December 2004

To our dear family and friends,

We started our year in Montreál in the Auberge de la Fontaine, seeing the New Year in in style. Ginny was a very good sport despite some first-trimester discomfort and although we got some rain and snow we loved the city.

In May we lost Poppop, Ginny's grandfather Paul Carrell, at 95 years of age. We miss him terribly but we remember his warmth, wit and wisdom. This October the whole family celebrated his life and laid him to rest back in Long Island, his longtime home.

In the spring we started planning to make a nursery and finish part of the basement as a playroom and a study. Under the expert tutelage of Jim Sanborn we got the studs and plates in and the drywall up but before we could go further Mary Elizabeth decided to make her appearance.

On August 7th at 2:00 in the afternoon we first met her, 5 lbs. 7ozs. and 19 inches long. She was in fine fettle that day and continues to be so as well as a joy to all around her. Today at four months her strides forward amaze us.

Ginny has put away her books and chalk in order to raise Mary. After five years of teaching first grade she misses her students and colleagues, but motherhood has its own rewards.

All these things and more, including a photo gallery of our little girl, can be found at our website at eastfamily.org. If you want to drop us an email while you're there we will look forward to hearing from you. And we do want to wish you a wonderful and joyous Christmas and a new year full of possibilities.

With our love,