We hope this seasonal note finds you in good health, fine spirits, and surrounded by loved ones. After three frightening years and countless prayers we are so thankful to be able to say that her oncologist declared Carolyn’s APML leukemia cured, and she is back in great health. Heavenly Grace and Mercy exist around and within us everyday. We just returned from a family Christmas visit in Tallahassee, FL hosted by Michael and April, with Mattox and Morgan providing the entertainment, and we enjoyed lots of great cheer and happiness. Carolyn joined us from New York City, so all our clan were assembled in one house. We had a great family gathering with Pat and Deana, as well as Rick and Dianne, and their sons, Blake and Connor, and spent some quality time with my 92 year-old mother Jean in Panama City Beach, FL too. While we are rolling out exciting news.., and despite unassailable medical opinion that it could never happen.., Carolyn announced she is pregnant with a son who will arrive in May. We are delighted and have much to be thankful for. We really look forward to the new year.

Read on for a quick review of our year’s travels. In January we visited cousins, Amy and Larry, in Jacksonville as well as great friends, Bill and Donna, in Vero Beach; in May we visited Savannah, GA and later attended nephew Connor’s high school graduation in Tallahassee; in June we visited northern Virginia and great friends David and Suzanne; in July we attended a Jordan family reunion (Mom’s relatives) in St. Petersburg, FL; in September we entertained David and Suzanne here before we reversed course for northern Virginia with Brooke and Cathy, staying at Tim’s home, and together we all attended the successful Air Force vs. Navy football game in Annapolis; in November the vaunted six-some of Brooke, Cathy, David, Suzanne, Thuy and I made the trip of a lifetime to Hong Kong, Vietnam, and Singapore, then immediately upon return our family joined us here for Thanksgiving; in December we celebrated Christmas and New Year in Tallahassee with our children and grandchildren. We also visited Michael and April in Tallahassee on several occasions just to see how the grandkids were doing.... Whew, that’s just a summary.

Among the most exciting events of this past year was our 40+year-long-delayed trip to Vietnam with bookend stops in Hong Kong and Singapore. Our traveling companions were superb and completely gung ho about seeing or eating anything and everything. We got to see some of Thuy’s relatives in Hoi An and Saigon. We planned a fun-filled itinerary, stayed in nice, comfortable hotels (and on a junk on Halong Bay), enjoyed fantastic food, and marveled at the market economy of this Communist country. Changes were everywhere but lots of familiar sights and sounds reminded us of our previous time there. During our stay we visited Hanoi, Halong Bay, Hue, Danang, Hoi An, Nha Trang, Saigon, and My Tho in the Mekong Delta. In this top photo Thuy and I are enjoying a scenic boat ride on Ha Long Bay, Vietnam, one of the recently designated natural wonders of the modern world. Other photos capture more of the trip as well as other events of this year.

We remind you all that retirement provides us opportunities to host guests here easily, and we also like to travel to see old friends and relatives 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, remember God’s many blessings and humbly commit yourselves 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 had a Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, and that you’re boldly facing the delights of this new year. Come see us, you hear!