And Life goes on... Kamala Harris and Tim Walz lay cruelly defeated in a massive victory by Donald J. Trump and his henchmen. We can only imagine in our nightmares what the coming year of 2025 will bring in the political world of America.
It has been an eventfully calm year. David continues to work in security at the Denver Art Museum, celebrating a 2nd anniversary with them. David was awarded a grant of $2,500 under the Staff Development Program by the Museum to study Spanish in Mexico City in 2025. He reached the big ‘60’ in December. In May, David and Kim visited their friends, Odmar Sandvik and Deidre Smith in Bergen, Norway, and had a wonderful time there. Kim started teaching at MSU Denver as an affiliate instructor in Jewelry and silversmithing. She won first prize for a necklace ‘Tranquility’ at the Colorado State Fair. Another necklace, ‘Pink Moon’ was accepted into the juried triennial exhibition of Colorado Artists, The Art of the State for 2025. In the home improvement department, they invested in a new carpet for the basement, and since moving into the home in 2009, it has quadrupled in value.
Mario and Bea made a radical life commitment and bought a new house in the Del Mar district of Aurora. Mario left his work in hotel and hospitality for a promising career in maintenance with Aurora Public Schools, whilst Bea continues to work as an art teacher in middle school. Bea had her first exhibition at an art market – selling her hand-crafted pottery items. Mario has started his immigration paperwork on the journey to resident status.
Hannah celebrated her 21st birthday and her 1st anniversary with her boyfriend, Noah – she moved in with him into their downtown apartment in Denver, together with their two cats, Tiggy and Pepper. Hannah started a new job at the Denver Athletic Club, caring for children. Noah continues to study computer technology and cyber-security.
Bella left her coffee industry career at Dutch Bros and started work as an associate at the 5 Star Salt Caves Spa in Denver, and she is planning to study to become a massage therapist – starting a course in January 2025. She bought her first car in May, a red Subaru Forester which she has called ‘Rubi.’ Bella also ended her position as a property manager and moved back into the family home. One of her most important achievements of 2024 was to jump start a traffic calming program (NTCP) in our neighborhood of Aurora, after Mario’s family were victims to an accident on our street. Mommy helped to get a petition signed by residents – and Bella pushed all the information through in an application to Aurora’s Traffic Manager. This will ensure that traffic restrictions are put in place to protect the rights of pedestrians.
Best wishes, happy holidays, and a happy New Year from
David, Kim, Bea & Mario, Bella, Hannah & Noah
