Looking Ahead to the 19th!

Happy 80th Birthday to Mom!!!!

We had a party at Mary's house on Sunday, the 14th, as we weren't going to be here for the big event. I meant to get a picture of her opening her gift from all of us kids, but we were too busy with the cell phones. I had called Heather and Mary called Mike so that they could be part of the presenting. Heather had come up with the idea of making a memory photo book, through Snapfish, and it turned out really well. Mom was very pleased with it, and got a little forclempt. (how does one spell that???) Also there, was Aunt Fern, Mom's only other living sibling. She turned 90 in October, so as you can see, we kids have a good chance of being here for a L-O-N-G time yet! (Just a warning to the next generation....)

Mom would really enjoy hearing from any of her family and friends who have time to give her a call on Friday - her actual birthday.

Let's keep that phone busy, all day long!

Time is winding down.....

Well, I have nearly everything packed up for our trip - we fly out tomorrow from Appleton around 11:30 am! Dan is busy down at the farm, trying (with his brothers' help) to install the overhead door on the new addition. That wind has really been whipping through there. We have 1 degree right now, and that is about 13 degrees warmer than it was when we got up this morning, although the windchill is -5. Guess I'm glad that I 'get' to do the packing. I hope they are able to complete the installation, as that would make it quite a bit nicer in the 'infirmary', where the gimpy cows hang out. They have also been moving the 'close' cows in there (that are due to freshen any time) so that the calves aren't born out on the lot. According to my computer records, there are 7 cows due to freshen while we are gone (not counting any heifers that decide it is time), so hope they don't have any trouble with any of them.

We have spoken with Josh several times since they arrived in Brazil (Fri/Sat) and all is going well there. We cannot thank them, and Debora's family, enough for making this trip possible for us. And for the guys and Linda for covering for us while we are gone. I know that is huge, and I really do hope that both Roger and John make plans for their own vacations soon. It is something we all need to do.

We will miss spending the actual Christmas Day with Sam and his family, but will have our own Christmas soon after we get back. We had not planned on seeing Mara and Mike until the baby is born anyway, as they are spending their holiday time off in the Phoenix area, searching out housing for the next couple of years (starting May/June). We hope they all have a wonderful time!

I will not be sending out any Christmas/Holiday greetings until after we return, so let me wish you all a Happy Christmas and a Merry New Year, here and now!

Feliz Natal e Feliz Ano Novo!!

Our Visas are here!!

Our Visas are here!!

Our Visas are here!!

Our Visas are here!!

Our Visas are here!!

(That was the best I could come up with to represent an echo.....)

Happy Birthday to Mary!!!!!!

From your baby sister, Holly!

This was probably the only time we had matching jammies!!

Weren't we too cute? (actually, I look like a boy)

And I wonder why my early memories are in black and white...

OMG! - this picture was taken over 50 years ago!

I think we need to go jammie shopping....

I hope you have a super-wonderful day!

December Dates to Remember....

2 - Ed Mathwig

7 - Mary Mathwig

17 - We leave for Brazil!!!

19 - Alice (Mom) Hansen - 80 years old!!!

22 - Giulia Magalhães (Thomas' cousin) - 1 year!

22 - Nicola & Neusa Costa's 35th Anniversary

23 - Joshua Bacon (31)

25 - Christmas Day!

28 - Thomas Costa Bacon - 1 year!!

28 - Steve Kolb

29 - We return home!

Happy Birthday to Ed - hope you have a good day!