2008

Emily (25) became a mom in March with the arrival of Evan Byelich. He is a super little guy with a great disposition... though he looks pretty serious here. We absolutely love him to pieces. In August, she became Mrs. Ben Byelich at St. John Catholic Church in East Lansing, followed by a reception at the Kellogg Center. Ben is an MSU graduate, and works for Caterpillar as a customer service rep. Ben, Emily and Evan lived in Downer's Grove near Chicago, but then in September moved to Williamston, just 30 minutes from Bob and Joanie. During the summer, Emily worked part-time for an educational software company, and also taught 7th grade English to Summer School students in Lansing. In the fall, she accepted a teaching job at Cumberland Elementary in Lansing teaching a 2nd-3rd grade split classroom.

Alex (23) is now a senior at Michigan State. He spent the summer as an intern at The Boeing Company in Seattle. When he wasn't working on projects involving CO2 emissions, he was exploring Washington, Oregon and British Columbia. He wanted his car with him in Seattle, so he and Bob drove out together... 2300 miles one way! (Then in August, Bob flew out to Seattle and the two of them drove back together. What an adventure.) Within days of returning from Seattle, Alex and some friends flew to Mexico to stay with a family who lives south of Mexico City. Alex continues to interview with various companies, hoping to line up something for Spring 2009 when he graduates with a degree in chemical engineering. Bob and Alex will fly to Florida to watch MSU play Georgia in the Capital One Bowl on New Year's Day.

Joanie (55) works for orthodontist Steve Charchut (who bought the business from his dad Leonard). She also sells Discovery Toys part-time. Bob (57) works for the Michigan Department of Education, still officiates high school soccer, and is in his fourth year as an off-ice official for MSU hockey. Over Spring Break, Bob and Joanie went to Florida with friends Jim and Carol Young. Then in August, their friend Vanda Cedilnik from Slovenia came to visit for 10 days.

Joanie decided two dogs just weren't enough, so she brought home a Puggle puppy (half pug, half beagle). Duffy is a "10" on Cuteness, but gets into everything. Buddy (12-year-old black Lab) and Cody (6-year-old Brittany/beagle mix) have adjusted well, and are busy teaching Duffy all about the "order of the pack."

We hope you have a wonderful Christmas, and are able to spend it with family and friends!

2007

Emily (24) finished student-teaching a 7th grade science class in Battle Creek and then graduated from Western Michigan University. She now has her Michigan teaching certificate. In May, her boyfriend Ben Byelich proposed. He's from DeWitt, a Michigan State grad, and now works in the Chicago suburb of Downer's Grove. They're planning an August wedding in East Lansing. Then in July, she and Ben told us even bigger news... they're expecting a bundle of joy in early March. She and Ben have decided to keep the August wedding date. Bob says he looks forward to being a grandpa, but doesn't like the idea of sleeping with a grandma!

Alex (22) is a junior at MSU, studying chemical engineering... still living with four guys off-campus... still a Student Assistant with the State of Michigan when not in school. He hopes to find an internship next summer that lets him focus on alternative fuel sources. Alex and Bob are going to Florida next week to watch the MSU football team play in the Champs Sports Bowl.

Joanie (53) celebrated 20 years of working for orthodontist Len Charchut this summer, and will now work for his son Steve as well. She still sells Discovery Toys part-time. Joanie's parents Eugene (87) and Evie (85) are doing great, living on the dairy farm in Fowler.

Bob (56) is still working for the Michigan Department of Education, still officiates high school soccer, and is still an off-ice official for MSU hockey. In April, he drove to St. Louis to watch the Spartans win the 2007 NCAA men's ice hockey championship. Bob's mom Jean (83) has macular degeneration so has given up driving entirely. Otherwise, her health is good.

Bob and Joanie visited Europe for two weeks in September, staying with a friend in Slovenia (formerly Yugoslavia). Slovenia is one of those well-kept travel secrets... awesome scenery on the south side of the Julian Alps. They also spent three days in Rome, an incredible city with 2,000-year-old buildings around every corner.

We hope you have a wonderful Christmas!

2006

Emily is now 23, finishing up at Western Michigan University in elementary education. She will start student teaching next fall. She works at a Cracker Barrel in Kalamazoo... very accommodating for her class schedule. Emily and her friend Lindsey visited London for a few weeks in May. They also spent a few days in Italy.

Alex turned 21 this year, so we met at midnight for a legal libation with some family and friends. Lots of laughs. Bob's mom was there, too... what a hoot! Alex is a junior at Michigan State, studying chemical engineering. He lives with four other guys in a rented house near campus. When not in class, he works at the Michigan Department of Labor & Economic Growth as a student assistant.

