New "kicks" for a new year! Training is going well . . back and forth from outside to the treadmill depending on the changing weather. "Mother Nature" has been pretty good to us . . . so far!

Ted & Rose Anne bring in 2012 with the "First on the First" 5K . . . . 755 runners and walkers kicked off the new year in healthy fashion with a 3.1 mile walk/run starting at Ohio Health, Westerville and winding through Alum Creek Park. It was an unseasonably pleasant day for January 1 with clouds and 49 degree temp. Both of had the best finishing time in the three years of running this event! Following the race we were treated to a pork barbecue, cole slaw . . and Black-eyed peas for good luck . . . . our new year's resolutions . . continue to work on maintaining our health . . with God's Blessing! "Happy New Year!"

Merry Christmas to all!

Merry Christmas . . . from:

Mackenzie & Ellen; Luana & John; Ellen, Walker & Carolyn;

Brother & Sis; Colleen & Eli . . "woof!"

Henry gets an "Elf on the Shelf", better be good Hank! Mom, Dad . .and . . Santa are watching you! . . . Riley receives "THE SHIRT"! . . . Tess wants to open her Christmas presents... Hank wants to know "when do we eat?" . . . .

When you see Jack and Pete, you see Gary!

Christmas at Carolyn & Walker's . . . Thursday, December 29, Rose Anne and I enjoyed a special Christmas get-together with John and Luana; Carolyn, Walker, Jack, Ellen, Colleen, Pete, Maddie, and MacKenzie; Cara, Jim, Riley, and Alexis ; Wes, Jennifer, and Henry (celebrating his first Christmas). Hank is wondering . . "Where's Santa?" . . . and . . . what's up with the OSU sweatshirt Collie??? She confesses "when involved with gymnastics, that was her favorite school!"

Continuing on with the Holiday celebration . . . Well, you have to wash down the gingerbread guys . . . might as well do it with good wine and close friends . . Bob & Marsha; Rick & Sue; Steve & Donna; Randy & Helen! The expression "cake and gingerbread" in 16th century England was used to mean "pleasant." Yes, a "pleasant" evening was had by all!

"Rosie's Gingerbread cookie shop". . . Gingerbread dates back to the 15th century, and figural biscuit-making was practiced in the 16th century. The first documented instance of figure-shaped gingerbread biscuits appearing was in the court of Elizabeth I of England. She had the gingerbread figures made and presented in the likeness of some of her important guests. Are any of these in the likeness of our upcoming wine-night guests? Hey, that one looks like Bob North!

Merry Christmas!

(L to R) Mike's family; Mindy's family; Ted & all; Louie's family . . we wish Cecilia and her family a Blessed Christmas!

Everyone prepares to walk around the neighborhood and look at the Christmas lights and decorations! Grandpa must be shrinking!

Please tell me a story! Louie was especially amused with "The Big Book of Boy stuff"

"Look, Santa brought us presents . . . . ."