Update…12/29/2004

December 2004 – Kisha and I went on our first cruise on the 20th and had a spectacular time. The weather was perfect and the water smooth. We took a Royal Caribbean Cruise from Los Angeles to San Diego, Catalina and Ensenada, Mexico. We would definitely recommend this cruise since it is reasonably priced, not too long for a long weekend and was very relaxing. I had read a few reviews on the cruise that didn’t portray it as a relaxing time, but I would have to disagree with those statements.

Here is a link to the ship we were on…click

We returned to Los Angeles on Christmas Eve Day and celebrated Christmas with our best friends Rick and David. We returned to Phoenix on Sunday which took almost four more hours due to traffic, but it was certainly nice to get home and give our puppies hugs and scratches.

We look forward to a quiet New Year’s Eve gathering and an even better 2005.

Kisha is really enjoying her job at University of Phoenix. I am so glad that she is happy and her management team seems to treat their employees very well.

We are having some remodeling done at home in the early part of 2005 so I’ll be sure to put the before and after photos online soon thereafter.

Update…11/06/2004

Wow…I really procrastinated this time.

Status for us is about the same as last time:

• Darin still with Motorola until they outsource everything and everyone (not joking)

• Kisha still teaching until Friday (11/05) when she turned in her notice.

• Kisha begins new job in two weeks (11/22)

• Isabella and Mooch doing really well

December 2003 – Brian and Nami visit for a few days and we had a great time! They were here for our Tejano party which was also attended by Rick, Brian and Brad. Brian S. and his wife Hana visiting from Prague and Brad is visiting from Colorado. We also celebrated New Years eve in Tempe with friends.

February 2004 – Snow boarding in Flagstaff, AZ for our first time and we had an awesome time. We were able to stay at Bugtussle in Parks, AZ and took the dogs along so they could play in the snow. Mooch hadn’t seen snow before and loved every minute of it. Isabella really enjoyed the snow too and would lay in the snow for hours if we’d let her. Thanks Oates for letting us stay at the cabin!

February 2004 – Jane (aunt) closed on her new house and moved out of the KleinPad. We’ll miss your awesome cooking and just having you around. Isabella and Mooch miss you!

February 2004 – 80’s party at the Bokatius/Miller residence. Awesome clothes and fantastic music. I wonder why I don’t miss the 80’s sometimes.

March 2004 – St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Phoenix. PARR won first prize for our float in the non-profit group. What a great day and what great doggies!

March 2004 – Trip to Europe over Kisha’s spring break. Over 3000 kilometers driven in eleven days to visit our great friends in the old country.

We visited:

• Frankfurt area – Snowdons

• Apolda – Rechenbachs

• Hanover – CeBit conference where I saw some awesome new electronic products and some great new Motorola phones!

• Den Hague – Munds

• Amsterdam – Museums, boat rides, etc.

April 2004 – We had the opportunity to host a German student as well as a German teacher. Our student was Valentine from Wiesbaden, Germany and Mario and Kelly hosted Dania who is from southern Germany.

May 2004 – Prom at the school where Kisha teaches high school. Fun evening.

June 2004 – Kisha was in Germany as a chaperone for a bunch of students from around the US. She had a good time, but was glad to come home. We missed her very much.

July 2004 – Justin visits from Indianapolis and we have a great time hanging out by the pool and visiting the sites around Arizona plus some horseback riding. FUN!!!

August 2004 – Beerfest in Flagstaff, AZ. A bus was rented to haul us and our onboard beer there and back. Very fun trip with gambling, drinking and debauchery.

August 2004 – Kisha graduates with her Master’s degree!!! YEAH!

August 2004 – Zenon visits while he is here for the Audie Murphy board in Phoenix. Thanks!

August 2004 – Aiden’s baptism in Seattle and I also got to see Lynn (Hecht) Russell

September 2004 – Oktoberfest at the Bokatius/Miller residence. Awesome fun with plenty of games and costumes.

October 2004 – Ute visits from Germany and we had a super visit. She was able to lie by the pool everyday to work on her tan (not much of that in Germany), see our parents and family as well as getting a little idea of what life is like for us in Arizona. Thanks so much for your visit!

October 2004 – My parents and Grandma, plus all of my mothers siblings/spouses visit for a few days. We played golf, talked and generally had a nice visit. Thanks for visiting! Mooch barked at Grandma for some unknown reason since he doesn’t bark at anyone. I know he is afraid of little children, so I guess he must be afraid of grandmas too. He’s just a little baby.

October – Halloween – 2004 – Party at the Bressler/Adams residence in Anthem (54 miles from our house) – Kisha went as a cowgirl and Jaime and I dressed up as Mormon missionaries. We had a fun evening.

November 2004 – A depressing election when we found out over half of our country has been tricked by an administration that uses fear and religion to control. Wake up! Only four years until we get a chance to try and undo what this administration has done/will do to our country and its relationship with the rest of the world.

November 2004 – Thanksgiving in Indianapolis with the family (WE ARE NOT FROM INDIANA) for a couple days. IKEA opens November 10th in Tempe!!! We can’t wait since it saves us from driving to Los Angeles for our IKEA fix.

December 2004 – We are taking our first cruise! Kisha surprised me with tickets on a Pacific cruise around Christmas and when we get back to Los Angeles on the 24th we will celebrate Christmas with him there. We also plan on going snow boarding sometime over the Christmas break.