2009 started with quite a bang! On a wintry January day, Jan left for England to be with Antonia for the birth of her first baby. On January 14th, we welcomed Rosanna Joyce Francis - 7 lb 0 oz - who arrived at high speed and volume. We are all thrilled with lovely chubby Rosie and very proud of Antonia - who only took a month off medical school. With husband Chris' amazing love and support, Antonia was able to continue with her final year (at Guys/Kings/St. Thomas').

Click Me (for Video)

In March, Tony left for a business trip to England and Germany. He had the opportunity to visit with our dear friends Willi and Ursula Stahlhofen in Frankfurt and Bad Homburg (their home). Tony hasn't been able to 'catch up' with Willi for many years - so this was a joyous reunion! Back in the UK, he was also able to meet little Rosanna Francis for the first time - and become duly besotted!

We try to get together with Rich, debbie and the kids whenever there's a spare weekend for all of us. This weekend was in early May - just after Haley's 6th birthday.

While the Francis' were here, Tony and I sneaked off to Minneapolis, Minnesota - for the Annual Health Physics Society Conference. Minneapolis (and St. Paul) are really attractive cities, 'though I don't think that I could deal with their winters! They have covered skywalks between all main buildings - since it gets so cold outside!

In August, we decided to some more 'house fixing', so we engaged a team (of chappies) to 'stone face' the front, replace rotted siding and repaint. It certainly needed this face lift - and looks much more civilized now! Now we just have to fix the landscaping!

In September, Tony and I left for Lisbon, Portugal - for a week of meetings for him, and sight-seeing for me. This was our first visit to Portugal, and we ejoyed the lovely old city of Lisbon - with very friendly people. Tony managed to join me for a final day of sightseeing - on a minibus tour of the region around Lisbon. The weather was magnificent - unseasonably hot and sunny for September (and just like south-eastern Washington State)!

We travelled from Lisbon to London, to stay in England for another 10 days - to catch up with the family and for Tony to do a bit of work (with Alan Birchall in Oxfordshire). So, we were able to see Rosie, Antonia & Chris again (in Gillingham), my sister Pat, hubby Gerry and daughter Joanna (in West Horsley) - and also visit P & G's other daughter (our niece Alison), husband Johnny and children Benedict and Tabitha (in Brighton)! We stayed in Didcot with Annie and Alan Birchall - and I spent a lovely sunny day wandering around beautiful Oxford (and getting very home-sick)!

In November, I (Jan) went to Mukilteo to help Debbie and Rich by babysitting Trevor (3) and Haley (6). Debbie's mum Lada usualy does this job, but she and dad went on vacation in Europe. So I stepped in - for two weeks. All went well, and I feel that I now know the children better!

Richard still works as recruiting manager for f5Networks - and is about to celebrate his tenth anniversary there! We see the 'Mukilteo' family occasionally. as they are only a 3+ hour drive away - by far the closest of our brood!

So now we in the New Year! Rosanna has had her first birthday (January 14th) - and we are gearing up for another 'action year'! Tony will be in Rome (in February) - and we are both 'coming home again to Wales' in April (for a family wedding). Hopefully we will 'catch' some of our European friends along the way - and we would love to welcome you to Washington State!

Click picture to view Slide Show