May this 2011 Christmas season be your family's
most meaningful ever!  From our family to yours have a
Merry Christmas and  Happy New Year!



Dear Family & Friends,




Christmas 2011

Have you had a moment yet when you stopped, took a breath and looked back?  When looking back over this past year, one of my first thoughts is how could it have flown by already?  Then of course if you are like me, you then slow down a bit and start to number the major happenings of the year.  What at first seems like a flash and a blur now feels like a very full basket.  This year has been a full basket indeed.  I hope your year has been a full basket too!  As fruit baskets go, admittedly every piece of fruit inside isn’t the best.  In fact some pieces are spoiled or even unpleasant.  But a full basket is still predominantly good and something to be thankful for as we reflect on all the events and happenings of this past year coupled with the wonder and blessing of Christmas. 

Before you read on about our “full basket” and the events of 2011 for us Sztanyo’s, I would ask you to pause and simply think a little about your own.  You may have had a hurdle or even a hardship or two, but as a whole even through it all I am sure you will agree that God has been steady, faithful and good to you and your family.

Well, one of the most joyous moments happened on May 21st when Elaina Ruth was born and added to Mike and Heather’s family.  She is a most beautiful and pleasant baby.  Over Thanksgiving the kids were visiting for a few days and I was amazed at how the little girl is happy most of the time.  I do not remember her crying.  She is a real joy.  At Mike’s work he switched aircraft to now fly the Airbus 320 but the big news is that they also moved to a new beautiful house in Columbiaville, MI.  For all of us it is a big adjustment since they used to live so close.

The big thing in Brian’s work life has been advancement training there at Fidelity. If asked he would tell you that he is glad to be part of Fidelity’s team, but also a little weary of all the extra classroom and book work.  None of us blame him a bit because he has been hitting it pretty hard and we are all proud of his accomplishments.  Bridgett is holding down the fort at Lowe’s and together they have improved and made nicer their home in Amelia, OH. 

Eric and Witni had a wonderful year nurturing and watching little Emil grow.  He is really changing and developing a fun personality.  They spent almost two months out in Seattle enjoying the Pacific North West.

We had occasion to travel north and visit Barb’s mom Wilma and my parents Emil and Iris.  My dad and mom’s celebrated their 68th wedding anniversary and in October dad celebrated his 90th birthday.  So how does a 90 year old do an encore?  Well, he drives 9 hours to Chicago to visit Marcia and Frank.  I don’t know too many 90 year olds who do that.  See the below picture album of the birthday celebration. 

Barb served another year for our church as Director of Homebound Care and will complete her 5th year as of this January.  If you know Barb you know that she has a great heart for this important ministry to those who cannot make it out much anymore.  This year she has called on, encouraged and ministered to a whole lot of people.  If you ask her, she will admit that her ministry is sometimes emotionally hard, but she will also tell you that blessings come to her as often as come from her.  A short time ago she has announced that she will retire as of the end of the year.  We are both ready and looking forward to it and what lies ahead.

In January I started on a career journey
with another flying job, flying B767’s for
Omni Air Intl.  I will be honest by saying
that it is really good to be back in the
saddle.  I am enjoying the flying, the
missions (flying the troops), the
worldwide destinations and of course
the 767 which I feel is one of the best
craft flying.  The worst part of the new
job is simply the time spent on the road
away.  Back in April I was located in
Denver for an extensive initial simulator
training course.  Since weekends were
off, I invited Barb out and we rented a car
and visited an old memory.  In 1972 we
were 19 year old kids on a tenting
honeymoon in the Colorado Rockies. 
During our stay the weather turned sour
and it rained us out.  39 years later, we
visited the same lodge that salvaged a drenched and frustrated bride and gave us both wonderful couple of days in Estes Park, Co.  What a fun albeit brief 2nd honeymoon.   See below for a picture album of that Estes Park Visit and also a December visit to Williamsburg, VA. 

Recently, I have had two incidences on a commercial flight heading home after my monthly flying obligation was over.  The first is a sobering wounded warrior encounter that I journaled about below.  The second was a humorous encounter with an interesting 80 year old man who travels for a hobby.  To this gentleman I mentioned that I had just come from Greece where the Prime Minister summarily resigned.  Then I traveled to Italy and low and behold the Italian Prime Minister resigned.  He thought for a moment and then asked me if I could visit Washington DC next!  I told him that I would work on that.

Life is always interesting and often times a lot of fun.  May this Christmas season
be one when you and your family create a boatload of fond memories, experience
deep spiritual moments of great meaning, and enjoy hours upon hours with family
and friends having great fun! 





May the spirit of Christmas bring you peace,
The gladness of Christmas give you hope,
The warmth of Christmas grant you love.


Merry Christmas from Florence!           
From the Kentucky Sztanyo’s

Our Lord” the same yesterday, today and forever!” Heb 13:8

Until next year!
Family Nov 2011 - Back row, Barb Mike, Brian Eric, & Mark,
Front row; Joey, David, Heather with Hallie, Bridgett with Elaina, Witni with Emil, & Marisa. 
For those who can't get enought and need ....just a little more!

2011 Offerings

Every year we learn a little something new and wish to try something a little different.  This year we will include links to online photo albums, clips, and writings you can look at as few or as many as you wish.    Hope you find something you enjoy.

My Writings:

  • 1st Layover for new airline and beyond.  Click Here

  • Wounded Warrior but Not a Wounded Spirit:  Click Here


Photo Albums:



  • Emil's 90th Birthday  - Pics by Bridgett Click Here


  • Mark & Barb Dec Visit to Williamsburg, VA  Click Here

  • Mark flying again on layover in Honolulu - Click Here

Short video clips:









Wishing You the Merriest Christmas of all!

Mark and Barb's Facebook account



Sztanyo
2011
Christmas
Greeting
This online Christmas greeting replaces our traditional snail-mail paper version.
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