This has been a year of journeys in the Saratoga Springs Andrus household. We went to Catalina Island in the spring and then later to Texas to watch the eclipse. During the summer we visited Chicago, Boston, and Palmyra visiting family and (Avery) singing in a few choir concerts with Millennial Choirs and Orchestras. Ivan took work trips to Romania and to San Jose California. We also took some smaller trips, for example, to Bear Lake and Montana. But, as we all know, the real journeys we took are the metaphorical journeys of our lives.

Ivan took a journey through a distant land named Shingles. Despite what you might have heard, it’s not a journey he’s eager to repeat. On a happier note, he helped his mom finish her journey of proof-reading and publishing a book by the inimitable Vance Stevens. He continued the 1/8-th scale journey of the Utah Live Steamers train club—going forever in circles at Shay park.

Rachel has been wandering through the thankless wasteland of motherhood for many years and still hasn’t found the exit. But really, she’s the one who enables all these journeys. Recently she has finally had some time to start thinking about what journeys she wants to take for herself.

Avery’s now a full-fledged driver, which has helped her on many of her journeys this year. She also started the journey of working for “the man” by getting a job at Yonutz, a dessert store selling shakes and “smashed” donuts with ice cream in the middle. Avery visited the strange land of girl’s camp and lived to tell the tale. Her journey on the Cross Country team culminated with a trip to California and the award for Most Improved. She knows that the real treasure is the friends we make along the way.

Evelyn finished the journey to her Silver Award for Girl Scouts, but is still in the middle of her journey to become the world’s greatest equestrian vaulter. She took a jaunt to a multi-school Honor Orchestra concert, and also traveled to Girl’s Camp, then to FSY, then finally back home, exhausted but sated.

Hazel is hot on the heels of her sister in the equestrian vaulting journey. She took a trip into the land of mentoring fellow students, but decided it wasn’t the place for her. Then, she snuck across the border of the land of double-digit-age and, so far, hasn’t found it necessary to return. She swam through The Little Mermaid’s territory in her grade school play, and is just now flying into the land of Agrabah to help Aladdin.

Martin journeyed up and down the soccer field many times this year (two separate seasons) and began the journey of full-day school. He also ventured into the land of ivory tickling which he had tried to do even before getting lessons.

May all your journeys be safe this coming year.

Love,
The Andruses
Ivan, Rachel, Avery, Evelyn, Hazel, and Martin