Sztanyo Christmas Greeting 2017!
May this 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,






I'm sitting down with a cup of coffee on Sunday December 3rd to write a simple greeting and a sincere wish that you have the most Meaningful and Merriest of Christmas’ this Year!   And as I begin, I do want to share a brief update, but in all sincerity I hope the message from the opening sentence is what you take away.   Because those are the thoughts we wish to send you this and every year.  It’s simple but oh so heartfelt....……Merry Christmas!

This year has been a momentous year for Barb and I.  We both turned 65 and started Medicare! Now, I gotta tell ya, none of the birthdays of 30-60’s impacted us as much as turning 65.  For crying out loud…….we’re old folks now!   We sit in church and complain about the new hippy hop music.  We shout at the TV news.  We answer each other before the question is asked. And we think walking to the mailbox is the big event of the day. We even qualify for senior discounts at most places.  And to add insult to injury with this birthday comes a bone or two that gives a creak or squeak that we haven’t heard or felt before.  Ye gads…..we have graduated into a new club….and as of yet we’re not too sure about it. 

Enough on that, since we can’t change the aging thing.  In October we were really blessed to travel on a trip of a lifetime to the Holylands in Israel and really enjoyed it.  In the ‘more’ section of this card there are a few links about this trip and about how much it impacted us.  It was extremely impactful and moving indeed!

We also retired from flying.  I started flying commercially 43 years ago and as I landed in Shannon, Ireland on September 16th with 97 troops on board coming from the Middle East, my career as a Boeing 767 Captain came to a close.  There is also an item or two in the section below about my final flight and a writing about the ‘Last Time’ you do something.  Transition has come to us because of reaching the FAA age cap of 65.  Uuggghh, there is that bad number again.   

Now, that would appear to be enough for the year, but oh no, there were a couple of other big events. Genevieve Kathryn (born to niece Darcy and Quin Kaapke) who lived here in Florence on June 6th .  Little ‘Evie’ was a miracle and answer to many many prayers as she had some cardiac challenges.  Now, after surgery, she is doing wonderfully and a blessing every single day.  Also Miriam Layne Sztanyo (born to Eric and Witni and our 11th grandchild) arrived on November 24th and weighed in at 7 lbs 7 oz.  She is simply beautiful (see below) and missed our family Christmas picture (also below) by one day.  What a miracle.  What a blessing and what a wonderful addition to our family.  God be praised with both arrivals! 

We are sure your year has been a full one and that along with great blessing there has probably been a challenge or two.  We all have them.  It’s often helpful for us to remember that God is on His throne and that He is good!  Through challenges and trials He is there with us to help, guide and strengthen.  Our prayer for your family and ours is that we rejoice in every blessing and we find His rest in every trial.  God Bless you as we celebrate the King of Kings coming into this world…. and changing everything!


“Jerusalem! Jerusalem! Lift up your gates and sing,  Hosanna in the highest!
Hosanna to your King!”  by Frederick E. Weatherly.


Merry Christmas from Florence!           
From the Kentucky Sztanyo’s



Until next year!
For those who can't get enough...... here's a little more!

2017 Offerings

Every year we learn a little something new and wish to share something a little different.  Hope you find something you enjoy.

Photos/Videos



Writings/Articles

  • Last Time  (Thoughts regarding my last training proficiency check)




Wishing You the Merriest Christmas of all!

Mark and Barb's Facebook account



This online Christmas greeting replaces our traditional snail-mail paper version.
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2017 Christmas below! 
Yep, 6 kids and 11 precious grandkids!
Left to right Back to front: Eric, Witni, David, Heather, Marisa, Mike, Sawyer, Brian, Joey, Bridgett, then Elaina, Hallie, Barb, Bailey, Rafe, Mark. Emil and Corin.  The 40 balloon over Bridgett is for her birthday on the day of our picture this Thanksgiving Day - Nov 23, 2017. 
In Jerusalem, on the Mt of Olives looking West to Old Jerusalem
Omni Crew on my Retirement flight from Kuwait to Shannon, Ire, transpoting 97 air force troops on way back to Ft Bliss, TX.  9-16-17
Back home and memories abound but nor more pilot ID!
Our beautiful new family member arrived at 6.58 pm on 11-24-17  Miram Lane Sztanyo born to Eric and Wit.
At less than 2 days old in seat to head home.
Little Irish vacation with Barb, here pictured at the Cliffs of Moher