For the second year, I sent out a letter with my Christmas cards. Thought I would post it here as well.
Dear Family and Friends,
As I write this note, I am reminded how worried we were about my mom’s health in early December 2005. Then on January 11, we kicked off the new year with my mom’s surgery at Mayo. Since that day, pancreatic cancer has been something we are moving past rather than wading through. What a difference! I know we all offer mom’s surgeon, Dr. Michael Farnell our unending gratitude for making our mommy well. Since January, Mom underwent another round of chemo, participated in an immunization clinical trial, and has had really positive test results. What a happy Christmas we are having!
My siblings have all had an exciting year too. Michael took on a new job as an IT manager for Excel Inns. He also bought a nice house in Madison with three of his friends—he’s now a home-owner! Maretta is a junior at St. Kate’s in St. Paul. Last March, she and her sweetie, Kyle Zilic, got engaged with a wedding planned for May 2008. We’re so excited! Joe graduated from high school this year, leaving the De Forest school district bereft of Bablers for the first time since 1983. In August, Joe moved to Maine where he is now a student at Bowdoin College. We’re looking forward to having him back home over his winter break.
We were lucky enough this past year to have lots of visits with Bryan’s parents. It has been so much fun to watch Andrew develop a joyous relationship with his Granny Lu and Grandad. Bryan and I always appreciate having extra hands on deck during our times together. Melanie and Ben are doing really well in Dallas. Ben’s job continues to evolve and grow, and they adopted a new kitten named Smudge to join kitty Chulo and puppy Toby. In November, they purchased a Curves franchise in Frisco, which Melanie will run. We are excited to have business owners in the family!
Andrew, of course, is the bright star amidst our days. He has grown so much in the last year! It is hard to believe that this talking, walking kid was trying to sit up 12 months ago! He has been thrilled with all the Christmas decorations and traditions that we are sharing with him.
Bryan and I have had a nice year. We’re enjoying our ever-evolving jobs at Widen and at Gathering Waters Conservancy. The high points of our days are a) playing with, reading to, and chasing after Andrew and b) flopping down in exhaustion after he’s gone to bed.
If we haven’t gotten to see you recently, I hope our paths cross soon. In the meantime, I keep our website stocked with pictures and updates that feature the activities of little Andrew and family. Check it out at bryanandalthea.dotzour.com.
On behalf of our Dotzour clan, I wish you a very Merry Christmas!