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
Verla Williams
Showing posts with label Dalen. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Dalen. Show all posts
Wednesday, December 25, 2013
Sunday, April 17, 2011
2000
December 2000
Dear ________,
Life is full of anticipation these days:
anticipation of again celebrating the birth of Jesus;
anticipation of His Coming again
anticipation of coming together of family, relatives and friends.
Our four "kids", their spouses, and our 5 grandchildren will all be with us this year for the first time in many years - how many we don't remember. Some will come earlier, some will stay later, but all will be here the week between Christmas and New Year's.
It has been an interesting year, with some traveling. We flew to Maryland to visit Dawn, Bob, Heather and Andy for Easter and my birthday. They live close enough to Chesapeake Bay so we could walk there. We met the addition to their household, Einstein, an Australian shepherd. He sort of got used to us and found out we wouldn't hurt his family. It was such fun!
In June, we flew to Lake Tahoe to visit Mark. There was a premier opening performance of a musical which Mark and a colleague at the Community College wrote. Mark composed the music, Dave wrote the book, and together they wrote the lyrics. We saw it twice, the opening night and then a gala a couple of nights later. It was such fun!
We flew to Portland in November for a weekend visit with Arik and Stacie, and to get acquainted with our newest grandchild, Kaelyn, born August 30. She is a little cutie. It was such a fun!
And of course, living quite close to Jene and John, BrandiAnne and J.T., we go to see them quite often or they come here. Among other times, we were up there for BrandiAnne's birthday in July, and again for J.T.'s in November. And that was such fun!
Vince and Arik, brother-in-law Dalen and a friend of his, went to Alaska for a week's fishing trip in July. They caught a goodly amount of salmon which we have been enjoying. They had such fun!
I spent that week with Mom. We had intended to do a little visiting friends, etc. - instead she had her pacemaker replaced and spent part ofthe week in the hospital. It was good I could be there.
Sister Sharon and I took an 8-day bus tour to Washington, D.C. and New York City in May - the tour was sponsored by the Decorah Norwegian-American Museum (Vesterheim). We saw the Viking exhibit at the Smithsonian in D.C. and the Norwegians in N.Y. exhibit at Ellis Island, noting the 175th anniversary of the first major emigration of Norwegians to America.
We had such fun!
Dear ________,
Life is full of anticipation these days:
anticipation of again celebrating the birth of Jesus;
anticipation of His Coming again
anticipation of coming together of family, relatives and friends.
Our four "kids", their spouses, and our 5 grandchildren will all be with us this year for the first time in many years - how many we don't remember. Some will come earlier, some will stay later, but all will be here the week between Christmas and New Year's.
It has been an interesting year, with some traveling. We flew to Maryland to visit Dawn, Bob, Heather and Andy for Easter and my birthday. They live close enough to Chesapeake Bay so we could walk there. We met the addition to their household, Einstein, an Australian shepherd. He sort of got used to us and found out we wouldn't hurt his family. It was such fun!
In June, we flew to Lake Tahoe to visit Mark. There was a premier opening performance of a musical which Mark and a colleague at the Community College wrote. Mark composed the music, Dave wrote the book, and together they wrote the lyrics. We saw it twice, the opening night and then a gala a couple of nights later. It was such fun!
We flew to Portland in November for a weekend visit with Arik and Stacie, and to get acquainted with our newest grandchild, Kaelyn, born August 30. She is a little cutie. It was such a fun!
And of course, living quite close to Jene and John, BrandiAnne and J.T., we go to see them quite often or they come here. Among other times, we were up there for BrandiAnne's birthday in July, and again for J.T.'s in November. And that was such fun!
Vince and Arik, brother-in-law Dalen and a friend of his, went to Alaska for a week's fishing trip in July. They caught a goodly amount of salmon which we have been enjoying. They had such fun!
I spent that week with Mom. We had intended to do a little visiting friends, etc. - instead she had her pacemaker replaced and spent part ofthe week in the hospital. It was good I could be there.
Sister Sharon and I took an 8-day bus tour to Washington, D.C. and New York City in May - the tour was sponsored by the Decorah Norwegian-American Museum (Vesterheim). We saw the Viking exhibit at the Smithsonian in D.C. and the Norwegians in N.Y. exhibit at Ellis Island, noting the 175th anniversary of the first major emigration of Norwegians to America.
We had such fun!
Thursday, April 14, 2011
1997
When Christmas morn is dawning I wish that I could be
There by the manger cradle God's Son, newborn, to see.
How kind of you, our Savior, For us to come to earth
Oh, may we not by sinning Despise your lowly birth.