Joanie is still selling Discovery Toys and working for the orthodontist. Her folks Eugene (86) and Evie (83) are doing well, no longer wintering in Florida but shivering in the Michigan cold with the rest of us. In December, Joanie and her friend Janet were part of the studio audience of The Oprah Winfrey Show. The topic was Global Warming, and the special guest (special?) was former Vice President Al Gore. Not the sexiest topic or guest, but after two solid years of trying to get tickets to the show, the girls were thrilled to finally be in the audience.

Bob became eligible to retire from the Michigan Department of Education last January. No serious plans to pull the plug yet, but who knows. He returned to reffing high school soccer this fall. And he's still an off-ice official for MSU men's ice hockey. His favorite assignment is in the Penalty Box (now THAT sounds like Bob!). His mom Jean (82) continues to take his money at the cribbage board.

A closing thought for the season... Only two people have ever offered to die for you: Jesus Christ, and the American G.I.

We hope you have a wonderful Christmas, and a great 2007!

2005

Emily (22) is now a senior at Western Michigan University, studying to be an elementary school teacher. She moved into a townhouse with two other girls, one of whom she's known since elementary school... having a great time. She went to Mexico with high school friends for Spring Break.

Alex (20) is a sophomore at Lansing Community College. Hopes to transfer to MSU next fall to study engineering. He cut his hand quite seriously while helping a friend move, narrowly missing a loss of dexterity and mobility. He rented a house in East Lansing with four other guys, but still manages to stop by our house to help us with left-overs. ha ha. He was offered a job as a Student Assistant with the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Growth. He works whenever he's not in class... a very convenient arrangement. Plus, he has his weekends free for his band, snowboarding, etc.

Joanie is still selling Discovery Toys and working for the orthodontist. With Emily and Alex living elsewhere, we decided to remove the carpeting in our bedroom and restore the natural hardwood floor. It was quite the project, but turned out beautifully. She also brought home a 1½-year-old beagle mix from the farm. Cody seems to understand where his territory ends and Buddy's begins! Buddy is now 9½, and is in better shape than he's been in many years, probably due to the pace Cody sets when we on our daily walks.

After a dozen or so years, Bob finally traded in his soccer referee whistle for a "cooler" sport. He's now one of 16 off-ice officials for MSU hockey (goal judges, penalty box attendants, timer, scorer, video replay official, etc.). He really enjoys it, and has a new assignment each game. He is also starting to think about retiring from the Michigan Department of Education in 2006.

Friends just north of Miami Beach, FL, graciously offered us their 10th floor beachfront condo for a week. We also took a few days to drive to Key West... what a hoot. The weather was absolutely perfect in early August until Hurricane Katrina came ashore with 75 MPH winds, directly where we were staying! We saw lots of downed trees and toppled signs, but nothing like what Louisiana experienced a few weeks later. We were very fortunate to have escaped all that.

We wish you a very blessed Christmas, and all the best in 2006!

2004

Alex turned 19 in late November, and is now a freshman at Lansing Community College, still not sure what he'd like to pursue though something that requires a strong math background would fit him well. He has his sights set on MSU in Fall 2005 or 2006. He traded in his cook's hat at Bob Evans for a server's apron at Cracker Barrel. When not working or going to school, he plays drums in a small rock band he's been with for several years. And he plays lots of Texas Hold 'Em with his buddies... maybe all those math skills will pay off on the poker table!.. ha ha

After a year at LCC, Emily is back at Western Michigan University as a junior studying elementary education. She turned 21 in October, and celebrated accordingly! She has a very nice apartment near campus, and was able to transfer employment to the Cracker Barrel in Kalamazoo. She bought two peach-faced love birds to keep her company, but quickly learned they were louder than expected. So they found a new home at Bob's mom's house.

Joanie still works part-time as an assistant to orthodontist Len Charchut, and still sells Discovery Toys. She earned the 2004 incentive trip, so she and Bob went to Vienna, Austria, in February. A marvelous city, deep in history, music and architecture. They took a side trip to a Nazi concentration camp at Mauthausen where more than 100,000 Jewish men were literally worked to death. It was an incredibly sobering tour. In between moments of tears, we just thanked God for all the unrealized blessings we have today. Mustering our composure, we moved on to Salzburg where we took "The Sound of Music" tour, all the places they filmed Joanie's favorite movie. In April, we accompanied Alex's senior class on a seven-day Caribbean cruise. It was our first cruise, and we were not disappointed! Bob went back to Hawaii (again!) in June with a reffing buddy to officiate an adult league soccer tournament. In September, a long-time friend from Slovenia (what used to be Yugoslavia) came to stay with us for a week. She hadn't been back to the USA in 35 years, so it was a real treat. Bob is still at the Department of Treasury... 32+ years in State government. He sold his 1958 BMW Isetta, and bought a 2003 VW Beetle convertible. He just loves it! Reminds him of his college days at MSU when he drove a '72 Beetle. We had perfect summer weather this year for a convertible!

