Friday, December 17, 2010

2010 Christmas Letter

The Williams Family 2010
2010 was an eventful year for the Williams family. Overall it was a good year marked by some milestones. It brought some events to a close and other events opened new chapters in the lives of each of the members.
Lonnie: for 7 months of this year Lonnie was in Afghanistan finishing up his year long tour. He was in Kabul working the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) which belongs to NATO. It was a successful tour and Lonnie made it back safely. When he returned he started a new job as the battalion signal officer for 1-1 Air Defense Artillery. This was a return to the tactical roots of Lonnie’s career as an officer and a welcome change. Work is going well and he is looking forward to the next 7 months of the new year before he will go to his next assignment which is unknown at this time.
Liz: Liz began the year as a full-time teacher’s aide at Stearley Heights Elementary School. She decided in April to quit working full-time and focus on the family and home. It was a nice break for her for the rest of the spring and the summer. When fall began she decided to substitute as a teacher and/or an aide. She now chooses what days to work and what days to relax. A nice combo if you can get it. Liz went on several adventures while Lonnie was downrange. She went with friends to the Sapporo Ice Festival in mainland Japan in Februarry….”ITS COLD!!” she told Lonnie over skype. Liz also went to Kyoto, Osaka and Hiroshima and visited the war sites where the nuclear bomb was dropped during WWII. It was a wonderful bit of travelling for her and her friends. Liz is looking forward to finishing up the family’s tour here in Okinawa and finding out what new adventure lays ahead for the Williams family.
Lonnie and Liz: The two of them celebrated their 20th Wedding Anniversay on June 30th. Unfortunately Lonnie was still in Afghanistan but he made up for that over the 2009/10 New Year by giving Liz her anniversary ring 6 months early. It has been a long and wonderful road travelled together. They are looking forward to the next 50+ years together.
Kayleigh: Kayleigh finished up her freshman year of college at the University of Maryland University College-Asia here in Okinawa and enjoyed the summer with her remaining friends from highschool. She began her sophomore year and managed to fit in a boyfriend into her busy schedule. Alex and Kayleigh have been dating since April and are going strong. He is half-Japanese and his mother is from Japan. They are wonderful and the family loves to visit with them. Kayleigh will finish up her second year of college here in Okinawa and then make a decision as to where to go to school when the family gets back to the US.
Nick: Nick finished his junior year and enjoyed his last summer of high school. He started his senior year by joining football and played his first year. It was a lot of fun for the family to see him out on the field. He previously ran cross-country but decided it was time to try a new sport. Nick has also found time for a girlfriend. Nick and Jobelle have been going strong for several months now and she is a very nice girl. Nick is plugging along working to finish his schooling and then will decide whether or not to pursue college or the military. Right now the military looks to be winning but time will tell.

The Williams family wishes everyone a happy holiday season and the best new year!!

No comments: