Happy Holidays from the Von Horns!
It has been an amazing year, full of change.
We left Minnesota for coastal North Carolina in August.  After living in MN for most of our adult lives, we both had portable jobs and just had to see what life in another locale would be like.  We drug Bear, our 10 year old and our dog, Bandit, to Oak Island, NC.  Nancy and Bear had never seen the house until we rolled into the driveway, August 2. What can we say, the house and the island defy description as far as views go.  This is small town living with only 7,000 or so full time residents.  Bear is acclimating to the school and pace and we feel like the youngest non-retires in the area...lol.
We do miss our families back in the frozen north and the familiarity, but we enjoy learning about a new area and love the southern charm, especially being called “honey” and “sweetie” by the locals. Some highlights have been seeing baby sea turtles hatch on the beach and watching dolphins swim right by our house. You can’t beat the great weather, incredible seafood (caught right off our dock), and the ocean at our backdoor.  Who knows where this will take us but you have to scratch some itches sometimes. 
Nancy's work with a startup online education company has been on again off again but it is on for now and she likes her work as a career strategist Jeff is working for a software services company and has been a quick study in a new role. Our dog, Bandit, is in puppy heaven, running without a leash on the beach and swimming in the ocean.  Bear enjoys skateboarding, taking Saxophone lessons from an 83 year old Jazz musician and making the townie girls crazy.

Our big kids are all on journeys of their own.  Meghan is in Milwaukee and is the queen of yoga and healthy living, working several jobs and enjoying a free style life after college.  Will is in Eau Claire and is 1 year into a new degree in Engineering.  He will be likely relocating to the Twin Cities next fall to continue his studies.  Matt is working in Mankato and he and his girlfriend are expecting our first grandchild at Christmas.

Nancy's Mom and Dad are doing okay although age and Parkinson’s are taking their toll on Bud, Nancy's Dad.  Jeff's dad is living in St Paul and is active in the Church and local community.
We are grateful for this year of adventure and opportunity.  We miss our many friends and hope to hear from you in the New Year.  We are reminded of your love and friendship and wish you peace and prosperity in 2014.

Love,
Jeff and Nancy Von Horn