Dear Family and Friends.

Merry Christmas 2006. It is hard to believe that another year has just flown by. 2006 has been a busy and rewarding year for us as we each extend our hobbies and interests. Of course watching the grandchildren (Ryan and Ely) grow and develop continues to be a special treat. Our big event this year was Halina’s 60th Birthday in May. We spent almost a week in Sydney celebrating.

Our major trip for this year was to the US. We called it "Our Twilight Zone Tour" as most of the things we did were completely unreal. We started with a 15 night luxury cruise (see map) from Los Angeles, along the coast of Mexico, then stopping at Costa Rico, going through the Panama Canal, stopping at Aruba and Jamaica in the Caribbean, finishing in Fort Lauderdale Florida. We certainly like this cruising lifestyle. We spent a week in Orlanda going to Disney's EPCOT Centre, MGM Studios and the Magic Kingdom. Ray also spent a day at the Kennedy Space Centre. We caught a train Charleston and then drove to Atlanta stopping at Dollywood, Nashville (Grand Olde Oprey, Country Music Hall of Fame). Then to Kansas City and Denver. We finished with a week in Las Vegas. Halina met two of her close "Internet Soap making Buddies" Neysa and Linda, also Ray caught up with niece Sooki and nephew Pete. Spending time with real people in there homes with their families was very special. We really want to thank everyone for making us so welcome.

Halina’s continues with Soap and Lotion making and this year has started to do some Beading. Just when Ray thought the Dining Room would be free, there are Beads and Fixing everywhere. Between the Internet, soaping and beading Halina is very busy. Ray on the other hand keeps his woodwork  projects outside in his workshop. This year he made a set of chairs for Trevor and Jaki and an Easel and a Project Table for Ely. He also plays golf with his "golf buddies" and spends time helping his children with renovation projects.

We were very excited when Trevor and Jaki moved to Bendigo. They are now just 2 hours away.

Our Christmas family celebration this year will have Ella & Peter, Jill, Grant & Ely and Nyree, Matt (Nyree’s fiancee) & Ryan, Trevor and Jaki..

Lots of love to everyone, and best wishes for 2007.