Christmas in Wyomissing 2008

Stephanie (daughter -in- law) with her nephew, Javin

We had a great family reunion for Christmas at my (Rena's) parents' home in eastern PA. While each of us had our challenges getting there (especially my brother Bill, Deborah and their daughter Cindy who started their trip first but ended up arriving 4:00 am Christmas Day) it was well worth the effort. The only ones who could not make it, were my nephew Billy and his wife Denise who live in Indonesia. All our family was there and Bill and his wife Deborah from Vancouver, BC. My neice Cindy from Seattle and my nephew, Andy from Gainsville, FL.

We came home with lots of great memories to cherish.

Javin, my Dad and Cindy

Dwight, Deborah and Bill, the parents of Cindy and Andy

Jen and Jason who are also the parents of Javin and Chanelle

Deborah, Mae/Mom and Rena

Chanelle and her "twin"

Tickle time - Javin, Cindy and Andy

Chanelle, Stephanie, Scott and Jen

Cookie Time

Shortly before Christmas I (Rena) went into cookie "overdrive" and made several batches of different kinds of Christmas cookies and treats. Can you smell those gingerbread cookies? Yum!

Chanelle, Jen and Javin were eager to help decorate. Dwight got creative too.

One of the things I've learned in 40 years as an aircraft mechanic is the value of preventive maintenance. Before I go to all the effort of putting a string of lights on the Christmas tree, I do an operational check. Maybe this is a full-blown annual inspection.*

We didn't set a record for being early in getting the tree up and decorated this year, but it's done.

*Private aircraft are required by the FAA to have an inspection each 12 calendar months, so Annual Inspection is a pretty familiar term in my world.

Meet CHRISTIE

Just having some fun. Tim, our MMS Aviation Production Manager introduces "Christie" our newly purchased Ground Power Unit to our guys in the hangar.

A generous donation allowed MMS to purchase this used one for about half the price a new one would have cost.

Thanksgiving Holiday

Thanksgiving is the time our part of the Jarboe family gets together. Earlier this year, Mom said, "We'll do Thanksgiving here one more year, but someone else has to cook the turkey." So we gathered again at Mom and Dad's in Bowling Green, Kentucky. All of our generation were there and most of my parents grandchildren were able to attend at least part of the weekend. Two of three great-grandchildren were present.

This is the family in which I grew up.

My sister-in-law, Sue, provided encouragement as I carved the turkey.

After dinner music is a normal thing at our gatherings. This year it was a recorder quartet.

More GroundCrew Ladies

The lunch room at MMS Thursday evening was a hive of activity as MMS wives and volunteer Stephanie prepared the GroundCrew for mailing. Donna and Sherry joined us a little after this picture was taken. They were put in the mail on Friday, so you should be getting your copy soon!
Dana has taken on the supervisory role for getting the GroundCrew volunteers together and making sure we are keeping the envelopes in zipcode order (as per postal regulations) and taking them to the post office. Deborah was the former supervisor and has been training Dana in her new role.