Writing a poetic first sentence that hooks the reader into reading more is not my forte'. In fact if this letter were written with a pencil, the eraser would already be gone by simply erasing the first sentence repeatedly in my efforts to captivate the reader's imagination. Unfortunately, I more than likely lost most of my readers interest by now, yet for those who are still reading… let's hope the next few minutes were worth the efforts of finding your reading glasses.
I find myself wanting to write this letter and mention the events from the oldest to the most recent yet the one adventure that repetitively comes to mind is a weekend trip to Hood River, OR last spring. Traci and I had the opportunity to visit WAAAM (Western Aeroplane and Automotive Museum) and had the chance see several vintage cars putting around the museum. Although I knew I would perhaps see one or two jeeps driving around, I never imagined that I would have the privileged of driving a WWII jeep. Our friends' Carmel and Marlin joined us on our weekend trip and were perplexed as they witness me degenerate into a kid when I sat on the driver's seat of the Jeep. Besides my wedding day, I honestly can't recall another time I was ever so excited.
For mother's day, Traci and I made the long trek to Montana for just the weekend. Due to work we left Walla Walla fairly late and arrived in Bozeman at 2 am on Saturday morning to only begin the long trip back the next day. I must admit that making these long trips in the middle of the night are exhausting yet it was worth spending the few hours with her. At least I believe it was worth it. Was it for you Mrs. Starkebaum?
Traci's parents celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary in June and we knew that we couldn't let it go by quietly. A week before the big day we headed to the Oregon Coast and journeyed from Brookings to Lincoln City, playing in tide pools and racing wooden boats along the way. On our way back up the Gorge we stopped once more at WAAAM for a surprise anniversary party. Traci's parents had an idea that something was up, but I don't think they realized just how many of their friends and family would be waiting for them. It was a treat to be able to spend a couple of days with the Kings and the Curtis' in Hood River before the trip had to come to an end.
In July, we took a trip with our friend Jimmy to Montana and Wyoming. Traci's parents joined us as we camped and fished in Yellowstone and headed east to Worland, Wyoming. The second half of the trip I helped Traci's dad with some sweat equity around the house while Traci did her best Cake Boss impersonation. She and a friend baked and decorated the cake for her friend Crystal's wedding and were bridesmaids as well. Needless to say, those days flew right by.
This year my older brother was converted to believe that marriage isn't really all that bad. On September 7, Juan and Ashley tied the knot on the banks of the Deschutes River. Ducks were quacking in the background, people were crying at the sight of the two together and Traci bit off her finger nails in the hopes that her cake would come together perfectly for the reception. I must add that they were fortunate to have the world-renowned owner of benblood.com as their photographer.
Right after the wedding ended we made a quick road trip up to Seattle with my mom and sister. Damaris is going to school in Italy this year and needed some extra hands to get all that luggage to the plane. It sounds like she is having a great time and my mom is spending Christmas and New Years with her in Europe.
My aunt, uncle and grandmother road tripped it up from Dublin and Fresno to spend Thanksgiving in Walla Walla. I used this opportunity to take my grandma on a ride in the Chevy, something she hadn't experienced in quite some time. We showed everyone a bit of the Walla Walla valley and were glad we could get to see them again.
I guess it sounds like we really aren't in Walla Walla much, but we do still call it home. We have more fun than we deserve hanging out with our friends here. We have been pretty involved with the Eastgate church, I play praise music with a group of friends and Traci has been on the board and in charge of the church newsletter. Since May I've been managing an apartment complex here in College Place and Traci helps out with the paperwork. She is still working as a graphic designer as well.
Thank you so much for being a part of our loves. We pray that God will bless you in 2012 and can't wait to see you again soon.
Love,
Josh and Traci Galan
