The boys are in their sophmore year at Eastern Illinois University in Charleston. They are making great grades and Paul won the American Chemical Society Polymer Education Committee award for outstanding performance in Organic Chemistry.

In March we took another ski weekend trip this time with 10 other couples and families from Troy. Most of the guys were from the softball team. We went to Galena, IL and skied Chestnut Mountain. It was a very warm day, but we really had a blast. Nothing better than hanging out with some friends.

In April, Claudia and I took a one week vacation to Jamaica to celebrate our 25th anniversary. We stayed at Sandals Montego Bay. Sandals has 6 resorts on the Island - 3 in Montego Bay (Mo Bay to the locals), Ocho Rios, Dunns River Falls, and Negril. We visited four of the resorts, and had a blast. Click here for the pictures. As the song goes. . . my futures so bright I've got to wear shades.

In May the boys finished their sophomore year at Eastern Illinois University. We picked them up at school on a Thursday, loaded the cars full and headed for home. On Friday we packed the suitcases and headed for a mini-vacation to Toledo Bend. Aunt Earleen and Uncle Bill own a cabin on the lake. My cousin Katherine, her husband Ron, and their son Will are usually at the lake on most summer weekends. Ron is a major fisherman (except he is not too fond of stink bait - go figure). I have had a couple of fishing trips at the lake with Ron. Actually I served as the guide on the trip when he caught his biggest bass. The boys and Claudia had not been to the lake in about 10 years - so it was time to visit with the Texas folks and spend a few days relaxing at the lake. Click here for the pictures.

On June 23, Claudia and I celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary, with a big blow out. We rented the senior citicens hall in the park and invited about a hundred of our closest friends. Click here for the pictures.

The softball season was a disappointment. We all got old on the same year. But we always have a good time. Click here to see the softball gang.

In October, some of the softball guys went on a fishing trip to Bennett Springs (Missouri). In 1996 four Bill, Tom, Mike, and I took a fishing trip on the White River in Arkansas. We had a ball and decided to make it an annual event. This year we added John Wright, Jeff Dempsey, and Doug Brendel to the group. Click here for the pictures. Doug Brendel - with his monster fish.

Cora and Claudia Wild Women on the River

In November, Claudia and Aunt Cora took a 6 day trip and rode the Mississippi Queen (a paddle wheel boat) from St. Louis to Minnesota. The "girls" had a GREAT time. Click here for the pictures.