In Spite of COVID, the Van Schaacks have been busy in 2020. Our normal visits by family and friends were limited, but family and friends from all over the country got together using Zoom to celebrate Joyce’s 90th Birthday on July 30, 2020. It was great to be able to see and talk with everyone. Joyce and Jim also celebrated their 71st Wedding Anniversary on November 25, with family.

Joyce and Jim have also been busy with their genealogy research, watching meetings on Zoom. Joyce also continued her zoom aerobics. As always, she was busy with her Republican Club as we had an election this year. They found encouragement watching their churches virtual Sunday services most of the year.

Joyce has been busy with her DAR projects. This year they honored Veterans from World War ll. Joyce put together California Senate Certificates of Merit in recognition of Veterans Day and the celebration of the ending of WWll. They added to the certificates, DAR Honor Certificates, an interview and photographs for each Veteran and then after visiting their homes to present them.

Jim was featured speaker at this year’s City of Laguna Niguel Veterans Day Celebration on November 11, 2020. This year’s presentation was virtual so Jim created a 45-minute video about the war and the Occupation of Japan and the Tokyo War Crimes Trials. The video was shown on YouTube and Facebook. It can still be watched on the Laguna Niguel City website: www.cityoflagunaniguel.org/1270/veterans-day-celebration.

Son Chris came several times from Oregon to work and visit, staying at his friend’s home in Borrego Springs, CA where he is rebuilding his friend’s house. Jim and Chris have been working on plans for a house for Chris to build on his lot in Gold Beach, Oregon, if all works out. On November 22nd we all celebrated son Chris’ 60th Birthday on Zoom, this time with his friends from outside of the U.S.

Son Lee closed his construction business in early 2020. Enjoying retirement, he and Linda are working on their home and yards. They continue to visit us most Sundays for dinner and a game of Spinner. “It’s been a very challenging 2020,” says Linda, but luckily her grandkids live only 15 minute away. In August, they flew to Colorado to attend the wedding of the daughter of close friends from Twin Falls, Idaho. Then they flew to Helena, Clancy, Montana to spend a week with Nate, Kelly and Champ. They had a wonderful trip and realized why the kids like living there. Grandson Blaine and Amber are happily married, Blaine in his second year in the Air Force and is stationed in Arizona.

The De La Torre family is busy. All four kids are attending a private school and love learning in-person. Claire is a senior, plays softball, and runs cross-country. She is deciding what to do after graduation. Eva is a freshman and made the varsity volleyball team. She plays club volleyball as well. Sam is in 4th grade is a good student, and enjoys video games and playing with friends. First grader, Noah, is the clown of the family and keeps everyone laughing. He is inquisitive, always learning. Sean began a new job and likes the challenge. Dena is back to work delivering babies, which makes her heart smile. Joyce and Jim see all mostly on holidays, unless they get together to bake cookies and play Spinner.

Daughter Dana has been concentrating on her newest website, TheThinkingConservative.com as the websites viewership is growing exponentially. Check out her website and see what she is doing for our country. Also check out VanSchaackFamily.com. Grandson Adam is busy working at ATC designing user interface systems for smart buildings. He also continues to build custom computers. Granddaughter Natalie is working at Luxiam Chiropractic in Reno as a CA and loves her job. Great Granddaughter Kalliope is 6 and is homeschooling with Grandma Lisa, Mom and Uncle Adam. She loves to read, do crafts and wants to be a baker on the Food Network. She rode a horse for the first time. Nick and Caitlin have been learning to ride dirt bikes together. Caitlin continues to work hard as the finance director of a large account for JLL. Nick’s CrossThread Customs motorcycle shop in AZ continues to expand its services and now can provide Plasma CNC cutting along with motorcycle repair, restoration, maintenance and fabrication services.