We need you, 0 Lord Jesus, to be our dearest friend
Your love will guard and guide us and keep us to life's end.
--Abel Burckhardt (19th c.)
There by the manger cradle God's Son, newborn, to see.
How kind of you, our Savior, For us to come to earth
Oh, may we not by sinning Despise your lowly birth.
We need you, 0 Lord Jesus, to be our dearest friend
Your love will guard and guide us and keep us to life's end.
--Abel Burckhardt (19th c.)
14 December 1997
Merry Christmas!
It gets harder each year to remember just exactly what happened during the year. There were some momentous times to remember, I think.
We did have a trip or two: In February a usual dental trip into Chicago, and an unusual trip (for us) for Iowa dental alumni to Scottsdale, AZ. Vince's class also made it a 40th class reunion and that was fun.
In June we went on an 18 day trip with my sister and brother-in-law (Sharon and Dalen) to the northwest. We saw, sometimes briefly, Glacier, Lake Louise, Banff, Vancouver, Victoria, Portland, Grand Teton, Yellowstone, Big Horns, Spearfish-Passion Play, Black Hills, the Corn Palace, and a few places in between. We traveled in Dalen's RV - now that's togetherness!
It was fun to see Annie (my friend of old) and Bob in July - they stopped in for an overnight - we visited and visited. Annie wanted to see the Medical Museum at the University - that was interesting and we had never seen it. We also went to the Amanas a little bit. Annie and I roomed together at LBI, & I was her maid of honor, she was my matron of honor.
Vince took early retirement the end of August - he was given a nice retirement party - such plaudits! I've been told that retirement is twice the husband at half the pay. And the very next week we drove to Centreville, VA to visit Dawn and her family. (Any time we see any of our kids is a treat - it isn't nearly often enough.) Dawn's kids are growing up, too fast we think. Heather is 13, a sweet young lady, and Andy is 9 (nearly 10). Andy is going to be a proficient fisherman - Grandpa showed him how to cast.
Since October we have been trying to be as much help as we could to Jené - she had a high risk pregnancy and had to go on bed rest. The day before Thanksgiving she gave birth to John William Daub, III. He was a preemie and had to spend about 10 days in Intensive Care, but is now home and doing well. He seems so small - how soon we forget how tiny newborns are. BrandiAnne is 2 and is getting used to have a little brother around. John got a teaching position in Traer, IA and so they moved there in August. It is different not to have them in Iowa City, but it is only an hour and half away.
Mark is still in Carson City, teaching and doing some performing. Arik is still in Portland, helping to manage a rental company. We haven't seen them this year except for a brief stop in Portland when we were on our RV trip.
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
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,
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,
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
1975
Dear friends,
MERRY CHRISTMAS! Oh - I bet you thought we can cross Verla off our list - she's not going to get her cards done this year. I read "Family Circus" in yesterday's paper and had second thoughts again. So, if you I don't like Christmas letters, just throw this away. I like getting them!
For the very first time, I tried making lefse and fatigmann last week. Guess our trip to Norway this past summer has inspired me. Yes, Vince and I and my sister & her husband, Sharon and Dalen, visited the 'land of our ancestors' the first two weeks in August. We had a really good time - the scenery was beautiful and the weather agreeable as well. We didn't know of any living relatives but we tramped a few cemeteries and found some stones with family names. We even found a couple of farms we believe to be old homesteads. We stayed in mission hotels, a Baptist school and even a private home and met some nice people. Vince's ability to speak some Norwegian stood us in good stead. Now we are starting our 'vacation savings fund' over - I've always thought it would be fun to visit Hawaii, but now I'd like to go back to Norway; or maybe to England and Germany to visit the ancestral homes of the other side of my family. Oh, well - I'm dreaming!
For several years I was able to tell you about the increases to our family - now it has started to decrease. Dawn graduated from High School in May - attended Luther College summer session, and then in Aug. moved to Cedar Falls, Ia., where she is enrolled in the University of Northern Iowa; she is aiming to be a kindergarten teacher - thoroughly loves those little 5-year-olds. She is enjoying college life. With the two summers she went to Luther, plus credits from exams, etc. she will be a second semester sophomore when she starts again in January. She plans to work this coming summer, but will still finish college in three years. It saves her money, she says.
Mark is a senior in High School, active in chorus, band, Cross Country. He is not sure where he will go to college, and has been getting publicity from a lot of them. He likes music, but he also likes math and computers, and I guess what he decides to do will affect where he decides to go.
