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Hello family and friends, Welcome to the latest update on our family. For the past couple years we have encouraged you to just look at the pictures because we didn't have much changing, but this year is different. Let's start with Allen... He's engaged! At Spring Break, Allen announced "Kathy has something to show you..." and out popped a hand with an engagement ring. We were literally stunned into silence! After a few moments Allen nervously pointed out that no-one was speaking, at which point we all recovered and jumped up to give them congratulatory hugs. We are so pleased and excited that Kathy is willing to join our crazy team. Allen is working part time with a 3D printer company, and he is on track to graduate from UT Dallas this Spring.  Allen and Kathy - check out the ring!  The back porch for the new house - salvaged from the kids' old swing set and lovingly repurposed.  Allen and Kathy hard at work (?) constructing a storage shed for the new house. Meggy has moved back to the Austin area. After a temporary job with the IRS (don't worry, she didn't flag any of you for audit), she has found work with Cigna Insurance. In case you haven't noticed, she has a travel bug, and the steady income has enabled her to spend a New Year's celebration with friends in Canada.  Megan in Stanley Park, Vancouver, on her New Year's trip.  Megan crossing an item off her bucket list by skating on a real life frozen pond.  Hard at work on the bathroom cabinets in the new house. Andy found a great apartment near the Houston museum district. He continues to work as a computer programmer for a company called Vest, and he was promoted this year. He also loves to travel, but the trips & events have mostly picked him this year. The Astros treated him to a great year, and he was in-house to watch Fiers throw a 134-pitch no-hitter.  Austin got a little bit weirder now that Patty is able to regularly attend events like Austin City Limits!  Three generations of Ewerts enjoy an Astros game.  Andy and his friend Andrew at the Baylor-UT football game - ten years apart. Mike had a lot happen this year and handled all with great strength of character. This summer, his father was diagnosed with kidney cancer. While his dad was recovering from the cancer surgery, Mike's mom died unexpectedly. Although she had been suffering for many years with Alzheimers, she was in otherwise good health. At their last visit with her, she mentioned that it was so nice that they could all be together. The next morning, she passed peacefully in her favorite recliner. At Christmas, we were all commenting that we could never remember her saying an unkind word about anyone. She was a good Christian woman and we believe she is in a better place now.  Mike and his mom spend a nice visit together.  Mike getting an opportunity to ride the zero-G plane. This year, Mike and Patty completed work on their home just outside of Austin. Although there was a contractor to do most of the work, the whole family put in an enormous amount of "sweat equity." We didn't really know when we might move in, but in October, things fell into place at their own pace. Patty was given increased hours with her hospice job, and simultaneously was offered a part-time position with a clinic in Cedar Park. Mike was able to arrange to work remotely for NASA. We commute regularly, but the stress level has dropped tremendously. We celebrated the changes with a trip to Europe!  Mike and Patty at Vesuvius/Pompeii on their European cruise.  And on a visit to Santorini, Greece.  The new house required a good deal of painting...  ...and painting...  ...and painting...  ...and painting...  ...and painting. We expect 2016 to be a busy, happy year. We would love to have visitors to the hill country! We wish you all much happiness this year. Love, Megan, Allen, Andy, Mike & Patty  Andy and Patty ring in the New Year in the most Irish way they know how.  Everyone helped pitch in to lay floors in the new house!  The Bohns celebrate Patty's 50th birthday. |
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