2012 Summary

For those of you who received my Christmas letter, most of this is a repeat.  I did manage to forget one of the "major" milestones in that letter which has been added here -- our Isaac hurricane event.  And I've finished up with the end-of-year events as well.  Hope you and yours have a wonderful 2013.

This year has really flown by!  We are all well and looking forward to yet another year to enjoy life in this world.

Tom was able to enjoy a “boy’s week” with his brothers and one brother-in-law at Big Bend in Texas.  His brothers met him on AMTRAK in Houston and continued onto Alpine where they drove the rest of the way.  Beautiful country and I understand they hope to make a return trip.  Tom began yet another role within Shell this year and is back doing what he enjoys and does best – technology forecasting.  He celebrated a “big” anniversary with the company as well in October. 

Aside from the “normal” activities of driving children, exercise, and Bible Study, I’ve had more than my share of health-related issues this year.  An MRI in January created a need for fluid drainage from my hip which was followed by the realization while (thankfully!) the joint isn’t septic, it no longer has any cartilage.  In October I underwent an arthroscopic procedure to remove bone spurs and clean it up a bit, but it’s looking like a new hip is in my near future.  The joys of aging.

Maggie completed her freshman year and is half-way thru the sophomore one.  She again ran track in the spring and cross country this fall, this year participating in a couple of the varsity-level races.  She volunteered at the JCC summer camp (100 hours are required for high school graduation) and really enjoyed the kiddos.

Abby’s now in 7^th grade and will be joining Maggie at high school in the fall.  Hard to believe I’ll no longer have any children in grammar school!  Abby continues to play the violin and once again participated in the JCC swim team.  She also enjoyed her 12-year-old trip with gramma and granddad – choosing to enjoy Chicago for a week with them.

We all enjoyed a visit to Houston over Easter to visit with Tom’s family (especially our newest nephew!).  The girls and I drove over and met Tom (who had been on a business trip and flew in).  Over the summer the 4 of us went to North Carolina where my mom’s family gathered for a week together playing in the lake, going to the amusement park, and hanging out.  Tom and I were then able to get away for a week together while the girls continued to enjoy time at mom and dad’s house.  In August we had an at-home “hurri-cation” due to hurricane Isaac which hi7 years to the date after Katrina.  Thankfully we suffered only minor damage (dad and Tom just finished fixing the fence and Tom replaces some shingles) though the week without power was a bit long, particularly when it got to be hot again!  Tom was very effective in using our generator and we lost almost no food from the refrigerator and were able to charge electronics and by the end of the week had a wall unit running AC in one room.  Finally, we spent Thanksgiving with Tom’s family in Concan, TX where we rented a house and enjoyed a few days of eating heavily and each others’ company.

Christmas was spent at home with my parents.  We were treated to a REALLY nice dinner at Brennan's on the 26th as well.  The girls, mom, and I hit the outlet mall for early b-day shopping one day as well.  I'm not so sure I'm well-rested for this time of the year, but it certainly has been fun and I wouldn't change anything.

Hope 2013 brings out the best in all of us.