Merry Christmas 2009!

Merry Christmas! You know the good thing about teenagers? Division of labor becomes a lot more effective! You know the bad thing about teenagers? Okay, that's a subject for another letter (just kidding)! Anyway, here's everyone's news, written by everyone individually, and, if you want to read on, you can catch some of our notes and photos from the summer vacation trip to Washington (also produced by teenagers!)....


Hi, it's Frank, and this is what I have been doing this year. Over the summer I played on Wimberley's all-stars baseball team and was the starting pitcher. I also participated in the 4-H dog project. My dog, Aggie, and I did very well at the state dog show at Texas A&M. We won the high point award in my age group.
I am in 8th grade and currently on the Hill Country Christian School Junior High basketball team. I also enjoy playing electric guitar (and growing--Mom's note). Have a Merry Christmas!




Hi all, it's Abby, and this is what I've been doing this year. I attended the teen work camp week at our church and had much fun. My golden retriever, Arby, and I went to the 4-h dog show, where both my brother and I got the high point in our age groups. I am a sophomore, 10th grade, in Hill Country Christian School. I played volleyball in the fall, and right now I am playing on the high school basketball team. Also at my school I am playing the electric bass guitar in the praise band. I just wanted to say "Remember, Jesus is the Reason for the Season!"


Merry Christmas from Gordon. I was blessed with another eventful year of family, work, and church activities. Family highlights include: lots of baseball, softball, volleyball, and basketball games; vacationing in the northwest; 4-H events; my sister's wedding in October; enjoying visits from friends from Australia and Germany. This past year was probably one of the busiest I have had at work. The drought drastically reduced flows in the rivers and streams around the state, thus providing the “opportunity” to collect water quality and biological data at extremely low conditions. I spent a lot of time working on the San Antonio River. In addition we completed the second year of data collection on an EPA funded grant targeted at assessing the stream conditions around the state. This project took our team from the panhandle (where I got to perform some work on the Canadian River on T. Boone Pickens Ranch) to the Big Bend region, valley, and east Texas. Sometimes I find myself wishing our state was a bit smaller.
As far as church, I was asked to fill in as the music worship leader for about three months until the vacancy was filled. I enjoyed serving in that role but was very glad when the replacement was hired. Finally, I enjoyed seeing old friends at my 30th high school reunion this summer. "30th" and "old"--I don't like the sound of those words! Best wishes to all of you.



Hi, this is Lee Ann, and I’ve spent this year driving to basketball games and volleyball games and baseball games and softball games and dog shows and church and a couple of times to West Texas! And for that I give thanks. It’s a busy period in our lives, but, as our kids reach their high school years, I’m glad for every moment that we have with them and count the blessings that we’ve been given. Even as much as I’ve enjoyed the chances I’ve had to do field work on horned lizards and frogs this year, I know I treasure most the gift of time we’ve had with the ones we love, and, despite the posts above, it doesn’t all involve competitions (another of the important wisdoms we learned from our dear Amigo, who departed us this year, and who never cared for dog shows! :-)).
And I do slip away occasionally--usually for a bike ride or swim (though our beloved Blanco River didn’t offer much opportunity during this summer of heat and drought) or, when we can find a block of unscheduled time, for a family campout. Finally, it seems I’ve been doing a lot of praying this year--for friends and family facing health concerns or loss, for the futures our children will inherit, and for peace--in the world and in our hearts. That’s what I wish for all of you this year--peace, not as the world gives, but a greater, lasting peace from above…love to you all!

Merry Christmas from the Linams!

Washington Trip - July 22, 2009

Lee Ann's recollections - Day 8 (Frank's pen or, perhaps, patience wore out...)

We spent our last day in Seattle, just enjoying the sights of the city (like this great pork sandwich-mobile), a little coffee, and a visit with some old college friends of mine...

Pike's Market is still a great attraction (as evidenced by all the people at the fish market, who weren't interested in buying fish at all, but just in photographing those who did...)

Gordon and the kids enjoyed a visit to the wonderful Seattle aquarium while I just enjoyed relaxing on the waterfront, reflecting on the renewal that a vacation brings...