The Family Place

All through the year, we plan to use this page to post updates to share pictures, stories, and updates on what’s going on here at home and our trials, tribulations, celebrations, and joys.

Christmas 2025

Greetings from Bill and Marilyn in Redmond, Washington

This has been a busy year for us and the kids (and grandkids). Marilyn continues to sew. While her hands won’t let her crochet, taught a popular actress at Village Theater to crochet. She also made nine full-sized quilts, seven baby quilts, five Christmas tree skirts, twelve table runners along with nearly 100 other sewing projects. She kept our gardens looking marvelous. While we were gone on our 28-day Solstice cruise to the Arctic Circle, she hired a landscape artist to get the grounds looking palatial.

Bill’s memoir is now over 180 pages. He’s attending a bi-monthly “Memories” writing group at the Redmond Senior Center where he reads one of his chapters and listens to stories told by other seniors. He finds it interesting how similar and different their lives have been, how they’ve shared so many experiences and crossed paths in the past without even knowing it. The memoir is bringing back a lot of happy and painful memories and reading to the group seems to help his ever-worsening aphasia.

This year, Bill stepped away from the St. Jude Sanctuary Choir but still attends their get-togethers from time to time.

Bill still actively supports local ARES Emergency Services team and ham radio. He’s a Volunteer Examiner and has proctored several thousand tests since 2018 when he first earned his ham license. He used his radio skills in several large events and, with Chrissy’s help, installed a new HF antenna.

This Year’s Timeline

In January, we went to Cirque du Soleil for Marilyn’s 77^th birthday.

In February, we went to the local teppanyaki restaurant for Bill’s 78^th birthday and learned Marilyn has 10 years left on her pacemaker. Her heart is fine.

In April, Chrissy and Marilyn visited family in Leavenworth, KS, Easton, Boonville MO, and Kansas City.

In June, to celebrate their 57^th anniversary, Bill and Marilyn took an Alaska cruise past the Arctic Circle arriving on the solstice. It was l o n g but we saw many new sights and towns. Highlights included photographing a large walrus basking on an iceberg and breaching whales. We learned that we don’t want to visit Dutch Harbor again, but found Kodiak, Wrangell, and Prince Rupert BC to be fun to visit. The townspeople seemed delighted that we came and rolled out the red carpet for us.

Incidentally, if you plan to visit Alaska, drop us a line. We would love to share some tips and places for the best bargains.

Pictures Taken on the Solstice Cruise

In July, Victoria and Michael visited.

In August, Marilyn visited Mary in Abilene to help her settle into an apartment. We also went to Chicago for Chrissy’s birthday. No, not the city, the band concert.

In September, we replaced our gutters, just in time for…nope. No rain. It would not come until December.

In October, Michael visited and was put to work on home projects. Thanks for his help and carpentry skills. Chrissy took Bill to a Seattle Reign game. Marvelous.

In November, Bill rode a UH1 helicopter in the Auburn Veterans Day Parade. Soon thereafter, he volunteered for the Seattle Marathon driving a Support and Gear car.

In December, we got ready for Christmas and Bill prepped for a state-wide disaster drill. Unfortunately, it had to be cancelled when a real disaster hit—record rainfall that flooded rivers throughout the Pacific Northwest.

The “Kids” Chrissy is getting stronger, playing both walking and indoor soccer. She and her partner Chris Jones vacationed in French Polynesia, Mexico, and the Virgin Islands. She also went to England and Hawaii to play in walking soccer tournaments. Their landscape architecture company keeps them busy. Victoria and Michael are still in Auburn, Alabama, where she’s working as an Expert Witness. Michael continues to work hard maintaining their sprawling estate. They drove across the country (twice) and went on a cruise to Japan with Katie. Katie has a job offer from General Dynamics and plans to move to Connecticut in January. She plans to marry in late January. Mary is now employed by a local college and thriving.  

We wish you a merry Christmas and a great New Year!
With Love, Bill and Marilyn Vaughn