Happy Birthday, Dominic (& Happy New Year, too!)

We're off to the Jennings to celebrate Dominic's birthday and to ring in the new year. I pray you all have a safe and fun evening, and a glorious 2009!

Christmas in Texas

We arrived in Denton on Monday instead of the planned Tuesday because we were having some problems with the water heater and pump, so instead of boondocking for the night we started early in the morning from Pecos, TX and pushed on, arriving about 4:30.  We have been assigned the best spot in the RV park where we stay, so it should be a comfortable visit.

Tuesday Dianna made cookies with the grandkids and Dom spent the night with us.  He really misses his Papa and Nana when we are gone.  Wednesday Dianna did some last minute shopping and baked some pies.

Christmas is sure different when Santa does not come.  We got up at 8 and arrived at Jennings about 9.  Chris was the only one up!  It never worked like that when I was a teen.  We opened presents and everyone had nice things.   The Jennings family gave me a Sony Blu-Ray player and also a new Sony receiver which they said was for my birthday.  Although the gift tag had my name on it, it is a gift we will both enjoy very much.  The 1080P images on our 42 inch Sony Bravia TV and the surround sound in our small apartment sized home are hard to beat.

We had a wonderful Honey Baked Ham Christmas dinner, and everyone ate more cookies and candy than wise.  We stayed at Jennings until early evening then went home to relax, and we have been relaxing ever since.  The past month has been quite stressful, with over 4,500 miles of travel and the emotions of the events.

We play to stay in Texas for at least a month, except for a trip to Tennessee to visit Darin's family.  That will probably happen around the second weekend in January.  We have not seen the girls in a long time.  Perhaps the fact that we are taking our boat to Darin will help make up for it.  They should all enjoy it on the lakes and rivers they have there.

Dianna has completed the Christmas letter, but it is not in the mail yet.  I hope no one will be disappointed by the fact that it is late, but for those who follow our blog it will not be anything new anyway.

On the road again

We attended Aunt Reah's services Monday and saw family leave Tuesday and Wednesday. There was a graveside service and a celebration of life Monday at Mike's church followed by a meal. Both services were poignant as we remembered her with much love and tears.

Greg left Sacramento at noon Wednesday & was to have a four hour layover in Las Vegas before the final leg into Buffalo. The plane circled Las Vegas but due to a heavy snow storm was unable to land so returned to CA and landed at San Jose. He was told he would leave at 6:30 the next morning and they would put him up in a hotel overnight. They ended up putting him on a plane for Birmingham, AL and he finally made it home at 3:30 Thursday morning!

We left Denair yesterday morning to return to Texas. It turned out to be a mildly eventful day. We woke up to news that there was snow in Malibu and the grapevine (the road over the Tehachapi Mtns that leads to LA) was closed! We were warned to take an alternate route but Richard kept driving south figuring they'd have to open the pass eventually as it was a beautiful, sunny day. When we got to Bakersfield we had to make a decision and were grateful to hear the grapevine had, indeed, just been opened. We were warned there were icy conditions to contend with but we had to get my folk's car back to them. Richard took Hwy 58 to Lancaster where we camp and I drove I-5 south to Mom & Dad's. I got there a little after 4:30, ate dinner with my folks and had a friend take me to the Metrolink station where I took the train to Lancaster. Richard & I were finally reunited about 8:30 that night.

We left Lancaster this morning and got as far as Quartzite, AZ. We will take five days to return to TX instead of the hurried three on our way west. We hope to be in Deming, NM tomorrow night - our longest day. It's been a stressful and sad three and a half weeks and we are anxious to spend the holidays with our kids.

Aunt Reah

My aunt went home to be with Jesus yesterday afternoon. Mike and his family were with her at the time but Judy and Carrie, sadly, weren't. Judy was taking her dad to a doctor's appointment and Carrie & I were at the cemetery finalizing things. The family is very sad but so glad their mom is out of pain and home with her Lord.

My sister, Julie, will drive up with my mom Saturday and Greg flies in Sunday evening to Sacramento. Visitation is Sunday afternoon and services will be Monday.

We appreciate your prayers at this difficult time.