Arik is in sixth grade and nearing 12 years. He started in band this year, and on the drums at that! Practicing gets a little noisy, especially since his bedroom is off our kitchen. His morning paper route keeps him in spending money, besides saving for a motorcycle. (Like father - like son. Oh, Vince sold his Harley and bought a new Yamaha, somewhat smaller than the Harley. He just got it before it got cold so he hasn't ridden it much).
Jene is 9 1/2 and in fourth grade. She started piano this year and so far likes it. She even practices without being reminded. Girl Scouts and church choir are her extracurricular activities.
There has been some sadness this year - Vince's good friend from dental school being killed in an airplane accident last February in Florida; my cousin's (who lived in Golden Valley, Mn.) death from cancer just last month.
Our parents are all well - Vince's folks will be here Christmas Eve. Lillie's hip has not healed properly and she is still in a wheelchair. We will be going up to my folks the day after Christmas for the weekend.
Peggy, our Anguillan daughter, is in Puerto Rico, in training to be a radio missionary. She is happy in her new work. I wish we were close enough to hear a broadcast - I'm just assuming that sooner or later her bell-like singing voice will be going out on radio waves. I can almost hear her. . .
"Go tell it on the mountains,
Over the hills and everywhere.
Go tell it on the mountains,
That Jesus Christ is born!"
Again, Merry Christmas!
Vince, Verla, Dawn, Mark, Arik and Jené
MERRY CHRISTMAS! Oh - I bet you thought we can cross Verla off our list - she's not going to get her cards done this year. I read "Family Circus" in yesterday's paper and had second thoughts again. So, if you I don't like Christmas letters, just throw this away. I like getting them!
For the very first time, I tried making lefse and fatigmann last week. Guess our trip to Norway this past summer has inspired me. Yes, Vince and I and my sister & her husband, Sharon and Dalen, visited the 'land of our ancestors' the first two weeks in August. We had a really good time - the scenery was beautiful and the weather agreeable as well. We didn't know of any living relatives but we tramped a few cemeteries and found some stones with family names. We even found a couple of farms we believe to be old homesteads. We stayed in mission hotels, a Baptist school and even a private home and met some nice people. Vince's ability to speak some Norwegian stood us in good stead. Now we are starting our 'vacation savings fund' over - I've always thought it would be fun to visit Hawaii, but now I'd like to go back to Norway; or maybe to England and Germany to visit the ancestral homes of the other side of my family. Oh, well - I'm dreaming!
For several years I was able to tell you about the increases to our family - now it has started to decrease. Dawn graduated from High School in May - attended Luther College summer session, and then in Aug. moved to Cedar Falls, Ia., where she is enrolled in the University of Northern Iowa; she is aiming to be a kindergarten teacher - thoroughly loves those little 5-year-olds. She is enjoying college life. With the two summers she went to Luther, plus credits from exams, etc. she will be a second semester sophomore when she starts again in January. She plans to work this coming summer, but will still finish college in three years. It saves her money, she says.
Mark is a senior in High School, active in chorus, band, Cross Country. He is not sure where he will go to college, and has been getting publicity from a lot of them. He likes music, but he also likes math and computers, and I guess what he decides to do will affect where he decides to go.
Arik is in sixth grade and nearing 12 years. He started in band this year, and on the drums at that! Practicing gets a little noisy, especially since his bedroom is off our kitchen. His morning paper route keeps him in spending money, besides saving for a motorcycle. (Like father - like son. Oh, Vince sold his Harley and bought a new Yamaha, somewhat smaller than the Harley. He just got it before it got cold so he hasn't ridden it much).
Jene is 9 1/2 and in fourth grade. She started piano this year and so far likes it. She even practices without being reminded. Girl Scouts and church choir are her extracurricular activities.
There has been some sadness this year - Vince's good friend from dental school being killed in an airplane accident last February in Florida; my cousin's (who lived in Golden Valley, Mn.) death from cancer just last month.
Our parents are all well - Vince's folks will be here Christmas Eve. Lillie's hip has not healed properly and she is still in a wheelchair. We will be going up to my folks the day after Christmas for the weekend.
Peggy, our Anguillan daughter, is in Puerto Rico, in training to be a radio missionary. She is happy in her new work. I wish we were close enough to hear a broadcast - I'm just assuming that sooner or later her bell-like singing voice will be going out on radio waves. I can almost hear her. . .
Over the hills and everywhere.
Go tell it on the mountains,
That Jesus Christ is born!"
Again, Merry Christmas!
Vince, Verla, Dawn, Mark, Arik and Jené
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