December is a special time in Fredericksburg, TX. Main street is decorated reminding me of a Dickens Village. Market Platz has the ice rink, a traditional Christmas tree, a German ‘tree’ and the beautiful Nativity. In addition, the trees are ablaze with lights. It is part of the reason we have a family R&R on the first weekend when the lighted parade kicks off season. There is more going on than I can put here so if you’re interested go to Fredericksburg’s website where everything is listed. All of this works together to help make this R&R really special for the kids and young at heart.

Fifteen families arrived in Fredericksburg, TX on Friday, December 6 for a weekend of celebrating Christmas beginning with dinner at Zion Lutheran Church followed by front row seats for Fredericksburg’s Lighted Parade. Following the parade families went exploring, checking out Market Platz and some of the art galleries that were still open.

Saturday, after a leisurely breakfast at the hotel, everyone was on their own to shop, go to a movie, or just relax until lunch which was at Mr. Gattis Pizza. Everyone received tickets for the games at Mr. Gattis (not sure who enjoyed the games more the kids or adults!). After lunch many went to the Pioneer Museum, Ice Skating, National Museum of the Pacific War, etc.

Saturday evening dinner was hosted by the Catholic Daughters in St. Joseph’s Hall. The Catholic Daughters planned a drawing where the child with the winning number would select a toy from a table of many. They were blessed by donations of toys for the drawing. One of the warrior families learned of the plans and also brought a box of toys to be used.

Tom Canfield, a local resident who enjoys working with wood, presented each family with a handmade wooden puzzle. The story of the puzzle is that it will go together many different ways and just as in life you just have to seek what works best for you.

Sunday morning each family received a smoked turkey as they checked out of the hotel. Toyota was giving “Turkeys for Troops” just prior to Thanksgiving and generously donated some to Wounded Warriors at Nebo who had them smoked and frozen.

This R&R hosted 15 (fifteen) families resulting in a total of 52 (fifty two people). We lost count of all the volunteers involved either donating desserts or toys, cooking, visiting with the families, etc. I could go on and on and still miss some – it takes a village. THANK YOU, THANK YOU EVERYONE. You helped make 52 people very happy and let them know there are people who care.

Check out the photo album “Family Christmas R&R for lots of pictures of this event.