Happy Holidays to all! It is safe to keep reading —there will be no political comments here (but, oooooh, how tempting!!)

This has been a memorable year for us, with some major changes, major trips and major honors. First, the changes: we have moved. We sold our "country" home, Janna's house, and our small condo in town and bought a penthouse condominium in a building just a 4-minute walk from Charlottesville's amazing Downtown Mall (9 minutes from the Paramount Theater, where David is on the Board). It's been stressful (37-years' worth of junk, er, treasures, to be sorted out, sold, moved, donated, or pitched), but entirely worth it. Our new address is: 210 10th St. NE #500 Charlottesville, VA 22902 Come and see us!

The kids, in all their iterations, continue to thrive and be a source of joy. Kirk and Katherine (married in October, 2015), bought a cute house in North Charleston, where he continues to teach physics at the School for the Arts, and where she works as a hospice social worker. Krista and Chad still live in Raleigh, with the adorable-beyond-belief Austin (6) and Emma (4). (Austin is in Spanish immersion kindergarten!). Below: Katherine, Kirk, David, Janna, Krista, Austin, Emma, Chad.

We gallivanted a lot this year: Texas and Spain (January), Cuba (February), Puerto Rico and Pittsburgh (March), Budapest-Vienna-Danube-Prague (May), then Spain, Germany, Portugal, and the Balearic Islands (July). From August on, it's been preparing houses for sale, dealing with realtors and inspections, lawyers, and, oh, yes, a day job at the University of Virginia.

Parliament building, Budapest

Karol Bridge, Prague

Janna continues to be a bridge shark, enjoying games several times a week. David was invited to give several major international talks this year (Spain, Puerto Rico, Germany) and received several humbling professional recognitions: Honorary President of the International Association of Hispanists, Honorary President of the Spanish National Honor Society Sigma Delta Pi, the Enrique Anderson Imbert Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Academy of the Spanish Language, and election as a Corresponding Member of the Spanish Royal Academy. Whew.

We lost our two endearing pet pals this fall, Chico and Foster, but they were both 16 ½ and we embrace the beauty and love and friendship they brought to our lives.

And now, what you've been waiting for: The Silly Moments of Gratuitous Celebrity Worship. Do you know these folks?

 1. "Know When to Hold 'em, Know When to Fold 'em...

2. The Satanic Verses, Knighted by Queen Elizabeth

3. George Washington in Broadway's "Hamilton"

4. German film director ("Aguirre, Wrath of God," "Fitzcalrrado")

5. Ingmar Bergman's muse



6. "Sweet Charity," "The Apartment," "Terms of Endearment," "Steel Magnolias"



7. Still going strong at 90 years old (and, with Lady Gaga!).

Answers (for the clueless!):

1. Kenny Rogers
2. Salman Rushdie
3. Chris Jackson
4. Werner Herzog
5. Liv Ullmann
6. Shirley MacLaine
7. Tony Bennett

All of the above, told with the traditional Brag at Christmas Relish, is really a way to underscore how deeply grateful we are for the lives we lead, the family we have, and the friends we enjoy. Thank you all for making 2016 such a good year.