Where has the year gone?

First, I must apologize for slacking with the posts. I almost don't know where to start.

October brought Annie's first birthday. She definitely enjoyed her cake, presents, and being with friends and family.

October also brought sadness to our family when we said good bye to Dan's stepfather Don who had suffered a major heart attack in August. This attack was then followed by several other health set backs, and after much suffering Don passed away at Methodist Hospital at the end of October. Don was an amazingly caring and loving man. He will be missed, but we have comfort in knowing that he is finally at peace.

By November, we were very busy preparing for the holiday season. We spent Thanksgiving Day in Seymour with Dan's family and enjoyed this time together. We then traveled to Fort Wayne over the weekend to celebrate with my family too. We also caught a couple of football games too, of course.

With December came Christmas, and despite promises not to get carried away Claire definitely did not go without this season. We were happy to welcome Charlene to join us Christmas Eve and Christmas morning. I know we all appreciated being with family during this time of year. We had celebrated with the Rigsby's the weekend before. After family time Christmas morning, we loaded up and headed north to be with the Cummins clan. That is where we learned that my brother Matt proposed to Tamara. Welcome to the family Tamara! They are planning to marry in May.