2016

Christmas tree (Iowa City, IA, 2016). Image courtesy of Vincent Williams.

December 17, 2016

Dear Ones,

Last year at this time we were in San Antonio with Dawn and Bob and their family for Christmas and New Year's; a marked difference from this year in Iowa City where it is snowing and the temp is dropping to below zero tonight. But you know what? We are alive and still kicking after all those years that God has allowed us to be on this earth.

In March we returned to San Antonio to spend spring break with Arik, Stacie and the girls at Dawn's and Heather's. Their association has a pool so we spent some time relaxing at the pool. The girls, Kaelyn, Amaya, and Lauren are now a junior in high school, an 8th grader and a 6th grader respectively. They are really nice girls, but of course we are prejudiced.

Of course, in April the infamous Blakey girls met in Decorah to spend a few days at the apartment and reminisce about times past and look into what's great about Decorah, and/or the area round about.

July found all of our family here for a long weekend to help us celebrate our 60th wedding anniversary. Whoever would have thought that God would allow us to have so many years together. We are truly blessed with four children, eight grandchildren and two great grandchildren.

The end of July found us back in Decorah for the annual Nordic Fest. Sharon showed up to help the celebration by wearing the bunad from North Osterdalen and Verla wore the one from Akershus in the bunad show. They behaved themselves and looked very stylish as they modeled the attire with great aplomb.

Then we did something really different as we spent from Aug. 29-Sept. 1st at Mt. Carmel Bible Camp to celebrate the exact date of our marriage at the Bible Camp that Verla went to when she was a teenager. We had a great time and met some old friends of Verla's and made some new ones as well.

Verla continues to lead a Bible study at church and then spends quality time with friends making quilts for Lutheran World Relief. Vince continues to play bass with the praise band at church and trying to keep up with the work that is involved with living on two acres of land. Hancher Auditorium was completed this fall so we have heard some wonderful musical and ballet events.

May God continue to bless you all this Christmas Season and a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all.

All our love,

Vince and Verla

2014

Verla Williams. Christmas Letter (2014). Image courtesy of Mark D. Williams.

December 2014

Dear Mark and Junel,

It's always fun to have some firsts. One of the firsts we enjoyed this year was a trip to Minot, N.D. for their annual Norsk Hostfest the first part of October. We heard Dr. Severinsen, Gaither Vocal Band, and Daniel O'Donnell. That's a long drive!

For the first time, I went to the 65th reunion of my high school graduation in Windom, Mn. We are still quite a few that come but a few less than 5 years ago. Of course, the 65th never happened before.

For the first time, we surprised Arik on his 50th birthday. Dawn had arranged the trip - and he was shocked. Of course, his 50th never happened before.

Of course, there some of the usual things: the Nordic Fest in Decorah and other weekends up there; we three sisters get-together; Dawn and Bob's visit - they stretched it from Dawn's birthday, through our anniversary to Vince's birthday.

Vince still enjoys playing his base guitar with the Praise Band. He counted up that he had played 26 times this year, so that's about every other week. However, he is entirely retired from the College of Dentistry. I think he misses talking with the fellow professors, but we are invited to various doings so he still gets that opportunity.

The Bible Study and the quilting at church still occupy my time. We are thankful for good health and still able to stay in our home. We wish for you Christmas blessings as we celebrate the birth of our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.

[signed] Dad and Mom

P.S. Any packages that arrive in the mail should be put under the tree.

2013

December 18, 2013

Another year has gone by and it's been a good one! We are both in good health, just a little slower, just sit a little more, just nap a little more.

Vince has officially re-retired. He has gone in one day a week as an adjunct professor for about 15 years but decided now was the time to quit. There seems to be enough jobs around here to keep him busy.

We still keep our apartment in Decorah (we go north for the summer) though we did move. An apartment across the way from ours became available so we took that one. It is a 2 bedroom so we now have room for guests. Come see us.

