Updates -

FAMILY UPDATE
by Melanie Lehtola
Howard Lake, MN

A short update on my family. Beau is in his senior year at Augsburg. He changed his major; I think it has something to do with business. Cameron is a high school senior but has more interest in anything with wheels that can go real fast. Shea is in eighth grade and her vocabulary consists of "Whoa, he was hot!" and "I neeeed new clothes!" and, of course, "homework?"

Brianna will be four on November 2nd (she shares a birthday with Grandma Gert) and already had her preschool screening in August. She did just fine and can plan on attending Kindergarten in two years. Brandon is 2-1/2, but upon seeing him, most people think he's four. He's a pretty big kid, but very much in the terrible twos. Have you ever tried wrestling a 45 pound screaming child into a grocery cart, when that is the last place in the world they want to be? (I also think there ought to be a law against candy and silly little toy machines at the check-out aisle in any store in America!)

Brian is currently at Fort McCoy, Wisconsin, training for his mission in Iraq. He should be leaving Fort McCoy mid-November for a 30 day stay in Kuwait prior to arriving at Camp Taji, Iraq. Camp Taji is located approximately 20 miles north of Baghdad. We are told he will be "in country" for 12 months. The two little ones and I traveled to Wisconsin last weekend to see him. He only had a 24 hour pass but the LT is hoping he can arrange a four-day pass for the soldiers prior to their departure for Kuwait.

For the first time ever, I am now a stay-at-home mom. I'm hoping I won't have to look for work until Brian returns home. I can't imagine how I ever worked full time and did everything else a mom/wife has to do! I'm still the Family Readiness Group Leader for Brian's Unit. Doing their newsletter, updating files and keeping in touch with families of deployed soldiers takes time. It's nice having something to do during those lonely hours at night when the kids are in bed and the house is quiet.

Brandon, Brian and Brianna Lehtola

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UPDATE
by Heidi Johnson Henderson
Albuquerque, NM

Hello from the Land of Enchantment and the home of Balloon Fiesta -- or New Mexico, as you might know it better! How are you? Everything here is going quite well. Busy, but well! I know this is LONG overdue, so I'm sorry it took so long to get an update out of me! Please forgive me. :)

The last two months since the wedding have been a blast. Ryan and I are enjoying married life completely! We enjoyed our honeymoon. We went on a cruise to Mexico and Belize. It was incredibly relaxing and I've never eaten so much in my life! We sure got our money's worth on the food factor!

After our cruise we stayed with Mom and Dad in Minnesota for a few days and then we all headed down, caravan style, to New Mexico for the reception. We made it safely, and with only minor alternator trouble on my car.

It was nice to have Mom and Dad and the kids with us for a week or so. We took them to Flagstaff, Arizona, for a look-see. We all spent a ton of time in the pool at our house. Then we had the reception for all the friends here in Albuquerque. It was fun to wear my dress again, and see everyone we don't usually spend much time with. Once Mom and Dad left, it was back to reality.

Ryan went back to work at UPS after a whole month of vacation; it was hard to get back into the swing of things. He has been working 50+ hours per week, so that's pretty hard.

And I started back at East Mountain High School. I Worked for the Academic Dean of Students and the Registrar. After a few weeks of that, I got a job offer from Holly, my new sister-in-law, at a custom closet place, doing design work. I was offered more money, more hours and a shorter commute, so that was a no brainer. I'm just finishing my training there, so I will be all by myself pretty soon!

I've also started school again. Hooray! I hope it won't take me too long to get my degree. This semester I am only taking one class (Political Science), but it's a start. I am working toward a degree in Accounting. So should be fun!

Over Labor Day, Ryan and I went camping with Rorke and Leatha Murphy, some of our good friends (and relatives of the Hendersons). They had just moved to Los Alamos, near Santa Fe, New Mexico, so we went to visit them and go camping. We had a lot of fun wandering around in the mountains while the boys shot guns and played with their trucks. :) We are planning to go camping with Rorke and Leatha again this weekend, so we'll keep you posted on how that goes.

I guess that about catches you up on what we are doing ... and hopefully I will be better about keeping everyone updated on life In New Mexico.

Heidi

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UPDATE -- Sweet Sixteen
by Lindsay Hellevang
Fargo, ND

Thank you so much for that birthday card! I'm sorry it has taken me so long to write back, but I have been busy keeping up. Here is a recap of the party, and an update on what it's like being 16!

On September 12, I turned 16 and my family threw me a surprise birthday party! My mom had gotten many decorations ready and even made a cake without me knowing anything was up. They invited Grandpa and Grandma Morgan, Tim and Char Myron and family, along with other relatives. After meeting on Sunday, the day before my birthday, they arrived for a meal and, of course, presents! We had cake and I blew out my 16 candles! It was a very fun afternoon and a good way to spend my Sweet 16.

