¡Ay, caramba!

With the business of finals and the Christmas season, a big landmark has sort of crept up on me! In just a few weeks I will be on a flight to Spain for a semester abroad. I am participating in Trinity's Semester in Spain program with 15-20 other American college students from various schools. I leave on January 18th and fly back home on May 5th. We will live in the beautiful city of Seville (the center of which you can see above) while we learn Spanish, take in the culture, and visit various other European countries and cities. While I am really nervous to go, especially since I don't know anyone going with me, I can't wait. Since it's mandatory for any student studying abroad to keep a blog, I don't want to let anyone down :) Below is a link to the blog that I will keep. I hope you will check in once in awhile and see what's going on across the Atlantic!

annagesch.blogspot.com

Christmas Food

I was thinking this would be a nice central location to coordinate food for the 26th Christmas Party. Cher & Grandma can you tell us what you need? We will bring a dessert if that is o.k.

Thanks Keith & Cher for hosting!

Family Updates

Hard to believe, but Xander's almost 2 weeks old already. He just came back from his check-up and all is well. He's almost back up to his birth weight. He gained 6 oz. this week, which the doctors tell us is better than the typical rate. Here's a few updated pictures.

Oh, and Sawyer has decided that she loves her Christmas present:

Xander Update

So there's lots of good news to update.

1. Xander's been out of the Newborn Intensive Care Unit for 2 days now, he's breathing and eating great, and doing everything on his own.
2. His blood platelet counts were up and down, but now have stabilized.
3. He was jaundiced, but the baby tanning bed took care of that.
4. There are a couple more things to take care of, but he might be able to come home today!

Thanks for the prayers- here's hoping for more good news as we continue.

Meet Xander!

Glad to announce the latest member of the family- Xander Christian Gesch! He's named after Uncle Alex. Alex Christian Gesch... Xander Christian Gesch.

He was born at 8:45 a.m on December 7th. He was 6 lb, 2 oz. and 18.5 inches long. Due to some pregnancy complications, the doctors recommended that Xander be born at 36.5 weeks (traditional "full" full term is 40 weeks). There was an increased risk of him being stillborn if we waiting until 40 weeks- so you can imagine that we were pretty happy to avoid that risk.

Xander (like apparently most 36 week term babies) was breathing pretty quickly upon being born- so they admitted him to the Newborn Intensive Care Unit. From what I can gather, this is primarily as a precaution. He's BY FAR the biggest baby in the NICU and is now breathing really well after one night. The other potential delay is that Xander wasn't able to keep enough food down (another common thing (so they tell me) for 36 week babies). In the pictures, that cord in his nose is a feeding tube to make sure that he gets enough food.

The blessing is that he's in the world, alive and well, and has a team of doctors looking out for him in case anything is wrong. The not-so-nice thing is that we haven't really gotten to see much of him. I was lucky enough to hold him for about an hour last night, but Stephanie has gone almost a full 24 hours without seeing him now. Hopefully we can start to right that ship soon.

Chicago Tribune Article

SHEBOYGAN, WI. A Wisconsin woman is accused of biting off her husband's tongue as he was giving her a goodnight kiss.

Sheybogan Police says the man in his late 70s called authorities about 11 P.M. Monday, but he was having trouble speaking. An ambulance was dispatched to the house.

Sgt. Terry Meyer says the husband and wife were singing Christmas carols when paramedics arrived. Meyer says the woman, in her late 50s, threw a cup of coffee at him.

The man was taken to Sheboygan hospital and then transferred to Froedtert Memorial Lutheran Hospital in Milwaukee to reattach his tongue. Police say the man didn't want his wife arrested, but she was taken in custody for possible charges of mayhem and domestic violence.
----Associated Press

What is going on in Wisconsin?

E. Van Drunen Christmas

Keith & Cher have offered to host our "Christmas Celebration" this year - Sunday, December 26. The schedule is to have hors-d'oeuvres at about 1:00 - then have singing and open gifts and have supper at about 4-5 p.m. We also want to show some old slides. We need food for both occasions. We're thinking of sandwiches for supper - maybe sloppy joes - what do you think? Let me know what you want to bring and if you have any additional thoughts. Hope everyone can make it.

Sawyer in the Snow

Junior Class Fruit and Nuts Sale is HERE!

• Sunkist Navel Oranges - 88 lg. oranges per case - $34.00 per case We can split a case between 2 of you. You may want your own case because these are the best oranges ever!
• Florida Indian River Red Grapefruit - 40 grapefruit per case - $27.00 per case
• Unshelled Mixed Nuts - 2 lb. bag - $6.00 per bag

Orders Due - Monday, November 29.
Mark will pick up the fruit from Illiana on Wed., Dec. 8

THANKSGIVING PLANS IN KOUTS

Okay, for those of you who will be attending our Thanksgiving festivities in Kouts, here are some details.........

