Dear Loved Ones,
This year has been one of many firsts: first words (“dadda", of course), first steps (only a month ago), first time home buyers (a condo really), and so many others. When we reflect on the year gone by it is clear that William was the center of our lives. As you can see from the photos, he is an incredible joy to us and our families. He’s always smiling and laughing (except on Halloween, when dressed as a policeman; he did not like seeing the real version). He loves his swim lessons with mommy and story time at the library. He enjoyed meeting all of our friends in San Nicolás, when we returned to Nicaragua in June. The little gringo baby was a hit. It was also meaningful for us to return to our community after leaving in 2013. We celebrated a Simms family wedding in Alabama in May. He soaked up the southern hospitality and was able to meet some of his extended family. We celebrated William’s baptism in Yakima this summer, and now his aunt and uncle are spoiling godparents as well. We are grateful to our siblings, and also our parents, who help us care for William. We have also been grateful for our friends and the moments we have been able to watch their children become friends with William. We continue our work with our students at Mitty and Serra, where some days we think how wonderful it will be when William is in high school and other days we hope he skips years 14-18. We are still involved with VMM, the organization that sponsored us in Nicaragua. In The Little Blue Truck, William’s favorite book, the message is, “A lot depends on a helping hand from a few good friends.” As we look at our troubled world, it is our hope for 2015, that we can see the friend in each person we meet. We would all benefit. With Love and Prayers for You, The Byrnes Family Our new address: 602 Cedar St. #2, San Carlos, CA 94070
The following are photo descriptions clockwise from top left: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
Virgin and Child; taken at Mission Dolores in San Francisco. Joseph and Jesus; taken at St. Gregory the Great Catholic Church in San Diego. Madonna and Child; taken at St. Nicholas Catholic Church in Los Altos, CA. Syrian Mother and Child; taken from an article on theepochtimes.com. Mother and Child, artist unknown; taken from a public mural in the Mission District in San Francisco. 6. William at his swim lessons. He loves swimming! 7. Photo of William taken in Yakima by Michael Jach, a family friend. 8. Doña Celina, Billy, and William taken this past summer in San Nicolás. 9. Billy Wing and William, with the handmade LITTLE BLUE TRUCK he made for William’s first birthday. 10. Uncle Ben and William during a springtime visit. 11. Celebrating the first birthday. 12. A happy William before Devan’s wedding in Fairhope, AL. 13. The Byrnes-Simms Family at William’s baptism. 14. Waking up from the nap so happy. 15. Officially baptized by friend Father Bryan Delojsi. 16. Aunt Steph with a happy nephew/godson. 17. Policeman with William on Halloween. The costume was cute. Meeting a real policeman was a different story. 18. Celebrating Billy’s birthday. 19. Taking a walk in the stroller. 20. It’s official - we bought a condo!