Here we go again, a year’s worth of catching up in one short letter!
   Our home is not quite as crowded now that Angela has left town, part time anyway, to attend college. She’s double majoring in Music Education and Performance at Texas Tech University in Lubbock. She’s off to a quick start, too. She’s the only freshman clarinet player selected as a member of the Symphonic Wind Ensemble, won the "Best Rookie Marcher" award for her role in the "Goin’ Band From Raider Land" marching band, and earned a spot on the "Court Jesters," a small group that plays during Tech basketball games.
    Becky and Paul visited Angela during October for a concert, then saw the band perform in Waco during the Baylor-Tech game. Danny came along on a quick trip to the Tech - University of Texas game in Austin. The band was great both times!
    Angela finished high school on a high note, ranking 6^th in her class and earning a full tuition scholarship to Texas Tech.  To celebrate graduation, Angela and a friend went sky diving! Click here to see pictures of skydiving and more pictures of Angela. As good as this all sounds, she’s still not completely happy. She still wants a car!
    We threw a graduation party for Angela and had many guests crowded into our back yard, including "Grandma" Pressel (Becky's Mom) from Dayton and  Robert and Jean Van House From Shreveport.  The back yard was decorated with Christmas lights and a couple of torches.  We had lots of fun, but believe it or not, nobody thought of taking any pictures!   

 Danny’s a sophomore at Kempner High school and is first chair percussion in the Symphonic band. He spent the "marching" season playing the bass drum. He’s been quite busy performing with our church’s Youth Choir and both the youth and adult handbell choirs.
    Danny also became a student driver over the Summer. He’s looking forward to exchanging his learner’s permit for a real license in May!
    In his spare time, Danny keeps busy with his new pastime, playing golf. He started out at a driving range but has played several rounds with a friend of his at several area golf courses. Paul even played 9-holes with Danny — Danny won by 30 strokes!
    He also has a radio controlled airplane that’s flown one time so far. Our busy schedules and lack of flying knowledge keep the plane grounded most of the time! Click here to see more pictures of Danny.
    All four of us went to Tallahassee Florida in June for the "Great Southeast Festival Of Youth Choirs." Danny and Angela as performers, Becky and Paul as chaperones. Nearly 500 youth choir members from across the Southeast took part in the event. They even taped a short song used on "Good Morning America," and a CD was made of the "Grand Concert." The picture below shows the entire group while the "Good Morning America" spot was being taped.  Click Here to see more pictures from the trip and to hear audio clips. (This is a link to our church's web page)
    Almost immediately after we returned from Florida, Paul flew to Ohio to visit with his family. All four Van House "kids" were there, including Linda and her son Christopher who flew in from Hong Kong!  Meanwhile, Becky, Danny and Angela drove to Lubbock for freshman orientation at Texas Tech.
    In September our nearly new car was broadsided by a truck that ran a red light. Danny, who was driving, escaped with a nasty gash across and under his left eye. He was taken by ambulance to the hospital and sewn up by what’s called "The Face Team." The wound is healing pretty well, but he may require plastic surgery. Becky,

who was on the passenger’s side, was knocked unconscious and was flown by helicopter to the hospital. She suffered from memory lapses for several days but is back to normal now. Paul was uninjured, but he did have to replace his shoes! We thank God our injuries were not more serious, and for our many friends who helped take care of us in the days following the accident.

Copyright ©2012  Paul Van House