I'm now a sophomore at Fargo North High School and recently made the musical, Pippin. Rehearsals will be keeping me busy through the fall. I have continued in choir and piano and am playing in the "Lorie Line" books now. I was on the soccer team last spring for North and hope to play again this spring. We have a fall league indoors that will be starting in a couple weeks and it is just put on by the players; there are no coaches involved.

I will hopefully be getting my driver's license tomorrow, and then I will be able to drive to school and many other places! I am definitely looking forward to that. That's what is happening right now, and I will enjoy being another year older!

Lindsay

Lindsay Hellevang, Sweet Sixteen.

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UPDATE
by Dan Mellon
Alta Loma, CA

Life here is good. The kids and grandkids were all around this weekend, which is the way we like it! We had Aiden for a couple days as Anne's husband, Julian, was in a wedding, so they were gone some for that.

At 2 years and 3 months, Aiden is really a lot of fun. Austin, at 2 months, is beginning to form some personality already, and boy is he active! We are extremely fortunate they live close. It would be awful not to get to experience this time with them.

Sam (our son) came over yesterday for a nice visit. I regret I wasn't as considerate with my own parents as our kids are with us.

We have tried to take pictures of the kids together, but Aiden is faster than the shutter. Anne just had some done at Sears, including some of them together, so I'll send one when we get them.

I got rear-ended on the freeway going home the other night. It is one of the "inevitabilities" of driving in Southern California. I wasn't hurt, and fairly minor damage to my truck. The guy behind me was struck by the guy behind him and he was pushed into me. The guy in the middle is probably pretty sore about now.

That's about it. Golf and grandkids (not in that order) have pretty much become my life away from work -- and I'm pretty happy about that! I'll send the pics when they arrive.

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UPDATE -- Brooklynn's first birthday
by Wyatt Johnson
Moorhead, MN

We had a first birthday party for Brooklynn at Grandma and Grandpa Thoennes's house near Millerville on Saturday. The lucky little one year old had quite the turnout! Grandma and Grandpa Donna and John Thoennes, Grandma and Grandpa Donna and Beaver Johnson, Grandma and Grandpa Cathe and Elroy Finkelson, aunts and uncles Weston Johnson, Lori Chap, Shawn Ostendorf, Joel Finkelson, Todd and Brit Finkelson, and cousins Caity and Jayce Chap, and Grant and Vincent Finkelson. Of course, Mom and Dad and big sister Rylie were also there!

We grilled burgers, and had quite the feast of beans, potatoes, chips, crab dip, veggies from Grandma Thoennes's garden, bread and bruschetta, spice cake, and yellow cake! Brooklynn got some GREAT presents, including a lovable soft rocking horse that plays music and moves its head, a cute rocking chair that sings "Jesus Loves Me" and is painted with the words to the song, and many other toys!

UPDATE
by Diana Martin
Brook Park, MN

My heartfelt appreciation to you, Dorothy, for the wonderful memorial you wrote to Russ in The Bulletin a few weeks ago, and to all who expressed their condolences and gave up prayers for us all. Every thought, word, deed, and prayer was supportive, welcome, and appreciated. Thank-you....

Russ's funeral was a month ago, today, (l0/01) ... so, it's been a rather sad day, but overall, we all seem to be having more good than bad days, as time goes on. After all, life does go on, and moving forward is the only way to move on with life.

Going through Russ's clothes, tools, and personal things ... giving away, donating to our local charities, and letting the family choose things they would like as mementoes, has been difficult emotionally, but necessary, and helping me to get the cabin ready for sale.

I bought myself some "goodies," both needed and wanted for quite some time. I seriously needed a new couch and chair for the living room, and what an improvement! I smile every time I use or look at them. I know Russ would have loved them, so that makes me feel good, too.

I also bought a "newer" vehicle -- a 2002 Buick Rendezvous, SUV type vehicle. I was so overwhelmed by all the "bells and whistles" that I didn't attempt to drive it the first week I had it. A visit to the dealership, and help from the salesman and shop manager, really helped me learn about it, so now I really am enjoying it!

I have decided to sell the camper van, as supporting two vehicles on my limited income will just be too much! So if anyone is interested in a 1999 Dodge Pleasureway camper, let me know! It has a van with generator, A/C, furnace, stove, fridge, microwave, color TV with VCR, flush toilet and shower. It also has newer tires, newer brake work, newer exhaust work, new outside valve, emptying system, outside shower. I have loved it, because my dogs travel everywhere with me, making it safer and more comfortable for them, but I just can't support it for that reason anymore. If you are interested, Dorothy can supply my address.

I've become quite competent around the house and yard ... doing things that usually fell onto Russ's shoulders, and although I get frustrated with myself sometimes, I feel a lot more confident than I did before, so that's a good thing!

My kids have been so loving, caring and helpful, that that alone has made this time so much easier to bear and get through.

Everyone ... life DOES turn on a dime, and nothing is certain, so ... please, hug your loved ones when you get the chance, and tell them you love them as often as possible. You won't regret it!

