Hello aunts, uncles, cousins, second and third cousins, etc. -

This has been a year of changes for us here in Colorado Springs. Besides working for American Medical Response Ben continues in medical classes and clinicals to earn his paramedic certification. His internship begins next summer. Gwen started Middle School in the fall and learned to play the oboe in a hurry so she could be in band. Her sport of choice is swimming and she looks forward to being on the High School swim team in a few years. On my days off from the library I watch little Evelyn, and have managed to finish the basement at a very leisurely pace as I can only hammer at things once in a while. The little trees we planted when we moved to this house five years ago are finally growing to respectable size, and every year I figure out a few more things about gardening. We actually had a plum harvest! My son Nathan has had some recurring health problems stemming from an antibiotic he was given two years ago for an ear infection, and we're sick of visiting the doctor! Ha, ha. In spite of this he was elected vice-president of the student council at his college and started a community garden project there that got a lot of media attention. Daughter Jessica is a children's librarian working for the same library district as I do, but at a different branch. Jeremiah and Lisa visited briefly from Wisconsin at the beginning of the month.

On Ben's side of the family, sister Laura and husband will be returning from a ten month stay in Germany where Laura, who won the Fullbright scholarship, was researching her thesis on judicial combat of the middle ages. Husband Adam was Mr. Mom the whole time watching my cute little red-haired niece, Eleanor. Ben's brother David, a composer, is working on his doctorate in Indiana.

The highlight of the year was our vacation to Durango, Colorado, where we went zip line soaring in the treetops for a day. It was Gwen's idea, and it was great. Other fun stuff this year included our usual medieval "war" in the summer and another one last weekend in the snow.

We had a good Christmas and are looking forward to a good 2010. Sorry I haven't posted for awhile - I'll try to be better about it in future. I sure do like to hear about what the rest of the family is doing.

Best wishes for a bountiful year -

Cynde (Rockwood/Roberts) and family