In addition to a hundred or more hours of work here at the ranch, Josh also attended college, focusing on general education and real estate classes, and worked a variety of part-time jobs.

Sam was central to the high-point of the year, but Josh was the unfortunate central character of the low point. Just days after returning from a trip to Hawaii where, among other things, he landed a 45 pound tuna off the coast of Maui, Josh was showing his friend Alex around the ranch when his VW baja started a grass fire. He called 911 and sat helplessly watching the spectacle as the California Department of Forestry arrived with fire fighters, trucks, helicopters and work-release personnel. The fire consumed 70 acres before it was extinguished. Fortunately, no buildings were involved, and the hills are already turning from charcoal grey to green. Brian's been wanting to name this place ever since we moved here, so now we call it Rancho Del Fuego. Photos appeared on the front page of the local paper. This was the same VW that made the newspaper two years ago when the brakes went out, and Josh had to roll it over to avoid hitting other traffic. I wonder if a reporter would come out to watch us drive it into the pond.

Rosanna and Connie were in San Diego attending academic orientation for Rosanna's enrollment in San Diego State University when the call came from Brian that the ranch was on fire. Rose moved to San Diego in August and is a business major at SDSU. A disappointing birthday celebration marked her 21st birthday in October, but I'll let her tell you about that. Fortunately, Halloween turned out to be a lot of fun this year. She's attacking finals this week, and looking forward to flying to Louisianna after New Year's. She'll spend a few fun days in New Orleans before driving back across country with a friend.

Rose and Connie were on the winning team, along with Connie's brother Richard, and sister, Christine, when Connie's family came to Rancho Del Fuego for the 4th of July, and played a game of iron man croquet on our very rough and certainly non-regulation yard.

Cameron moved home from college in June. In the fall he decided to take a semester at the local junior college, and to earn some spending money he's working at the local book store. In January he's transferring, with an undeclared major, to Monterey State University.

As busy as he is, I’m not sure how Seth finds time to get such great grades; and they say eighth grade is tough. In the fall he played football for the Camerado Wildcats, now he’s on the wrestling team, and he has just been elected class president. He's doing so well in wrestling that he's practicing with boys two weight levels above his. A poster on his wall says - Wrestling: What Men Do During Boys' Basketball Season.

This year we finally bought the airplane that we really needed when the kids were all still at home, a six-place Aztec. It will be fun and efficient for getting everyone to Washington to visit family this Christmas.

Brian has enjoyed working at Sky Pilot in San Carlos, but recently decided to return to independant contracting after the first of the year. In his spare time he instructs students working on their private pilot certificate, or joins friends in formation flying just for fun. Brian flew his CJ6 to Osh Kosh again this year.

Brian's passion for flying led to a fun event this past August when a Japanese television station, Nippon, sent a crew to video tape some of the pilots in the area. They taped us flying to Palo Alto, and also Brian formation flying with some of his friends. The segment aired on a Monday evening show this fall in Japan.

Connie finished writing her novel, and is now trying to find a literary agent to represent it. She's also taking classes at the local JC, and occasionally works on a project in her wood shop.

If you have read this far, you are truly a friend of ours, and we wish you joy in all you do this holiday season, and throughout 2002.