There have been a few trips this year. The most memorable one was to celebrate Vince's 80th birthday. We gathered the whole family for a week in July at a light house keeper's cottage that has been restored and is rented out by the Calvert County, MD, Museum. It is right on Chesapeake Bay - the light house is still in operation, but not the keeper's cottage. It can be divided in half, so 2 unrelated families can use or it can be opened up. It holds 14; we were 19, but lucky for us, Dawn lives about 20 minutes from there so they drove down each day. The times to have everyone free to get together are not very often, so it is extra special when it happens.

Other trips: twice to Mankato, for 'family reunions' - once the usual end of June and the second in July when brother Gordon was there from Denver.

A trip to the Maryland area in the spring to see Heather receive her promotion to Lt. Commander- yes, she still is in the Navy and stationed at Fort Belvoir Army Hospital.

We went to Hayward, Wl for a visit with a colleague at his cabin on the lake. He says we can use it anytime.

Oh, and to Carson City to visit 6 year old Roslyn and while we were there we watched Mark play the part of Javert in Les Miz at their Community College.

We have also had visitors: Dawn and Bob from Maryland, Sharon, Jessica and boys from Mpls. and Duluth, Karlene and Ed Krisker from Minnesota seeking Roe family info--our 4x great grandfathers were brothers; Pam and Tom with Sharon and Dalen, Steve and Kathy from Denver. Not all at the same time, you understand.

Vince plays once or twice a month in the praise band at Our Redeemer. He bought himself an acoustic bass guitar last fall. I keep busy with LWR quilting and Bible study.

As to the grandchildren: I already mentioned Heather; her brother, Andrew lives in Richmond VA and has a job using computers (we call him when we need help) - they are Dawn's 'kids.'

And I mentioned Mark's daughter, Roslyn - she is in first grade.

Then Arik's: Kaelyn is 13, in 8th grade; Amaya is 10, soon to be 11 and in 5th grade and Lauren is 8 and in 3rd grade.

Jené's are BrandiAnne who graduated from high school and is first year in the Community College at Mason City; J.T. just had his 16th birthday - now he can drive alone.

We wish for you Christmas blessings as we celebrate the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ.

[signed] Dad and Mom

2011

December, 2011

It doesn't seem possible that it could be December already - time just seems to go faster and faster, and I go slower and slower.

We do much the same things month after month: Vince still works one day a week, (he is already being asked to work next year), I still have Bible Study and LWR quilting spring and fall. We like to go to the concerts by the Cedar Rapids Symphony and also on Bank bus tours (we went to both "Simply Sinatra" and the "Nuncrackers" earlier this month).

We get up to Traer for Track or Cross Country meets a couple of times to watch BrandiAnne run. She is a long-distance runner and good at it. We were with the Daubs for Thanksgiving - helped JT celebrate his 14th birthday - time does fly, doesn't it?

There were also a couple of longer trips. We spent part of Holy Week and Easter with Dawn and Bob and Andy in the spring; and a week with Arik and Stacie and girls in August at a rented house on Priest Lake in northern Idaho. It is always fun to visit each of them.

There was also a couple of weekend when we had visitors - Steve (Vince's nephew) and Kathy one weekend, and my sisters, Sharon and Pam and their spouses, another weekend. That's fun, too!

And just last month, we flew out to Carson City to visit Mark and Junel and Roslyn, and incidentally to see Phantom of the Opera with Mark having the lead role. My sister Sharon and our daughter Dawn joined us for that long weekend. It was fun and Mark did a great job.

Heather and Xav will be coming back to the states in February - she ends her tour of duty in Japan. It will be so much easier to visit them.

We did just finish a little upgrading in our house. The floor covering in the laundry room was the old rubber backed carpet that was used 35 years ago - we had it replaced with sheet vinyl. And this past week, the carpet in the kitchen was replaced with oak flooring, plus a new counter top and sink. Now, we will enjoy it for awhile until we decide that it's time to downsize, and then it will probably be more sellable.

We are both well- just a little more creaking and cracking in the joints and bones. But we are thankful for good health.

May the blessings of Christ's birth be yours this Christmas season!

2009

Verla Williams, Christmas letter (2009). Image courtesy of Mark D. Williams.

Dear __________,

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

For a little while, I thought we hadn't done enough this year to write a letter about, but then I checked our calendar and changed my mind.

