It is always so nice to reach this special time of year, because it is a chance to at least touchbase with you again and share the news of the year 2001. As usual our year has been busy for our whole family. 

Rolfe’s work at Transunion, in Chicago, is still going strong in the Computer Data Base Group. He has a wonderful team of people working for him. His responsibilities have grown and there are plenty of challenges. TU is a great company to work for and is profitable in these tougher economic times. He is a seasoned scooter and train commuter after all these years. He often can even catch some “Zzzzzzzs” on the train to reduce the stress. 

Shanda has been working part-time at Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance. She stopped working this last July at the Downers Grove, IL office, but in September went back to work at the Naperville, IL office and now works with a veteran agent who she absolutely loves working for. She claims it must have been divine intervention. She still enjoys doing the painting -  faux finishes, stenciling – there’s always something around the house or the farm that she does or “re-does”.

 Airamanda had an extremely busy year at cosmetology school, which finished in August of this year. After going on numerous interviews and receiving various offers, she decided to stay at the Daniel Stevens Salon which is located in Downers Grove about 10 minutes from our home. She first started working there part-time in high school handling the front desk.  She passed her cosmetology licensing test with flying colors and now has her license. It has been especially exciting because The Salon has just moved a few doors down from it’s original location. Everything is brand new and facilities have been enlarged.  She has her own “station” and now, of course, will be using those talents to grow “her clientele”. We are very happy for her. She’s worked hard.

 Christina is the high school junior and book’in it.  She is doing extremely well with her studies (which of course we are happy for and proud of her!) and was on the diving team for the second year. She also works a couple hours every week at Angelo’s Pizza, in Downers Grove. Mom thinks she is a Master pizza maker. Angelo’s has been a part of Downers Grove for many years. She enjoys seeing all the folks that come in and the owner is a wonderful guy.  She got her drivers license in June! She also does volunteer work at the Humane Society Animal Shelter once a week. So between all of that she is usually quite busy and at times is Mom’s right hand around the house.

  “Homeplace Farm”. Yes we are still working on the Farm. Rolfe did some work on the Barn, but then moved on to the Tool Shed. He had everything taken out of it, had a concrete floor and aprons poured to all 4 doors. He built himself a new workbench and has cabinets where he will organize his tools and all this other “stuff”! - that seems to be there (some which was there and some which he’s added). As many of you know there always seems to be “stuff” at the Farm! He continues to plant bushes, trees, etc. Shanda worked on painting the 3 rooms upstairs of the house and making the attic a bit more comfortable. In the Fall she started working on the basement some more, which is still a pretty scary place.

 July was busy, because on Shanda’s side of the family we had a Wessels Family Reunion for the first time which she helped organize. It was held at the Fairgrounds just a couple of miles from the Farm and then that night everybody came out to the Farm for another cookout. It was a busy time but a good time was enjoyed by all.

 In August we went to Nevada for Rolfe’s family reunion which was hosted by Steve & Cindy Waldow at their home in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. They were absolutely wonderful hosts and we had 3 wonderful days with family. From there we drove to Yosemite, and then onto San Francisco. While in San Francisco we went to Alcatraz, Chinatown, Fishersman Wharf, Golden Gate State Park, Muir Woods and had great food every day. We also drove down the coast to San Simeon , spent a day at the “Hearst Castle”, one of William Randolph Hearst’s homes and also enjoyed the town of  Carmel by the Sea. It was a wonderful time away.

 May you all know that we wish you a healthy and bright new year.  September 11^th gave all of us an awakening to how quickly things can change in our life. Rolfe and I know we have many blessings to be thankful for, one, of course, is you and yours…

         Love,