As I look back on our family web site and what started as a way to keep Nick in touch while he was at grad school, I see what’s turned into a nice family journal over the past few years. Our guests have now reached far beyond the original intended audience…most likely due to the cute baby pictures rather than our lives being so exciting.

End of year is always cause for reflection. This year we’ve certainly had events to look back on. But before we get to that, I’m long overdue for some looking forward. I’ve sent out word, but here’s the formal posting: Elyse and Tim are pregnant! Baby Katz is due May 17, 2010. We find out if grandchild #2 is a boy or girl on Dec 22nd. Our vote is for a healthy baby!

So if I look back on this past year, it would definitely be defined by becoming grandparents for the first time. If you look anywhere on the site you’ll see it covered in Hayden’s name. Although Nick and Ashley moved back to Macomb, IL this past June, we’ve been video conferencing quite a bit. It’s a great joy to see Hayden’s face light up when he sees those funny looking people on the computer. And of course our faces light up when we see him “dancing” around to Lady Gaga. They’ll be here the day after Christmas. I can’t wait to give him tummy raspberries in person!

While the economy took a turn for the worst in 2009, we’ve been lucky enough to keep working. The restaurant is slower and I took a cut in pay and in hours. Going down to 30 hours has been a blessing in disguise though. It allowed me to train for the 39 mile Avon Walk that took place this past Sept. Many Friday’s I spent with Danny, walking 7 miles. Danny had never done this amount of walking before and he found out he actually enjoyed the “walk therapy”. After getting over his griping about hurting, he found out the end result was pants that were too big for him. While the Avon Walk is in doubt for next year since it’s moving to Santa Barbara, some sort of walk/run is in the works so that we’ll continue to be motivated to train. After all, Danny turns 60 next year and he wants to prove he’s not just an old grump.

In keeping with the “we’re really not old” theme, we went out bought a 2006 Corvette. How appropriate that it’s bright yellow, since this is Danny’s favorite color. Andrew and Kathleen turned us onto their Corvette Club, PCC and the rest is history. Again, this site is full of PCC news, although I haven’t put in our last trip to Temecula or the upcoming Christmas party yet. By end of January, I’ll be turning in my leased BMW and that yellow Corvette will be seen on the 241 toll road 3 times a week. I hope the Highway Patrol will be looking the other way.

This past Sept. Luke and Lani started their senior year of high school. Both are doing good. Lani is heavy into drama and has a great set of friends because of it. Luke made the varsity soccer team. He is also already been accepted to ASU for next year. We’re waiting to hear back from the other schools that both have applied to. Keep your fingers crossed.

So life keeps moving on. Nick and Ashley celebrated 2 years of marriage this year, while Tim and Elyse celebrated one year. One grandchild this year and one next. Next year is another Circle K Cruise Year. The destination will be Alaska. I guess it’s all about the kids, grandkids and the travel. If this is growing old, I like it.

I’ve added in pics from our wine tasting trip. Last Thursday, we met up with Tony Purvis, The Haines’, Jessen’s, and Robert’s at the Oceana Hotel up in Santa Barabara. Alex and his girlfriend Laurel met up with us on Sat. What followed was a blur of wine tasting at about 10 wonderful wineries. Tony led the charge, only allowing us to eat when we cried mercy. Both Friday and Sat. morning we had brisk walks along the beach. The meals were amazing and all too soon the whole thing was a memory. Now it’s time to start counting the days to the Alaska cruise next August.

I’ve also posted just a few pictures of Hayden’s 9 month photo shoot. There are more on Nick and Ashley’s site and Facebook for those of you who follow.

Yesterday also brought us some happy news: Luke was accepted to ASU. That makes him now a college student in training. We look forward to hearing from other colleges that both he Lani applied to.

I’m posting two weekends for the price of one. Last weekend we went with PCC (Pacific Coast Corvettes) down to Julian. Inland from San Diego, I had heard of Julian apples, but had never been there. We went as a caravan of a dozen Corvettes, winding through mountain roads through beautiful scenery. As always, it makes Danny drive way too fast but boy was it fun. In this case, he even had a hard time keeping up at times. These guys mean business. They drive their Corvettes the way they were meant to be driven! A wonderful warm day fall day, some nice lunch followed by the best piece of pumpkin pie I’ve ever had – made for a perfect day. Of course the apple pie we brought home made the memory even better.

