Jan and I wish all our friends and family happy holidays from beautiful Gulf Shores, Alabama. Again this year the two of us want to take time out to touch base with those important in our lives. We send our very best to everyone this very special time of the year. The plan is to change up the mode of our holiday communication by foregoing the traditional Christmas Cards this year by going digital. Our web site allows for two way communication so let us know what is up in your life.

This has been a good year for us. Life in Traverse City is still great. Our decision to spend our winters on the Alabama Gulf Coast is standing the test of time. We are getting in touch with the South and the life-style in this part of the world. The community has welcomed us in true southern style and we continue to make many new friends all the time. Of course Michigan still calls us back every spring; especially when it starts to get really warm here.

After the first of the year we finally got to take a breath after finishing up the renovation and outfitting the new digs. Once that was checked off the list, the transition to being coastal snowbirds came easily. When we arrived back in October it seemed like home right off. However once March arrives our thoughts will turn to heading north so the cycle continues.

Our summer was great enjoying our time in Northwest Michigan. There was so much to do we just ran out of time. Our late summer/early fall trip to Utah exceeded our expectations. If you have not done so, check out our web site for a blow by blow account of the trip. Right now our winter plans are on hold for at least two months or more as Larry recovers from major surgery on his shoulder two weeks ago. On that front things are looking good so it just gets down to physical therapy, patience and time.

Our travel plans are starting to take shape for 2016. On the short list are a month trip up the East coast in the spring and a two month trip to the Pacific Northwest late summer/early fall. We love to have guests so if you are near us do stop in…we always have an extra bed or two.

If you come this way you will find there is plenty to do. If you like the beach, you will find the sun, surf and sand to your liking. Everyone here takes a week off during Mardi Gras. If you like to party there is plenty to do. Last winter we made trips to the National Naval Museum (home to the Blue Angels) and the USS Alabama. If you come this way we would love to go again.

As I stated earlier, our life in Michigan moves fast. There was lots to do around the homestead. We tried to get everything on the list done but the bike trails, the sand dunes and the micro-breweries seem to call us away all too easily. It was great to get together with the Snyder’s at brother Dale’s cottage and we hope we can do it again next year. We love the yard in Michigan and wish that we could duplicate here in the south but living in Condo limits us on that front.

Those of you that are close to us already have heard about the new Rpod which did not work and the last minute purchase of our Airstream. By the way we love it and it was worth all the pain and agony we went through.

Here is a collage of photos from our trip. We loved Utah and had a great time getting there and the final leg back to the Gulf Coast in October. The side benefit of the trip was catching up with Brother John and Brother Duane along the way.

Well here we are back on the coast. Going to the beach every chance we get.

Happy Holidays to all of you as Jan and I celebrate the reason for the season!

God Bless,

Larry and Jan