Our recent trip home to visit our family in Germany was framed by several important occasions and celebrations including Arnulf’s 80th birthday, our nephew Simon’s christening and of course Christmas and New Year’s Eve. We were happy and grateful that Vera from Hamburg and Rochelle from Pretoria were able to join us and thereby made the family complete for the last few precious days of the year 2008. Three weeks went by far too quickly while we enjoyed our time with family and friends. Apart from indulging in Lore’s home-cooked cuisine, and drinking wine, we played games after dinner, and enjoyed many hours outside in the bitterly cold (as low as -15°C). Nevertheless, the sun was shining almost every day, creating a sparkling winter wonderland; providing us with many opportunities to ski, toboggan, and skate (cross-country) in and around Pfronten.