Hello, 2011!

The new year is here and off to a running start! Of course, here in Iowa it's one snow storm after another and VERY cold weather. So far (and cross your fingers) we haven't missed any school days yet. Last year the total was 10 days when it was said and done. The snow storms seem to happening on the weekends and holidays.
Steve will get some Iowa chill soon as cold (21 degrees!?!) is forecast for this week. The next few days bring some snow and frigid temps to us in Iowa.
Geoff went to the Bahamas on Jan 2nd for an interim with St. Olaf College. He is the head of the underwater camera crew that will explore a new-found underwater cave. He'll be there a month. I finally got to meet his girfriend, Rebecca S.!
Lynne has headed back to ISU as classes start Jan 10th. Her 1st semester went very well.
Marie has returned to CO after her internship with The Discovery Channel/The Learning Channel in Washington, D.C. She was there from mid-September to early December. Jeff held down the fort while she was gone. Lynne flew out to "The District" to visit Marie over Thanksgiving vacation. They had a very nice time seeing the sights.
Schools resumed on Jan 3rd. I go back to Waldorf College on Jan 11th, after being off for 3 weeks. I'll have to get used to those late night hours again! I had a cat scan to detect a hernia during vacation. Good news - no hernia, just a fat lump. It's up to me whether or not I have it removed.
We got together with the Sherrill and Reiter families over the vacation break. Christmas time doesn't seem quite the same without my Mom there. The Sherrills enjoyed listening to Damon Dotson perform at the Little Swan Lake Winery on Dec 26th. Watch the slide show to see pics.
Marie, Lynne, and I attended the bridal shower for niece/cousin Jessica R., bride-to-be of Jon W. Trudy, Kellie and Amy really did a nice job of decorating for the occasion! It was a very nice event. Jessica and Jon get married in September. Devin and Laura R. are expecting a child in late April/early May.
It was nice to visit with the Reiter families, some we hadn't seen in almost a year! Please keep our nephew, Chris R. in your thoughts and prayers as he is serving with the Army overseas. His new bride, Bonnie, misses him a lot. They are expecting a child in July, too. There are lots of little kids in this family group!
We hope the new year is starting out well for you and yours. Much happiness, love, and success for 2011.
Love ya,
Theresa Reiter