Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays

Dear Friends & Family,

Here we are close to Christmas and we don't know where the time went. It seems that every year it goes faster and faster and we try to do so many things, try to see everybody and enjoy our time together as much as we can. I love the Christmas spirit where we all get together at least we try and share good moments, good food and share memories. I also hope it will stay white so we will be able to say for once we had a ''White Christmas'' this year.

On November 2nd it has been 1 year that I have been working in Luxembourg and still discover new things every day. Working in Luxembourg is a great opportunity and a different atmosphere. We are in the Moselle country enjoying the sceneries of vineyards in spring and summer. We have been exploring the region a little bit and tasting their good wines. The little town where we are is called Remich and looks like the French Riviera, it is a very nice touristic place with a lot of terraces and cruise boats where you can have dinners and where they have some parties. Our street is called: ''Route du Vin, where you will find these nice Chateau's like Bernard et Massart, St. Remy and many others, really interesting places. Randy is a pro of exploring and touring so you better come and visit us so he can show you around, believe me, you will have fun, walking down the vallee and tasting the mousseux!

At Easter we had our annual potluck where we gather all our friends and family, it becomes one of our traditional outings and everybody enjoys it, specially the kids. Lots of food, chocolates and of course the eggs'chasing. Kids get really excited and run all over the place, just hoping it is not raining that day!

This year Randy left right after Easter to start his pool season, it was way too soon for me because he only announced to me three days before departure that he was leaving because they had a project ready to go. So it was a little shock to me but I had to make more trips to the states, so I will certainly not complain.

The first time I went was in June. I had a great time, saw the kids and my wonderful grandson; the little man is so cute, he just makes me melt. I miss seeing him though, he is a lot of joy and his grandpa is very good at teaching him all his tricks that he probably would be better off without, but they are loving it.

This year has been a very special year for me for several reasons, first I had my big 50, Tracy got married and we had our 10th year wedding anniversary. To my surprise Randy put a very nice party together for me at his sister Robyn's house. I was not aware of it and just couldn't believe it. We were going to her house for some aperitifs and dinner and when we got there and when I opened the door and saw grandpa, I said something is not normal here and then everybody yelled Happy Birthday, still can't believe it today. It was a wonderful hot summer day, with the family and our friends and I was in heaven. I enjoy so much being in Minneapolis and when the departure day comes it is always too early to go back but nevermind this year I was happy to go back and this time with Julie and her boyfriend Jonathan.

My birthday party wasn't done yet, so I went to see my mom, dad and my brother at their chalet in Spain with my friend Marie Claire. As you can see we had a great time as well enjoing a nice paella. Had to spend 4 days just relaxing and enjoying the sun. After that back to reality for a while and back to work. So every Monday morning I pack and go to Luxembourg where I stay the week and come back on Friday nights, always nice to come back at our house. I try to take care of the garden, mowing the lawn and all the rest while Randy is gone and I can say I am doing a good job. He just bought me a big lawn tractor when he got back, so it will be fun now.

Finally September came and we had to go back to Minneapolis for a very very special reason, Tracy and Matt got married. Our first daughter did the big step. We were so proud of her, she was so beautiful, the big smile on our face says it all.

It was Jonathon's first trip to the US and a big adventure for him. The only thing he didn't like was the 9 hours in the plane but he made it. He wanted to try everything, all the fast food places, all the malls. We could not pass the big mall of America, so that was exciting, we had a great time there. Also we were lucky to go to a Twins game at their nice stadium, just an unbelievable place, we could spend hours there just by walking around, the atmosphere, the noice, the people, only in AMERICA.

We were ready very early on the morning of September 4 and we were all counting the hours. I was so proud when Randy was walking Tracy down the aisle, it couldn't be better, both had a nice smile on their face and yes Randy was marrying his daughter, tears came to my eyes.

Tracy's eyes were sparkling, she was in dreamland, she had such a nice dress. The bridesmaids were very pretty, not forgetting the groomsmen whom were all very handsome. The weather was fantastic, bright sun and blue sky, the beach, just perfect. Excellent food, traiteur Dave's BBQ did his best, good ribs and special BBQ food, what else could we dream off. We made a lot of pictures as you can see. At times, our little man was the attraction but he behaved very well. The day was over and Mrs. and Mr. Larson were starting a new life!

Good moments always come to an end. It was time to say good-bye to everybody now for a long time as we would not go back before 2011. I hope that the Family Larson, and Dana and Chelsey will be able to come in spring, we just have to wait and see.

Christmas is full of shiny things

That sparkle, gleam and glow;

These holiday pleasures dazzle us,

And yet, deep down, we know...

That Christmas has its special gifts,

But our year-round joy depends

On the cherished people in our lives,

Our family and our friends.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all of you!

Peace and Love

Mimi & Randy

Since we have so many thousands of American boys who are buried in Belgium, in closing, I would be remiss not to say please keep all the young men and women around the world in your prayers who can't be home for the holidays.