January - a short visit from Dawn and Heather before Heather left for her tour of duty in the Navy in Japan.

February - a weekend visit in Denver for the funeral of our sister-in-law, Shirley and a couple of days with nephew Steve and Kathy.

March - a long weekend along with Dawn in Carson City to surprise Mark on his 50th birthday; he said he was surprised.

April - a couple days in Madison, WI for a genealogical meeting.

May - a "sisters" weekend in Decorah.

June - the "Blakey" gathering in Decorah - Pam and families, Sharon and family, and Vince and I.

July - the Nordic Fest the last Saturday, followed by a drive to Jackson, MN the next day to visit cousin Elaine, cousin Roland and Mari, and brother Gordon from Denver.

August - the last week at a resort in northern Idaho with Arik and his family.

September - my high school class reunion in Windom, MN - the 60th - who were those old people that were there?

November- Jene, John, BrandiAnne and J.T. here with us for Thanksgiving.

December - we are looking forward to a visit from Mark, Junel and Roslyn - it will be fun to have a 2 year old around again.

Nothing new with our 'kids' - they are still in the same places doing the same things. Dawn and Bob in St. Leonard, MD; Andrew is a junior at U. of Maryland, Salisbury, and Heather a physical therapist in Japan. Mark, Junel and Roslyn in Carson City but will visit us over Christmas. Arik and Stacie, Kaelyn, Amaya, and Lauren in Portland, OR and the Daubs in Traer, IA.

That's it, besides our day to day activities. Vince still goes in as an adjunct professor one day a week. They seem to need him, and he enjoys it. The upkeep of our house and a large lawn takes up a lot of his time.

Norse Club, Bible Class and Lutheran World Relief quilting keeps me busy.

We still go up to Decorah now and then during the warmer months. Have to try to catch those wary trout.

Hope this finds you in good health as we anticipate the celebration of the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ!

Dad and Mom
[Handwritten note: This is all old news - older news on the back. (On the back is a photocopy of the Christmas letter from 1964).]

1995

December 1995

Dear ones,

MERRY CHRISTMAS! Isn't it great to hear the Christmas carols on the radio, on the TV, or even in the shopping malls? It helps remind us of the miraculous birth of the Son of God which is the whole reason for the season.

This is the annual report for some of you who usually only hear from us this once-a-year:

We haven't made any really long trips. Going to San Antonio for the annual dental research meeting in March was fun. We walked the River Walk, toured the Alamo, and ate the good Mexican food. And to Centreville, VA to see Dawn and her family over New Year's was a good time. Dawn had arranged for us an invitation to a plantation for a party - that was neat. Other than that, we have mostly traveled to Decorah or to Windom.

We still have the apartment in Decorah and Vince loves to go up there and catch those trout. He also cooks them and they are really good. We went up in October to see the King and Queen of Norway - we even had dinner with them. They didn't know we were there, of course. But it was a lot of fun. The King in his greeting at the convocation at Luther College said he heard that that area of Iowa is called Little Switzerland, and that is all right - Switzerland is a beautiful country; but he thought it could also be properly called Little Norway. He received a resounding round of applause.

My parents decided it was time to get off the farm and into town. They couldn't find an apartment in Windom, so they moved to one in Jackson. They were born, raised, married in Jackson County, so it wasn't a "foreign" move. They are liking it, though Dad says it isn't home.

We had a good vacation at a resort in northern Minnesota which we have been to every now and then as our children were growing up. And they all joined us for that week in June - there were 15 of us (my sister Pam and Ryan and Joshua were with us) and such a gathering around the table that was. We took turns preparing the meals. The week was really hot so was good to be at a lake. Dalen and Sharon stopped by for a day with Dalen's boat; so a lot of water skiing was done that day. One day we rented a jet ski, and most everyone had fun on that! And of course, we had to go to Paul Bunyanland one day - the kids (big and little) had a good time, riding all the rides. It was the first time that we were all together in six years. We are told the kids want to do it again, only maybe in three years, so they must have enjoyed it, too.