I pray that everyone is well, and happy, and life is treating everyone well. I treasure my link with all of you in the form of The Bulletin, and can't wait to receive my copies every other week from Don and Dorothy. (I have to have mine mailed, as I don't have a computer.) It's like a wonderful visit from all of you. Thank you, Dorothy, for all of your hard work putting The Bulletin together! It is a treasure!

Love to one and all!

Diana

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Day to Day R
With Donna Mae
Ashby, MN

A Letter From Lyla

Lyla (Dahl) Thompson is a long time friend of mine from St. Peter, Minnesota; we went to vocational school together and roomed together after school. (We still see each other on occasion and keep in touch via e-mail and phone calls.)

We once did a great vacation to Michigan: Lyla, Donnie, and I. So I thought some of you might enjoy hearing a little about that before hearing from her latest letter.

A Trip To Michigan With Lyla A Long Time Ago

We took this famous trip to Michigan when Lyla and I were about 19 and Don about 15, which is his guess ... not mine. I couldn't tell you much more than what the pictures show you, so I called Don up to quiz him. The details will be from his memory ... he remembers it all "as though it were yesterday" and I seem to have a MAJOR fog. If it weren't for the pictures, it would probably all be gone.

Anyway, when I called to interview my brother about our first trip alone, he said that he only got to go along because if I wanted to drive Dad's cadillac, I had to take him along, too. Now, I suppose he figured that was a great pain to us, but we really did not mind having a young man along with us; it gave us a much more secure feeling while traveling.

According to Don, we went to Holland, Michigan, thus explaining the picture with the windmill. We saw Copper Harbor and Lake of the Clouds, which he said was a seven mile trip on a side road up into the hills. (Like Mom said, he could pretty much have told me anything, and it would sound right, being I remember so little! HOW does he remember the names and even the mileage? He even recollected the red of the soil in Michigan.)

Cadillac in Holland, Michigan, left; Donnie & Donna wading, right.

We also made a trip up the North Shore in Minnesota on this little journey (long before cell phones!). I do remember checking out the waterfalls and wading in the stream. Don said that it was so windy the night we stayed along the North Shore that waves were breaking across the road. Obviously he could write this story with details, as Larry does ... what's that like, guys, having a memory?

I do remember the little yellow motel we stayed at, set some distance back from the road. Don said it's still there and he still thinks about our staying there when he drives past it nowadays. That place has got to be very old, as it's been a LONG time since I was 19!

Now let us hear about Lyla's latest adventures: seeing her new home and hearing a little about her trip out to visit her daughter, Ginger.

from Lyla's Letter:

Things are going along nicely with my house. I'm mudding in the garage now. Figured I'd better get on one of my own projects and finish it before cold weather sets in. We had a neighborhood picnic last week and got to meet most of the neighbors. It's going to be a nice place to live.

Lyla's "little mansion," left; Lyla, Ginger & "the wonder car," right.

Over Labor Day, I flew out to Colorado to bring Ginger back from her cooking summer at a dude ranch. (www.northforkranch.com) Awesome place. I was the "dish fairy" for a few days. That way I could stay with her for no cost. She will be cooking this weekend for us. Gourmet fare!

If you ever get out to the mountains and have to rent a car, get a convertible. It was just awesome. I got a free upgrade and here's what they gave me: a PT cruiser convertible. W00T! We went to the top of Pike's Peak and Garden of the Gods in it. Did a trail ride and hike and met one of the neighbors -- great lady. All in all, a great vacation. Got up to Cheyenne to see an old neighbor, also. Wonderful.

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Answers to last week's mystery pictures (click here to review them):

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+ LETTERS TO THE EDITORS?
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Click here to review last week's Bulletin

For the first time in a while, I had time to give The Bulletin the time it deserves ... and it was time well spent.

Some Observations:

I enjoyed My Auntie's take on keepsakes. We have a cigar box for that purpose. I know it sounds corny, but we really do!

Talkeetna sounds like a nice place to visit and kiss a moose or two.

It's good to see the younger generation taking interest in the time-honored sport of fishing. Congratulations on your fish, Jayce -- what a beauty!

Mindy sounds like quite a big-wig at her job. I liked the interview format, by the way.

Sounds like Zach has found his niche ... it was nice to hear from him; it's been awhile.

I like Ginny's graphic art; it adds "pizzaz" to the text. Is she on staff?

Editor's comment: we broached the subject to her. She is thinking it over -- and trying it out!

Once again, thanks for being the cement that holds us all together. Kudos!

Doug Anderson-Jordet
St. Cloud, MN

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EDITOR'S POLICY: If you wish to subscribe to The Bulletin, simply send me a statement of that fact. If you wish to keep receiving it I hope you will contribute to one of the columns that are running in this family epistle (at least occasionally!). My e-mail address is dma49261@juno.com

This Bulletin is copyright Dorothy M. Anderson; the contents are also copyrighted by the authors and photographers and used with their permission, and the contents are not to be used for any commercial purposes without the explicit consent of the creators.