The Johnston Family 2016 Christmas Letter

Merry Christmas 2016 and Happy New Year 2017 We had an eventful, but exciting year in River Landing, NC. Like the rest of you, for months we were mesmerized by the ugly presidential campaign. In February Bob had another shoulder surgery and lots of PT during recovery, but he’s now back on the golf course. We did a little traveling, at times with grandkids from Tallahassee, FL, and at times on our own. In August we visited Carolyn and little Johnny in San Marcos, CA for nearly three weeks. We hosted family and friends at our home as well. In October Hurricane Matthew caused widespread flooding and some damage to trees, but its most notable impact was the illegal immigration of a nine-foot alligator to the lake in front of our home. In May we placed Mom’s urn alongside Dad’s in a niche at Arlington National Cemetery’s Columbarium. We had a peaceful service, and all seemed so fitting. My brother Pat from Dallas, TX also joined us there. Bob turned 70 this May, and Thúy prepared and hosted a great party. This summer our two grandkids in Tallahassee, Mattox (9) and Morgan (6) visited us for two weeks. We took them to Boone, NC to sightsee and over-indulge at the Dan’l Boone Inn. They really enjoyed fun sites, like Tweetsie Railroad and Mystery Hill in Blowing Rock, the NC Zoo in Asheboro, the NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher, and their favorite, Defy Gravity Trampoline Park in Wilmington. What a ball for all of us. We hope to broaden our exploration next summer, during which we are considering a western states trip to see key national parks. Morgan, Thúy, and Mattox in jaws of a Megaladon Mattox, Morgan and buckboard drivers at Tweetsie Railroad Thúy and Johnny (4) at Disney’s California Adventure Park We are blessed by good health, great family ties, good friends and neighbors. As we always remember, there are Servicemen and women around the globe in harm’s way protecting our freedom and securing our liberty. May God protect them and their families as well as our own. Please stay in touch and come visit when able. Have a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Our contact information remains the same: Bob and Thúy Johnston

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