Our year has been packed full of fun. Of course, grandsons, Timmy and Daniel,
just seem to “demand” much of our spare time. Building birdhouses, flying kites, fishing, shooting be-be
guns, arrows, swimming, reading, and snuggling are the favorite activities.
Sometimes we include Karyn and Rick but
they happily give up the kids for few days at a time. They are still in Beaver Crossing, NE. Karyn teaches preschool at a
Lutheran School. Rick works for
Gallup in Lincoln. He is adding a
Chemistry BS to his BA so he is back in school. They take in camping,
Boy Scouts, school activities and church – the busy lifestyle of a young
family. It makes us tired!
David lives in Colorado Springs and designs
clever training regimens for his Paralympic swimmers. His makes frequent visits to us, too. His dog, Charlie, is always happy to
see him, but Charlie resides with us.
David bought the pick-up truck of his dreams, which makes his outdoor
life more do-able! He fishes,
hunts, and still does a motivational speech or two.
Our family gatherings included a wedding
for granddaughter, Keshia, in April.
She married Tyler Lynch – we are slowly getting to know him, so far so
good! They welcomed new son,
Trenton, in October. That makes
great-grandson #4. Its kind of fun
being grandparents with Lorie and Phil, Kristie and Bert. They haven’t asked for any advice yet,
but Terri has given it anyway. In
May, Terri and mom, Kathy, made a trip to Gypsum for neice/granddaughter,
Kendra’s graduation. Some of us
gathered again at Boysen Reservoir in July. Long time friends, the Griffiths,
dropped in with daughter, Heidi, and granddaughter, Sophia. Dang….we just keep hanging around
grandparents these days.
Karyn and Terri formed a mother/daughter
duo twice this year. In June, we
attended the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League National Convention in Peoria,
IL. Great speakers, inspirational
Bible Studies, and meeting up with friends from other LWML Societies were just
some of the memories. In September,
Terri volunteered with Karyn at the Plum Creek Literary Festival in Seward,
NE. Karyn was Chairman for
Literacy on the Lawn – making crafts that complemented the books written by
featured authors. Over 7000
students attended. Karyn managed
it all with coolness and grace, I was proud to be her assistant.
Tom squeezed in as many fishing trips as he
could, Terri tagged along once in awhile. Walleye is in the freezer. Terri and Tom were successful hunting
antelope, too. Tom and Karyn
hunted Nebraska whitetail deer.
Corn-fed venison is a delicacy we all enjoy. Even Timmy requested “Bambi” for his birthday dinner. Our freezer is now full to the brim. We
attempted to add pheasant. Charlie, the bird dog, loves the outing but still
seems as surprised as we are when a pheasant flies up. Tom is sad he didn’t get his elk but if
he had been successful, we’re not sure where we would’ve put it.
Several cabin trips were made and repairs
done. Moose are making our little
neck of the woods their home, too.
We love it! The pine
beetles are doing their best to kill all the trees. Tom’s lumberjack days are
coming in handy as he brings down the dangerous dead ones. Tom’s sister, Nancy,
joined him when it was time to close the cabin up for the winter.
Tom also picked up a little bit of work and spent a couple of
months working for a mine in Carlsbad, NM. A last minute call has him going to Elko, Nevada for most of
the winter. Frequent Flier miles
should add up fast!
We both stay busy with our church. Terri is now VP for her local LWML,
secretary for Zone LWML and VP for District LWML - 3 different levels - all
enjoyable. Terri began
substitute-teaching, too. She
enjoys being with the kids again (except the ornery ones).
Terri’s mom, Kathy, had cataract surgery this
fall. Terri stayed with her
through those…all went well and mom should have her new glasses soon.
We filled our year with much more joy than
this letter could contain. As you
celebrate this season of JOY, we hope you will take time to ponder the family
that is at the center of CHRISTmas:
a young mother with her firstborn son, who was watched over by her
husband in a lowly stable, the Good News broadcast by angels to shepherds who
rushed to worship a King; Jesus, our Savior, who paid the price for our sins so
we can join Him one day in the heavenly home He is preparing for us. Amen and Alleluia!
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Tom & Terri