This morning we got up at 4:15 to walk the CHOC walk at Disneyland and CA Adventure. Cliff and Karen have been volunteering time with the Make a Wish Foundation. They asked us all to join in the CHOC walk as part of their team. Rick, Linda, Sandy and Don joined in with us. At 5k, it truly was a walk in the park, winding through both Disneyland and California Adventure. Seeing the teams, the signs and the volunteers, really was an inspiration. Thanks for asking us guys!

It was 9 months in the making. Let’s go back to January.

Last year my niece Kim convinced me to do the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer with her. While I was successful in completing all 39.3 miles (that’s a marathon the first day and a half marathon the 2nd), I did not sign up at the event to do a repeat. It’s very hard to conceive doing the event again while the blisters are still fresh on your feet.

Danny wasn’t so convinced I shouldn’t repeat. He kept me walking all winter, putting his feet where his mouth is (now isn’t that a visual). By February, I had decided to sign up again. I talked to Kim and found out she had already done so as well. Feb. is also when I took Danny on his first 7 mile walk.

By April, I half heartedly answered an email I received from Avon. Someone in Anaheim needed a walker buddy. I took the plunge and asked which end of town she lived on. Too bad, Patrice lived on the West end of town, over 10 miles away from me. Her daughter Tiffany has asked her to do the walk. At 22, Tiffany didn’t have much training she needed to do. Patrice knew at many..cough, cough…years older, needed to do more. I suggested a place for us to meet and she was wiling to make it happen.

Patrice never complained about the drive or the walk. Sure she got out of whack a couple of times, but it never stopped her. (She did keep the chiropractor busy though.) She was always on time and never questioned the distances I made her walk. She put herself in my hands and followed my grand plan.

By May it was down to fundraising. Danny’s plan was to ask Tony to do a wine tasting. One evening and 24 guests later, and my goal was made. Add in some additional wonderful friends and I raised $2,000 for this good cause.

August brought us to the dreaded 20 mile walk. Once again Patrice proved herself to be a trooper. We picked up Kim midway through and then walked her back and dropped her off. Total miles were 20.25. Do one 20 mile walk. Check. Done.

The time flew by and the next thing you know it was time to rock and roll. Long Beach here we come. Kim ended up riding in with Danny and me. She was meeting up with her “podcast” friend, Heather. So they know each other, but have never met. I knew Heather was 6’1″. I knew Patrice is 5’9″. I knew I was in trouble.

Since we kept a good pace and made it the lunch stop at 10:30, we grabbed lunch and waited to eat until we met up with Danny, Rick, Luke, Lani, TJ, Elyse, Keith, Diane and M at mile 14. We ate, re-lubed, adjusted what needed adjusting and took off again. That stop made the rest of the day possible. That and Danny running out to greet us every 5 miles or so. Thank you all so much! Especially the guy in the pink wig.

26.2 miles, 1 sunburn, 3 blisters and ??? hours later, Patrice, Tiffany and I crossed the finish line in the top 3rd. Heather and Kim did the half marathon the first day. Good job girls.

Day 2 came up too fast. I know I can recover from a 14 mile walk and walk the next day. In this case, I was still sore the next morning. Kim had chewed her feet up again, but she still got on the bus, and started the walk with us. She was doubtful she would be able to finish tho and Heather announced she was sticking with me. Kim told her I’d make sure she finished. Little did I know that at her height, and Patrice’s height that Tiffany and I would have to jog in between to keep up with them. No, no, no, you guys can’t walk together. Tall girl with short girl only. That’s better.

Kim stayed with her friend Barbara (who finished with me last year while she was pregnant) to cheer us on. I got to see and hold little Sophia. I was so busy kissing her I had to run to catch up with the girls. It was worth it tho.

We came in very early – about 12:30. Too early to stay to see Patrick Dempsey. We had to run home because I needed to nap before celebrating Danny’s birthday.

I did not sign up at the event to do a repeat. It’s very hard to conceive doing the event again while the blisters are still fresh on your feet. Hmmm, Santa Barbara in 2010? Only if you sign up.