Happy Holidays!
2013
Family Happenings
Well another year has flown by. The older I get, the faster they go. 2013 was filled with both sadness and excitement. In April, we lost Loren's Mom after a long battle with liver disease. We miss Sue every day but also know that she is no longer suffering and is finally at peace. We enjoyed a trip to Chicago in June. We explored downtown Chicago and even ate at Bubba Gump Shrimp. We were also blessed to spend many days in Nebraska over the summer. In July, Deanna's Dad turned 70. We celebrated with a surprise Birthday party for him and we sure did surprise him. It was hard to pull off but the look on his face in the end was priceless. Another new adventure has been that Deanna is now working as Teacher-Librarian for Grant Wood Area Education Agency in Cedar Rapids. The agency supports 33 school districts in East Central Iowa. Deanna now works with adults instead of students and has found the job to be a great change of pace so far!
Kara's Journey
Kara is a junior at John F. Kennedy High School. She is now driving legally and carts Anna all over to events. Kara is very busy with school work as well as babysitting after school every day for friends of ours from church. She has also recently been hired on as a banquet server for the Cedar Rapids Country Club. She is now thinking about her future and where she might want to attend college. She is looking to take the ACT test come Spring. Kara is a very responsible kiddo and we are so happy and proud of the choices and decisions that she makes. Kara will be on the Kennedy Women's tennis team come March again this year. One exciting accomplishment for this year is that Kara was invited to become a member of the Science National Honor Society at Kennedy.
Anna's now a teenager!
Anna officially became a teenager in June. She's 13 going on 20 :). Anna is heavily involved in sports both at school and outside of school. We appreciate her energy and how she is so dedicated to her friends and family. Anna is in her 2nd year of confirmation and has been involved in volunteer mission work through that confirmation experience. Anna has decided to take school more seriously this year and she is doing extremely well in her classes. Anna experienced flying for the first time last March when she flew with her best friend and Mom to Ft. Lauderdale for Spring break. She loved the experience so much that we are all going back this year together!
Anna and Kara at Noelridge Flower Gardens
A tradition that was started by Grandma Weber. We will continue this tradition every year.
On one of our trips to Beatrice during summer 2013
The girls wanted to take pictures with Deanna's new Ipad mini.
First day of the school year 2013
Again another tradition started by Grandma Weber. Picture on the first day of school.
Loren has been very busy with the many projects he's involved in at work and at home. It has been difficult 6 months as we all adjust to life without Sue. Loren continues to be that source of wisdom and strength for all of us that was left behind in the void of his mom. He and his Dad have many activities that they have been keeping busy with around the house. Loren is soccer and basketball parent for Anna as she is involved in many activities. He continues his work at. Centro, Inc. in North Liberty and is thankful that our gas bill has gone down since Deanna is now working in Cedar Rapids..
Deanna is busier than ever. As Deanna gets accustomed to her surroundings in her new job, she is appreciative of a much shorter drive to the west side of Cedar Rapids instead of a 45 minute commute to Vinton. Deanna has taken up running as a hobby and enjoys the energy that it gives her. We are looking forward to the holidays with family and friends. Deanna's entire family will be with us for the Thanksgiving holiday. We look forward to entertaining and having Dad's special friend Maryann with us for Thanksgiving. We are most thankful for good health and time with our families this holiday season.
May the season be full of love and happiness for you all.
Seasons greetings!
Loren, Deanna, Kara, and Anna