The Van Schaack Family is thankful for a wonderful 2012. This year we had a few health issues, but we came out on top! Hello Hollywood!!! One of the top events of the year came when Grumman’s Chinese Theatre invited Jim to exhibit his Historic Hollywood series of drawings in the theatre’s gallery in Hollywood, CA. Drop by and visit the gallery at the theatre!
Jim continues to design remodels with son Lee. For a time, Temporal Arteritis keeps him on steroids and off the golf course. Joyce and Jim traveled to PA and NY with the Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge where they discover info on family genealogy. Joyce has been working with the Saddleback Community College Board of Governors, assisting with fund raisers and working with the Veterans Center. She volunteers with the Constitutional Rights Foundation who brought 500 high school students for a program at the college. She works with the DAR, researching ancestors. (See the family tree on Ancestry.com). She attended the RNC National Convention in Florida with a friend and continues activities with Republican Women.
Another highlight of 2012 was a CA visit by Sister Lorene and daughter Marsha. Family celebrated Thanksgiving, Lorene’s 96th birthday and Jim and Joyce’s 63rd Anniversary. The celebrations included sister LaVern who is 94! What a wonderful gift for all!
Son Lee and wife Linda keep up their busy schedule. Lee continues with his general contracting, and as a church elder. The couple loves their San Clemente home and its close proximity to the surf in San Onofre. Linda recently had a knee replacement and is doing well. They thoroughly enjoy their four Grand Kids: Blaine 14, Champ 12, Eva 6 and Samuel 2.
Sean, Dena and kids are busy as usual. They moved into a new home in Dana Point. Eva is in 1st grade at the local Spanish Immersion school and speaks Spanish with a perfect accent. She has a heart of gold and has been helping take care of Grandy (Linda). Little Samuel just turned 2 years old and he is a ball of energy and Mr. Personality. Sean continues doing contract work with DirecTv and Dena continues to work as a Certified Nurse Midwife at Kaiser Permanente.
Nathan and Kelly married May 5th, 2012 and had a fantastic reception. Grandsons, Blaine and Champ, are on the Principals Honor Role and play basketball on Club level teams. Nate is working for a local Spa company cleaning and repairing pools and spas. His schedule allows him to enjoy his surfing. This year he lost 60 lbs! Kelly resigned from her job and started an Herbalife business. She is a station owner at NewStart Nutrition in San Juan Capistrano.
The Stamos family is doing well. Natalie, Nick. Dana enjoyed Nate and Kelly’s Cinco de Mayo wedding. Dana recently returned from a trip to Korea where she spoke at the 1st Tang Soo Do Forum. Adam continues builds and tech work on computer laptops, desktop and home theater systems. Nick moved to a new apartment and into a new job in the cabinet industry. He continues his art and participates in local art shows. Natalie widened her pet menagerie, adding a beautiful fish tank to her home. This year she tried her hand at participating in Pageants and did very well.
In 2012, Chris and Mary moved to Portland Oregon so Mary could accept a contract job in technical writing with Kaiser Permanente. Mary recently had her poems published in the Klamath Falls Artisans Almanac. Chris has been interviewing for an array of positions, but has yet to find a good match. He has enjoyed visiting and helping friends and family with projects in Southern CA. The two continue to dance and enjoy exploring their new city by foot, bike and kayak.