Our black lab Buddy (8) is hanging in there, just slower. Joanie's folks Eugene (84) and Evie (81) are doing well, wintering near Orlando. Bob's mom Jean (80) volunteers at the information desk at the airport and plays cards with friends.

We wish you a very blessed Christmas, and all the best in 2005!

2003

Alex (18) is a senior at Waverly High School. He cooks part-time at the Bob Evans Restaurant on West Saginaw, and seems to enjoy the challenge of juggling a full menu. Still plays drums in a small band, and will play varsity lacrosse in the spring.

After a year at Western Michigan University, Emily (20) transferred to Lansing Community College. She wants to continue her studies of elementary education at MSU next year. She is a part-time waitress at the Cracker Barrel Restaurant on West Saginaw, learning lots about customers and their delightful ways.

Joanie turned a "half-century" in November. We celebrated with a surprise party. Guests were asked to bring a gift-wrapped spatula. She is now the Spatula Queen with a spatula of every size, color and texture. No more complaints about not having enough spatulas! She still works part-time as an assistant to an orthodontist, and still sells Discovery Toys. She and Bob took the kids to Hawaii for a week in February after she earned the 2003 Discovery Toys incentive trip (she and Bob will be going to Vienna, Austria, in February on the 2004 incentive trip). Her folks Eugene (83) and Evie (80) are doing well, wintering near Orlando.

Bob is still at the Department of Treasury, working with the Michigan Merit Award scholarship. Lots of talk about the legislature dropping the program, but so far it's just talk. He enjoys his job much more now... what a difference a year makes! He officiated an adult soccer tournament in Hawaii in August. Still drives his 1958 BMW Isetta, but is thinking of selling it in the spring, but so far it's just talk. Bob's mom Jean (79) is doing just fine, tooling around in her PT Cruiser. Our black lab Buddy (7) is starting to slow down... can't chase those squirrels like he used to.

We wish you a very blessed Christmas, and all the best in 2004!

2002

Alex (now 17) is a junior at Waverly High School, and is on the lacrosse team. He spends lots of time on his drums, and occasionally plays gigs with the band he and some friends formed.

Emily (now 19) graduated from Waverly after being in their top choir, and after playing "Rizzo" in the school's production of Grease. She's now a freshman at Western Michigan University studying elementary education.

Joanie still works as an assistant to an orthodontist. She earned the Discovery Toys incentive trip this year, and will be taking the family to Hawaii for a week in February. Her folks Eugene and Evie are doing well, and will be leaving soon to spend the winter near Orlando, FL.

Bob is starting his third year with the Department of Treasury, but is ready for a change. He officiated a boys' State soccer final last fall, and still drives his 1958 BMW Isetta to car shows (he'll be at Henry Ford Museum/Greenfield Village in June). Bob's mom Jean is doing just fine.

We wish you all the best in 2003!

2001

Emily (now 18) is a senior at Waverly High. She was accepted into Reflections, Waverly's top choir. They traveled to Italy last spring and sang in several cities. What an adventure! Over the summer, she attended a special two-week course at Adrian College, specializing in creative writing. She's currently rehearsing her lines as Rizzo in Waverly's production of the musical "Grease" with performances in January 2002. She and Joanie checked out Central Michigan and Western Michigan University, but we think she's leaning toward WMU.

Alex (now 16) traded in his soccer cleats for a lacrosse helmet. He really enjoys it. Waverly won the state Class B Lacrosse championships for the second straight year, and he wants to be part of that excitement. His interest in playing drums (as in "rock band!") has not diminished, and now has his eye on joining a local group. Although he's had only a few formal lessons, he's really doing well. We bought the kids a 1997 Cavalier over the summer. So far, the kids and the car remain intact!

For the ump-teenth year, Joanie continued her part-time work as assistant for an orthodontist. And, of course, she still has her Discovery Toys business. She earned the incentive trip to Cancun, Mexico, and decided to make it a family vacation. We took the kids along to Moon Palace Resort in February. It was terrific. Her folks are doing just great, and will be leaving for Florida soon. They spend winters in a small town just west of Orlando. Many of their Florida neighbors are from their hometown of Fowler.