We will be having lunch at around 1 pm with a full hot menu:
Turkey, Ham, Stuffing, Mashed Potatoes with Gravy, Cranberries, Applesauce, Homegrown Corn, Vegetable Casserole, Strongbows Rolls, 7 layer Salad, Sweet Potatoes, Baked Apples.

Dessert: SourCream Apple Pies, Pumpkin Pies, Scotcheroos, 4 ice cream flavors, and maybe more.

Supper will be at around 6 pm with a lighter menu:
Leftover Turkey and Ham Sandwiches, Meatball Sandwiches, Pasta Salad, Pretzel Salad, Veggies and Dip, Potato Chips, 7 layer salad, Taffy Apple Salad, and maybe more.

Now, here are some menu items that I need some help with: (let me know what you want to help with......)

Pretzel Jello Salad
Veggies and Dip
Taffy Apple Salad
Pumpkin Pies
A Chocolate Type Dessert (We could have brownies and make brownie sundaes)
Any other suggestions, or something you would like to try.

I have Karen, Mom, Kelly, Joan, Myself, and Dyke's mom already signed up for some of this food.

As far as the activities planned for the day......hoping to get our gym to play some volleyball, and hoping to set up a shooting station (clay pigeons) for the men, boys, or whoever would like to. (Need to talk to Keith, Kyle, and Jim about this), and I also am working on a VanDrunen "Sibling" game for everyone to play.

If you have any extra people to bring with , please just let me know so I can figure out the seating, and enough food, etc. ALL ARE WELCOME!!!

Thanks......Dyke and Karyl

That's My King

Pretty cool illustrated bit of a sermon...

Spa Day

Last Thursday Karley, Anna, and I drove from our home at the Trin to South Holland to spend the afternoon with Grandma. We had some fabulous quality time getting pampered at the nail salon in Lansing, where we got manicures and pedicures. Then we crossed the street and had pie at Baker's Square. It was so fun to spend the afternoon together...and I am so thankful that I have such an incredible family!

A game suggested by Grandma...see if you can guess whose feet are whose...

O yeah...and don't worry...if you didn't come along this time, there will definitely be another! Thanks for spending the afternoon with us Gram! (and thanks Grandpa for being our photographer!)

Holiday/Party Dates

Dear Family,

The following dates are for your information/consideration:

November 25 - Thanksgiving - Karyl & Dyke offered to host us. Let Karyl know if you are coming and what
you would like to bring.

Pinochle Party - We are considering one of two dates: Either Saturday, November 27 or Saturday,
December 4. Let us know which is better for you. (If you don't know how to play pinochle, start learning
today. Come over and we will help you learn.)

Christmas - We are thinking of Sunday, December 26. This will give you time with your families on
Christmas Day. Let us know what you think?

We would like your response as soon as possible.

Weekend in Connecticut

Last weekend I skipped my Friday classes and instead hopped on a plane to visit New Haven, Connecticut to spend a few days with Alex. I arrived Thursday night, when we went out for pizza and played pool at the graduate student lounge at Yale. The rest of the weekend I toured around New Haven, visited the Peabody museum, went hiking up "Sleeping Giant", went out for frozen yogurt, and many other fun things. As you will see in the pictures, I also got to meet Heidi, Alex's girlfriend. She is great. On Sunday, we went to Alex's church, got some Syrian cuisine for lunch, and then I headed home. It was a fabulous weekend - if any of you are interested in visiting, I have to say that my brother is an excellent host/tour guide!

While we're on the Ritsman love-fest train...

I know that I'm biased in favor of my friend, but this has to be the best wedding toast in the history of wedding toasts. Here's Mark Ritsman's toast at his brother Matt's wedding earlier this year.

I laughed, I cried, I applauded.

Don Ritsman's Website

Many of Yous Kids have met our family friend Pastor Ritsman at some point. He's been a long-time friend o' the Gesches and a pastor for decades.

Recent, he launched a website of free Bible Studies representing about 30 years of work.

It's a pretty amazing breadth of work, it's all free stuff, and it's a great site. Check it out here.

REAL candidate for governor of NY

It's kinda quiet around here on Yous Kids blog, so I thought I'd share a video that I recently stumbled into. This is a real candidate in a 5 person debate... he represents "The Rent is Too D--- High Party." At the very least, he stayed on point.

Imitation, greatest form of flattery

Last Friday, Kristin & I had the privilege of attending Trinity's "Jubilation" to hear our friend Kurt Schemper speak on life as a television producer. (He produces A&E's Intervention). The big question was, "What do I wear?" Not for Kristin, but for me. Digging back into the far recesses of my mind I recalled an outfit one of Trinity's most prestigious alums and decided to copy it. Here is what I wore:

CAMPING

Kim, Mike, Aunt Jean & Aunt Lee spent a recent weekend camping at the Apple Festival in Nappanee, IN. We spent time visiting some local Amish shops. After Aunt Jean & Lee split some firewood we enjoyed the Filet Mignon they brought for the Saturday night meal. What a treat!

