December 2013

2013 angel ornament

 December and the end of the year is always full of family, food , fun and special activities.  This December was especially so for Mark and Hilde.  The annual joker in the deck--Wisconsin winter-- provided much more than a white Christmas with wintery mixes of precip, howling winds and record lows throughout the month.  None of the above stopped festivities.

This year, Mark's birthday was celebrated quietly with a cake at the masters dinner hosted by Dr. Stevens after the taekwondo testing.  Mark and Hilde also had dinner with Dr. Stevens and Karen Johnson later in the month--old friends enjoy getting together!

Rhi and Rowan with toys and chocolate

Mark had NO overnight business all month--that's notable and very welcome.  He did settle a case, mediate another and spend a lot of time plowing and dealing with snow and cold issues.  Hilde did the usual December stuff:  organized fruit basket deliveries, baked lots of cookies, stollen and fruit cake and managed to complete angels ornaments for special folks.  She also spent lot of time on county work as the long-time planning director retired, meaning retirement speeches, plaques and reception and long hours on interviews and selection of his successor.

Of course, the focus of December was Christmas.  This year, for the first time, the family gathered at Jim and Kayme's house.  They have made so many improvements to their house and re-did the third bedroom before the holidays too.  What a joy to worship together and then to see the excited little girls open gifts!  It was joyous and cozy gathering by the fire and enjoying each other.

Sisters rocking out together

Despite John's nasty cold, he and Evie were able to come to Rudolph for R & R for his his 33rd birthday.  Wisconsin weather relented and gifted him with a thaw and sunshine---allowing for snow frolics for Genghis and the construction of Snowhenge.  Evies knee is recovering nicely from surgery on the torn meniscus.  They managed to get back to Illinois (before the big cold hit) in time to see the Packers win over the Bears and take the division championship.  Great timing!

Mixed with the merriment was some sad times.  Mark and Hilde were alarmed when Freddie suddenly lost weight, strength and energy.  New feed, treats and visits to vets couldn't help kidney failure due to Lyme disease.  Frederick the Great was 10 1/2 and sweet-tempered to the end.

Evie, Genghis and John build Snowhenge

More difficult was the situation with Hilde's father Ray.  Another fall led to more rehab and the painful recognition that he needed to be moved to the memory unit.  since it is part of the Linden Grove complex, Hilde's mother Arlene can just walk over and visit easily, but also know he is getting excellent care as the dementia progresses.  Hilde's sister Laure and Terri have been awesome in their time and strength, helping their mother in this.

Gold friends: Becky, Irene, Melodie and Cheri with Hilde

Hilde especially enjoyed the luncheon mid-month with he "gold" crafts friends--many years and memories together.  Then the month closed out with a visit to Rice Lake, to see Phil, Connie, their family and the beautiful new home.  It was another subzero day, but a warm gathering.

So 2013 ends--it was a year of blessing through all challenges.  Mark and Hilde are confident that 2014 will bring the same.