We worked through four Real Estate deals (more sales than purchases).
We played hooky the entire month of June and drove ≈4000 miles through Wyoming, Utah, Nevada, California, Oregon, Washington, Canada, Montana, Wyoming and then to home -- and we did it all while living in our 15-foot-long VW Vanagon. Highlights are on instagram under the hashtag #northwestloop2019
Then we hosted family from California and spent a fantastic week in Grand Lake, Colo.
Then there was the International Pathfinder Camporee where Erik worked making the Day in Review videos for screening each night. Finn went on that adventure and stayed with Aunt Rikki and cousins Elise and Elliot.
Everybody's health is good. Gelerie celebrated with Erik her 5 year milestone for breast cancer post diagnosis and surgery with a summit on Mt. Quandary (14,265 ft elevation) Work is … work, but good. And school keeps Aubrey and Finn busy (11th and 5th grade, respectively).
This year's card holds some elements of truth… and some total fiction. Erik and Gelerie really *did* try a 100% plant-based diet all through October after watching the documentary "The Game Changers" (now on Netflix) about vegan athletes and the benefits of eating plant-based. We did it for a month and it went really well. As a result, we are beginning to lean more toward plant-based eating, but are still "flexitarians" as of now. Gelerie is not selling MLM soap. Sadly, that means you cannot become a distributor. Aubrey really IS into music… but more along the lines of honor choir at school and worship music at church (she's not really as pictured in our card). Finn… well, we didn't have to buy any props for him this year. He's active for sure, but he's also become a great reader and is doing well in school.
We continue the insanity of our annual family Christmas card as much for ourselves as for our friends and family. Why? Because real life has plenty of sadness, challenges, and regular ol' work. We do not find our hope in politics or even a diet. Our hope is solidly in the Gospel and person of Jesus (same thing!). However your 2019 was, we wish you the best of 2020.
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| Yosemite National Park |
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| Humboldt Redwood State Park |
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| Moran State Park, Orcas Island |
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| Bertha Lake Hike, Waterton Lakes National Park |
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| Yellowstone National Park |
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| Moraine Lake, Banff National Park, Alberta Canada |
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| Arafiles Family Reunion, Grand Lake, Colorado |
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| 4th of July Fireworks over Grand Lake |
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| Hike in Rocky Mountain National Park |
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| 43 mph wind and 3˚F at Summit with windchill |
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| On Mt. Quandary Trail |
