The year 2000 has brought us many blessings with the promise of many more in the coming year.

    The year started off with visits by Vice President Gore and Governor George W. Bush in the same week at Indian Hills, creating a little havoc in Sue's workweek. Who would've dreamed back then how things would be today?

    Early in February, Bert discovered a very large hernia and we ended up spending our third anniversary in the Ottumwa hospital having it repaired. How romantic!

    Also in March, Sue got a visit from a college buddy she hadn't seen in almost 14 years. Sue and Leslie had been emailing each other frequently for more than a year when Leslie came back home for a visit to Centerville. It's too bad their visit couldn't have lasted longer.

    Bert had another very successful racing season. We raced approximately 65 nights at more than a dozen different tracks in three states. Unfortunately, because he missed at least one night at our weekly tracks and the series races, his point standings finishes don't accurately reflect his season. He managed to win a record (for him) seven features this year. The highlight of our racing year was a trip to Abilene, Texas, in October, where Bert finished second in the final night's feature. And instead of picking up souvenirs while we were there, we left one ... our motor. But we still had a very good time and Bert's mother and stepfather were able to join us for the 3-day weekend.

    Bert reached the two-year milestone of self-employment this summer. McDaniel Racing Enterprises continues to grow and we're continuing to have success in our car-building endeavors. This year a driver with one of our hobby stock cars won three track championships, while two others (one hobby stock and one stock car) won rookie of the year honors.

    Sue will celebrate her third anniversary at Indian Hills Community College just after the first of the year. She continues to expand her computer knowledge and wonders how she'd ever go back to working more than four days a week!

    We're planning to spend the holiday season in Phoenix with Bert's mother and stepfather. Wouldn't you know that when ISU's football team finally earns a bowl game berth, it would have to be fate that they would end up Phoenix at the same time! We're planning to attend the game if we can get tickets, so watch for us on TV!

    During the holiday season, we take the time to reflect upon our many blessings. One of the ones we're most thankful for is the blessing and gift of your friendship. We want to wish you and your family the most blessed of holiday seasons and the happiest of new years to come.

The McDaniels - Sue and Bert