Seasons Greetings!!
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Hello There - Hope this card finds you and your's happy and healthy as we come to the close of yet another year! Things are going well here in the Odén house. Thankfully we are all healthy and looking back on a good year. Last January, we went on one of the most incredible trips we have ever been on. We cruised for almost 21 days - from Santiago, Chile – around Cape Horn (the most Southern Tip of South America) then back up to Buenos Aires, Argentina. It was unexpectedly beautiful – reminding me of Alaska, Norway and the Rockies – all combined into one magnificent part of our beautiful Earth. My mom finally got to see her penguins too! She was like a kid in a candy store – unbelievably happy (see photos). My dad used a wheel chair for most adventuring around with Zack at the controls. So many times it was like watching 2 kids playing with a wheelchair they had found – they had a great time – a time Zack will remember forever! To top if off – we got to see the most amazing wildlife – Penguins (Emperor, Gentoo and Adelie), Sea Lions, Whales, Dolphins, Albatross, Rheas (ostrich like bird) and Guanacos (Llama type animal) to name just a few. So needless to say – that was a highlight of the year. However plenty of other fun things happened. Zack is doing VERY well in school and has made honor roll each semester! He ran track again last spring and was on the Varsity team. The 100 & 200 meter “dashes” are his best events. He is now 17 (Yikes – 18 in May) and almost 5’11”. He is considering going into Veterinary Medicine when he graduates from High School after taking a winter off in Captiva, Florida working at C.R.O.W. (Care & Rehabilitation Of Wildlife) - He got his driver’s license this summer and has been “chauffeuring” us all. Having a new driver in the house meant that we needed a “new” car, so I bought a 2000 Toyota 4-Runner aka “LabRunr”. Our first big road trip was back to Scottsdale, AZ. It was great to see everyone and all our “old haunts”. Back home in the mountains, we had a great time going up into the high country – exploring new mountain passes and beautiful lakes. I did my best to learn fly-fishing. Love it – but have a long way to go! Taking 4 dogs up to mountain lakes is an adventure – we always had a blast! Athena's puppies are all growing up – 1 ½ years old now and what characters they are. Each as unique as could be – Denali is only about 60 lbs and Mom’s Bear is 90+ lbs; Hazel is sweet and shy, Denali is always on the go, Duc is totally devoted to Zack and my parent's Bear is a big goof ball. Sadly, we lost our little white cat Mira who ventured out late one night and was too friendly with a pack of coyotes and then our dog Tasha who had seen the better of 14 years found peace in Heaven. However, our lives were blessed when a new little white cat, Rio joined our pack – I swear he thinks he is a dog! To top it off, our wild animals kept us entertained as well. This was an amazing Black Bear year. We had big, lazy old man and 2 moms each with a cub (see photos) who visited us regularly. As for me – nothing much new. I am still busy trying to get my travel agency and web design company – Northern Star Productions – off the ground. This year saw more business than previous years (thank Heavens) so I might actually make it (I hope). When I am not busy with those projects, I am generally off finding “Era Perfect” props for a show. I am still working with Aspen Community Theatre which did “The Sound of Music” this fall and we just closed Aspen Theatre in the Park’s, “It’s a Wonderful Life”. In between all that – Zack and I try to fit in our 2 home schooling classes. Thankfully, my parents are both doing very well. We are SO blessed to continue to have them in our lives. Mom had her usual busy summer – tending to the “Lemonade Stand” at the Music Festival, keeping a beautiful home and garden and continued being the consummate Mother, Grand Mother, Wife and now dog owner to “Bear” – yes one of Athena’s puppies. My dad is also doing very well. He has many projects going on – from designing medical buildings to airlines to employee housing and so on! Not to mention always being there for Zack and me. This year he was inducted into the Sports Medicine Hall of Fame so he and Zack went to Quebec for a week in June for the ceremony. Needless to say - they had a great time. Thankfully their house in Captiva, Florida was spared by the several hurricanes that hit Florida this year. So many people lost everything they had and all that we have to do is replace a few things in the house and the roof. You can see more about these hurricanes on our web site– www.SanCapSurvivesCharley.com. Louise, Boyd and Beach are also doing well. Louise is on sabbatical for a while and traveling around the country and possibly world. Boyd is flying for Continental and his daughters, Kaela & Aubrey are both growing up to be wonderful young ladies. Beach & Katy are also doing well and being adventurous as usual in Durango. We were all together for Thanksgiving - it was a busy and wonderful weekend. So that is as they say is that - A busy and wonderful year. I wish I had time to write a personal note to everyone on my list, but please know that we are thinking of you at this special time of year and hoping that you and yours are doing well. Hopefully we will personally connect very soon! May the New Year bring you Peace, Love and Happiness. ((hugs)) and love always Beth
& Zack Odén
If
you get a chance, check out my web sites.
For
Scotty
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