2011 -- The Only Constant is Change

Celebrating Josh's Graduation from Notre Dame

Happy Holidays from Colleen, Matthew, Jonathon, Joshua and Jeff Bell.  This happy photo was from one of three graduations we celebrated in 2011 and the first, Joshua Gerald Murphy Bell from the University of Notre Dame.  How fast the time flies!  It seems like only yesterday that we were at freshman orientation for our oldest son.  Now he is a graduate and is the first son to fly from the nest.   This is a big deal for Colleen and Jeff...Empty Nest is approaching!

Also in the Spring, we proudly shared the end to Jon's High School chess career at the State Championship.  Jon played second board as a senior, and was ranked as high as seventh among seniors.  At this final competition, Jon was 2nd team all-state, and Seattle Prep finished 3rd overall.  In his three years of varsity, Seattle Prep finished 3rd, 4th and 3rd -- the best in the school's history.


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The view from Lookout Point outside Winthrop

Among the many blessings we received in 2011, we count the time we spent at Gerry Zyfer's home in Winthrop among them.  We spent Easter at this paradise just east of the Cascade Mountains, where the snow was still over 20 feet high on Highway 20 through May!  The word for Winthrop is relax.  We returned in the fall (October) for another retreat, and who knows, maybe one last trip before the end of this year?

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Colleen, Natalie, Rosemary, Kristen and Phyllis

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The whole gang outside ND stadium

As foretold, we did have a Spring of graduations, first came Joshua.  The wonderful thing about graduations is that everyone gets to get together to celebrate together.  We were so blessed that Josh's grandmothers Nancy and Phyllis, and grandfather Rodney, could attend.  His uncles Greg, Greg and Brian, and aunts Rosemary, Donna and Lori were also present.  Not to be forgotten were cousins Kristen, Jamison, Zach, Dylan and Natalie.  It was such a wonderful (and hot) event and weekend.  There is something special about Notre Dame, and we will miss visting the campus.  But we will always be part of the Irish tradition.

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Jon and Colleen at Benaroya Hall

Jon's graduation from Seattle Prep was next, and it was the end to a wonderful 4 years.  Jon won "best actor" for the senior theatrical competition in the one act play called, "The Problem."  Jon applied to several schools and after several visits and deliberation, chose Loyola University Chicago.  He has enjoyed his first semester and has joined the TKE fraternity.  The Second City is the right city for Jon!
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Beta, Tracy, Jan and Suzie

Colleen's friends Beth Alexander, Tracy Nash Salinas, Jan Richards and Suzie Powell all came to visit in July. Here the the group is pictured at the Chihuly Bridge of Glass in Tacoma, WA. Many a site was seen in Seattle, including Pike's Place market, Pioneer Square, the Space Needle, and of course, the wonders of the Eastside in Kirkland (including a pretty cool art fair).

We also had an eighth grade ceremony for Matt, as he left middle school and is now a freshman in high school. Matt had a very strong lacrosse season, see Matt Bell scores for Lakeside Lacrosse.

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Colleen, Jeff, Josh, Matt and Jon on Meade Glacier

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Breath-taking Alaska on Carnival

The next big activity was a family vacation to Alaska. Colleen had suggested that we organize some family time, and what better way to ensure that we would spend time together than a cruise! Yes, there is no escaping once you leave port! Joking aside, we left from Seattle and made our way up the coastal waterway to Juneau, Ketchikan and Skagway. At each stop we had a super adventure. We went whale watching, and took a helicopter to the top of Meade Glacier, and finally, a float plane trip into the Misty Fjords. This was a truly "once in a lifetime" opportunity, and we know that a cruise is not for everyone, but we loved the comedy, the food, the shows, and yes for 18 year old Jon, the legal gambling!

Well, when you have your first child, you don't think about the time when they are going to leave home and live on their own. As you can see from this photo, Josh did just that. I guess the Notre Dame education paid off, as Josh was offered and accepted a position in Washington, DC with KPMG. He is an Economic Analyst (putting both his Economics and English degrees to work). Many friends may recall that Jeff and Colleen started off as newly-weds in Washington, DC, so this has a strange sense of serendipity and deja vu.  

It probably will come as no surprise that one of our fall trips was back to see Joshua. We made day trips to visit the Smithsonian Museums, the Library of Congress, and all the Memorials along the National Mall. This was Matt's first trip out to our Nation's Capital, and he was absolutely exhilarated with all that there is do. A return trip might well be in our near future. We were also very lucky to see Notre Dame crush Maryland in football (a bright spot in an otherwise dissapoitning season...again...).

Note how tall Matt is in this photo!  Speaking of Matt, he has become a very proficient guitar player, both rock and jazz.  He formed a band, Freakout, and has performed in competitions and concerts, including this one at his high school, Lakeside:  Freakout perform Reptilia by the Stokes (Matt solos at 2:30).  Matt also received "outstanding soloist" in both the seventh and eighth grade in his jazz band.  To see his first high school concert and solo, click here: Lakeside High School Jazz Band featuring Matt Bell

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The Daltons and Bells

One of our goals for the fall was to return to Ohio and to get the "cousins" together.  Pictured here are Sheamus Dalton, Jon, Katie Dalton (Ohio Wesleyan), Josh, Ian Dalton, Aidan Dalton and Matt.  The Daltons are Colleen's sister's children, and how they all have grown.  Not pictured here are Samantha Murphy and Ben Murphy, who we did see at Thanksgiving and you can see them in the photo to the right.

Well what would our lives be like if we did not close with acknowledgement of a very special member of the family -- Hugo, our Havanese.  We have not quite made the transition traveling with Hugo, but trust us, we are close!  

We send to everyone our love and thoughts of joy and peace.  Life is moving forward, and next year will be the big 5-0 for Jeff.  Please friend us on Facebook (or Jeff on Linkedin), because it makes this Christmas blog seem pretty "old school."  As always, our home is open to you and we will keep each of you in our hearts and in our prayers.

Love today and forever, Colleen, Jeff, Josh, Jon and Matt Bell