The Lee Family Christmas Letter--2006
Merry Christmas to everyone!
We thought you might enjoy a little update on our lives here at Ocean Shores.
Roger is now in his second school year as the Principal at North Beach Middle/High School. The total student body population is around 330. The biggest challenge so far is adjusting to a "small town" way of life (no bookstores, no Starbucks, no organic foods) and the unique brand of personal politics (multi-general family feuds) that go along with this type of town.
Living on the coast, we have endured some serious wind and rain storms, though thankfully, not much ice or snow. So far this season, we have survived five power outages - the last one lasted so long we spent some of the time parked on the beach watching the waves with the car heater running to keep warm!
In early March, we moved from our rental house in southern Ocean Shores (after seven months), to our new home on Duck Lake. Ocean Shores has quite a few inland waterways, and Duck Lake extends most of the six-mile length of the town's peninsula. We looked at houses for quite a while, but as soon as we entered this one, we knew this was it! Lots of space, a large front room with a view of the lake, and a spacious upstairs. Lots of wildlife in and around the lake. Deer regularly visit our yard; otters sun themselves on the dock, a raccoon family prances on our deck while geese, ducks, bald eagles, herons, and other feathered fowl fly by.
On May 1st, Anne's dad, Dr. Raouf Hendow, age 83, came to live with us. He previously lived alone in Pendleton, Oregon. The house we bought has a nice second floor which we turned into an apartment for him; amenities include a private deck with a view of the lake and plenty of space to display his Middle Eastern antiques and books!
Anne stays busy at home during the day taking care of Hannah, her Dad and the seven pets (5 cats and 2 dogs!) Only the town veterinarian knows we are over the pet limit! There is never a dull moment in our house with so many personalities, human and otherwise!
We hope to have a house-warming party for the family sometime in the summer, probably in July, since that is the only summer month Roger does not work.
The Lee family and Dr. Hendow, wish you a very Merry Christmas, and a wonderful New Year!