Christmas is ‘family home for the holidays.’ Eric’s family flew in from New York. Gabriel and Brittaney from Oregon. Brendan from Georgia. Carolina Damm bussed in from San Francisco (she is the granddaughter of cousin Wilhelm’s family in Germany).

Unfortunately, Kristin’s family did not join us because Michael’s father recently passed away. Kyle (Brittaney’s husband) was working, so missed the fun. Allen, Kiana, and Harley were home in Hawaii with our newborn great-grandson, baby Barrett.

Our greater Southern California family gathered at cousin Bob and Susan Chaffin’s home to sing in the holidays—54 people. Click HERE to view us singing—the Twelve Days of Christmas, Oh du schöne Schnitzelbank, and most Christmas songs in Frank’s songbook.

Brittaney, Gabriel, Brendan, Cindy and Fritz

Cindy and I are active in our community. I coordinate classes for the senior’s program at OLLI-California State University Fullerton and help members publish their books. I published some of my stories, “In 500 words” now available at Amazon. I dance with the OLLI Flash Mob for charitable organizations in Orange County. We are square dancing—coordinating classes on Monday nights and dancing on the weekend—there are always square dances to go to.

Cindy had her hip replaced last May (she broke it last year, and it was pinned; however, she was always in pain)—now she is getting around fine. Recuperation prevented her from helping at Patriot’s and Paw’s organization, which provides furnishings and household items to our deserving veterans. However, she was always helping friends downsize and donate to her many charities. Cindy is the First Vice President of the Fullerton Republican Women’s group. She also teaches fifth-grade students at Chapel on Wheels every Wednesday during lunch hour.

In February, we spent a week at the Grand Mayan Riviera Maya in Cancun, Mexico, with a side trip to Chichén Itzá. In May, we sailed on the five-masted Royal Clipper from Lisbon, Portugal, to Malagá, Spain, with ports in Portimão, Cadiz, Tangier, and Gibraltar. Later in May, I flew to see Kate graduate from Oberlin College in Ohio. In August, I visited Kristin’s family in Texas.

In September, we celebrated brother Frank’s 80^th birthday in Oregon. Later in September, we flew to South Africa via Dubai—visiting Cape Town, Honeyguide Safari, Mala Mala Safari, and Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe. In October, Jann Döwaldt and his mother, Ulrica, visited us—Jann is the grandson of Wilhelm Damm). Cindy flew to Hawaii in November to see our great-grandson Barrett, great-granddaughter Harley, and proud parents Allen and Kiana. Whew—we logged nearly 30 flights and learned not to go to Heathrow Airport in England or Tambo Airport in Johannesburg. (click on the blue titles to view videos)