MERRY CHRISTMAS !

Yes, I said Christmas!  I know it is not politically correct to use that word, but by now you know being politically correct is not my “strong suit”.  

Christmas is the time we reflect on our blessings and those people who have touched our lives. 

For me, 2011 marked 30 years I’ve been married to my beautiful wife. She is and always will be “my love, my valentine”.

I feel very fortunate to have family and dear friends near by. Carol & I love to spend time with all of you.  I only wish the kids were closer! We are also blessed to have a new daughter (Jenna) join our family. Jenna and Daniel were married in September (see Daniel & Jenna’s Wedding). We are also proud to count Jenna’s family as our friends.

Master Winston continues to be a blessing to our entire extended family providing us with moments of joy, laughter, and just a little frustration for his mommy and daddy. Christmas is a special time for little boys. I certainly hope that it remains special to him for many years to come and that he will always hear the “bell ring”.

Speaking for the Jeep, he is grateful for a new “major contributor”. (see “A New Hope”) Indeed, it is this major contributor, Olivia, that encouraged me to update this site. I hope she likes it.  Olivia is not only intelligent, as evidenced by her exceptional grades, but by her choice of investments as well.  She is also very talented.  Here you see her as “Cogsworth” in Beauty and the Beast. Of course, she stole the show.  However, as often happens in life, “good” consorts with “evil”.  I have every confidence that Olivia will repel  these attempts to lure her to the dark side.

For the Jeep, other than a new contributor, another year means another dagger is thrust into well laid plans. Daniel (aka perpetrator #2), announced another CD is in the works for The Oak Creek Band. Once again, I've been told, by “She who must be obeyed”, that I want to be an "investor" for this next album. By now I guess we all know what that means for the Jeep. Personally, I think this whole "investing in your children's future" thing is way OVER RATED. 

Having said that, I truly do believe that these talented kids (The Oak Creek Band) are going to be successful in the music business. I  hope they believe it too!

So, this year I'm going to quote 2 of my favorite Christmas lyrics. One new and one old. The first directly relates to the dreams all my kids (Shannon, Daniel, Jenna, Kariyushi, and Michelle) are pursuing. I'm very proud of all of them and feel very blessed to have them in my life. So in the words of Glen Ballard and Alan Silvestri as sung by Josh Groban… “Believe"

“...Believe in what your heart is saying
Hear the melody that's playing
There's no time to waste
There's so much to celebrate
Believe in what you feel inside
And give your dreams the wings to fly
you have everything you need
If you just believe”

Of course Christmas is not Christmas without Nat. So in the words of Mel Torme as performed by the golden voice of Nat King Cole.     The Christmas Song

“...And so, I'm offering this simple phrase
To kids from one to ninety-two
Although its been said
Many times, many ways
Merry Christmas to.. You!”