The move took place the last weekend of October. We rented a U-Haul, designed for 4-bedroom house, hoping to get everything in one trip. After two trips we had already more than used up our time allotment for the truck, so there were numerous trips with fully loaded cars. Danny was kind enough to help us load and unload, and we also had some much-needed help with the heavier furniture from the (very strong) girl next door and a friend from church. Another friend helped us remove the sliding glass door so our couch would fit into the proper room!

Our old house sold for our asking price, thanks mainly to the redecorating work Becky had done there in the past couple of years.

The other big event of 2003 was our 25th wedding anniversary. Leaving behind a house full of boxes and a hole in the ceiling courtesy of the cable TV installer, we took off for Eureka Springs, Arkansas. We spent one night there in a cottage overlooking a lake. Then it was on to Branson, Missouri where we rode a 1940's era train on a sightseeing tour into the Ozarks, saw a magic show, and heard country singer/comedian Jim Stafford. We wanted to see Andy Williams but he was taking the week off.

The most exciting part of the trip for Paul was when we took a Duck tour. (Pre-trip photo is at left)  The Duck is a former military vehicle modified to carry passengers. It travels on land AND water! The tour guide was the best and made it a lot of fun. We also made a brief stop in Paris (Texas) to see an Eiffel tower replica...topped off by a Cowboy hat!

Danny, who has promised to never help us move again, is still in San Marcos where his finance' Crystal is a sophomore at Texas State University. We helped him move into a 1-bedroom apartment on the same weekend we celebrated Becky’s birthday. Danny is currently working at Taco Bell. He sold his Jeep and is now the proud owner of a Honda Rebel Motorcycle (Shown to the right with Danny and Crystal. The Texas heat and motorcycle helmet were the perfect combination to convince him to shave his head! Last we saw him he had hair again. Just recently Danny and Crystal bought a ferret. Becky and I are not looking forward to meeting it!  For more photos of Danny, please click here.

Angela is in her fifth and final year at Texas Tech University in Lubbock. The extra year was necessary to get in all the classes needed to gain admission to a veterinary school. She has an interview with Texas A&M’s vet school just before Christmas! Angela took a much-needed vacation this summer. She visited with Paul’s brother Robert and wife Jean at their new home near St. Louis, both of her grandparents, and friends in Indiana and North Carolina. She also moved into a rented house she’s sharing with a friend and bought a dog (Ruby) to keep her two cats company.  Click here for more pictures of Angela.

Speaking of trips, Becky and Paul traveled to Ohio in June to do some catching up. In addition to family, we renewed acquaintances with our friends in Marion, Lisa and Grant Powell. Paul’s friend and former co-worker, Jeff Ruth, took Paul on a tour of radio station WMRN. There’s been quite a bit of change since Paul last worked there 22 years ago. Jeff treated Paul to dinner...hoping for a mention in this newsletter! Becky flew to Ohio in September to do some house painting at her mother’s. Paul also flew to Ohio for Thanksgiving to visit with his father who now lives in an assisted care facility.  We also visited with Becky's friend Leisha Young in Springfield, and were treated to a pool party by Paul's friends Chuck and Terri Hamlin.  Click here for more on our vacations during 2003.

Wow, what a busy year! We hope that by next Christmas we will have unpacked! Have a great Christmas and a blessed New Year!