February was one day longer this year--which helped Mark and Hilde with a very full schedule. Coming home from the successful trial in Wausau, Mark and Hilde had a lot to catch up on, slightly hampered by Mark coming down with a nasty cold.
One of the annual tasks is getting all those tax papers together and
totalled and off to the accountant. What a great relief when that is done! The Henkels had another demonstration of the great community they live in when,with all the travel and confusion, Hilde left her checkbook at the post office just before heading out of town. Becky, the post master, carefully secured the checkbook, left messages for her on the phone and even called the bank so that Hilde would not need to cancel checks or accounts. Small towns are great!
totalled and off to the accountant. What a great relief when that is done! The Henkels had another demonstration of the great community they live in when,with all the travel and confusion, Hilde left her checkbook at the post office just before heading out of town. Becky, the post master, carefully secured the checkbook, left messages for her on the phone and even called the bank so that Hilde would not need to cancel checks or accounts. Small towns are great!February is a special month for Mark & Hilde--this year it was their 40th wedding anniversary, and of course the birthday, one day later, of Dr. James Henkel. The anniversary celebration was delayed a week so that they could be in town for the February taekwondo testing which went great. The next day the couple flew to Tucson for a wonderful relaxed week. While the residents thought the weather cold, the 60s seemed balmy and invigorating for Mark and Hilde! The one rainy day was spent seeing wonderful exhibits of quilts, pott
ery, mining, history and much more at the historical museum and Arizona State Museum---so much at once nearly wore them out. The weather was perfect for their day at the Sonors Desert Museum where they delighted in the raptors flights and got lots of neat photos. Other enjoyable sights included the Tucson Botanical Garden, the Presideo, Pima County Air and Space Museum, Reid Park Zoo and the older area of Tucson---beautiful houses and flowers.
ery, mining, history and much more at the historical museum and Arizona State Museum---so much at once nearly wore them out. The weather was perfect for their day at the Sonors Desert Museum where they delighted in the raptors flights and got lots of neat photos. Other enjoyable sights included the Tucson Botanical Garden, the Presideo, Pima County Air and Space Museum, Reid Park Zoo and the older area of Tucson---beautiful houses and flowers.The last day was perfect: Mark and Hilde took a tramride up Sabino Canyon, hiked up and down and picnicked next to Sabino Creek, sitting on rocks and enjoying the stark beauty. It was totally restful and refreshed both for the next set of travel. After the difficulties of finding parking--you pay, then circle for 20 minutes before snatching a spot --and those ominous flyers warning of mountain lions lurking, it was such a great day.
Meantime, the extended family was also having an interesting time. John a
nd Evie went up and participated in the famous cross-country skiing event, the Birkebeiner. Evie has done it before, but this was John's first--so they skied the Korte, "just" 13 miles, and had a great time. Unfortunately, they were too busy to take any pictures! Howedver, Kayme took this great one of Rhiannon out enjoying early spring in Maryland. Hilde's Dad is still in the rehab place, but much improved and was able to 'get out on pass' to enjoy having 6 of 7 'kids' home around hime for fish fry. Having his oldest son Steve fly home for a visit was very special for them.
nd Evie went up and participated in the famous cross-country skiing event, the Birkebeiner. Evie has done it before, but this was John's first--so they skied the Korte, "just" 13 miles, and had a great time. Unfortunately, they were too busy to take any pictures! Howedver, Kayme took this great one of Rhiannon out enjoying early spring in Maryland. Hilde's Dad is still in the rehab place, but much improved and was able to 'get out on pass' to enjoy having 6 of 7 'kids' home around hime for fish fry. Having his oldest son Steve fly home for a visit was very special for them.
As February came to an end, a major storm sept into the midwest, so Mark and Hilde left a day early for his trial in central Minnesota (that's a contrast from Tucson, for sure!), safely arriving before the ice/rain/snow which left a nasty mess everywhere. They brought boots and the trusty-worthy RAv 4 and had no problems. February was full, and with trials beginning and end, a little busier than they prefer....both are hoping the pace will slow a little soon!
