Merry Christmas 2011

Everything is coming up Roses: Except for the Badgers. New Years was spent in Pasadena. You know where Sheldon, Leonard, Wolowitz, Koothrappali and … Penny… Penny… Penny reside. It is also the home of the Rose Bowl. I met up with Tim, Cheryl and the rest of the Hovde family to watch the Badgers lose to TCU.

Father George: On Jan 22^st our Uncle father George Votruba passed. Not enough paper to tell you how great a guy he was. I will miss his visits to Vegas and his playful badgering towards me to go into the priesthood. Thanks you to St. Joes and Haugen parishes for hosting such a large luncheon.

Hawaii Five-O: Sister in laws Linda and Kim Charron threw moi a big birthday party for my 50^th (February 23^rd) We roasted a pig and it came out great and on time, (practice) Big thanks to all who came and big thanks to the Vegas Charrons, Arizona Charrons, Franks, and Yauchs for making it a day I will never forget. A word of advice for those who dread the big ones, I worked late and hid for my 40^th and, partied with my friends on my 50^th. “Party Harder on the big ones!!”

Food for the Soul: Scott and Brenda Visger came to Vegas to get away from the snow in Rice Lake. It was great having them. I like visitors especially the Visgers. It heals my soul, looking forward to the fishing opener this year.

Aint it great to Graduate: We had a Midwest invasion for Kirsten Farrar’s graduation from UNLV with her masters in Social Work. Sharon, Eric, Hubert, Loraine, Maryanne (mom to me), Bruce, and a host of others came to celebrate.

Congratulations Kirsten

En Garde: I lent a helping house to good friend Evan Ranes and the Fencing Academy of Nevada FAN http://fencingacademyofnevada.com/. I was den mother to 6 fencers from all over France. It was like being an instant dad to 6 teenagers. Now I understand the inner conflict you parents go through. All in all they were great.

The Russian Invasion: As you may know Barb and John Giannini adopted 3 kids form the USSR, Evan, Sasha, and Allly. They were in town for their cousin Scott Gabriel’s wedding. We had Grill Master Johnny grilling on the TREASURE. It is still here but may make a trip back home to Reno soon.

Yankee Doodle Dandy: I made a surprise visit to Rice Lake for Tim Hovde’s 50th and got a bigger surprise when everyone who is anyone in our family was at the homestead for Sister in Law Angie’s baby shower. It was a great time swimming at the cabin with the kids and then taking the pontoon out for an adult swim. You know only people over 21. What were you thinking? Nice talk with the Hovde’s relatives and had a nice talk with Mike Niel and Jeff Cronk. Jeff is a member of the rice Lake Hall of Fame and Tim joined him this year. Jeff was QB and Tim FB on the 1980 championship team. Fireworks were fitting for such a weekend, as it was the 4^th of July.

Into the Wild: Once again Tim Hovde, Steve and I made a trek up to visit Paul Vick at Lutra Lake on the island Uganik in Alaska. Tim picked fish up out of a river with his bare hands and hiked to the top of the mountain. I sat in the bania, smoking cigars while sipping Cognac. Thanks again to Paul and his crew.

Su Niña: Marie Maria Fe made her grand entrance into the world August 31st. Maria Fe is the first child of Roger and Angie Charron.

On Wisconsin: I reunited with college buddies Mike Borchardt, Chris Becker, and Pat Jansen at Borchardt’s cabin in Minocqua. Catching up with the guys was great. I am honored they asked me to attend. I saw lots of wild turkeys and the leaves were in full color explosion on the drive to and from. I did the fish fry with Mom, Sue and Tom, Sharon, Eric, Bruce, and my cousin Sara, and I got to hold Maria Fe for the first time.

It’s Just a Game: Not for the folks at the G2E and my house guests for the week, Roger Rearick – Hollywood FL, Marcus Jubber – Sydney, Claudia and Mitja Fajdiga – Bogota. The G2E is the largest gaming show for casino games. We managed to find time to power lounge and ride quads and dirt bikes out at the Pioneer Bar in rural Vegas.

Bogota: I flew to Bogota with Mitja and Claudia for a vacation. What a beautiful mountain city. I toured down town and Mount Monserrate to look across the valley at Guadalupe. Mitja rivals the great Grill Master Johnny as we grilled out on several occasions for an excuse to drink cerveza’s, listen to music while visiting. Mitja and I rode motocross a couple of days at a track just outside of Bogota. www.mylazydog.com

Packers 45 Chargers 38: Brother Burt and I stayed with Jon, Trish and Remington Spangler in San Diego to watch the Packers win over the Chargers. We met up with none other than Tim Hovde and Steve just before and after the game. Go Pack!

Second Happiest Day: Captain Wayne Spangler in a surprise move sold the Stormy Duchess. Stormy was the vessel we sailed across the Atlantic www.stormyduchess.com . Wayne assures me she is in loving hands. It was a shocker for Kevin McClone and I.

Hopeful Thanksgiving: I spent the Packer Game at Brenda’s new house whit Jake, Ruth and Carl. Then off to Kris and Noelle’s house to have turkey with Hope. And Noelle’s family the Langs.

Frequent Visits: My good friend Dave Banks and I trade visits quit frequently throughout the year. I just want to let Dave, Jessica, and Henry know they are much appreciated.

Cell (702) 521-3198 dave@charrons.com http://picasaweb.google.com/dcharron80/ or www.charrons.com and www.mylazydog.com

I leave you with a parable:

Once upon a time, a guy asked a beautiful girl 'Will you marry me?' The girl said, 'NO!' And the guy lived happily ever after and rode motorcycles and went fishing and hunting and played golf a lot and drank beer and scotch and had tons of money in the bank and left the toilet seat up and farted whenever he wanted.

The end