Terry was desperate to have someone help him finish the project. So, besides buying a house and celebrating our 35th wedding anniversary that day, I also set a toilet!

Jocelyn, Martin and Kyra are also on the go. Kyra is in pre-school, and Mama and Papa are both working and going to school. Jocelyn is taking prerequisites for the RN program and works nights as a Nurse's Aide. Martin works pms (afternoon/eve) as a Nurse's Aide and is taking classes in English and karate. Kyra is a very active and inquisitive 4 year old. A few months ago, I took her to a local college production of the Disney version of "Alladin". We were in the front row of a packed house of squealing kids, and at first she looked a little apprehensive. But when the dancers came out on stage, she had a look of awe and delight that didn't go away for a half hour! She sees her aunts and uncles frequently, talks about her school, friends, and loves to visit Grandma and Grandpa. Every Friday she looks forward to music class especially because Auntie Lauren is her teacher. She is convinced that when she grows up she's going to marry Johnny Kapahala (a character in a Disney movie). She loves Sponge Bob Square Pants, music, dancing, playing soccer, and anything to do with water. Last weekend Kyra, Jocelyn and I had a girls' day out to see The Nutcracker. She loved seeing the dancers and hearing the music, but after two hours in a stuffy auditorium, her mom asked her how she liked the ballet. She said. "Well, at least that's over with!" Somehow that wasn't what we expected, but with a 4 year old, you never know!

Tim celebrated 10 years this year with his company, Environmental Science Associates. Since ESA opened an office in Petaluma in 2005, his commute has thankfully shrunk to seven minutes, a welcome change. He is somewhat active with the Green Party and to keep a perspective, the local chapter of the Military Officers Association of America.

I'm still working at Petaluma Health Center - I can't believe I've been a PA for four years! - and continue to learn every day. I expect to be volunteering more at a local free clinic this year and reach out to some other sites as well. We're all aware of the health care crisis in this country, and I see the effects of it on a daily basis. A single payer system is looking more feasible.

We both want to find fun activities to keep us going (before we forget). We've been catching some local band concerts, seeing friends, riding bikes, hiking...and kayaking. In July, we flew to Seattle, then drove to the Oregon coast west of Tillamook - another gorgeous setting for our friends' other daughter's wedding. This time it was much warmer. We journeyed north through Oregon and Washington, where we met our friends at the Vancouver Folk Fest for three days of glorious music at Jericho Beach Park. Also in July Tim and I did a little camping on the Mendocino County coast, bicycling, hiking and enjoying the views. Over the summer we had a small reunion with our three college roommates and spouses. Tim bought kayaks in late September, and we were out on the water almost every weekend, including a harvest moon paddle with Jocelyn on Tomales Bay. It was pretty, but a little spooky. It's a good thing Jocelyn provided lots of glow sticks. A highlight was a short vacation to northeastern California in late October, Burney Falls and Ahjumawi State Parks specifically. We were almost the only people. It was warm during the day, in the 20s at night, and we saw bald eagles and hundreds of different water fowl. The oaks had turned golden - it was beautiful and utterly peaceful. Much of the area is former PG&E land, and my paternal grandparents, as a PG&E family, spent a lot of time there almost a hundred years ago.

Over Labor Day weekend one of my nephews hosted a family get together at Lake Tahoe. About thirty of us - Joslins, Jensens, Morgans and all the offspring - had a great time playing in and on the lake, hiking, parasailing, and catching up with each other. We all agreed it was a tradition worth continuing. Mom and Dad would have loved it, and were there in spirit.

We hope that you're all with your friends and family to celebrate this season. Stay warm, email or call us and let us know if you're traveling this way!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Tim and Sharon Morgan

Email: Tim - or Sharon -