We love Autumn or "Fall" in Texas. The weather is sunny and mild - still warm enough to swim but getting cooler in the
evenings. We have just had Halloween which is a major celebration in the US, and are now looking forward to Thanksgiving.
There has been so much going on since our last update but we'll do our best to fill you in!
The new photos mostly cover our mega road trip we did back in July. 4500 miles over a couple of weeks. We spent a week
on the beach in the Panhandle of Florida, at a place called Destin, which is famous for its crystal white sand. We then drove
up to Savannah Georgia for a night, and then up through the Carolinas to Norfolk Virginia. We spent a few days around Virginia,
seeing some of the historical early settlements and Civil War battlefields, before we headed back to Washington DC. I (Dave)
had a conference there and Sue and the girls revisited some of their favorite spots while I was working. From DC we headed
to Gettysburg Pennsylvania which was an amazing place to visit as well. From there it was across Pa (via a quick stop in Punxsutawney)
and then up through New York state to the Niagara Falls. We then cut through Canada across to Michigan where we spent a few
days with Lynn and Gerry (brother in law Rob's parents), before we drove back to Dallas via Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee and Arkansas.
All up we crossed 17 states and Canada and made a whole bunch of new memories.
We then moved into our new house in August and are only just now finally finishing the unpacking. But it is great having
the extra space and the pool, which has been a blessing in the heat of a Texas summer!
Working at Abbott Diagnostics is still keeping me very busy. I am about to head off for a week in South Africa and
Germany, and then in December will be going to some meetings in Kuala Lumpur and Sydney, and will spend a week back home catching
up with family and friends. I am still trying to play golf regularly and my Scottish mate (also known as Dave) and I
are getting out at least every 2 weeks. The game is slowly improving and I can usually shoot in the mid 90's now (depending
on how many Mulligans I am allowed) :)
Sue as always continues to be actively involved in helping with both girl's schools (library, banking etc) and spending
time with her friends in the neighborhood. She is now the team coordinator of Emma's Lacrosse team, helping the new coach
with all of the organizing. We have a wonderful group of friends and there is always someone having a neighborhood BBQ or
get together on a Friday evening.
Emma and Erin are growing up before our eyes and have become beautiful young ladies. It is incredible to see how
quickly they are developing and enjoying life and we are so happy to see their thirst for knowledge, reading and God developing.
Emma is in her final year of the Aussie equivalent of primary school - grade 6 and Erin is in grade 2. Erin has being playing
outdoor soccer and I have been helping coach the team this year. Emma is in Lacrosse training (Their season starts in March)
and she is also learning the oboe for school band. We just went to their first performance during the week and she did a fantastic
job! The three of us are still enjoying doing Indian Princesses as well. This year I have a nation role as the Nation Sachem
(spiritual leader) and we are enjoying being involved in all the ceremonies.
Please enjoy the photos and stay in touch - we miss everyone and love hearing from all y'all.
Love to you all,
Dave and Sue
(see photos below)
