We're "on the road again" after a couple of weeks off to spend time with family during Christmas. We celebrated with my family at Mom's house on the 22nd, then with Jim's family at his mom's house on the 26th. It was great to see everyone and to remember how very blessed with are with our families. It was also nice to sleep in a real bed with a bathroom only steps away in the middle of the night (what luxury!) I finally got to see baby Ella (Adam and Heather's baby girl). She's a little angel and I hope we get to see her more often as she grows up.

We spent a few more days in Snyder and got to visit with Mom and Ronnie and enjoy some good home cooking. We also had a good visit with Troy and Triesta Lilly at mom's house before we headed to Junction, where we'd rented a cabin on the Llano River. Over the next 4 days, we were super blessed with getting to spend time with the kids (I know you aren't really kids, but to us . . . well, you know.) Doug got there first on Friday night, then Josh and Heather came on Saturday, Jonathan and Ashley that evening, and Jason and Tamara on Monday. We had the cabin through New Year's Day, so even though Josh and Heather had to head back home a day early, we had a good time with them and had everyone else there for New Year's Eve. We had a blast playing scrabble and card games and eating until we nearly popped. I think Heather cleaned up in Scrabble and we all improved our vocabulary, but I just couldn't be beat at spoons (one of my few and rare talents). It was so much fun. Tamara made some wonderful zukini bread, homemade dinner rolls, and jalapeno poppers. Ashley made some great potatoes with rosemary, and we just kept on eating all weekend. We also hiked up a short trail to a bluff overlooking Junction.

The cabin included a boat, canoe, and a couple of kayaks, so we got a little bit of time on the river. We got the guys paintball guns for Christmas, and the Heather, Ashley and I had to run over to Kerrville to get them some air cartidges. We had as much fun driving and shopping as they did with the guns, I think. On our way back, Ashley sent a text message to Jonathan telling them that I had been pulled over for speeding, no insurance, not tags, no inspection sticker, and no driver's license. (I really didn't have about 3 of those because we haven't been home to drive the Jeep in several months and forgot to get it tagged and inspected, and the new insurance card was in the truck). Anyway, she told them I was being handcuffed and that we needed them to come pick us up. We were actually sitting in the Jeep just a short way up the road from the cabin at the time. It was already dark, so we watched to see if they were going to take the bait. (see, we like to fish, too :0)

Josh and Jim jumped into Heather's SUV and we saw the headlights headed our way, so we decided we'd better let them know it was a joke. We were laughing so hard, we couldn't breathe, but I must say the guys didn't share our amusement to quite the same degree for some reason. They came around, though when I reminded Jim of a similar trick he'd played on a WTC student during a school trip a few years ago. I think they were just thrilled that they weren't going to have to bail us out of jail after all.

The next day, we piled in the car and ran over to Fredericksburg. Ashley and I walked around the shops while the guys went to get their CO2 cartidges filled again so they could shoot some more and so that Jason would have some for his gun when they got there. They had quite an adventure apparently, but I'll let Jim tell you about that one.

The guys did a little bit of fishing and tried out their paintball arsenal. It seems those little kritters hurt pretty bad when they hit you, so I chose not to join in those particular festivities.

Anyway, we had a great time and would have loved to have spent another week at home, but alas, we had to get back to work and so did they. Jim and I both got a little choked up after we left. Even though we probably see our boys as often now as when we lived in Alpine, it's hard being so far away all the time. We talk to them regularly, but we miss them anyway.

I think the perspective from a distance adds to a powerful sense of how much God has blessed us and in how many ways. Our cup truly runneth over in so many respects, and we wish the same for all of you and yours in the coming year.

Love and Happy New Year to all. . .