Dear Doug, Carol, Kate and Tess,

It was great to hear from you, and I’m glad to hear you’re all well.  Kate and Tess sound like a handful, but then they’ll be going through that stage for a few years yet!  I am fine, and yes, I’m still with Elizabeth.  She’s also good and sends her regards.  Rachel is approaching adolescence, and boy don’t I know it, although she does astound me with her maturity sometimes.  I guess I still consider her a five year old at heart too.  

Things are mostly normal here, and no, Doug, I’m not ER Chief although I am working on it!  I don’t envy your job, but I’m sure you still manage to work in enough time for a game of basketball – what with you an the twins, who I have no doubt will be force fed the sport, you’ll have your own team before long!  You never know, maybe then you’ll be able to beat me.

As for your offer, it’s been a while since I had a proper vacation, and if I can persuade Elizabeth to put off her trip home to Britain for a few months, we may well come and see you this summer.  I don’t know about Rachel, I think Jen has her all booked into camp already, and I know she really loved it last summer.  I’ll ask her all the same – her camp is over in Oregon anyway so it wouldn’t be too far if she could take a weekend out or something. 

I’m glad to hear you’re all happy. We miss you both and the twins.

Mark