Jones Family

Ah what a year! We started it out quietly with our little family of three... play dates, family gatherings, same old jobs. And ended it with a hectic family of four! We discovered we were expecting our second in early January. Went through a long pregnancy with morning sickness in the beginning and frequent pre-term contractions in the end (resulting in 3 months of self-imposed modified bed rest). Luckily had a wonderful trip to Hawaii in the middle with extended Katsura family. It felt reflective and celebratory - lots of remembering the full spirit and life of dear GG Grace and lots of bonding and crazubess with the entire Katsura clan! Sam went from wobbling, to walking, to running, to jumping. He went from babbling to speaking a handful of words ('ome' when were driving back to our house) to stringing multiple words together ('mama all done talking daddy' was just heard when he decided he should once again be the center of attention!). October 2nd brought a very healthy, full-term, 8 lb 2 oz little girl to our life... Addie Jones. Our darling little lady. Tough, spirited girl right from the beginning. Sam, get ready to hold your own! The whole family was thrown into a new world... lots of adjustments: who is this weird thing they call my sister? is mama gonna come running if I pretend I got hurt and try out this totally fake cry? How do we get sleep and stay awake to take care our kids tomorrow? How do I get my children out of the car and into the shopping mall? How do I go back to work when my wife is looking at me with crazy eyes (read: don't you dare leave me here alone)? Got a wonderful visit from Grandpa Jerry in the summer, some great visits with Grandma Debby (including an unbelievably helpful visit 2-wks post birth)!

All in all a wonderful year. Challenging but full of joy and wonder for our two children... and love for the wonderful family and friends we're so lucky to have.

Happy holidays and have a wonderful 2010!
Chris, Lucy, Sam and Addie

p.s. photos coming soon (chris'll add!).

Paul, Alison, Claire and Julia

Following Ben's model, here's a quick snapshot of our year!

The big highlight was of course the Hawaii trip to celebrate Grandma Grace with the whole ohana. Unforgettable! It was also notable that Claire and Julia did *not* change schools this fall -- a first time ever for both girls since preschool. Alison traveled to Banda Aceh, Indonesia in May and started a new fellowship at Penn. Paul started a sabbatical year (2009-2010) and put the finishing touches on an edited volume on copyright and modernism. 2010 will see him making great progress on his second book. We renovated our second floor home office in time for his sabbatical to start. We had a super trip to Portland Oregon to visit baby Ty, and Paul returned in October to help "ease the burden." We love Portland and look forward to more trips!!

Claire and Julia discovered Shakespeare, Jane Austen, Homer, and Greek mythology this year -- all wonderful, timeliness stories, to be sure. Much knitting was done as well. We've been biking to school whenever possible. Piano lessons continue.

As I write, we await the arrival of the whole Saint-Amour - O'Meara - Coulter gang and we're so excited to host the family here in the City of Brotherly Love (and Iron Chef Jose Garces, a parent at C&J's school!).

It's been interesting watching Obama tackle his first year in office. We're still rooting heartily for him and for change in Washington and around the globe. The political, diplomatic, social and environmental challenges we face seem enormous -- hopefully we can all do our little bit in 2010 to create a just, peaceful, sustainable world. Here's hoping!!

(More Paul/Al/Claire/Julia pics on here: http://katsura-ohana.blogspot.com/2009/12/paul-alison-claire-and-julia.html )

Ben, Zaidee, Grace & Nico

Zaidee worked. With over a year of experience with the incredibly successful "Rollins & Martin, P.A." under her belt, it won't be long before she has over 2 years of experience :).

We went to Hawaii in June to celebrate Grace Katsura's life and legacy. We had an incredible time, and look forward to the next "Katsura Ohana."

Grace & Nico changed schools, and seem to really like their new school.

I worked, and did few inline marathon races.

It was a full year.

Jane Dickey

During the first part of 2009 I had some health problems involved lower back pain and nerve damage to my left leg. The neurosurgeon prescribed a brace for my leg and foot which has been wonderful. A pain management specialist prescribed medicine and a set schedule to control my pain. I do walk with a cane and sometimes a walker but it hasn't slowed me down too much.

In March Ellen and John drove to Marietta. I returned to Wisconsin for a three week visit with them.

Late in May, Wid stopped in to Marietta. What a pleasant surprise. We spent four fun days catching up.

In September, John and Kathy drove me and three of my Ohio University friends to Olglebay Resort in West Virginia for a three day reunion with two other of my O.U. friends.

The first week in October, Ellen, her friend Bev, and daughter Ruthie came to help me celebrate my 88th birthday. John and Kathy and family friends Jeanetta and Carol were there as well. It was a wonderful birthday!

The next week, John and Kathy, my brother and his wife and I went to our High Cousins reunion in Branson, Missouri. We saw six shows and ate at several very nice restaurants. There were 13 of us all together. We had a fabulous time and we are already planning a return trip.

John and Kathy are going to England to spend Christmas with Emily so now I am in Prairie du Sac to visit Ellen and John until after the first of the year. I'm looking forward to a blessed family Christmas.

John & Ellen Mast

As the year winds down, it's a good time to reflect on how things have gone. Ellen and I have come to expect Ben's reminder to take a step back, slow down and actually think about what happened this year. It always seems to go by way too fast.

We are blessed to find our family in relatively good health. Our Mothers are doing great. Pat Mast excersizes daily, plays bridge and follows Wisconsin sports teams. Jane Dickey will be flying up to Prairie du Sac for a visit over the Holidays. We are happy she has been able to fit the visit into her busy schedule.

We had a visit from Son Shawn before Thanksgiving and we entertained the Fortney (Pat's side) Cousin Reunion this summer. I had not seen several of the participants in fourty years and had never met their spouses. We had a great time catching up on a lifetime of happenings.

Nana and Grandpa John had their summer visit from their two favorite grand children. We attended the Wilcox Magic Show in Wisconsin Dells. Gracie is still trying to figure out how to change a one dollar bill into a one hundred dollar bill. We also visited the cranes ar the International Crane Foundation.

Ellen and Ruth along with our good friend Bev Bollenbach ventured to Marrietta, Ohio for a visit with Jane. They stopped off in Rome City, Indiana to take part in a heart felt, family memorial for Ellen's close friend Marsha Cooper. We will miss her.

One of this year's highlights was the 2009 Wisconsin State Cowchip Throw. Bradford Schwartz and his wife Carol were our honored guests. Brad is the Dean of the Medcial School at the University of Illinois in Champagne. When we told him about what goes on here in Prairie du Sac over Labor Day Weekend ever year, he didn't believe us. After their weekend here, this summer, he and Carol are believers.

Ellen and I wish all who read Ben's annual "publication" the very best in the coming year.

Katsura Yearbook 2009

Well, with even less time this year than last, and a more eventful one at that, I invite you to post your "goings-on" & pics for the 2009 yearbook.

Can't wait to read your stories!

Ben