2011? Whew!

In honor of the many end-of-year lists that proliferate pre-New Year's, we look back at the major events of 2011.
Also, this is as close to a Christmas newsletter as we are going to get.

Executive Summary: 2011 was not boring.

It started early in January on a somber note with the death and funeral of Gabe's dad,  Alvin A. Gabrielsen, Sr.

Dad was a WWII veteran and his death was a loss, but we decided it was better to bury an old soldier than a young one.

He was also an architect, and we have little doubt that mansions in heaven now bear his signature design features.

In the middle of February, we celebrated the creation of the newest family in our circle.  Our daughter, Lynne, married Christopher Burton.  Kit is the guy parents pray for when they find out their baby is a girl.  Smart, funny, outdoorsy, grown up, and good-natured.  Plus he loves Lynne. They have adventures in store.

 It was also about this time we heard about Terisa's APA internship applications, and of her acceptance to a two-year internship/fellowship at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.  

Our boat was definitely rocked.

We managed a couple more trips to New Mexico to hug the granddaughters.

Lynne and Kit graduated (actually in December, but walked in May); Kit in International Studies/Chinese, and Lynne in Business Management.

In June we packed up the Big Yellow Truck and headed east.

The mayor was glad to see us.

Gabe went to a regional youth conference in July, even though he is not young.

Lynne and Kit embarked on the next of their adventures: Weehawken, New Jersey, home of Fred Astaire and Thelonious Monk.  Kit works in brand management for Unilever, and Lynne works in Harlem for a group of charter schools.

We withstood an earthquake and a hurricane, and the wettest August/September on record.

In September, "ground" was "broken" for the new Philadelphia temple.

October found us in Socorro for a few chilly, but family-licious days.

November brought Dayna, our first of hopefully many overnight visitors.

 

Also in November, the Philadelphia 1st Ward Young Men occupied Manhattan.  All of it.

We had an east coast clan Thanksgiving that explored the limits of what two square feet of counter space can do.

And finally, we got more family, fun, and food in Utah at Christmas time.

Whew! Can 2012 be any more exciting?  Don't touch that dial!