BrandiAnne Daub joined our family in July being born to Jené and John. It is such fun to have them living so close - we get a chance to spoil her properly. Now we look forward to having my sisters and families and Mom and Dad visit us over Christmas!

Season's Greetings,

1993

December 1993

Time does fly when you're having fun (or is it when you're getting old?)! Another year has flown by; there have been no great changes in our lives this past year.

Our "kids" are all still in the same places: Arik and Miranda are in Los Angeles, but are beginning to think abou living some place else. They entertained us royally this past summer when we spent 3-4 days with them - saw the Crystal Cathedral, heard the Los Angeles Symphony in the Hollywood Bowl, and ate at several of Arik's favorite places.

Mark lives in Carson City, NV and really likes the area. He is back to teaching voice and doing some performing. We were lucky enough to see him in Pirates of Penzance at an outdoor theater at Lake Tahoe - it was cool enough so we huddled under blankets to keep warm. He also took us to Virginia City to see the old silver mining town!

Dawn and Jené are still in Guam, both getting anxious to live in the states again. And by next summer, they will. Jené and John are in their fifth year of teaching - whoever thought they would stay there that long? John enjoys being head wrestling coach at George Washington High School in addition to his teaching, and Jené is a special ed. coordinator (I think) spending time at 2 different schools.

Dawn and Bob are in their final year of the tour of duty on Guam. Bob became CO of his squadron in June - so his parents, Vince and I, and Jan, (a real good friend of Dawn's) all journeyed to Guam for the ceremony. It was really neat! To see the entire squadron in their dress whites standing at attention, to hear those who were to be on the platform being piped "aboard" and to hear a Navy band playing - Wow!

Vince had an especially good time - Dawn arranged for Bob, Bob's dad, and Vince a deep sea fishing trip as a Father's Day gift. Vince caught a 50-pound, 56-inch mahi mahi - he said it took an half hour to get it in, and his arms hurt for three days. But he also had a smile on his face for at least three days. Fun!

Dawn, Heather and Andy visited here in September - Dawn wanted to surprise her dad on his 60th birthday; but we aren't sure he was really surprised. My folks, my sisters Pam and Sharon, and their families came down to spend Labor Day weekend.

We have a new tourist attraction here: the erosion done by the flood waters going over the spillway at the Coralville Dam has created a geological masterpiece, eroding down to rock bed, revealing fossils from years ago. We had no personal flood damage; some had flood waters in their homes for weeks, basement walls caving in, or appliances, carpets, furniture, walls all destroyed. Horrible!

May your observance of the birth of the Christ Child bring you much peace and joy!

1983

12 December 1983

Here it is the same date that I composed my epistle last year. As with all of you and with every year, it has had its ups and downs.

The Nursing Home where Vince's mom lived called us as we got home last Christmas Day, with news that she was not doing well. She lingered until the following Wednesday dying the evening of December 29. Her funeral was the Monday after New Year's in Decorah. We have missed her.

Mark and Amy had an impressive simple wedding ceremony in front of our Christmas tree on January 8. They moved to Chicago the next day. Mark has had some parts in a couple of plays, has been delivering singing telegrams, and auditioning here and there. Amy got a job in her field (her major is in Mass Communications). Their ceremony in Amy's home church in Macomb, Ill., was April 30. She was and is a beautiful bride!

Dawn and Bob arrived back from Japan on March 1; their service affirming their Japanese vows was in our church on March 5. Bob's present navy assignment is at the Pentagon - they are living in Alexandria, Va. Needless to say, we have visited both Chicago and Washington D.C. this past year.

We went in to see Mark in both of his performances in June and in September, and also visited them when we were in for a dental meeting in February. We stopped there for a weekend in early June as we headed east to D.C. Spent 4 days with Dawn and Bob, seeing a lot but not nearly everything. We even got good enough to take the metro by ourselves so gave our tour guide a break. That is a fascinating place to visit! Then before heading home, drove with Dawn and Bob up to northern Penn. to see Bob's land. He has about 90 acres, mostly timber and rough land. Penn. is a beautiful state. On our way back to Iowa we drove through the area my great-great- grandfather left to immigrate to Iowa in 1838. Interesting!

