Eastmond December 2007 News

We lugged in the tree last night, getting ready for when Alex and his family arrive on Sunday to help decorate. Our house smells like Christmas is coming, and thanks to Dave's efforts last Tuesday, we have the glowing lights to prove it. We've set out the inside decorations: the small village that I've been collecting for 23 years, Dave's nutcracker collection (first one purchased on our honeymoon, some 17 years ago) and various bric a brac that gets whittled down a little more every year.

It's not that we're older and more tired, it's just that we're older and more tired, wanting the season to magically appear like it did when our mothers did all the work. But our big achievement was getting out the Christmas cards before New Year's Day (we missed last year) and as the world turns more and more to electronic media, our list also gets whittled down as well. I still say that nothing can replace a lovely card with a photo or letter along with a scrawled greeting.

This year we are having a Christmas Miracle: all the children will be here for Christmas. I may not live long enough to see it happen again, so we aim to enjoy it with good food, song, some silliness and some Southern California field trips.

Merry Christmas!

Charon Family News

Seasons Greetings from the Charons!

Keagan at her pre-school Thanksgiving program

Another month, or two, have gone by in the blink of an eye. Sometimes I think time does more than just fly. We are still in Kingman, and by the looks of it without the house being sold David will move to Flagstaff then come home on the weekends. We are getting ready for Christmas like everyone does this time of year. The first batch of caramels was successful, and now on to the tamales.

Keagan turned 5 on Wednesday (the 5th) and I can't believe it. David is knee deep in finals for Biology, Chemistry, Medical Terminology and a computer course. He has done really well this semester, we are proud of him.

I on the other hand at any given moment can just break out in tears, laugh or even scream on occasion, gotta love the stress of selling a home. Hope everyone's December is going well, Pete that piano looks fun. We look forward to seeing all of you in a couple of weeks.

Take care--
Love,
The Charon Family

Editor's Note: Here's some earlier photos from the Charons:

Barbara and David and another couple hiked down into Supai Falls at the bottom of the Grand Canyon. They also hiked back up two days later, giving way to grand metaphors that compare this to education/medical school.

Cowboy Riley, Halloween 2007

Riley, wearing boots that his father wore at that age.

Princess Keagan, Halloween 2007

New Piano! (Peter's News)

I'll start this off with a joke. Why does Beethoven hate chickens? Because they all say "Bach, Bach!" Which brings me to my main point - I am learning the Piano! (yes, for the third time, but you know, third time's a charm). Don't ask me what sparked the new hobby, I don't ask those questions. I just attack the hobby in full force.

After doing a lot of research (in my usual overly-analytical fashion) it was somewhat of an ordeal getting my new digital piano. The first one I brought home, only to realize it was defective (some of the keys clicked). So I boxed that back up, returned it, and got one that was fully functional. Then, a week later, a nicer one went on sale for the same price I paid for mine, So I boxed it up again (Those who know me know I keep ALL of my boxes) and headed back to the store to upgrade. No restocking fee or hassle - Props to Guitar Center! This one didn't fit in the car, so after unpacking it in the parking lot, and folding the back seats down, we managed to get it home. Behold:


The keys feel great, but the sound is grossly inferior to the real thing. I can however change it to sound like an organ, which is pretty sweet for playing Bach.


Apart from that, life is predictable in Davis. Megan just took the GRE - and she did awesome! Grad school applications are the next thing on her plate. Her work is exciting, she is learning electroporation, so she can create new mutant mouse cells for the lab. Work at Studio66 is a little slower this month, but that's when I'm glad I'm not on commission. It's still hands down, way better than school.

Well, That's about it for us this month. Here's a picture of Megan and I we took at a small beach just of Highway 1.
Take Care,
Peter & Megan