Christmas ver. 2016

I almost skipped the annual letter this year, but David had an attack of nostalgia and requested my skills, so, here it is.

As with most of our hobbies we've shared over our lives (scuba, hot air ballooning, etc.) we've invested a lot of time and money into our current pursuit of photography.  We've taken some great trips this year (Burma blog, Cuba blog, Mongolia blog) in what some might term 'emerging' countries. We've developed a little group of travel pals through these trips and are looking forward to new adventures in the coming year.

I thought my camping days (which meant we really couldn't afford a five star hotel) were over back in our 20's.  Wrong!  Mongolia found us in tents with alternative restroom facilities in order to meet an amazing group of Eagle Hunters.  What you say, people hunt eagles??? No, they hunt with eagles and boy it is quite a sport.

Myanmar (sometimes referred to as Burma) is an incredibly beautiful country which I would highly recommend to anyone looking for adventure travel but also wanting a nice bed with hot water in the morning. Electricity seems to be optional, but everyone seems to have purchased generators as a work around.  Old Bagan is a blast from the past with thousands of ancient Buddhist temples dotting the landscape.  However, I made a huge mistake eating a 'sandwish' (I kid you not, David has the pictures to prove it) in the airport on the way out of the country which resulted in a few days of, lets say, discomfort after we got back home.

Our latest trip to Cuba is a whole different story when it came to creature comforts.  Do you remember the bed in your dormitory that was billed as a super twin?  Well, that's what passes for a queen in Cuba.  David and I haven't been this close in years!  Water, amount and temperature, was optional throughout the country.  I was never so happy to return to my scalding hot, full pressure shower as upon our return from Cuba. 

Enough of travel stories, lets get down to what you've really came here for: boring family updates and embarrassing bragging that is the heart and soul of a good Christmas letter.  Let's get the pet update out of the way first.  We lost the boss of the family this Spring when our beloved Cali took the rainbow bridge to the other side.  We were truly lost since she had made all the major decisions around our house (how late we were allowed to sleep, hair styles, food choices) for the last 12 years. In walks Bailey, our new tuxedo ball of fire.  Not big on snuggling, she is a party girl wanting to play anytime she can find a willing participant.  She's like having a 5 year old again with ADHD!

And last but not least, the shameless kid update.  The biggest news of our year is the addition of a new CPA to the family.  Jason outshone his mother in both scores and time in passing the test this year.  As parents, we sometimes underestimate how motivating family competitiveness can be. Jason's wife, Alexa, is graduating this month from the University of Tulsa with her MBA.  Brandon, still living in Atlanta and working as a consultant, now fully understands the joys of home ownership. He's a much better house guest since he now cares whether the dishes make their way to the dishwasher and his bed gets made every morning.  

We are truly feeling blessed this year having wonderful family and friends in our lives.  Here's wishing you and yours a Very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Tammie & David