Vance and Connie enjoyed being home for the start of the month. The boys and grandchildren went to the pasture to cut our Christmas tree. This has been a family tradition for years. It was a beautiful 14.5 foot tree. A neighbor came to visit Vance and asked, “What are you going to do with that big tree leaning up against the outside of the house?” Connie informed him the tree was going in the house. He thought she was kidding, but a few days later he was surprised to see it all decorated in the living room.

The NU volleyball team (in a rebuilding year) gave it their all. They were the first team to take Penn State past three sets all season and they took them to five as a record 17,430 fans watched live. The Nebraska theme for the year was One Heartbeat. This season all of Nebraska was One Heartbeat for the volleyball team. As coach Cook said following Nebraska’s loss to Penn State in the semifinals, “And now I fully understand that there really is more to being a champion than just winning.” The leadership for this team was three seniors girls all from Nebraska, and Nebraska is proud of them!

At the annual Nebraska Angus banquet, Vance was honored as “2008 Producer of the Year”. Thanks to fellow Nebraska breeders for this award.

Dru didn’t think he needed to celebrate another birthday; but what fun it is to make a wish and blow out the candles. Our crew is getting ready for Denver and the bulls are looking good. Had some really cold days but not much snow.

Dru getting a year older

Christmas in the hospital

Vance and Connie got home the 31st after Vance spent nine days in the Kearney hospital. Medical people are like cattle people — don’t have holidays off. The boys and grandchildren came up before Christmas and we celebrated in Vance’s hospital room. Connie likes Christmas traditions such as cutting our own Christmas tree in the pasture. Also, we always have waffles and flaming dessert on Christmas Eve; with turkey, dressing, and the trimmings for Christmas dinner. Ty and Dru carried on these traditions and it sounded like they had a fun time in the kitchen. Connie’s 96 year old mother joined in the fun and Christmas Day our two Australian interns and a single employee were also dinner guests.

With having spent Christmas in the hospital, I leave you this month with . . .

“My idea of Christmas, whether old-fashioned or modern, is very simple: loving others. Come to think of it, why do we have to wait for Christmas to do that?”

– Bob Hope, American comedian (1903-2003)