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DON & JUDY

Don and Judy have known each other since they were four years old, growing up only eleven houses apart in a little place called Inverness in Dundalk, Maryland. Don was born in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, September 30, 1940 and Judy in Hanover, Pennsylvania, September 19, 1942. After high school graduation, Don served six years in the U.S. Navy (three years active duty and three years stand-by reserve), with assignments in Bremerhaven, Germany, and aboard two attack aircraft carriers, the USS Franklin D. Roosevelt (CVA 42) and USS Intrepid (CVA 11). Judy worked three years at the Social Security Administration. The couple were wed on June 30, 1962, with Don continuing work for the Department of Defense and Judy devoting her full time to raising our two daughters, Karen and Kim. Don attended the University of Maryland where he received a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration and George Washington University where he received a Master of Science in Administration Degree. He retired from the Pentagon on January 1, 1996 after 38+ years. Don and Judy love to take their travel trailer to different spots. They have crossed the country three times, in 1996 via the southern route, in 1998 via the northern route, and in 2001 when they spent lots of time in Texas, New Mexico and Arizona. The three trips encompassed over 31,000 miles! They have visited every state but Alaska (which is in the planning stage). Judy likes to sew, garden and collect glass butter dishes. Don spends most of his time outdoors riding his leased Pinto JJ, fishing, hunting and target shooting (paper and clay targets in skeet and trap). He is a Maryland firearm education and hunter safety instructor. "Grammy and Pa" adore the boys and spend as much time with them as possible. Here then is the family:

KAREN & KEN

Our daughter Karen and Ken were married on Mother's Day, May 10, 1986, at Sacred Heart Church, Bowie, Maryland. It was a beautiful day and Karen was certainly a beautiful bride. Dad was never more proud then when they played "Daddy's Little Girl," and father and daughter danced together, perhaps for the last time. The kids honeymooned in Bermuda and their description of the Island convinced me that Judy and I must get there some day. Ken works for Riggs Bank and Karen is a dedicated mother who, having stopped working outside the home, now devotes her entire effort to the welfare and well-being of three very active boys.
Ken obtained his Brown Belt in the Korean Martial Arts of Han Guk Mu Sool. The test consisted of forms, an oral question period, falling techniques, light contact sparring, and breaking cinder blocks (3) with the fist and boards (2) with a flying kick. Ken was focused and did a great job

STEVEN

Steven is 11 years old and headed for the sixth grade. We had the good fortune of being able to watch him every day for almost five years while his mom, Karen, worked. It was because of this daily contact that a very special bond developed between him and his Grammy. Steven studies Han Guk Mu Sool at the same Do Jang his daddy and brother Dylan attend. We saw him test for each level (white; white with yellow stripe; yellow; yellow with green stripe; green; green with brown stripe; brown). For the Brown Belt, Steven had to perform required "forms"; count to 5 in "old" Korean; recite in Korean the names for his uniform, belt and studio; and break two 1" boards with one fist punch. Steven was very active in the Cub Scouts and proudly wore the rank of Webelos. He won the 2nd place trophy in a box car derby championship "race off" and took 1st place in the Rain Gutter Regada, sailing his homemade boat down the track well ahead of the competition. Steven joined the Boy Scouts this year and went on an overnight trip with his Dad and troop to Pennsylvania where they explored a cave. Last year, he won second place in a Knights of Columbus poster contest, winning $50 for his entry. This year he took 1st place, the $100 cash award, and his poster is entered in the State finals. He played second base on the youth group baseball team last year, as well as first year soccer! Grammy and I tried to make it to all the games. Steven's mechanically inclined and builds intricate things using the advanced Legos kits. The big thing now is Poke'mon. Ken and the boys are all into it and enjoy collecting and trading their cards.

DYLAN

Dylan is 7 years old and enters the second grade this year. Cute sayings over the years included, "Let's make a deal," "Can I come to 'yours' house," and "Will you come to 'mine' house." His favorite hobbies are computer games and Poke'mon. In sports, he loves to kick the soccer ball and will probably join a local team at a later date. Dylan started martial arts last year and has advanced to the Gold Belt with green stripe. For this, he had to perform his required forms, count to 10 in Korean, and break a 1" board with his hand (he also broke a board with his fist). Boy, is he proud of that! Ken has made a display for these "trophies." Dylan also has shown an interest in basketball and music. It's hard being the "middle child," but Dylan definately is an individual and is making a mark for himself.

RYAN

Ryan is 4 years old and remains one of the happiest children I have ever seen. From day one, he's been full of smiles, and it's a rare occasion when tears take the place of his adorable grin. This guy loves to eat, and never has to be called twice. I say he's a chip off the old block, but quickly add that the block is from Ken's side of the family. Sometimes I call him "Little Al" because I think he resembles Ken's dad. He's picked up quite a vocabulary from his older brothers and talks up a storm. His second Christmas was especially exciting for him... he was amazed by the tree lights and picked out his favorite ornaments. When it came time to put them away, he fussed like the dickens...two months later he was still saying, "Pa, nutcracker gone." I wear western wear and Ryan's become "Pa's cowboy." He started off walking around in my boots, legs bent in typical rider fashion and mimicking the cowboy drawl. He's got his own outfit now (hat, shirt, vest, star, chaps, boots, belt, holster and gun). I've had him down to the barn to meet JJ and the other horses, and he's starting to warm up to those big guys. This year he went to the rodeo with Grammy and Pa and was all smiles as the cowboys and clowns did their thing. He tells his mom he loves the "radio." We bought him a new brown hat to match Pa's, and a set of real spurs for under the Christmas tree. Woody and Buzz Lightyear are his favorite pals and you seldom see him without them in tow. He also loves trucks and trains. When his mom was little she ordered up a tractor instead of a three-wheeled bike and we still have it at the house. Ryan's adopted it and doesn't come to Grammy's without putting a few miles on it.

KIM

Our daughter Kim was salutatorian of her high school class and was selected as a Maryland Distinguished Scholar. She attended the University of Maryland and is now a graphics designer in an art studio in Georgetown. Single, she devotes most of her energy to her work and spending as many hours as possible with her nephews.

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