December 2011

December made for a dazzling end to the year of 2011—full of happy times and joyous gatherings.

Early in the month, Mark and Hilde were happy and proud to attend Evelyn’s presentation on her doctoral study of ferns. Evie spoke well and the slides were great, bringing together enormous amounts of data. Her committee gave her some changes to make in the paper but full approval—congratulations Dr. Williams! After champagne in the lab and a fine luncheon together, Tony and Kathy headed back to MN and Mark and Hilde back to Rudolph.

Despite (again) extra meetings, including training on the new voter ID requirements for chief election inspectors, and going around gathering signatures on nomination papers, Hilde managed to attend all three Advent services this month. It seemed to help having them at 3:30 instead of at 9 am, and they really helped prepare hearts and minds for Christmas. Mark and Hilde rejoiced also to be present when Loren Fritz, Kayme’s father, was installed as pastor at Immanuel Lutheran in Waupaca. His daughter Naomi played organ and son Rev. Paul Fritz installed him---a special day. Hilde and Mark are looking forward to getting together with the Fritzes more now that they are closer to Rudolph.

Oh Christmas was really special this year for the Henkels. John and Evie were able to come up Thursday afternoon, and Jim and Kayme came the next day. Rhiannon is moving very quickly now and seemed delighted to be at Grandma and Grandpa’s. In preparation, Hilde had borrowed a playfence for the tree, plugged outlets and gated the stairway, so Rhi could run the length of the house and explore safely. Christmas with a bright, active little one in the house is wonderful. Rhi looked angelic in a ruffled dress for Christmas Eve---she was chewing on a rubber snake half of the time, to the amusement of all. What a joy to worship with our whole family together!

Although the whole month of December was chilly, Rudolph got only temporary dustings of snow, but one arrived on the 23rd so that Rhiannon could get out the next morning to experience her first snow. She also loved being pulled on the green sled on the gently sloped front lawn, and was introduced to Coffee and Freddie also. John and Evie gave her a more portable pet: a large TRIBBLE that vibrates and trills, with the batteries removable for quiet..

December brought many other gatherings with friends and relatives: the crafts ladies came out, niece Heidi came to visit, and the black belt Christmas party brought all those friends together also. At the very end of the year, Mark and Hilde traveled to Rice Lake to so brother Phil , Connie and their three grown up kids. That was a special gathering, very cozy with Phil’s stove snapping, their house beautiful for Christmas and Connie laid out a great meal. It was a wonderful month and a fine finale to 2011. Hilde and Mark were very happy.