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The moment of the year was Chip's marriage to Laurie Kessler on June 18 in Rockville MD . We were grateful for the wonderful turnout from family and friends; it was a lovely day, couple, ceremony, and celebration. And, if you haven't figured it out by now, it's not just the bride and groom who are joining hands, but their combined families. The McGowans are proud to call the Kesslers as family. For you web-enabled, here is a collection of photos from the weekend. The newlyweds are looking to move out of their West-side NYC apartment and here to NJ shortly after the first of the year.

This is a year of changes for these McGowans: Katie returned home from a two year adventure in Seattle; her work at a law firm was instructive, but not lucrative. Her return to New Jersey has been rewarded by a recent excellent score on her graduate records exam in math. She's comfortable, if not surprised at how close the apple falls to the tree! Her opportunities for graduate school are now open wide.

Mom accompanied Katie on the reverse-Steinbeck trip just after labor day, stopping in Oregon to see the Myers, Denver to see Rich Ralicki, the Twin Cites with Marty's family, Chicago, and the Pittsburgh area to visit the Ralicki's and recently relocated Viscontis.

Pat is in the midst of big changes. She took advantage of the time off this spring to prepare for Chip's wedding, Looking for work, and just after Thanksgiving, thanks to Fran Craig, she connected with Cigital as a quality and software test consultant. For the month of December, she's been staying with Fran and Scot near Leesburg VA , and commuting to the job back in MD.

In the unchanged department, Maura and Mark (Domashinski) continue in their respective teaching jobs, and now have a year in their new home in Matawan NJ . It's a nice holiday (like this latest Thanksgiving) when Mom and Dad can visit their home.

And Marty continues as Technology Director at Benedictine Academy. He observes a real upswing in the morale, student effort, and not the least, athletic accomplishment this year. With job changes likely, he's glad to have shared a complete 4 years with the class of 2006.

Thank you for your prayers and support this past year; to the extent we've been able to share the same with you, we feel privileged.