And...Our 2006 Christmas Letter

Well, Christmas is inching closer, and since nobody got around to writing the Christmas letter earlier, I (Heidi) got assigned the duty last night. So here it goes.
Dad is still busy at work. Even though we don’t have lots of news about him, he faithfully takes care of us all, starting the woodburner each morning so we can wake up to a cozy warm house, and a million other things. Lately, us girls have kept him busy setting mousetraps.
Mom is still home schooling the younger kids, so she stays busy with that. She very much enjoys her great nephews and nieces. Sometimes we wonder if she thinks she’s a grandma to them - she sure takes “grandma rights.”
I just finished my last semester at Illinois Central College, and am looking very forward to starting at Methodist College of Nursing in January. I quit working at the nursing home this summer, and it’s given me lots more free weekend time, which I gladly take advantage of.
Adam got a buck with his bow this year and boy, were we proud of him! He took Driver’s Ed this summer and has been making good use of having his permit. It’s scary. He worked a lot this summer baling hay, helping Uncle Tom, and mowing. He could hardly stand it when all his activity stopped after an emergency appendectomy in July. He loves fishing, hunting, and trapping. Too bad those aren’t subjects in school. Mom is a little less than thrilled about his coon skins laying in her freezer.
Wendi continues to charm our ears with her piano music, and her violin music is getting closer. She’s starting her second year teaching piano lessons to my cousin’s two girls, as well as Luke when he cooperates. She loves kids and babysitting, is a professional shopper, and enjoys talking and being with her friends.
Luke continues to be, well, his unique imaginative self. He loves helping Adam with trapping, playing outside in his forts or sandbox, or turning our living room (and most of the house) into a farm, complete with soybeans and corn all over the floor. He was excited to be able to ride with Uncle Tom during harvest, and is pretty sure he wants to be a farmer.
As usual, this summer took the family (minus me) to St. Germain, Wisconsin. I stayed home because I was taking two summer classes. I had a great time, and I heard they did too. Some of the excitement included lots of fishing, good food, playing guitars in the van on the way up, family time, and a grease fire that burned the grill to the ground (long story).
Well, that is our year in a nutshell. We love hearing from all of you and getting your cards, letters, and pictures in the mail. May God bless you with His presence in this Christmas season.

With love,
Max, Mary, Heidi, Adam, Wendi, & Luke