We hope this holiday season finds you and your family in good health and with much happiness in your lives.
We were unable to send out Christmas cards last year, the time just wasn't there. Hopefully this year we will. Our kids all continue to work from home and the grandkids went back to school. They are all thriving in their own busy cultures and finding every aspect more challenging. Wanting more TIME to spend on each pursuit has become more of a treasured value for all of us. Colton continues with his sports, constant academic challenges and adventures with his buddies. Cami loves to play and play and play. She adamantly states “she is not a sports girl,” but we all try to influence her otherwise. She is definitely her own person….. so we shall see. Joe also loves to play, build, swim and explore any and everything. Since they have moved to Liberty Lake, Washington he has a whole new surrounding and social group which keeps him busy and thriving. Both Cami and Joe are trying to increase their academic skill sets which should be fun... but sometimes we all can find it frustrating. They just want to be kids………
Bill's medical needs continue to dictate our lives. As his health constantly declines, his medical team always appears to be very pleased and maybe even amazed at what he is still able to do. For over 22 years he has maneuvered around strokes, Parkinsons, knee replacements, many surgeries, constant cognitive changes, falls, strains, sprains and bruises etc., We constantly have to redefine everything. Crusing has been a "constant" and it fills many of the voids he faces. In May 2022 we took a 7 day Alaskan Cruise as a “Practice" for Nicole’s 40th (now 42nd) Bday Mediterranean Cruise. He did great. We figured out many systems we could do to help our Steward. He was able to do jeep, canoe, float plane rides, rafting and many short nature walks. It was a successful “Practice Cruise”…….. However the Sunday we returned and once off the ship we both tested positive for COVID. Bill was lucky to get monoclonal antibodies intravenous infusion and I got Paxlovid within two days of being home. Needless to say we cancelled Nicole’s 40th Bday 5th Mediterranean Cruise plan.
June 10-17 our niece Traci and her family came from Sarasota, Florida and spent a week with us. We used every minute to get Traci, Neal, Myla (7), and Brenna (5) to LOVE OREGON and the Pacific Northwest. Cami was THRILLED to meet her "girl cousins" and still talks constantly about them. It was soooooo wonderful. They are all thriving and Bill did great. Sooooo since Bill did so well we felt maybe he could survive a longer adventure…. AND since we were all feeling down, isolated and couldn’t find a better replacement adventure, we rebooked Nicole’s 40th Bday 6th cruise 8.13-27, 2022.
OMG….. Never in our wildest dreams did we think this trip could be so MAGICAL for all nine of us. We did have bumps BUT they were small inconveniences (like Nicole’s cancer) that resulted in a greater, grander experiences. The ship’s culture met everyone’s individual needs. It was wonderful and the itinerary was incredible: Barcelona, Spain; Gibraltar, UK; Marseille, France; Genoa, Italy; Florence/Pisa, Italy; Rome, Italy; Naples, Italy; Crete, Greece; Kusadasi, Turkey; Istanbul, Turkey; Mykonos, Greece and ending in Athens, Greece. AMAZING!!!!! Our family surprised us with their enthusiasm, curiosity, stamina, and desire not to miss any opportunity. What family do you know who WANTS TO GO ON MORE ARCHAEOLOGICAL TOURS IN CLOSE TO 100 DEGREES, WITH NO TREES AND HUNDREDS OF OTHER TOURISTS????? THEY SHOCKED US!!! Wonders never ceased and in it all Bill did great.
We wish you and your family Happy Holidays and a much better and great 2023. Stay Healthy.... Be Smart Bill and Debbie
2022 McCord Family Adventures
Baking Cinnamon Rolls & Preparing for St. Patrick's Day