Dearest Family & Friends,

Every year as we consider who is going to receive our Christmas
letter, we also reflect upon the friendship that we have with you. We
always enjoy receiving news about your lives and marveling at the
growth in your families. Hopefully this has been a particularly
splendid year for you.

In the last 4 years, we have added five and a half people to our
family. Jen gave us Benoni when they were married on December 30th,
2000. Since that time they have given us Micah (2-1/2 years old) and
Lucas (4 months old). Matt gave us Brooke when they were married on
January 20, 2001. Since that time they have given us Kylah (1-1/2 years
old) and over the July 4th weekend, they are expecting their second
baby. Our grandchildren have brought such a special joy to our family
and to our life. We are papa and nana, and all of our future plans seem
to evolve around events that we can enjoy with these sweet little kids.

This has been a very stable year for the Mettens. We have thoroughly
enjoyed our new home and the comfort it has brought to us and our
family. Greg has settled into an excellent small animal veterinary
practice near to our home. He also enjoys a few days a month working
with an old friend from veterinary school, Brad, who has been Greg’s
friend for over 30 years. Shelley continues to be given new
responsibilities at the UCLA Medical School. She was recently promoted
to Vice Chair of Education for the Pathology & Laboratory Medicine
Department as well as Director of the Division of Integrative Anatomy.

We have also enjoyed a wonderful year of having Jen, Benoni and kids
living with us. Benoni is teaching high school and working on his
Master’s Degree in Education. Jen is beginning her Ph.D. in Near
Eastern Languages and Cultures, but in addition, she takes care of
Shelley’s mom, Barbara. She also runs the house so that Shelley can
keep up at the Medical School. Every morning about 6AM, we hear the
patter of Micha’s little feet down the hallway toward our room looking
for papa so they can eat breakfast and watch cartoons together. Sharing
in these early days of growth with Micah and Lucas are so much fun for
us.

Matt & Brooke bought their first home this year in Poway,
California. Matt has now completed a circle. He was raised in Poway
from 1 year of age to 8 years of age and then we moved to Boston,
India, New York and L.A. Matt moved to San Diego and has now returned
to Poway. It is interesting the way life unfolds. Matt is happily
working all of his computer charm in his job and many other places. He
has become quite the webmaster. Brooke is enjoying being home with
Kylah and has recently received her license to do daycare. Kylah is the
most adorable baby girl. We treasure every moment we have with her. We
have begun taking Micah and Kylah to places together, like an amusement
park for toddlers, and they are forming a special little friendship. I
think we are going to attempt a visit to an aquarium at Christmas.

We have tried to get back in touch with old friends and family this
year and hopefully we can do even more next year. For those of you who
know Shelley’s mom, Barbara, she is still living with us. Her health is
failing some, but she is very happy being with her two great
grandchildren, her grandchildren and her children in our home. Four
generations in one home, very reminiscent of our India days!

We hope you have a restful, joyful holiday season.

Love, Greg & Shelley Metten