Merry Christmas 2008

College - A place where they teach you how to work for some one else.

Teach them to fish and they eat for a lifetime: The annual day after Christmas fishing trip at the cabin, had Cousin Sarah landing a monster with Uncle Hubert at the gaff and a host of cousins, nieces, nephews and general onlookers at hand.

Welcome to Jamaica man have a nice day: This year was a bit slower as I only got out of the country once to Ocho Rios, Jamaica for work. I did manage to sample some of the local fair.

Rental Remodel: I loved remodeling my house so much last year(s) that I totally gutted one of my rentals. Thank god I got that MBA eh?

6th Annual WI fishing opener: We postponed the opener to a week later and missed the snow storms and found the fish. Though the legal walleyes went from 15” to 18” we still caught quit a few keepers. Not to mention the ritualistic poker game.

Motor Cycle Museum: Dave & Jessica Banks were in town to sell his wares at the Las Vegas Super cross event. We got invited by Greg Primm to see his private motocross museum. Wow! http://www.huricaneb.com

Family Affair: The snowbirds form Wisconsin and Minnesota came for the annual visit again this year. Last year 14 people stayed at the house w/o floors or a kitchen. This year I had floors, furniture, cabinets complete with kitchen sink, so they stayed at a hotel?

Just like Old Times: The UNLV boys Carl Hoffman, Evan Ranes and I took a hike to the Arizona Hot Springs just below the Hoover Damn. It was Carl’s way of introducing his new lady friend. It worked Evan and I approve.

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The Annual Roast: We had the 4^th annual Memorial Day Pig Roast at the house to show off the remodeling. I say “we” because everyone chips in and wow can they cook.

Easy Rider: Clint Woods and I took a weekend motorcycle/camping trip through Southern Utah. Our camp site had BIG bear warnings. As Murphy would have it my starter died at the first stop and Clint had to push start me for the rest of the trip.

Recepción De Boda: July had me back in Rice Lake for Roger & Angie’s reception. There was lots of family and the traditional volleyball game.

There she blows!: Tim & Tim Hovde and Kalob & Brad took another trip of a life time to Uganik Alaska to visiting Paul Vic. When we weren’t dodging whales we managed to land a few Silvers, Halibut, crab and Yellow Cod. Paul took us on a river trip to see Da Bears. It is just too dang beautiful to tell you the whole story. Denali is my favorite Park. I managed to hang with cousins Carl & Lynn Brandt, and play “Funny Uncle Dave” for Connor Madison, and Jessica. I rocked out to a killer Guitar Hero session at Drummond’s in Sammamish as well.

If hard work were such a wonderful thing, surely the rich would have kept it all to themselves: I started a job in August. That’s all I have to say about that.

Family Wedding: Cousin Katie got hitched in Chicago to Charlie Frey. I for once was on time but most of the Votruba clan took an un-scheduled bus tour of Chicago just prior to the wedding.

Columbian Connection via Florida and Sydney: My good friends Mitja and Claudia Fajdiga from Bogotá, along with Roger Rearik form Florida and Marcus Jubber from Sydney came to Vegas for the G2E show. Though Marcus came ½ way around the world for ¾ of a day and then had to get back to Hong Kong to see the “Now Wife” Ms. Angela. Congrats Marcus. Dan invited us to his cabin via Zion. Mitja and I rode Harleys part of the way. Mitja (a Super Motard Racer) had a ball on the quads.

Working the Double Ovens: We had Thanksgiving at the house for the west coast Brandt’s, Charrons, and Yauch Families. Long time friends Barb & John Gianinni came down from Reno with the kids. So there were more kids than adults. Barb and John had a night out w/o kids and came to over to the house to visit. Hence the term “Date Night at Dave’s”

Other Stuff:

Elk Hunting: with Jeff Kolstad (aka Vegas) “saw nothing/heard nothing. None of us drew for mule deer.

Haugen Fun League: Placed Dead Last in the Family Fantasy Football league. Again!

Appendicitis Operation: I got sick on Saturday and at work Wednesday.

Fishing with Bob: Bob Frank and I took a weekend off to retreat to Utah and relieve some fish of their mortal coil. It’s part of that, “teach them to fish” thing.

Reconnection: I also reconnected with Jeanne Hrovat and Scott Steadter from Madison. Sorry I could not fit a Madison trip in while I was at the wedding in Chicago. JOB the four letter word.

Coffee Shop: Slowly working on starting a coffee shop in one of our units. Basically stalling till the economy recovers.

Dave & Jessica: I had several visits from a close friends Dave, Jessica, and Henry Banks. They had several visits from me this year as well.

White Christmas: We have snow in Vegas!

Note my new Home Phone (702) 242-0765 Cell Still (702) 521-3198 dave@charrons.com