July found me trekking back to Washington - Sharon, Pam and I flew out - that's the way to go. Bob's fellow workers could envision his mother-in-law coming to visit, but also her 2 sisters? We had a good time; ready to go again.

The rest of the year has been more or less quiet. Jené is in her senior year of high school. She plans to go to UNI next fall. Arik started at the University here this fall. He's trying a variety of courses - likes music and biology. Is there such a thing as a musical biologist? a biological musician? Vince has kept busy at school - so easy to keep occupied with students and patients, but he also tries to do some research and writing. He likes the variety. I am finishing my year as ALCW president. That has made a few extra meetings, etc.

Pam and Bob and their 2 boys moved to Mankato, Mn. this fall - we plan to go up there after Christmas. Jené however goes to Wash. D.C. between Christmas and New Year's for a high school choir festival.

Weather allowing, Mark and Amy, Dawn and Bob will be joining us for Christmas - that will be fun!

1981

Wednesday, 16 December 1981

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Hey, this has been a good year! We have been able to do a lot of fun things, most of them having to do with getting together with family, relatives, and friends.

1. Vince's high school class reunion at Decorah - it is interesting to say the least to see these friends from long ago, some who are seen every once in awhile, some every five years, and in the case of one classmate the first time since graduation.

2. Vince's Johnson Cousin family reunion in Decorah during the Nordic Fest - quite often a relationship like that meets only at funerals. In my family history project, I tried to collect at least the names of all the descendants of Gus Johnson - that was fun, too!

3. A couple of weddings in Decorah - Robyn Thorsten's in July and Joelle Monhardt's in August.

4. An anniversary or two - our 25th we celebrated a couple of times. On the first of Sept. (the actual date) we met the Wangnesses and the Christensons from Decorah at Independence and had dinner together, with much enjoyable conversation. The three men all have September birthdays so it was two celebrations.

On Labor Day weekend, Dawn hosted a celebration here, with my folks and sisters and families. Bob brought a beautiful cake, Dalen brought a beautiful centerpiece; Dawn and Mark sang - the song from Fiddler on the Roof, "Do You Love Me?" All fun!

In September also, the golden wedding anniversary of Vince's uncle and aunt, Bill and Mabel Johnson at Decorah.

5. The usual vacation - this time back to the Brainerd area for a week.

6. Vince's week fishing - this time he and Dalen floating the Madison (I think) in Nontana with Lyle and Steve (Lyle's son-in-law.)

7. A couple of trips to Grinnell - the first to help Joshua celebrate his first birthday, and Ryan his third; the second for Memorial Day. That was when Vince was fishing so it was the kids and I (Pam says that was the first time she had seen me overeat!)

8. Visits - first from my LBI rommate, Annie and her daughter. We talked a mile a minute, I'm sure - we had to, she only stayed over night. The second - Lyle for a weekend while on a business trip out this way.

9. Some exciting 'cultural' events - Leontyne Price, the opera singer, and Ella Fitzgerald, the jazz singer were here at Hancher within a week of each other. Such talent! Then Mark was stand-in for one of the leads in the University production of the opera, Magic Flute. The lead didn't get sick so Mark didn't perform, but he was in the chorus so we went to see it. He had the lead in Oklahoma! put on by Iowa City Community Theater - that was fun. I only went 4 times. Now he has a supporting role in A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum - we are going to see that on New Year's Eve. That is also by the Community Theater.

There have been some things that weren't fun - the funeral of Paul Strand, our Decorah friend, neighbor and lawyer, whose plane went down over Texas and wasn't found for 6 weeks. We think often of the void in the lives of Joyce and the five kids.

Vince had surgery in October - gall stones. He is back to work full time and doing well. The difficult part was the diagnosing. They didn't show on xray or sonar scan, or any of the tests, so the doctors were hesitant to perform surgery. He felt lousy off and on for a couple of years, and is glad it is behind him.

That's about the year - a couple of business trips for Vince to Chicago and Des Moines, a speaking engagement at Decorah, and oh, showing the Museum and Decorah to a Norwegian family who were here at the U. for six months or so - I guess that's it.

