After the photo of the guys last year, here are the dolls.

Debbie is happiest in CO when the snow falls and Mother Nature flocks the world, so this is her favorite time of year. She spends time with her mother, Mary Gernert, when Mary's busy schedule allows, and she looks forward to her rather infrequent victories over Mary at Scrabble.

Heidi loves her work as an Oncology Nurse in CT. She says her patients couldn't be nicer. The UCONN men's basketball team swept the Big East tournament by winning five games in five days and then went on to win the NCAA tournament. As their Strength and Conditioning Coach, Chris was featured in a New York Times article about his innovative use of technology. Evan is a senior in high school, and he is their first to go through the college application process. Alex and David are big sponges taking all of this in.

Molly is the ultimate multi-tasker in CA. She juggles Van and Marty, real estate, their active social life, and beach volleyball among other activities. Bill has added a very successful catering business to his three Mexican food restaurants. Look for the big red Guerilla Urban Assault Catering (GUAC) truck if you find yourself in Hermosa, Redondo, or Manhattan Beach. He filled out an entry form for her in a drawing, and she won a trip for the two of them to Fiji. Now they just have to figure out when they can get away. Debbie and I are ready, willing, and able to mind the boys while they are gone.

My mother, Peach Janssen, continues her active life in San Antonio. I had an interesting cultural experience this fall. I was invited to speak to a management class at Colorado College on Nov 11, Veterans Day. They were a school that epitomized the liberal in liberal arts when I was a cadet, and I didn't know what to expect. I was pleasantly surprised by the warm welcome and active class participation I got from their students and the number of veteran related activities being held on campus. How times have changed.

We sorely miss the many friends and family members who aren't with us to enjoy the holidays.

Carl and Debbie