Bus Day Pakefield busWow, 2009 flew by, didn’t it? But I have to say, it was certainly kind to my family: seven more adventure-filled months in Europe, a joyful return to our home in San Diego, and thriving almost-five-year-old boys who embrace adventure with both arms. Our year-long stay in Lowestoft, England, was truly a formative experience for our fine young men.

Our time with the Fulbright Teacher Exchange ended in July. We spent our last months savoring England’s special offerings—tromping about the marshes, scarfing gingerbread men and Eccles Cakes, riding First Buses through Suffolk, and dressing up as bus drivers to hang out at the East Anglia Transport Museum, with its collection of WORKING old-fashioned English buses and trams (just a mile from our home!). For vacations, we rang in the new year in Brussels, explored a 900-year-old, 150-meter-deep salt mine outside Krakow, splashed in the Mediterranean at Barcelona, explored corners of Madrid, marveled at the Oceanario aquarium in Lisbon, and ate shepherd’s pie in Dublin and French pastries in Lyon. We’re immensely grateful for our European experience.

And now we’re excited for the changes 2010 promises—school for the boys, for one thing! Our time in Europe taught us to associate change with ADVENTURE, and nothing makes us happier than adventure. We hope 2010 brings you adventure and happiness, too!

Halverson boys