Hey everyone!

We just got back from our way too short trip home. It was short for two reasons, we had to come back here to the land of sand away from all that green and we had to leave our precious newborn grandson "Alex".

We've attached a couple of pictures of him "attached to us". The one of him alone alone is him about 18 hours old, the rest are Jan and I and him and is proud mom , Rachel, and dad, David.

We arrived 24 hours late due to United screwing us up everyway possible, but got there in time for the big event. We got to see lots of our friends and get out to eat at a couple of our favorite places. For John the best was accomplishing his goal of being able to 'sit on his porch, drink a gin & tonic, grill ribs his way on his grill. For Jan it was being able to hold Alex just minutes after his birth and many times after that. She also enjoyed the shopping, we've several boxes of stuff in the mail to us here.

Rachel and David have done a very good job taking care of the house for us. Their conversion of the guest room to a nursery was gorgeous. We were amazed at the amount of stuff they had gotten at various showers, they think it is enough but they are in for a surprise as he out grows everything.

We got back here to much cooler weather, 80-90 deg (winter is coming here soon) and much to our surprise a big rain shower on friday, the first in a 1 1/2 years.

Our next trip is to Paris for New Years Eve. We have reservations on the Champs' Elysees, supposedly the party area. We'll be there for 3-4 days and plan to try to see it all. (we'll probably be in bed by 9pm worn out).

Hope you enjoy the pictures,

John & Jan