Just when you thought it was over. Merry Christmas 2012

Everything is coming up Roses: Except for the Badgers AGAIN!? New Years in Pasadena watching Russell Wilson loose to the Oregon Ducks. Duck fans were great and it was a great game even though the Badgers lost again. Mr. Wilson went on to bench my Haugen Fantasy Football Leagues first round drafts pick Matt Flynn. How is it that the commissioner’s Jalapeño Kolache is the champion? Congratulations Patrick Votruba Again.

The annual Visit: Mom came with Hubert and Loraine this year. Eric we missed you. It is getting that time of year again and I hope to see you soon. Mom likes me best because I am the only one she travels across country to make “The Cake” for.

Payback is NICE: Paul, Teresita and Bruno, Vick made a visit to Vegas on their way to their house in Port Angels Mexico. We met up with Jeff and Karol, Kolstad for dinner. It was great to pay back some of the hospitality they have thrown my way. However It is a bear when your friends hit it off and you become the focal point of embarrassing stories. I’m still trying to peal the target off my back.

Cuz to Cuz Because: Cousin Sara came for a visit. Sara and I made the rounds to all the cool restaurants my local group of friends and relatives are afraid of. Dave’s White Trash tours lives. I took her to the Pin Ball Hall of Fame. Thanks again Sara for the rides to and from MSP and Rice Lake you keep me sane.

Slam-A-Rama: The emails are starting to fly this year and I believe it is going to be March 9th. Roger Charron took home the coveted trophy last year. I unfortunately will probably not make it.

I knew the Bride when she used to Rock and Roll and crawl: I took a couple of days to go back to Rice Lake for Niki Visger’s wedding. Niki is Scott and Brenda Visger’s #2. It was an outdoor wedding at a farm in Barron. It was awesome. I had a great time hanging with Martha and Dave Fox, the Ritzinger’s, and the Visger’s. I got a large dose of Wisconsin and loved every minute of it.

Nifty Fifty: Cousin Brenda turned 50 and Lisa Heirtzler came for the occasion and we spent some time power lounging. Welcome to the club Brenda.

Back to the USSR where the R stands for Reno: I was getting the DT’s form not traveling so I made a quick trip up to Reno to visit Barb and John. It was great to see Cute Panda and the boys. I failed to bring the “Treasure” back to Johnny, mostly on purpose.

North to Alaska: Here is where I tell you about my awesome trip to visit of the Brandt’s in Seattle and fish with Paul Vick in Alaska. I didn’t make it this year. L This will not happen again!

Su Niña: Marie Maria Fe will be a big sister in a few months even though she is still very small. She and her brother to be are going to be living in a new house right next to Uncle Bruce.

Game on: Vegas hosts the G2E and I get to hang with my friends Mitja Fajdga, Claudia and Roger Rearick. Visit included motorcycles, shopping, and just plain catching up.

Hunting or Fishing? Answer: Both: As some of you know, my hunting buddy Jeff Kolstad AKA ‘Vegas” has had a rough couple of years. We drew Mule Deer tags this year and went on a long awaited and well deserved hunting/fishing trip. Karol Kolstad, Paul Rose, Jeff and I met up with Luke Rose (Paul’s son). Jeff’s nephew and old hunting companion Tristan, His Mom Jeff’s Sister Kim, and her significant other Bruce. The very first morning Paul took his first buck in 20 years. The next day Jeff filled his tag. Close to the road I might add. The next morning I filled my tag with a lot of help from the bird dog Tristan. Three up three down this left us with a lot of time to go fishing at Wild Horse Reservoir. I have never caught that many and that big of trout in my life. It was defiantly an awesome trip. I actually got Jeff to try the quad and he liked it as much as Katy Perry likes kissing girls. It was great to have Jeff back in the saddle again. Bruce and I had fun poking the bear. Payback is NICE isn’t it Jeff? Big thanks to Evan for loaning Paul and I the pee shooters.

A Swing and a Miss: Our hunting/fishing buddy Steve Hagen came to Vegas for a convention but Jeff and I were in the woods where a guy ought to be. Sorry we missed you. Alaska?

Just Can’t Get Enough: We were so successful on our hunting trip that I spent the last 3 days hunting with Evan Ranes, and the Giannini’s John, Evan, and Sasha. The deer were pretty thin near Wells but I got to see new area and hang with the boys. I even worked out the Dutch oven a bit.

Thanksgiving: Burt and Linda came over for Thanksgiving this year. Linda and I put out the spread with help from Kathy and Shaun, and Dan and Kim. Linda made decorations and we cooked a turkey in the “Treasure”.

I missed my Mom: I made a last minute trip back to Rice Lake for Christmas and even made it to Midnight Mass. That should garner me some points with Mom. Probably doesn’t make up for crashing the car into the cabin though. We had the roast beast at Mom’s house with Tom, Sue, Carrie, Mark, Sara, Roger, Angie, Bruce, Molly, Jamie, and a host of curtain crawlers who made the holidays special. We did a lot of Ice Fishing where Jamie caught a 30” northern and Molly a 29”. Turns out I was robbed while I was away. They took only the Christmas presents that were under the tree. It was a very frugal Christmas so they didn’t get much. I guess not having nice things pays off eh?

Third Time is the charm NOT: Turns out Barry didn’t have it. Three up three down as the Badgers fell to Stanford. Timmy, Caleb, and Eric Hovde flew into Vegas and we drove over to meet Tim Hovde to BBQ at the Rose Bowl. I loved the Stanford Band especially the percussionists playing a milk crate wearing a Cheese Head. I got the picture of the Stealth I missed the year before. YES! The villains stole my grill but some one left a different one. A door closes…. Thank god they didn’t get the “Treasure”.

Frequent Visits: My good friend Dave Banks and I trade visits quit frequently throughout the year. Good luck my good friends on your move to Medina Ohio. I will miss you more than you know. Now I have another port in Ohio. Whoo-hoo. They suggested I procure a canine. Any suggestions?

I’ll leave the light on for you. Cell (702) 521-3198 dave@charrons.com http://picasaweb.google.com/dcharron80/ or www.charrons.com and www.mylazydog.com

“Tis better to have loved and lost, than to marry a psycho.” Tennyson would be proud.

The Treasure Before and After