Texas!

The Siblings!

Another week has passed, and we have continued our journey through Oklahoma and into Texas. We enjoyed Sunday morning with Jack before continuing our trip. The drive down to Dallas went well, and Lucas welcomed us to their home for the week. Luc has accommodated us graciously, and we have tried to provide vittles for the week! Wendy and I have 'enjoyed' navigating around the high traffic thoroughfares of Dallas—quite a bit above our comfort level. However, we've successfully completed several shopping and touristy trips around town. Marti's car continues to perform admirably, and we've even learned how to work with the GPS. Luc and I got out for golf on Thursday. I'm still hurting quite a bit, so the golf was a tad tentative, but still very much fun. This weekend the weather has turned cold with overnight lows near freezing and daytime highs around 10°, so I don't expect to get out for any more golf. The markets were a bit surprised by the election results, and with the better than expected inflation data, investors piled into the markets and I enjoyed a good month this week. I haven't been following the sports as closely while we're on the road. Gushue did win the Pan Continental curling on the men's side, while Einarson settled for the bronze on the women's side. Jayhawks have opened the basketball season with two wins. Sooners lost another football game this afternoon, and the Longhorns lost tonight—sigh! Oilers and Leafs won their games today, while Pens lost in OT in Montreal. The family gathering is in full swing over at Viggo & Nancy's—thanks everyone for making it a memorable event. It was special to meet another nephew, Ken, at this event. 

Erica writes, "After some delays courtesy of the weather and a Westjet system crash, we got back to Saskatoon on Tuesday at 3 AM. We grabbed a few hours sleep at a Comfort Inn, then drove to PA. Haaken was more fortunate; he got home by 11 PM on Monday. Liam, Greg and Kiersten slept on the Airport floor in line for “customer service” which had an abundance of customers and a lack of service. Finally around 9 AM they got new flights and, since Greg and Kiersten wouldn’t leave for another day, a hotel room. Liam joined them for some proper sleep. Liam got into Regina at midnight Tuesday. Greg and Kiersten arrived back home on Wednesday at 5 pm. Eric is home this weekend, while I’ve taken off for our annual girls trip to Edmonton. This year we are attending The Price is Right, which should be fun. Thanks to my most wonderful cousin, Margaret Reil, we are saving on hotel costs! Thanks Dolly!"

Erin and Kristian are suffering through a pretty severe start to winter in Regina, but they're doing okay. The preliminary work is complete for the theatrical production that Kristian is in at school. They take it on the road for performances at several schools starting next week. He has also begun another season of curling. 

Travis and Joanna suffered the loss of their budgie this week. Somehow, it escaped the cage and the house. We are holding out hope that it will find its way back home before the cold out-of-doors prove too much for it. Otherwise, they are keeping very busy with work especially the Puckshots Photography side of the business. 

And that's about it for this week!