Oh, how could I forget - six home Football Games! HOW ABOUT THEM HAWKS!?!

Do have a merry, merry Christmas - "for unto to you is born this day in the city of David, a Savior, who is CHRIST THE LORD!"

1979

Dear ones,

Time marches on! But as our student pastor said in his sermon at the Advent service last Wednesday, history belongs to God. So it is that 'His story' which we hear anew especially at this season is the basic foundation of all history, the promise of the past, the fulfillment in Jesus' birth, and the hope for the future. Praise God!

December is chock full of so many fun things. We started it by driving up to Decorah to hear an 800-voice choir sing the Messiah. Mark was one of the soloists, so that added to the excitement and thrill. We drove back there on the 4th, to hear Mark's senior voice recital - he did a good job. He has studied and practiced hard and has noticeably improved his voice (and his stage presence). Dawn drove over from Osage (where she thoroughly enjoys teaching third graders) for both those performances so we had a chance to visit with her, too. They will both be here for the holidays.

Sunday Jene went with us to see and hear "Cocoa and Carols" presented by the Old Gold Singers, the University swing choir. It was colorful, bright, cheerful and musically enjoyable. This Saturday is the Christmas smorgasbord for our Norse club. That's always fun - lutefisk and lefse, krumkaka and sandbakkels, søt suppe - doesn't all that sound delicious?!

We are looking forward to having my 2 sisters and their families and my folks here for Christmas. So I've added leaves to the table, and rented a couple of play pens. After vacationing together we have found out it is better for everyone if the little ones have a definite place to nap.

Our younger 2 are growing up and away. Arik is 15, looking forward to his next birthday and wheels, of some kind, of his own. He also thinks he will be the biggest one in the family and he very well may be. He is a sophomore, so is beginning to think about college and/or career. Jene is a giggly 13-yr. old, in 8th grade and very aware of boys. She is a cheer leader, takes piano lessons, is in church choir and sr. catechism class. So she doesn't lack for things to do.

I've done some fun things this year - went with the folks, my 2 sisters and their kids, out to Denver in May to visit my brother and his family - three days out, three days there, three days back was some trip. That's such a pretty place - they can see the mountains out their living room window.

In July, we went up to Windom for my class reunion. I enjoyed it in spite of the ambivalent feelings it gave me. To see people who were part of your life such a long time ago, is both fun and a little eerie. We also went to Decorah in July for the Nordic Fest. Big crowds, much visiting.

Vince is on the downward side of the hill as far as his studying. He gets his specialty degree in May, has written and defended his thesis, and will advance from instructor to assistant professor. The students have learned if they don't want a "picky" dentist checking their work, they ask someone else. They likewise have learned he will see that they get it done right. He will be happy to be done with the classwork for awhile, but I'm sure he will always be studying something.

I even studied some this fall. Well, I didn't study much but I went to an 8-week sourse in Genealogy. You should see Vince try to be interested when I tell him about finding the death of 7 great-grand-parents in the Jackson Co. Minn court house and the 8th one in the Court House at Windom. You either really like that stuff or you really don't. And I don't know very many married couples who both really do.

Better get this to the printer and in the mail.

Merry Christmas!

1977

Hi!

Sitting here in our family room, I look out at the snow-covered hills across the valley, and watch the neighbor's sheep peacefully grazing in the pasture. Once in a while a car drives across the road on the ridge, silhouetted against the horizon. Our house is about 3 miles from Iowa City on the northeast side, situated on almost two acres of land. That's only one of the changes our family has had this past year.

Living in the country instead of on main street "2 blocks from anything" is a big change. Arik and Jené having to ride the school bus instead of their bikes is a big change. Vince being an instructor in the Dental College instead of being a family practioner is a big change. However, he teaches in the Family Practice Dept., helping the Sr. dental students learn the ins-&-outs, and the ups-&-downs of being family practioners themselves.

Having Mark and Dawn feel like they're coming to visit instead of coming home is a big change. I suppose Decorah still will be their 'home' for a long time. In fact, Mark is at Luther this year, a sophomore, so he really feels he's home. Dawn is a Sr. at UNI, with only her practice-teaching left before she graduates. She is so excited about starting her teaching career.

