Texas, interviews and back to NYC for Christmas and end of the year

After a long drive from Florida to Texas, we headed to my old stomping grounds of Houston; and when in Houston, Andy is the man to see.  We quickly got buys working on some new songs.  Within our time there we completed two.

 The weapons of music.

 After a few days we headed to Fort Worth for our teaching fellows interview.  This is the airbnb place that we stayed which was cozy and a great location.  The people that ran it were very warm and helpful.

After our interview, we stopped for a walk at the botanical gardens.

Next, we headed to Plano to visit our cousins.  This was the small community church.

Uncle Russ playing the organ as Aunt Sadie sits on supporting him.

Aunt Sadie with Gina preparing the board for the next service.

Our crew with the friendly father of the parish.

Me and Russ hanging out at the Christmas party.

Gary, Giselle and Gina asking Santa for what they hope for...if only they had been good. :)

You know that the two of us have been angels all year, so hopefully we will get what we asked for.

 This picture cracks me up.  For those that question whether Santa is real, they put a sign up to confirm that he is.

Then we headed to Austin to visit more cousins.  Kaylin here after telling us what life is all about.

With her mom, Jaclyn.  Fun to catch up with them and also cool to have relatives in Austin, TX, one of my favorite cities.

Krysten, Kaylin, and Bailey.  So cute.

 Then back to Andy's for more music and laughs.

Gotta start somewhere for a new song.  Just make sure you sing with soul.

Vanessa and Andy bonding.

After a quick stop in New Orleans we drove straight through to NYC.  It was refreshing to get back to the big city and also just amazing how many people and how fast paced it is.

The good old big apple.  Nothing like it...some good, some not as good.

We got dressed up for Christmas eve.

Off to a traditional Christmas eve thai meal.

My little reindeer.

 Even our host got into it.

 We got to meet up with Cole, Erin and their friends for the evening.

Of course, we headed over to a dive bar with the essentials, pool table, juke box and beer.

Nice to get out after touring people around for a handful of days.  I just look like a hustler.

Cole has is serious face on.

Friends with friends make smiles.

After a great Christmas eve, we had a wonderful Christmas in the big apple.  I got back and got about 10 days of work (giving tours of central park) in.  Just before the new year, we found out that we both got accepted into the Fort Worth program starting in the spring.  I headed to Detroit for the New Years to see some family and friends before Vanessa and I head off to India for 3.5 months.  
MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL OUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY!