My best Christmas gifts received were a visit and...

Ry in Pasadena

Reuben and Ryan

Ryan, Joyce and Reuben

Pete, George, Sheree and Ryan

...my digital photo viewer from Laura and Pat that you will find on my fridge highlighting a constant dissolve of various pixs of Laura, Pat and Ry...a home run of a gift.

I hope everyone enjoyed their Christmas. Mine was particularly special since I was able to spend it with Ryan. Ry has been working on a job site with Siemens in Las Vegas for the past month. Fortunately he had a few days off for the holiday and chose to spend it with his dad. We stayed busy visiting family and friends. Christmas Day was spent with Pete, Cathy and family...they filled our bellies with a month's worth of food! The next day we made the trip to the Valley to enjoy time with Joyce, Reuben and family. Saturday was filled locally with Temecula friends, especially those associated with Pete's car club. As someone that appreciates fast cars and the work put into the restorations, Ry enjoyed the day.

Ryan has left to head back to Sin City and those days spent with him seemed to go so fast. I am grateful though for the time I got to spend with him. As a parent you hope that you have prepared your children to take on life as an adult to the best of their ability. Years ago they accepted the baton that was passed off to them a lot earlier than they deserved, however, mostly due to their character and strong dose of good common sense, they have done very well and thus made me extremely proud of them both. I'm a very lucky dad to be blessed with my kids.

Laura and Pat have had a rough Christmas holiday due to the passing of Pat's Grandpa this past week. They have been and continue to be in our thoughts. Hopefully next year, families will be able to gather together around the holidays for happier reasons.

In closing, I appreciate all the gifts and friendships afforded me this past year...here's hoping 2009 is kind to all of you.