Merry Christmas from JAAR, otr!!!

This is our Christmas card this year!  With the craziness of work schedules, family visits and living in our 5th wheel, cards didn't get out this year.  It was time to do a blog anyways!  So Merry, Merry Christmas to family and friends and Happy New Year's too!

Looking through the calendar to see our events is helping me keep it all together.  Since the last time I wrote, my mom and dad have visited.  We had a great time with them here and exploring new areas with them.  We introduced them to Rudy's BBQ, which we still think is one of the best (and quickest) BBQ's around these parts.  Jason especially loves the ribs and the moist brisket.  The problem is with many of the BBQ joints, you end up walking out of there smelling of smoke and want to go take a shower!  Our next spot to take them was San Antonio where we explored the Alamo, riverwalk and Tower of Americas.  All of us were surprised at the Alamo, how small it was, and all the history that is revealed within it.  We also finally did some wine tasting in Texas hill country and ate at Salt Lick BBQ (a must!).  It was nice to enjoy a few of the sights, but also to hang out and enjoy each others company.

We have spent some time exploring little bits and pieces of Austin and surroundings, but pretty much hanging out and staying warm.  Actually, we have gotten through the crazy weather by watching episodes of Modern Family....I think we are caught up now of the last 3 years!  We have had some extreme temperatures here: 85 one day, then 2 days later, 26!  We are getting all our cold outfits together for our trip to Europe in January!

Stormy nights!

Bundled up in Fredricksburg, TX (frozen fountain in the background)

My Aunt and Uncle, who live in Mammoth, CA visited us for a couple of days on their way to Georgia to spend the rest of their winter.  They stayed one night at our RV park, then moved closer into Austin.  We walked and walked and walked around Austin with them!  We had a nice relaxing time, and wish that we were following them to the Southeast in January.
Currently, Jason's Uncle and partner are visiting from the LA area.  They visited us in Salem, OR and now here.  I wonder if they will come wherever we go?!!!  We have enjoyed exploring the Capital building in Austin, the river walk in San Antonio (with lights this time!), and sneaking in a little hike.  Tracy's aunt lives in Austin, whom we met, and treated us to a wonderful lunch at the UT Club, with a sneak peek at one of the stadium suites reserved for those that give over 6 figures to the University!  Andre's already saying he wants one (do they ever grow out of that!).  Wouldn't you know, this is our last week here, and we never got to a game :(

Tracy, Ted and the boys in San Antonio, TX

3rd time visiting and we finally see the lights on display in San Antonio, TX

Boys are drooling over the stadium suites.....

Our time here is winding down, with this being my last week at work (24, 25, 26---augh!!!).  We are now looking forward to the next month which is filled with new and fun things.  We are planning on visiting my cousin in Dallas for a couple of days before heading out to Paris and London with Jason's mom and brother.  And, if that wasn't enough, we are going on the road again with our next adventure  in Phoenix, AZ late January!  Our plan was to go to the Southeast (Carolina's), but there were only a couple of jobs available for me (that paid enough $), and most of the RV parks were full for the winter already.  So, we tried the Southwest and got lucky.  We found an RV site first, and then the job came after.  We are all looking forward to getting warm again and enjoy seeing places in the Southwest.
This has been another whirlwind of a year for us (and our families n friends)!  We have been able to do it all through the love and support of those around us who are keeping us going, keeping us sane, and keeping in touch!  We are looking forward to Phoenix, but never know where we'll end up after that.
Stay tuned to find out, meanwhile, enjoy the pictures and have a great holiday season!
Love, The Grosdidier's