Merry Christmas from The Wellers

1996 was an up year for the Weller Family this year. Last year when Bob was unemployed, it looked as though we would have to move to Memphis. Bob was offered a job with Laclede Steel as a plant engineer for a wire mill. As it turned out, shortly after arriving in Memphis, Bob received an offer from Hughes Training, Inc. in Arlington, TX. That allowed us to stay in the Dallas area and not have to sell the house. That was a relief.

After starting with Hughes in February, Bob was sent to Binghamton, NY to help transition a program from NY to Texas. While there, Tess flew up to spend a weekend and we went to NYC to see Miss Saigon on Broadway. It was a wonderful time. Of course, we had to bring presents back for all of the kids.

Melissa turned three in April. It is amazing how fast they are all growing up. She started preschool for three year olds in the fall. Maria is attending the same school in the four year old class. They both feel like BIG girls now.

In the spring, Martha and Maria both joined a softball league for girls. Maria’s team was a coach pitch for three pitches and the remaining strikes off of a tee. Maria has a fantastic swing, but she couldn’t time her swing with the pitch. Off of the tee she was murder, though. Martha’s team was strictly coach pitch. She became a pretty good fielder and received her team’s most improved player award.

In May, Tess took an unexpected trip to the Philippines for a family emergency. Her sister-in-law, Leonor, passed away suddenly. We ask for everyone’s prayers for her and her family.

Derrick, one of Tess’ nephews came to live with us in September last year. He played baseball for the first time in his life in the spring. He caught on quickly and was a decent hitter at the end of the season. In the fall, he played football on the eighth grade team. Next spring, he may try out for track. For living here for just over a year, he is doing very well, to include making straight A’s in school.

Because Tess was gone during Martha’s birthday, we celebrated hers and Maria’s together in October. Martha is now seven and in the second grade. We are very proud of her progress so far. She is really enjoying her classes. Bob and Martha have also spent some time camping with Campfire Boys and Girls. Maria is five now and is a bundle of pure energy. Her preschool teacher gives her good reports from class and she is enjoying school very much.

Tess started working in November at a Ben Franklin store in the framing department. She is hoping to gain enough experience to start her own business. She currently has a part time business with a booth in a craft mall. She is selling items she has imported from the Philippines. She also has done several weekend craft shows during the Christmas shopping season.

For Thanksgiving, two of Bob’s brothers and their wives, all of his nieces and nephews, and an Air Force buddy and his family from San Antonio came to Dallas. We had twenty-two people for dinner and had a ball. It is fun to have a big gathering for the holidays.

This Christmas finds us doing well and hope it finds you the same. We are looking forward to the New year and hope it is as fruitful as this year.

Merry Christmas to you all and a Happy New Year.

The Weller Family

Bob, Tess, Martha, Maria, Melissa, Derrick, and Mimi

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