Merry Christmas 2023 from the Hegels

Merry Christmas!

It’s hard to believe it’s Christmas, especially around our part of the countryside, with such mild winter temperatures and no snow, but here we are once again saying goodbye to 2023 and welcoming a new year soon.

2023 started off with a fair bit of excitement at the news of another little one to be born to Alyssa and Ben. Noah arrived as expected on August 31, and is a happy and healthy little boy who has brought us lots of joy already. We’ve also had some tears and grieving with the passing of Joe Lang, Coleen’s dad, at the age of 96. He is dearly missed and fondly remembered by all who knew him. Coleen’s mom has since moved from Regina to a care home in Saskatoon, where she is close to two of her sons and several grandchildren. Coleen goes for regular visits as well, as does the rest of her family. I think Joe would be very happy with how well the Lang family is caring for Anne. I’m very proud of my brothers and sisters in law.

Our routine has been much like most other years since we have “retired.” I continue to work for Joseph doing carpentry, and Coleen looks after our grandson Dawson most Tuesdays and Thursdays. We get to see lots of Joseph, Chandler, and Dawson now that they live just a mile down the road from us. Like almost every year, Coleen swears she won’t plant such a big garden, then goes ahead and does it anyway. She keeps our acreage and house looking great, and truly makes our house a home. It is very quiet and a little sad around here when she’s away. As far as the grandkids are concerned, nobody else seems to be as popular as Grandma.

Spring, summer, and fall have all been “car show season” for me. I drove the ’48 to lots of show & shines again this season, and have really enjoyed getting to know my fellow Just Kruzin’ club members better. When you put a few of us gearheads together, we've always got something to talk about.

At the Draggins Rod & Custom Show in Saskatoon

At the FM 102 Cruise Weekend Show & Shine in Saskatoon

A lunch stop in Kindersley on our tier of the Western Canada Power Cruise (from Lloydminster to Medicine Hat, with stops in North Battleford, Saskatoon, Rosetown, Kindersley, Oyen, and Burstall).

The bunch of us from the Just Kruzin' club who took part in the Western Canada Power Cruise. All of these classics made the trip to Medicine Hat and back without mishap.

My truck won Best Custom Truck at the Wainwright Motor Club car show in August.

We had a fairly busy summer, starting with Laura and Stephen’s wedding on the family farm south of Kerrobert, SK in July. Their wedding was followed by a Knorr family reunion (Coleen’s mom’s side of the family) in Hafford, SK, where a good time was had by all. Cousin Shelley’s two sons have a band called the Brothers G, and set up and played for everyone one evening. These young men have been playing music and performing in public since their early teens, and are awesome musicians and entertainers. After the reunion, we spent a few days at Ministikwan Lake with our good friends Richard and Linda, and had some fun evenings as usual when the guitars came out around the fire. We also did our annual camping trip to Lake Diefenbaker in early August. We were very happy to celebrate two more weddings this summer, and enjoyed the opportunity to be with Rebecca and Jaden, as well as Jill and On. All three weddings this summer were outdoors, and the weather cooperated every time. Life is good. Coleen and I didn’t seem to find the time to make our annual trip to the west coast this summer, nor did Joseph and I and the guys get our act together for a motorcycle trip. We’ll have to work a little harder at making this happen this coming summer.

Four generations of blue-eyed beauties.

Two of my many "adopted kids" (Laura's friends Casey and Dustin)

The Brothers G with cousin Brandon filling in on bass.

The Knorr reunion.

Wanted: Notorious outlaws known as the Lang Gang (with special guest outlaw Aunt Katherine)

Noah's first camping trip. Alyssa was a little over 8 months along at this point.

Lake Diefenbaker was at the lowest level we've ever seen it last August. The sunsets at the boat launch at Danielson Provincial Park were still fabulous.

Joseph’s construction business is busier than ever, and like most entrepreneurs, he continues to strive for that illusive balance between work, rest, and family time. He continues to do lots of decorative stamped concrete work, as well as building several new houses, doing some major renovations, and his sideline insulating business. Adding spray foam to the repertoire has resulted in a definite uptick in business. Chandler continues to work at Catholic Family Services in North Battleford, and is also in the process of finishing her Masters of Psychology degree. She’s in the home stretch now, and seems very happy that the end is in sight. They seem to love living on their acreage, in spite of the additional time it takes to cut grass, trim trees, plant large gardens (they have two), and all that other fun stuff that us out-of-towners know all too well. We absolutely love the fact that they are only a mile away, and that we get to see them and Dawson so often. That little man just lights up our lives.

Alyssa and Ben are also living the “young and busy” lifestyle. Brooklyn is fast approaching the “terrible twos” (she’s cute as a button, but I’m sure her “just testing” attitude will give Ben and Alyssa some grey hairs soon). Noah is just starting to sleep through the night, after several months of keeping his parents up. Ben is still working full time at Mobil Grain in Delisle, managing the shop and being the general “go-to” guy when things need to get done. Alyssa is on maternity leave from the Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital, but I’m sure they are missing her cheerfulness and energy while she is away.

Laura and Stephen look like they will be lifers on the Schraefel farm near Kerrobert, SK. They seem very happy together, and make a great team at whatever they choose to do. Laura’s photography business continues to get busier with each passing year, as her reputation grows. Weddings, graduations, anniversaries and family photos keep her pretty busy, as well as maintaining a big garden, not to mention mowing and grooming two large farmyards. Stephen was very busy plowing snow on oilfield leases last winter, but with no snow this winter so far, Laura actually gets to see him for more than a few minutes a day. I spent a few days at their place this fall, doing some interior trim, baseboards, and painting. They are always great hosts, and I have yet to eat a meal from the Schraefel kitchen that wasn’t fabulous.

Olive went from being a cute little puppy to this beautiful big dog, and she's only 6 months old!

With each passing year, Coleen and I find ourselves more appreciative of the family and friends we are blessed with. Being grandparents has been one of our greatest blessings. When we’re tempted to complain about getting older, we often remind ourselves to be thankful for good health, the many reasons we have to get up in the morning (besides to visit the bathroom – ha ha), and the security of a roof over our heads and food on the table. In today’s world more than ever, these are privileges that are too easily taken for granted.