More Christmas Photos

Hi Brianna,

I hope you are able to get online to see some of these photos. Brodie was very excited by the fish replica he got and everyone was excited about the laptops.

By the way, the Vikings won the division and are in the playoffs. They won on a last second field goal against the NY Giants. They play the Philadelphia Eagles this Sunday. I'm thinking of going.

Love,

Dad

Christmas Play

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_LoKEsqSd3c

Christmas Eve

Hi Brianna,

I hope you are able to get to a computer to see some of our recent photos. We had quite a night. We really missed you though.

Brodie's big highlight and surprise was getting his big bass mounted by his Uncle Duane. You can see by the look on Brodie's face how excited he was.

Both Brodie and Kenzie were excited by the new laptop computers they got. Mommy got one, too. So everyone will have their own computer now.

Bailey got a bone but will get more treats tomorrow from Santa.

Kenzie and Brodie did their version of the Twas the Night Before Christmas which I hope to have up on You Tube soon.

Miss you a ton. More later...

Love,

Dad

Christmas Prep

Hi Brianna,

Since you can't here to help with the Christmas preparations, I thought we'd at least show you what the house looks like. It should all look familiar. Brodie was willing to help decorate cookies tonight and I was able to get Bailey to pose for you.

Kenzie is doing the bulk of the wrapping which helps out a lot.

There was a big fire in Burnsville tonight in an apartment building. We feel lucky to have a roof over our heads on this very cold night - about zero degrees.

We'll try to keep you updated.

Love,

Dad

Bella

Ran over quick to give presents for the Guimont clan and snapped a quick photo of Bella. Michelle is expecting a baby boy on April 15.

Jingle Ball

One of Kenzie's highlights this Christmas was going to the Jingle Ball concert in St. Paul. Unbelievably, she and her friend Carolyn got to have a private meeting with their hero - David Archileto.

Holidazzle

We went to the Holidazzle parade tonight. We'll post a few more pics from Mom's camera, but here a few from mine. Kenzie, Mom, and me (plus Kelsie and Sara) went. It was a balmy 20 degrees so it was fairly nice. More later...

Northshore Trip Dec 08

Here are some photos from our trip to the North Shore this past weekend.

Happy Holidays

Happy Holidays to Friends and Family,

We started this blog to communicate with you all and also to communicate with Brianna while she is in Cameroon. So first of all, here is Brianna's current information:

Brianna Haenke
Peace Corp Volunteer
BT 166
Mora, Extreme North
Cameroon

She will be working out of the Hôpital de District de Kolofata which is a public, government district hospital located in the Far North Province of Cameroon. The 17-year-old 80-bed hospital is the referral hospital for six rural health centers serving a population of 112,000 subsistence farmers and herders. It is directed by an American physician supported by Volunteer International Christian Service, an ecumenical NGO based in Canada. For more information:

http://www.operationgivingback.facs.org/content855.html
Check back here for more information as we learn more.

McKenzie ended her diving season - she did well and most importantly enjoyed it. Her junior year is full of homework however and so she is taking the gymnastics season off so that she can have time for homework and enjoying time with her friends and of course, enjoying the holidays.

Brodie has been practicing his drums a lot and is getting quite a bit better. He practices with friends now and maybe a band is in his near future. Brodie is also doing well in school.

Laurie's work is "fine" and I've been enjoying the variety of my work - plus working at home is great. Laurie still enjoys her backyard birds and I'm still bicycling - went on a 30 mile ride on November 29 in Minnesota!

We have a little weekend trip to Lutsen next weekend, but other than that plan to pretty much stick around for the holidays - maybe taking in a play and doing a little more skiing.

Laurie and I hope to go to Europe next summer to meet up with Brianna.

Happy Holidays!

Rod, Laurie, Brianna, McKenzie, and Brodie