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Here we go again, another year older and one more child out of the house! Danny announced in September that he would move to San Marcos, Texas to be closer to his girlfriend, Crystal. In the next breath he announced that he and Crystal are engaged! No wedding plans yet, they plan to wait until Crystal graduates from Southwest Texas State University where she is a freshman.
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Danny is living in a house he shares with three other young men who attend SWT. Unfortunately, as of publication date, Danny remains unemployed. He’s taking good care of his cat, Bubbles, and he seems to be enjoying himself. He even got a fishing license and has done some angling, but we don’t think he’s been able to catch his dinner yet. He’s also trying to learn guitar and has a more-than full head of hair which he dies different colors. Click here for more pictures of Danny.
Angela changed her major in college from Music Education to just Music with a minor in Chemistry. She’s decided to become a veterinarian which means another full year of undergraduate work taking science and other "pre-vet" courses. Dropping the education part of her major allows her to avoid a semester of student teaching to help fit in the additional classes. She plans to graduate in Spring, 2004, then apply for admission to the veterinary programs at Texas A&M and Colorado State.
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She remains at Texas Tech University but is not taking part in marching band for the first time since she was in ninth grade. She continues to play in the Tech Symphonic Wind Ensemble and works part time at Acres North Veterinary Hospital. She also blessed us with a new grandchild-animal this year, a kitten named Cleo who enjoys deviling Angela’s other cat, Joey. Click here for more pictures of Angela.
Paul was recently transferred to the office of a sister company on the East side of Houston, but still drives back and forth between the offices. That means many more miles spent in the car each day! Click here for more pictures of Paul.
Becky remains employed as a Registered Nurse. At Home she’s been quite busy redecorating our two empty bedrooms. She’s painted both of them and even constructed a stained wood frame around one of the windows. Angela’s bedroom now boasts a Southwestern flavor including Native American decorations. Danny’s room is still in transition but will feature an antique cherry dresser and a foot-operated sewing machine-and-table given to us by Becky’s mother. Click here for more pictures of Becky.
We did a bit of traveling this year. Paul flew to Ohio twice to see his sister Linda who was to fly in from Hong Kong. The first time she didn’t show because of a medical complication but all of Paul’s brothers and their wives were there. The second time Becky flew along, and Linda showed up as expected, but David’s wife, Roberta, was unable to make it. Click here for pictures of the Van House Reunion.That weekend was also a great celebration in Trotwood as the Pressel clan gathered to celebrate the 50th wedding anniversary of Becky’s Aunt Lillian and Uncle Frank Bowser. Click to see pictures of the anniversary party.
Becky drove to Ohio in October to attend the wedding of high school friend Pam Hoffman. Becky, her mother, and brother Tony then drove to Pennsylvania for genealogical research. While Becky visited family, Paul enjoyed seeing Paul McCartney in concert
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Our big trip was in May when Becky, Paul, and Angela "did" California. Danny stayed home to attend Crystal’s Senior Prom. We spent several days in Los Angeles and visited Paul’s nephew Eric and distant cousin Bob Van House. We also visited the San Diego Zoo, saw elephant seals along the Pacific Coast Highway, rode a cable car in San Francisco, drove through Redwood National Forest, camped next to the ocean in Oregon, toured Yosemite National Park, spent a night in Las Vegas, and drove on Hoover Dam. During the 2-1/2 week car-and-camper trip we attended baseball games in Dodger Stadium, San Diego’s Qualcomm Stadium, and the San Francisco Giants’ new Pac Bell park. We also learned that our trailer’s roof leaks and Paul got a speeding ticket. Click here for more vacation pictures.
Thanksgiving and Christmas will be a bit different this year. Becky and Paul marched in the Houston Thanksgiving parade with the church bell choir for a second consecutive year. But we celebrated Thanksgiving without children for the first time since 1980. We fear Christmas may also be a private celebration.
That’s all the news from Texas. We hope you had a great year and look forward to hearing from you!