Bob is still manager of the Michigan Merit Award scholarship program, part of the Department of Treasury. Last March, he flew to Florida and visited his 7th grade English teacher, Sara Katzenstein, as she celebrated her 100th birthday! He continues to ref soccer from spring through fall, then indoors over the winter. His little 1958 BMW Isetta is currently in hibernation until April. Bob spends way too much time on the computer, creating and maintaining websites for friends and clients, so please don't send him any email (1855mac@gmail.com)... you'll only be making matters worse! ha ha. Bob's mom is doing fine... down to just one dog now (Bingo) who keeps her good company.

We send you best wishes for a very happy and healthy 2002!

2000

As the Christmas carol says, "...on a cold winter's night that was so deep." Winter has just begun, and already we have 18" of snow on the ground! We haven't had a real snowy winter in many years, but this one promises to make up for lost time!

Alex (now 15) played junior varsity soccer this fall at Waverly High where he is a freshman. He took Driver Ed last summer, but won't be 16 until November 2001... lots of time to improve his driving skills. Lately, he's been talking about getting a job so he can buy a car. Keep dreaming, Alex! He became a certified official with the US Soccer Federation, so now he and Bob ref games together. He plays drums, and consistently beats Bob in chess.

Emily (now 17) is a junior at Waverly, and will be touring Italy early next year with the choir. At Halloween, she stayed home to pass out candy, but dressed up as a punk rocker. Wow... what a sight! She was part of her school's musical production of Rodgers & Hammerstein's "State Fair" in December. She has started looking into colleges (we're not old enough to have kids in college! ha ha). Her ambition is to become an elementary school teacher. Emily will do well... she is excellent with kids. She also helps out part-time in the orthodontic lab where Joanie works.

Joanie is still an assistant for the orthodontist. Her Discovery Toys business is doing well. She took Bob to Paris in February on the incentive trip she earned by selling toys. It was our 20th anniversary celebration. What an incredible city! We would go back in a heartbeat if we had the chance. She just earned this year's incentive trip: a week at Moon Palace Resort in Cancun, Mexico, in January. We'll be taking the kids with us this time.

In September, Bob was appointed manager of the Michigan Merit Award, a scholarship program administered by the Michigan Department of Treasury. He really enjoys the staff... and at the end of the day, it's good to know he's helped some 43,000 high school graduates get a jump on college expenses. He still refs soccer, and spends entirely too much time on the internet. In August, he and Alex took the 1958 BMW Isetta to a car show at MSU, and were honored with the "President's Trophy" from MSU President Peter McPherson.

Joanie's dad turned 80 in November. We had a big party for him on the farm, then he and Evie headed south to their place near Orlando, as they have for so many years. Both are doing fine. Bob's mom just loves tooling around town in her SUV. It sure cuts through the snow better than that Cadillac "boat" she used to have. She, too, is doing just great. Buddy is just his terrific self... such a good dog. We love him to pieces.

We send you best wishes for a blessed holiday season.

1999

We hope this letter finds you well, and that you're able to keep the many pressures of this holiday season under control. What a busy time of year! Here's a quick look at what we were up to in 1999. This photo was taken at Bob's niece's wedding in July.

Emily (16) is a high school sophomore. She was selected to play the part of the Wicked Stepmother in Rodgers & Hammerstein's Cinderella. Despite long hours of rehearsal, the four performances came off without a hitch, and Emily had great fun. Thanks to Michigan's new graduated driver license system, she hasn't yet earned full freedom behind the steering wheel, but it won't be long now.

Alex (14) is in his last year at St. Gerard. Although he's on the school basketball team, his heart is into roller hockey where he's a prolific scorer. He also refereed six-year-olds in recreational soccer in the spring and fall, and started learning how much "fun" adult spectators can be. Over the summer, he taught himself to juggle. Alex has a wonderful sense of humor, and a heart of gold.

Joanie's Discovery Toys business is doing well. She earned the latest incentive trip: a week in Paris in February 2000 (there must be better times of the year to be in Paris, but we'll take it!). She also works part-time for an orthodontist, as she has for some 20 years.

Bob loves his job as director of communications for the Michigan Gaming Control Board. His office is in East Lansing so he only has to be in Detroit a few times each month. He still refs high school soccer, and is webmaster of several commercial websites. He and Alex took the 1958 BMW Isetta to a prestigious car show in May, and won "Best of Show" honors.

Joanie's folks spend the winter months in Florida. Both are doing just great. Bob's mom celebrated her 75th birthday in September. We had a "family reunion/birthday party" for her with lots of nieces and nephews. Perfect weather and great fun.

In November, three of Bob's college roommates and their wives gathered for a 25-year reunion. We attended the Ohio State/MSU football game in East Lansing (MSU won!), then went out for dinner, reminiscing and lots of laughs. A lot of water under the bridge since we were together in 1974.

We send you best wishes for a joyous holiday season, and hope that the "Y2K threat" is little more than a whimper.