We have had an eventful 2012. In February we visited our daughter Carolyn in New York City just prior to her moving to Carlsbad, California; in April we visited our son’s family (Michael, April, Mattox, and Morgan) in Tallahassee; in May we flew to Carlsbad to help Carolyn take care of her blessed and newborn miracle baby, Johnathan Michael Eugene; in June Mattox and Morgan visited for a week to attend Adventure Camp; in August we returned to Tallahassee to see those delightful grandchildren as well as my mother Jean in Panama City Beach, Florida; in October and November we again visited Carolyn and little Johnny in Carlsbad, then we flew to Colorado to attend the US Air Force Academy funeral and wake and of one of our dearest classmates and friends. As this hits the email server, we are preparing to drive all the way across the country to Carlsbad to celebrate Christmas and New Year at Carolyn’s house with our children and families. Along the way we hope to visit my 93-year old mother Jean, my brother Pat and Deana in Dallas, Texas, and some other friends. Wish us bon voyage please.

Retirement provides us opportunities to host guests here easily, and we also like to travel to see old friends and family too. So, perhaps, we can catch up over spirited conversation and an adult drink here or there before too long. As we embark on the new year, let us remember God’s many blessings and humbly commit ourselves to His service. Please keep our military men and women serving in harm’s way, as well as their families, in your thoughts and prayers. They serve tirelessly to preserve our freedoms and secure the blessings of this great nation of ours. Hope you have a Merry Christmas...and that you’re boldly preparing for the political and fiscal uncertainties of this upcoming year. God bless you all. Come see us, you hear!