Christmas Newsletter 2001

          Merry Christmas everyone!  We hope this 2001 edition of the Howard Christmas letter finds your family healthy and happy.      Obviously this holiday season will be a particularly difficult time for the family, friends, and coworkers of those lost in the many tragic events on and since 11 September.  Like most Americans we pray they find some comfort in the great outpouring of support and in the global effort to hunt down those responsible.

      Dad and Rosemarie were just beginning their visit with us in Misawa when the events of 11 September caused the Air Base to be transformed into Fortress Misawa. Unfortunately they were locked down with the rest of us as the base's leaders grappled with insitituting appropriate force protection measures. While the lock-down prevented some planned sight-seeing, it certainly provided more bonding time with their grandson.

     Speaking of Christopher - he turned four years old in November, and he has been riding his bicycle sans training wheels since June!  The balance he learned from pushing those two-wheel scooters translated quickly to the bicycle. I balanced him for maybe 30 seconds before he took off. Of course - he continues to amaze and amuse us in so many other ways as well. He remains the center of our life.

     2001 began on a high note for us Baltimore Ravens fans - though I'm probably the only season ticket holder to never see one of the Superbowl season games in person. In February I enjoyed the world-famous Sapporo snow festival on the island of Hokkaido. We hope to go as a family next year.  Misawa had 177" of snow for the season - nearly 50" above average - though less than the 220" of the previous season. This winter season was much cooler - which allowed the snow to stay around after it fell.  By March we were running out of places to throw snow.

      In May we enjoyed a family vacation to the beautiful Hawaiian islands of Kauai and Oahu. The Hawaiian climate must have really made an impression on the Howard family because we'll be moving there in March 2002.  We hope to enjoy a  few weeks of island-hopping (vacation) before settling down somewhere in Oahu.  We'll be there at least three years - and you're all invited! Please book reservations three months in advance.  For those of you who had followed only part of the saga and might be confused - we had applied for a two-year extension to our Misawa tour back in February.  We love Misawa,  but the lure of Hawaii and wonderful memories of our recent family trip pushed us off the fence.

     Patti turned 40 in late February and I hit the mark in August shortly before climbing Mount Fuji for the second time. We feel our age. I continue to satisfy my mid-life crisis by buying gadgets I don't need. Patti found solace and enjoyment in rediscovering the violin - which she hadn't played since high school. Within weeks of diligent practice she was already playing in public. She doesn't expect calls from the Philadelphia Harmonic anytime soon - but she has improved dramatically and really enjoys playing - especially Irish ballads.  We experienced many minor earthquakes in 2001, but none caused damage, and we hope to avoid the big one before we leave for Hawaii.

We pray that God will bless you and your family with health, happiness, and prosperity in the coming year.
 

                          Terry, Patti, and Christopher
 
 

Go to Fall 2001 Photos.



 

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