The End of 2018

Colorado Vacation

As we approach the end of 2018 and look to the year ahead, it could be easy to fall into the overall malaise (some may say fear and dread, but we will stick with malaise) that surrounds the country.  When you live in the greater Washington, DC area, there may be a heightened awareness of the goings on in the world.  Anna will certainly recall some interesting dinner conversations when she gets older.  What will we remember from 2018?  Well, we decided we definitely do NOT want to remember everything that was going on in Washington.  From the Fagella household, there were definitely some memorable events for the year.

The beginning of the year was most memorable for Grandma and Grandpa, who after 45 years got to go to Hawaii  to celebrate their wedding anniversary, as a gift from the family.  The good news is the false alarm nuclear launch happened right before they went and the volcano eruption happened after they got home, so their timing was perfect.  They had a grand time with their tour group and came back with lots of stories...and laughs.  You can find Grandma frequently listening to Hawaiian music at their house.

Girl Scouts in Savannah, GA

Anna's most memorable events for 2018 largely involve Girl Scouts.  There was the trip to Girl Scout headquarters in Savannah, Georgia (major kudos to her troop leader for flying the girls for that long weekend).  There was the week at Girl Scout camp where Anna spent the week rock climbing AND got to take the bus back home with her fellow scouts.  She also enjoyed the recent camp-out and zip lining adventure with the troop.  She is already planning for what camp she wants to go to this summer, not to mention the international girl scout trips that are available.  This is going to require some fundraising on her part.  In addition to girl scout activities, Anna really enjoyed the trip to the Dude Ranch in Colorado.  She learned some great horse riding skills and it will be something she never forgets.

Anna & Jessie the Horse

Speaking of forgetting, the only thing Joe really remembers about 2018 was the trip to Rocky Mountain National Park.  The rest of the year was a blur - but he is relatively sure it was a good time.  What Anna and Theresa remember is Joe hurting his foot in the late fall. This put some limitations on the family weekend hikes (Anna was all too happy to forgo the hikes).  Fortunately Theresa, ever the optimist, saw an opportunity to get the family out on bikes instead.  Anna was NOT happy about this, but everyone did get to enjoy some new adventures on area bike trails (not that Joe remembers this either....but he had fun). 
 
 Theresa's most memorable events of the year involved travel and work.  First was the big mom wine trip to France with her friend Pauletta.  Then there was the trip to Colorado, which was also spectacular.  Finally, Theresa got a new job with the Treasury Department and is enjoying the challenge of learning something new.  She is also making monthly trips to Parkersburg, West Virginia since a large part of the operation is there.  A side benefit for Theresa is that she can often stop in to have dinner with her brothers at the end of the trip.  A side benefit for Anna is that she gets a break from her Mom for a few days each month (a dream of many tween girls).

Biking along the Potomac

What adventures will 2019 hold?   Will Anna meet the criteria to at last get a phone?  Will Theresa decide to once and for all finish her academic work?  Will Trump remain President?  Will Grandma & Grandpa take another big trip?  Will Joe remember what happened during the year?  One thing is for sure - it will be an adventure. 

Pauletta & Theresa Paris Bound

Happy New Year!