HappyHolidays2004

This year has been filled with most happy memories and started off great with Michael's successful surgery in January and subsequent rapid weight loss which gave him a new lease on life. We bought a new Toyota Sienna the same week of Michael's operation and really love it! It will probably be the last new family car for us until at least 2010. Jason finally settled down and married Michelle Beistline and they were married on January 24th in Las Vegas. We all dearly love Michelle and are happy that they tied the knot. About the same time I decided that I had experienced enough of Palmdale and asked for a transfer back to El Segundo that was granted in March where I was assigned to the new EA-18G Growler Program. We had our first Japanese relative visitor to Costa Mesa in August, Satoko-San (Emiko's Grand Niece), followed by Maria and Otto in preparation for the grand highlight of the year, our Golden Wedding Anniversary on 25 August. Unfortunately Satoko-San had to return to Japan before the big celebration to resume her studies in medical school where she is preparing to become a pediatrician. We had over a hundred friends and relatives in attendance and were most delighted that Frank & Ellen, Maria & Otto, and Dean & Marjorie Schowengerdt were able to attend from such a long distance. We owe a debt of gratitude to Margaret & O.P., Michael, Maria, Jason & Michelle, Daniel & Kevin, and many others for all of their hard work in preparing decorations and food for the Polynesian scene. After all of this Emiko and I decided to treat ourselves to a trip to Japan in October as we had not been there for ten years. After surviving a typhoon and an earthquake we had a great time and returned just before the big election.
Below are some selected photos of events taken over the year.

Richard-Helen-Frank-Geri&Rick Helen-Edy-?-Guests of Dean & Marjorie Geri-Rick-Lube

The Polynesian Bar Scene In Front Emiko-Richard-Marilyn-Ellen- Frank MaryAnn-Tommy-Margaret-Marilyn- Daniel- Maria-Joan-Dar-Elaine-Fred

Satoko-San had to go back to Japan before the party Emiko-Michael-Satoko on Mt. San Jacinto

We were delayed in our departure from Los Angeles for two days because of a typhoon in Japan but had a great re-union with Katchan (Emiko's Cousin) in Tokyo on 11 October with great dining and Karoke singing in the bars.

Then on to Sasebo two days later for a glorious reunion with all the relatives. Aiko (Emiko's Sister-in-law) provided us with our own private guest house that she inherited from her Sister shown below. It was very nice and spacious with about six rooms and Aiko's generosity was overwhelming. Aiko brought us breakfast many times and together with her daughter, Tsuyako, they also stocked the refrigerator with drinks and snacks. We just found out this time that Kiyoto's real name is Haruto (Emiko's Oldest Brother). He fully exercised his chosen profession in the culinary arts and plied us with all kinds of delicacies like sashimi, baked fish, and choice cuts of steak almost every day we visited there, usually from noon on into the evening.
We can never repay the Murai family for their great hospitality.

Toshinobu (Emiko's Brother)-Aiko Side View of Aiko's House Front View of Aiko's House

On our last night in Sasebo we had a farewell party at Haruto-San's house and many relatives were there...I can not begin to name all of them but a few are shown below.

It was a sad farewell as our train pulled away from Sasebo to return to Tokyo for a final farewell with Katchan. However, we had a great time and will carry all of these wonderful memories with us forever.

We had another great Thanksgiving dinner at Margaret's house in Fullerton this year and she outdid herself this time with two turkeys, one baked and one deepfried! Her house is emptier now as Denny, Davina, and family have moved to their new home in Riverside. Jason and Michelle are living in a nice apartment on the same street where Margaret lives in Fullerton

Margaret Denny, Justin,Davina,Tyler Timmy Guarding The Turkey The Baked Turkey

Project Chameleo got a boost a few weeks ago when Richard's draft of a paper was accepted for presentation at the Military Sensing Symposium, Specialty Group on Camouflage, Concealment, and Deception, Charleston, South Carolina, in February, so Richard is hustling to complete it by the middle of January.

Richard is now the cognizant engineer for the Northrop Grumman El Segundo workshare in connection with the design, development, and production of the EA-18G Growler designed to replace the aging EA-6B fleet.

Emiko is still serving part-time with the Senior Center in Costa Mesa and Michael is still active with Make-A-Wish activities and his surgery support group.

We wish all of you a very happy holiday season and the best of everything in 2005!