This year Ryan and Britta are off for Buffalo, New York, to celebrate with Ryan's family.  This will be our first trip to see them since Ryan's parents moved there.  We're looking forward to spending time with the extended family in New York.

Friend Tori participates in a memorial vigil for the 112 homeless who died in Denver in 2004.  This is one of the events the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless organizes each year.

Ryan continues stable employment as a Software Engineer at Comprehensive Software Systems.  He writes software that is used by brokerage firms to work with their clients. This last year he has done some consulting for Wells Fargo and is writing a new Document Production system. He enjoys his co-workers and the view from his office building in Genesee.  The all-wheel-drive on the Subaru Forester has been very helpful on his commute to the foothills.  Often it will be snowing at his work while nothing is happening below in Denver.

Britta spent most of this year as the Executive Director for Housing Justice!.  This affordable housing non-profit had a very busy 2004.  The big program was the People's Walk for Housing Justice, an 11-week, 850-mile walk around Colorado to raise awareness about the struggle 200,000 households in Colorado have to find housing they can afford.  Many friends, including #1 supporter Ryan, and the Monson-Alms family joined in the Walk throughout the summer. After two years of having grown the staff, budget and a little walking around Colorado, Britta gracefully exited Housing Justice! for a new opportunity.

Britta became the Fair Housing Program Manager for the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless in Sept.  The bulk of her job involves training people across the state on Fair Housing law and managing the Fair Housing HUD grant.  As part of her work she helps put on educational events and participates in advocacy, including being spokesperson for the Colorado Housing Trust Fund.  Britta was very pleased to be selected as a panelist for the Colorado Blue Ribbon Panel on Housing.  The Trust Fund and Blue Ribbon Panel are likely to keep Britta hopping in 2005.

Grandma Norma and Britta

Wow, what a busy year it has been for our siblings and family.  We drove back to MN five times in 2004!

Garrett celebrated confirmation. Greta graduated from the University of Minnesota - Morris. In June, Krista, Lauren and Tabitha all graduated from high school.  We were able to make it back to MN for their parties and Ryan was the commencement speaker for his sister Tabitha's graduation.  Ryan was one of the early graduates from her high school, the Minnesota New Country School.

This year was a big year for the Fisher family with Paul, Sue, and Tabitha relocating to the state of New York. While both of the parents grew up in N.Y., none of the kids have lived there before. Jared is still living in Shakopee, and working in the printing business.

And just a few weeks ago we went back to Minnesota for an event that only happens once - Grandma Norma's 90th birthday.  It was a great time to see family and celebrate a great person.

Please keep Britta's uncle Jim in your prayers as he finishes a tour of duty in Iraq, coming home in February.

In 2005, Britta's Mom and stepfather are looking to adopt two young boys from Russia.  We'll let you know when Britta becomes the oldest of 9.

Our cozy quarters in the carriage house

Many of you have commented on our address for this year in the "carriage house."  We have been very blessed to have lived here since March due to a generous offer from our uncle Ted (well, sort of an uncle - he's Britta's mom's sister's husband's twin brother - uncle is easier).  Ted lives in this great house, which used to be the French Consulate, in the Capitol Hill neighborhood of Denver and we have lived in the carriage house (or above the garage).  We have considered it a great blessing and a wonderful down payment savings plan.

Well, we had hoped we'd be able to tell you about our new house, but things did not work out in 2004.  We have been searching for our first home purchase for a few months and had been under contract until last week.  But after the inspections, significant defects were found and the sellers were unwilling to negotiate. We walked away, not wanting to invest in a house with potential problems.  So it is our hope to find the right house early in 2005.  We'll let you know as soon as we do.

We're still loving it here in the Mile High city.  If the Broncos and the Vikings were living up to their potential a bit more, we'd probably be happier.

We are worshiping at Hope Community Church.  Ryan participates in the worship team and we are part of a great small group.  One of our favorite summertime activities was playing softball for the church's co-ed team.  It was fun to be the Fisher defensive duo in the infield.

Our favorite activities overall include exploring Colorado's beauty.  We love to hike, snowshoe and snowboard in the great mountains. In March we took a trip to Moab, Utah, and really enjoyed Arches National Park.  We vacationed in the early fall in Telluride, CO, a new favorite.

In 2004 we have enjoyed celebrating many births and weddings.  It's always wonderful to celebrate with our friends in their happiest moments.  At the same time, we've also bid a final earthly farewell to longtime friends and neighbors.  Let us always remember at this time of the year the great blessing of good friends and family.

We hope that you are spending a great holiday with your loved ones and wish you the best in 2005!

Blessings,
Ryan & Britta