Having Vince doing his homework most every evening because he's a student (parttime) again is a change. He is working toward his master's degree, a specialty in Fixed Prosthetics (Crown & Bridge). Having to check the yellow pages and then the city map most every time I need a different service is a big change - but I suppose if we live here as long as we lived in Decorah, I'll know my way around here, too.

Being able to go to all of Iowa's home football games instead of just the homecoming one is a big change. Being able to attend concerts by the Stradivari Quartet at the drop of a hat is a big change. I imagine even that will grow commonplace.

But not all things change - Arik and Jené are much the same - oh, a year older and some days a year smarter. Arik is in 8th grade at Central Jr. High, a drummer in the Band; in Jr. Hi church choir and Jr. Confirmation; all that plus riding his motor cycle fills his days. Jené is in 6th grade, a violinist in the Orchestra, and in church choir. They are fortunate that a couple of other families in this area have kids their ages.

The move and all it entailed has seemed to occupy most of our time this past year. Jené was thrilled when 2 days after we moved we drove into Des Moines for the Donny and Marie show - it was good! Then the first part of August we stayed a weekend at Okoboji for Vince's 20-yr. Dental Class Reunion. That was fun! And toward the end of August, we drove up to Windom to help my folks celebrate their 50th Wedding Anniversary - we had a really good time!

We've just enjoyed having Mark and Dawn share Thanksgiving with us. My sister Pam and her husband were here too - they live in Grinnell, now. Dawn and Mark will be here for Christmas, as well as my folks, my sisters and their families, and Vince's mom. Doesn't that sound like fun!

We wish for you all of Christmas' blessings!

Merry Christmas,

1972

Hey there!

Life has been full and exciting since I last sat down to compose such an epistle as this. With the sounds of tires spinning in the cold snow, Christmas carols from the radio or the stereo, Rudolph or the Grinch sounding forth from the TV and children's voices: "You know what I want, Mom?" or "I only want this, Mom," we move rapidly on towards that day of all days when our Savior and Lord was born. As we celebrate His birth again this year, may we each receive Him anew each day, and as we anxiously await His second coming, may we each day be prepared for its glory and its finality.

As we watch our children grow and mature, I'm not sure if they are keeping us young or helping us age - a little of both, I presume. Dawn is a sophomore, a cheerleader, in the band and in the chorus, in Youth Choir and Hi League at Church. She was confirmed last May. The boys are beginning to call at the door, but she still tells her dad he is her favorite.

Mark is a freshman, in band and chorus, Jr. Hi League and Confirmation Choir. He will be confirmed in the spring (I suppose). He went out for Cross Country, and will for Track - likes football and basketball but is too small, I guess. He has a morning paper route which makes him early to bed and early to rise, and a man of his own means.

Arik is in third grade, in Cub Scouts, and Children's Choir. He is taking piano lessons - likes to play but hates to practice.

Jené is in first grade, and likes school. She now reads me her bedtime stories.

There have been some changes and some additions around here. Vince has moved his dental office uptown where he is renting space. He has a nice 2-chair office and likes it. In nice weather, he rides his motorcycle (now has a Harley Davidson) or his bicycle. Now that it is colder he walks and carries his noon lunch with him.

The boys are each sleeping in what used to be an operatory downstairs. The waiting room will be a den - we are waiting for carpenters to put in a door. Dawn now has her own room and enjoys the solitude away from a noisy little "sis." Jené also has her own room with its purple shag rug and lilac walls. Those are the changes - now for the additions:

Ebony came to live with us last January. Sometimes she's man's best friend and sometimes man's worst nuisance. I'11 be glad when she gets over chewing - boots, mittens, stocking caps, pencils, ballpoint pens, magazine racks, woodwork, you name it. The kids have enjoyed her, especially Mark.

Last May, my sister Pam got married so we have a new brother-in-law, Bob Bergan. She still works at Luther, he is employed by Western Electric.

And when school started this fall, Peggy came to live with us. She is Jene's roommate, a junior at Luther and from Anguilla (the island we were at in 1969).

