It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year.........

There'll be much handicapping, the kids won't be napping with screams of good cheer..... (or bad calls) It's the most wonderful time of the YEAR!!

We are in the throws of the NCAA college basketball tournament. The day the tournament started with all 64 teams, Andy told me that this day was his Christmas. He's right. He gets as giddy as a school girl for college basketball play-offs. He and his group of guys went to Vegas last week for the second weekend of the tournament. Paul, his Dad, came out to meet them in celebration of his upcoming 80th birthday. And because Paul went, many of Andy's friends who normally don't make the trip decided they would go and celebrate with him. It's a nice nod to Paul. He is well loved and respected by many.

Andy and company had a great time. They went to dinner the first night to a good steak place to celebrate Paul's 80th and also celebrated brother-in-law Dennis' 40th birthday. Helene happened to working in Vegas last week, so she joined them for dinner. I'm guessing it was pretty fun for her to have family to spend the evening with as normally she is out there with just co-workers. They all had a great time at dinner. I'm guessing the rest of the meals were cheap-o hot dogs or whatever else they could scrounge up.....after Paul left for home, that is. The days were filled with craps, black jack, basketball, drinking and all the other sorts of Vegas depravity there was to be had. Andy lives for this trip each year with all the guys. I'm glad he is able to go and see many friends from all over the country. Oh, and Andy did take the camera, but had someone else snap a few shots at dinner, and took none the rest of the trip, so there aren't too many pics to share with you. What's the saying....take only pictures, leave only footprints? Well, that didn't really happen at all. And in keeping with Andy, I will point everyone out in the pictures by their nickname, which is always their last name, or some form of it.

Paul and Andy
















Coop and Strauss











Dils and EB










Berke and a TX friend

Helene and Dennis (sorry Helene, it's the only one I have of you)

Cheers!

Wilbo and Paul

Roth

Let them eat cake!