Holiday Highlights

Another Christmas brings joy and togetherness to most of the family Anderson.. When the boys hinted that they would NOT be able to come East for Christmas, I got a little panicky - I knew I had to be with as many of them as I could be. Dad (Babson) and I booked flights to Dallas and rooms near Davey's home. And what a time we had! Dallasites always seem to maintain a very positive attitude of success and more than survival. Maybe LaLa - but it certainly was fun to be there.


A three day trip to a place I lived for 16 years did NOT allow me to see all the great people that I wanted to see. I differed to Davey, John and Will to schedule Dad's and my time. I am sorry i missed so many, but please forgive... and come east to see me! It was a wonderful full three days. Let me share some photos that will catch you all up in a way the "dreaded Christmas letter" (thanks Jack Link for that phrase) used to in years passed.





The first "star" in my visit is and was Kinny! This is my Great grand dog! Davey adopted Kinny over Thanksgiving with a quick flight to Steamboat with a puppy carry on bag that came back full of Kinny. Kinny is the puppy of Silver who is Tyler's English Sheep dog which he adopted at age 2. Silver roomed with a standard poodle for his first weekend in Steamboat - and the rest is Kinny history. An Old English Sheep dog and a French Poodle - any suggestions for a name for this new Breed? It won't shed and could be a calm, smart, overly friendly pup - and Kinny is showing those signs. Here he is with Davey.

Here is a picture of Dad and John. John is living with Davey in Dallas and working at a couple of jobs on and off. Still not expressing his musical talent in a funded way - but he finds pianos in churches and plays his music much to the surprise and encouragement of anyone who happens upon him. this is a young man who thrives on having a piano at his fingertips and has proved incredibly resourceful to make that happen. Davey has extolled his prowess here - I regret that I couldn't get John to take me to one of his piano's - it was Christmas and they were being used for other things.



This picture was taken at the home of The Eddies who are new friends of Davey's from his restaurant experience at Nonna's.... whic came to an abrupt end two days before Christmas when the family owned business decided to cut Davey out of the manager's position! So goes the economy - but there are better opportunities around the corner.


Will arrived from Austin Christmas Eve Morning after having worked as many shifts at Carabba's as he could to earn money for his Christmas travels. He arrived the conquering hero of the year- as he has completed his degree in English at University of Texas at Austin and graduated earlier in December. I couldn't be prouder as he accomplished this amidst much adversity, attending a community college in Connecticut to get many credits taken care of at a discounted rate. After successfully transferring from Asnuntuck to UT Austin, he arranged the financing and worked for spending money while completing his last two years of his education. He did it and did it well!



Christmas Eve found us running around town surveying the shopping frenzie in Dallas. there doesn't seem to be much concern of economic uncertainty there. We spent a little time at the Salvation army (it was Wednesday - family day) and Northpark - such a dicotomy - we were living the appropriate paradox of the season. Fortunately we did the Northpark tour after most stores has closed - not that we were looking to spend anything. That Mall is truly unbelievable. It is probably twice the size as the last time I was there - but the stores have gone Madison Avenue upscale. The temptations could have been drastic.

Christmas Day was a time of visiting friends and sharing stories. Brunch was enjoyed with Jo and Joe Nichols and their daughter MiMi. The Nichols' have been Dallas parents for Will since we moved East. Mimi and Will have been close friends since kindergarten. I am so grateful for their support and friendship. Here's the gang in front of their tree.

To the right is my favorite photo from the brunch - Will, without any encouragement, washed the dishes after the great brunch Jo served! the College Graduate just quietly got up from the table, grabbled some dishes and positioned himself at the sink until all the dishes were done. Granted, he feels very comfortable in this home, as Jo and Joe have offered him a resting spot whenever he needs on in Dallas - and have for the last seven years.

To the left is Mimi, Will and Dave.

From the Nichols', we proceeded to the home of Susan and Emory Johnson. Susan was my first close friend in Dallas. She guided me into the new culture and we shared many laughs over the years about the differences between Texas ans New England. Will was 3 when we moved to Texas and her son Robert was beginning high school. Robert was tall then, and would lift a giggling Will up on his arm until he was exhausted. This picture shows the continuation of the tradition as Will lifts Roberts son Nick on his arm! Also pictured is Roberts daughter, who also got lifted, with great ease.

Here are Susan and Emory, very proud grandparents and steadfast friends. They were frequent visitors to Davey's ex- restaurant which made this reconnection very easy and fun.

Christmas day continued with a visit to Sarah Smith's family and a trip back to the old neighborhood. It was a quick but great visit as time was running down on the day and we were all feeling a little overwhelmed - so much socializing and connecting with friends.

It was with a song in my heart and lovely memories of family times together that I left Dallas, Dad and the three guys to return to Connecticut. We talked with Tyler frequently on the phone, but he was surely missed from the gathering. He and Silver spent good times with friends but, I believe, he too missed being all together. I hope next Christmas will be more friendly for that actuality.

Back in Suffield, my friend Bob met me at the airport with Gracie. Brother John and his wife Rin joined us for a holiday lunch on route from Boston to North Carolina, visiting their two children, spouses and grand babies over the holidays. fortunately, weather agreed with the friendly driving conditions and all is well. Here are photo's from that event... so, I think you have to total picture!

This record of Christmas 2008 for the Babson - Anderson clan hopefully finds each reader enjoying getting caught up. If you would like contact information or individual update information, e-mail me or leave a comment. I wish each of you and yours a new year filled with family, friends, and much joy - and a little frivolity. May I suggest sky-diving? May we all be a bit more intentional about staying in touch.

Thanks for taking the time and interest,

Jan