Another addition - to our church - a new pastor, Paul Christensen, a man of unending energy. He'll probably shake First Lutheran down to its very foundations.

My parents for the most part are quite well, I was home for a couple of days in the middle of a week a couple of weeks ago - without any of the children along. What a visit we had!

Vince's folks had to give up their apartment last summer and are now living at the Aase Haugen Home, about five miles outside of Decorah. Some days they are fairly content out there, some days not.

1968

Merry, Merry, Merry, Merry, Merry Christmas to you, you, you, you! That's our greeting to you in the voice of Jene as she sits on the davenport, sings and bounces her head!

Another year has come and gone and all too quickly. We seem to be as busy as always, only with a few different jobs. I'm principal of the Wednesday Church School this year, and so every Wednesday morning, Arik, Jene and I rush off to church. (Jené stays in the nursery with another little girl whose mother teaches.) We have two dozen energetic and eager three and four year olds who are busy learning Christmas songs. Our group is not in a Christmas program or service but we have invited our mothers to come next Wednesday to our birthday party for Jesus, so we will sing for them then.

Dawn is in sixth grade and Mark is in fifth grade - both of them enjoy school. Mark has started playing basketball. He had a game the other night during the half of the sophomore game. He loves sports and bemoans the fact that he is so small. Maybe his interest in music will win out-he likes piano and does real well. Dawn is getting to be real good at the piano. She is in sixth grade band, but I don't hear her practicing her flute very often. Both of them are in Scouts and in the church choir - too much doing too much of the time! Arik, 4, and Jené, 2, keep busy just keeping busy! Mark and Dawn were asked to sing at the Birthday Party for the Retirement Center last week. Arik and Jené sang with them - at least they stood up there and pretended. All four are real hams and love to perform!

And of course, Vince is like us and the rest of the world - busy, too. He isn't teaching Bethel this year, but he is teaching in the High School Bible Department and enjoys it. The principal is terrific! Vince has 10th grade boys and sometimes wonders if he gets to them at all. He sings in the choir yet, and with his practice and his dental meetings, etc., fishing and hunting some, his time is occupied. His mother is not too well and so we've tried to do what we can to be of help to his folks.

We thought, and perhaps with some envy, of the Bethel teachers and the marvelous tour they took in November. We had originally signed up to go on the Holy Land Tour, but when the final definite decision had to be made, we were faced with new challenges and so withdrew. By next year perhaps I will be able to tell you about "our trip" which we will, by then, have taken.

Our trips this year have been short and sweet - Vince took two jaunts to Canada for some fishing, one week in June (when I took the kids and went to visit my folks on the farm) and the other over Labor Day weekend. I had told him he couldn't go in September because he wouldn't be home for our anniversary; in his absence he sent me a dozen roses! We spent a week at Heruth's cottage on Gull Lake in August and really enjoyed a leisurely rest. Dawn, Mark and Arik had such fun! (Jené stayed with Grandpa and Grandma Blakey.) My sister, Sharon, was married the end of June so we were to Windom for that. Pam, my other sister, and I were both in the wedding party as was my brother Averland. My other brother was an usher, Vince was the soloist, Dawn was a gift runner.

Pam moved to Decorah about ten days before the wedding and started working at Luther College - it is fun to have her here. She has a small apartment on the West Side, but drops in every once in a while. She is handy when we need a sitter.

To get back to our trips - we attended the annual State Meeting in Des Moines, and the annual homecoming football game in Iowa City. We enjoyed visiting with the Dresslhaus', home from Venezuela this summer and hope to see them again before they go back. We looked for the Cahalans from Des Moines but missed them (or they missed us). Would it ever be fun to have the Mitchells from Ohio, The Thomas' from Massachusetts or the Daniels' from Houston come this way. We haven't seen them in a long, long time!

Our family has really grown this year - no, no new little ones, but we did acquire a new brother-in-law. And Vince's two nieces were both married this year: Linda in early spring, and Lanita this fall, so you see we have two new nephews-in-law.

May Christ's Peace be yours this Christmas!

As ever,