MARK & JULIE RICHER: In a nutshell, 2010 was a challenging year for the Richer family, as Mark was laid off in May. However, I'm happy to report he was hired in January 2011 as an IT consultant for an international consulting firm. He provides technical support to the company's other employees in the US and abroad and is able to work from home, and so far he's really enjoying his new position. I am still working as an official court reporter for DC Superior Court and really like my co-workers and supervisors, which makes going to work a pleasure. We still enjoy living in Alexandria, VA, although we haven't put down roots yet, as we haven't yet been able to sell our house in Boulder. Fortunately, we have good tenants in Colorado that enable us to cover the mortgage and property taxes there while living in the east.

Eve moved to Spain last September to teach English in a small-town elementary school. Her contract runs out at the end of May, but she most likely will renew it to teach in Spain again next year, most likely in a different part of the country. She's hoping to be assigned to Barcelona or an area near there next year. She's also finishing up a documentary on head injuries that she filmed as a volunteer last summer when she was in DC, and she and her friend, Ben, are putting together a series of humorous webisodes which will debut online in May.

Diana and Allison are looking forward to graduating this May, Diana from Goucher College and Allison from University of San Francisco. Allison will receive a bachelor's in environmental science, and Diana will be getting her degree in philosophy. We're hoping to take a family vacation during the first part of June to celebrate their academic success and the end of an era of tuition payments. After that, we'll see where life takes them. Their future appears bright but is not yet well-defined.

Love to all of you,
Julie

DAGNE & SONS: Below--Neil, Dagne, and Billy

Below: Patrick