Spanish 101

We registered to take Spanish classes starting September 10th

at the local school district's Department of Community Education. I am already fluent in Spanish after spending seven years in Costa Rica, but I never actually studied Spanish in a classroom setting. I took three years of French in High School and this was a terrific foundation for learning Spanish through the "school of hard knocks".

Once I got to Costa Rica, I found the best instructors were my Tico friends (Gracias Maritza), the newpaper, television "novelas" and radio. I even learned to write some pretty decent Spanish.

The class we are going to take starts with the very basics and it will be a good foundation for John. Since I will take the class with him, we'll be able to work on the assignments together and I can help him along the way.

There are a total of six Spanish course levels and I'd like to see us take a class every semester until John has mastered the language. He already has the Rosetta Stone course and he can use this to supplement his classroom instructions.

This should be a lot of fun for the two of us.

"Hasta luego mis amigos"
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Welcome to the world Nicholas V...

Our daughter Mary gave birth to our 10th grandchild, Nicholas V this week. Both Mom and baby are doing great.

Here is a great photo of Nicholas V with Mom & Dad.

The photo on the right is of Nicholas III, Nicholas IV, and Nicholas V. The twins are being held by the proud papa's parents so they can get a first look at their new baby brother.

John and I are planning a trip to go meet the newest addition to the family very soon.

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Chris & Jen Exchanged Vows!

Our son, Chris, married Jen, the love of his life this past weekend. They are now in Costa Rica on their honeymoon and plan to take in sights at Poas, the Arenal Volcano and the Playa de Manuel Antonio.

Talk about a small world. Last year, when we told Jen we had bought property in Atenas, she got so excited. It turns out that she actually spent time in Atenas a few years back and has very fond memories of Atenas and the Costa Rican people.

It was great to be able to spend a few days with the family in California and get a break from the heat wave here in Houston.

The wedding was beautiful and we'll all have memories to last a lifetime.

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