December 26, 1998
We had a wonderful
ride on the sailboat last night. The response from all the people
onshore was outstanding. They clapped, sang, called out, showed
flashlights, etc.. They were excited and made us feel excited and
good too.
Dad and Tracey then went home, Nate, Justin and Adam played
computer games till midnight, the two smaller ones played on the
computers. They all had fun, Darrell and the two little ones
slept in the boat, Justin and Adam slept on the pull out bed and
on the couch. Everyone slept in then we had a big breakfast of
eggs, french toast and pancakes (with Sue's real maple syrup,
thank you!), and ham. After all the guests left this noon we went
to the mall to spend our Christmas presents. Nate got a CD
changer, Denise got an outfit, and I got a massager. We had a
very fun Christmas, thanks to Sue and Al, Dad, Darrell, Tracey,
and all.
Michelle wrote:
Hello everyone, Jim had his transition appointment yesterday. He will receive clearing papers on December 30th. The movers will be here on January 8th and 11th. We clear housing on the 12th. Jim's last day in the army is JANUARY 13TH!!! Finally a date. A little later than what we had hoped for, but a date none the less. It may change, this is the Army. But as far as we know, it will be the 13th. We also had our first ultrasound yesterday. We are at 19 weeks and 5 days. The due date is May 15th. Everything looked good with the baby, very active. I will try to make an appointment with my midwife before we leave, since we will be here a little longer. We will keep you updated. Take care, we hope to see you soon. Happy Holidays Jim and Michelle
December 25, 1998
We had a great
Christmas, Dad Herrick, Tracey McVetty, Darrell, Justin, Adam,
Tyler, Caleb, Nate, Denise and I had a great big dinner, less the
turkey (not you, Al, the one we were supposed to cook today). I
bought a 20 pound turkey last night, I thawed it out overnight,
this morning it was rotten. So into the dumpster it went. The
neighbors supplied us with a 12 lb corned beef so we would not go
hungry! Then we had Dad H.'s world famous apple pie. We all will
be going out on the boat in a few minutes to show off our
Christmas lights!!
Guest writer Darrell:
Wow, what a feast we
enjoyed this afternoon. A short nap was in order after all that
food, but not before we sat around and opened up presents to each
other. All in all it has been a great afternoon. We are all
staying overnight, either in guest rooms or on the boat. This is
the best hotel in town!
Let me take a moment to wish each of you a very blessed Christmas. It may be cold and rainy (snowy?) where you are at, but you each hold a warm spot in our heart. We miss you all and although we are far apart, we share a common love. This is the first Christmas that Mom hasn't been here to share the fun and festivities we all enjoy. But I'm sure that she is up there watching us and smiling at each of us as we celebrate what I know was her favorite holiday. We miss you Mom, but you leave behind many different Christmas traditions that we all will carry on. Thanks Mom. God bless each one of you.
December 22, 1998
It has been a very
busy time. Nate has a new possibility of a job, he wants to do
day care again, that is obvious! He is going to respond to a
local day care's ad today.
Last two weekends went by so fast. We worked so hard on the boat,
got her all decorated, a ten foot wide star hoisted up the mast,
and all the decorations inside and out. Then, Sunday night was
the parade. We had not had rain for six weeks, it started to rain
at 11:20 in the morning on Sunday. Finally, as we were about to
sail off, it stopped. It was nice and warm, thank goodness. There
were supposed to be 100 boats in the parade, only 20 showed. We
got rained on a little but the parade was fun nevertheless! We
had 18 people aboard, a nice crowd. They ate all the ham, the
turkey, the dips, and generally all the food we had! We sang,
danced and had a great time waving at the crowds on shore. Nate
brought along five fireworks, they were a hit. We set them off
over the stern and got the loudest reception (clapping and
yelling) from the crowd! We started at 4PM and broke off to come
home at 9PM. We had motored down to the parade starting point
when the engine died. The battery was dead, but the generator was
going and was able to charge it. We anchored to keep from running
into the docks, then got her going again and had no more problems
the rest of the night. It was a lot of fun.
Last weekend we spent
with Mom and Dad L. They came and stayed the day. I played three
ames of cribbage with Dad L. while the ladies went shopping. We
watched the impeachment hearings as we played. Then went to the
Chitester Christmas party in the MOSI. We watched the movie
Everest. Dad H. would appreciate all the effort it takes to climb
that mountain. It was very sobering, nine people died the day
before the team with the camera was to go up. The team did make
it, but the last run to the top was absolutely mindboggling. The
air contains only a third of the oxygen needed to survive, so one
has to carry oxygen and climb for 12 hours to get to the top, a
very tedious chore. They made it, but get to stay only a few
moments, and start the 12 hour climb back. If they do not make it
in 12 hours, they will run out of oxygen and die. Even with
oxygen, it is excruciating. It takes a special person to have the
strength, stamina, and the mental ability to complete that
journey!
Those who have not seen it, and those who have not checked in
recently are invited to check out the Herrick Genealogy (look to
the left down a bit). I have finished the structure of the
Herrick one and am starting on the Loiselle branch. If anyone has
any changes or additions, please click on the bottom of the page
and a mail screen will come up, the automatic address gives me
the page you are looking at and I can make the addition.
I need input, especially from Sue and all my bothers, uncles etc.
who have the data to complete the bio's! Dad will be here Friday
and will help with all his knowledge, everyone else?
December 7, 1998
What a weekend!
Denise and I spent all day Saturday cleaning the boat! Saturday
evening we went to Home Depot because we needed some supplies. We
found a new fan with four lights marked down to $26 from $61
because it was "damaged". It looked perfect to us so we
brought it home. The only thing I could find wrong was one wire
to the light fixture was bad. I replaced it (at no cost!),
it works perfectly now, and Denise has her new light and fan.
We spent the whole day Sunday attaching the lights to the boat.
Then in the evening I installed a new light in Nathan's room and
the new fan. Nate had gone to visit his friends in Washington DC
over the weekend. I picked him up at 9:23 last night. We are a
family again.