Happy holidays from our family to yours!


In many ways, 2008 has been a year for getting settled in. We are so happy to be back in Texas – it just seems to fit!
In the last 18 months we settled into the house, built a barn, put up fence, brought the horses home and added a couple of puppies to the family. We once again have our “Six Oak Farm”.
This letter will give you a feel for our journey. After six years of moving about, it feels like roots are digging into the Panhandle of Texas.

The Journey

The journey began six years ago when we ventured from a lifetime in Minnesota to experience Texas. Three years later, Cargill had another plan, Kansas.
After two years, we were back on the road to Texas. Canyon was an easy choice. The high plains, dry climate and cactus have become home. Plus, we decided that the horses belong at home.Our new house is fantastic. The ranch style house is welcoming. It has just enough room for people and critters. We all enjoy the covered outside patio, complete with a built in fireplace.
Best of all, we are back in the Panhandle. As we drove in from Kansas, the feeling of coming home was truly amazing and comforting. Hope y’all can come visit us here in the wide open spaces!

The move to Texas was part of the plan to bring the horses home. The reunion was kind of like the book, Black Beauty, when Black Beauty is reunited with Merrylegs in their retirement days.

Czar returned to Texas months ahead of us and resided at our friends’ five-star horse facility. Liz retired from the life of a working dude horse. So our simple barn and plains pasture was a big transition but like us, they have settled in nicely.

Of course, there are plenty of feet and legs inside the house as well.

Athene (TJ’s dog) is the elder voice of reason among the canines.

Although the stickers and other “prairie stuff” tend to imbed themselves in her beautiful, long coat, Cari loves to be outside on our little farm – especially if someone happens to be throwing a tennis ball for her to retrieve.

Hannah, the Australian Shepherd puppy joined the family as we left Kansas and became a source of unending energy and plenty of comic relief. When Emily came home, there was a mutual adoption between Emily and Hannah. This summer, Hannah joined the missionary life with Emily in Salt Lake City.
Before leaving for Utah, Emily did a little housesitting job for some friends that just happened to include playing midwife for a batch of English Setter puppies.

Surprise!! We got the pick of the litter – Sailor. At 6 months, he is our new bundle of energy and mischief.

Family

Andy (26) continues to live and work in Duluth. Seems like the Whole Foods Co-op there has become very dependent on his computer expertise to keep running. He explores mutual interests in things like cooking, fishing, hunting and electronic stuff with a tight group of Bulldog friends. They recently started a new “moonlighting” adventure in website building.

Emily (26) came home from 2 years in Venezuela. Of course it was great to have her home. After months of fund-raising and dog training, she and Hannah moved on to here next phase of missionary life in Salt Lake City.

TJ (24) is completely entrenched in his pursuit of a Chemistry PhD at the University of Wisconsin in Madison. Coursework is done so he is completely focused on research. We recently had a chance to tour his laser-lab and be befuddled trying to understand just what his doing. It also appears that he is becoming a very accomplished teacher, this semester he TA’s quantum physics.

Erin (23) continues to explore the world of Oregon. She has spent most of the last year floating between Portland and in a very idyllic setting on a farm near the coast. A fluid and loyal circle of friends provides a strong base for Erin as she explores interests in growing stuff and ceramic artistry.

Happiest Holidays from our family to you.

Photos of Cari, Czar, Emily and TJ by Kelo, aka Andrea. Check out her blog too!