A Couple Sawyer Vids...

Great news

As some of you know, I've been applying for a clerkship with a federal court of appeals judge for the year following my graduation. This process came to a head last week. Starting at 10 AM on Monday, Judges began calling and sending e-mails and filling up interview slots in rapid succession. Thankfully, I received a few phone calls and was able to interview with four judges.

One of those Judges led me Milwaukee to interview on Friday morning. After a good conversation with the Judge and her clerks, I went home hoping that everything went well. Two hours later, I received a phone call from the Judge offering me a position and I accepted on the spot.

The Judge? Diane Sykes of the 7th Circuit (Wisconsin, Indiana, Illinois) Court of Appeals. Her chambers are based in Milwaukee where I will primarily be working, though I will also travel with the Judge on several occasions to Chicago to hear oral arguments. Judge Sykes is a great Judge and I'm really happy to have this opportunity. But don't take my word for it, if you want some more information go ahead and check out the definitive source of all information... Wikipedia.

The Bass Brothers

McGuire and Conseco have nothing on these Bass Brothers. Looks like a good Labor Day weekend on little Birch!

Here is the newest Yous Kids - Kya Jean De Vries

We welcomed Kya Jean into our family yesterday at 1:20 pm. She weighed 6 lb 10 oz and is 19 1/4 inches long. She's so amazing, and so far is very good. Very sleepy, too. Here are just a few photos of her.

Jeanne Guritz

Jeanne Guritz had a knee replacement today. It sounds like the surgery went ok, but she is quite nauseous. She did not want visitors at the hospital, and is expected to come home on Saturday, which is the 1st anniversary of Coach's passing. So keep her in your prayers. If you want to send a card, her address is 26 Chippewa, Thornton, IL 60476. Thanks.

More Blue Harbor Pics!

The 16x20 looks good!...so feel free to order that large if you want! (Also...it might be hard to find a 12x18 frame. It's not a standard size...so unless you have something specific in mind for it, I would choose a different size). Here are the individual family pictures I have. Once again...you can click on them to make them bigger, and then zoom in to get even closer.
9550 (VanDyke 1)

9555 (VanDyke 2)

9566 (VanDrunen 1)

9573 (VanDrunen 2)

9594 (Gesch 1...silly)

9601 (Gesch 2)

9608 (Gesch 3)

9613 (Gesch 4...silly)

9742 (Karen & grandkids)


...and because I couldn't make you wait any longer for this one :) ... 9661

Sawyer's 18 Month Pics

One Good Lookin Family!

I know yous kids have been patiently waiting to see the pictures from Blue Harbor...and I finally finished them after more of my traveling adventures (Birchwood & Honduras). I went through them all and found the ones where everyone, or almost everyone was smiling, and only edited those. The hardest one was the picture of just the grandkids with grandma and grandpa...most of them had numerous people with eyes closed, or talking, or fixing hair, etc., so the one i edited was the best. (by far) I put the numbers above the pictures with a short description. If you click on a picture, it should take you to another screen where it shows up bigger, and on my computer i can put my mouse over the picture and click, and it will zoom in, so you can see everyone's faces really well. I also printed them, some in large sizes, so if you are in the area you can stop by to see them. If you would like to comment and let me know the picture numbers and sizes you would like to order, I would be happy to print them for you! (I'll also make everyone a CD with the pictures on it) Here are the prices of the lab I use (it's inexpensive and good quality)...
4x6: $0.15
5x7: $0.50
8x10: $1.50
11x14: $4.00
12x18: $4.00
16x20: $7.00
I have printed the family photos in up to a 12x18 and they look great. I did order a 16x20, but they forgot to give it to me when I picked up the rest, so I am hoping to pick it up this week when I get back from Michigan, so I will let you know how that looks when I get it! Let me know if you have any questions! Hope you like them!
(I'm also planning on putting the pictures from after the "formal stuff" ...like of the girls and some individual families on the CD for you...but if you would like to see them, or for me to print some, I can email them to you or post them when I get back. I believe I have family pictures of Kathy, Keith, Karyl, and Karen and her grandkids)

9495 (the entire family)

9496 (another of the entire family, which I like:)

9499 (a silly one of the family)

9500 (the family with Aunt Lee and Jean)

9510 (the grandkids)

9515 (a silly one of the grandkids)

9521 (the children)

9522 (another one of the children)

9536 (the children with Aunt Lee and Jean)

9626 (Grandma & Grandpa)

9675 (Aunt Lee & Jean)