Our 2012 Christmas Letter

Dear Family and Friends,

We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! We hope this finds you healthy and happy.

Our highlight for the year was another once in a lifetime trip, courtesy of Rob’s Dad. We traveled to South Africa and stayed at two game preserves near Kruger National Park, then flew to Zambia and visited Victoria Falls, and finally drove to Botswana and visited Chobe Game Preserve. This trip was a little different from Kenya – the animals were not as easy to find, but once we did find them, we were able to get really close (like 10-feet-away-I-hope-our-guide-knows-what-he's-doing close!).

Before we left on our trip, we made sure all our shots were up to date. The travel clinic warned us that game lodges sometimes offer bush walks, where the travelers get out of their vehicles with a ranger in the bush. We were told we should not do that under any circumstances – bush walks are very dangerous. They were even examples of travelers killed on bush walks. Anyway, at our first lodge we went on a bush walk. Our ranger, Joe, and tracker, Colin, found some good tracks and we all got out of our vehicle. Joe had a rifle, which may have been just to shoot one of us so we would be animal food and he could get away. He explained that the animal we were tracking was very large and had poor eyesight but an excellent sense of smell, then joked, “Well, I guess that gave it away,” but of course we still had no idea what it was. We carefully stayed down-wind, and eventually came within 50 yards of a huge rhino. Joe was excited we found that particular one; “he's extremely aggressive and has chased a few rangers into trees.” Beth said he should have told us that after we got back to the vehicle.

In Zambia with Rob's Dad and sister Liz

Joe was quite the character. He and Colin would speak in part Afrikaans, part Colin’s tribal language, so we had no idea what they were saying to each other. Once, they had a lengthy conversation and then Colin got out of the vehicle and walked into the bush. Joe turned to us with instructions: “Get your cameras ready. Colin is going to grab the baby rhino we just saw and come running across the road so you can get a good a picture of the mama chasing him.” If you're brave, ask us about the Impala dung.

Victoria Falls was amazing!

Taylor is in 11^th grade at Rockbridge Academy and has started looking into colleges. He has a very detailed matrix with his top 32 choices rated in various categories (can you tell he is the son of 2 engineers?). He also just got his driver’s permit. Maryland requires 60 hours of practice with an adult before you can take the test; Rob is gaining some new gray hairs through the experience. T is still playing soccer and lacrosse for school, and rec league basketball and baseball. Rockbridge has a Grand Tour for rising seniors, so next May he and Rob will be traveling to Greece and Italy for 2 ½ weeks.

Alex is in 8^th grade and is delighted to finally be taking debate. He is playing soccer, basketball, and lacrosse for Rockbridge, and baseball in a rec league. He remains good for the occasional surreal conversation. One of Beth's favorites this year happened while shopping for school supplies. She asked him what kind of white-out he wanted. “The liquid kind.” “I thought you didn’t like that kind because it takes so long to dry.” “Yeah, but that’s only if you use it.” The most shocking thing about Alex is he now loves Brussels sprouts! Actually, we are all fans, but Alex is the most ardent. Check out the recipe – Google “family fun caramelized Brussels sprouts.”

Alanna is in 5^th grade and finally gets to play soccer and basketball for Rockbridge. She had a great soccer season and really enjoyed herself. She was a little taken aback when the girls started doing cheers on their daily runs. Growing up with 2 brothers, she wasn’t used to cheering and was a bit horrified at first, but she is OK with it now. She dressed up like a colonial lady for the history parade at school. Beth made the dress and it took a lot longer than she thought it would. Warning bells should have gone off in her head when she thought, “How hard can it be to make a colonial dress?” Alanna's class has a colonial ball in the spring, and she will wear it again for that. It will be interesting to see how the dancing goes because her grade has 19 girls and only 6 boys.

Merry Christmas to you and yours, and we wish you a wonderful 2013!

Love, 
 

Rob, Beth, Taylor, Alex, and Alanna Craig

This is how God showed His love among us: He sent His one and only Son into the world, that we might live through Him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us, and sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. (1 John 4.9-10)