Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

2023 was a big year for Kathy and me!  We celebrated our 50th anniversary on December 16th (actual anniversary was the 14th) at the Crowne Plaza in Chandler, AZ.  Nearly 70 family and friends were in attendance.  The celebration started with Mass at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Chandler.  Fr. Pierre celebrated Mass and blessed us at the conclusion.  Kathy and I participated with the choir of course (except for the closing song).  Everyone then headed over to the Crowne Plaza Palomino room and La Terraza patio for dinner and dancing.

Kathy and I finally were able to travel this year after having lost three of our retirement go-go years due to COVID-19 travel restrictions.  We took a Viking Cruise/Land trip to Portugal (see Photos page).  We are planning on traveling back to Ohio for the 2024 Alexander reunion on July 27th.  We will likely combine that trip with a visit to the Ark Encounter in Williamstown, KY.  Another desire is a Viking Cruise in the Great Lakes.

Our music ministry with the St. Mary’s Saturday 4:30 pm and Sunday 11:00 am Mass choir continues.  Kathy and I joined a small group that gathers weekly as part of our diocese's Christ In Our Neighborhood and we continue to participate in a Patriotic Rosary at Our Lady of Guadalupe in Queen Creek at 5:30 pm Arizona time on the last Sunday of each month.  You can join in remotely on Facebook at Patriotic Rosary

Doro and Dan continue to serve as a Pet Therapy team at Mercy-Gilbert Hospital every Thursday afternoon and alternately at Sanborn and Andersen Elementary schools on  Friday mornings.  Dan and Doro visit with nearly 5,000 humans every year and Doro, now 8.5 years old, has been working as a therapy dog for 6 years.

Dan’s volunteer jobs have continued to expand as Vice Chair and Programs Chair for the IEEE Phoenix Section of the Life Member Affinity Group (LMAG), Knights of Columbus Assembly 2536 Faithful Comptroller and Council 3121 Treasurer, and president of our HOA.  He also judges science projects for the Paradise Valley Science and Engineering Fair.