The Annual Christmas Letter! - Written by Team Gerbil

Stop chewing on those sticks, I’m trying to focus here. Oh, hey…..hi, I’m Ginger. Apparently it is a tradition in this crazy house for all new pets or people to write the Christmas letter their first year. Who ever came up with that idea?? So, that means you are in store for a wild ride provided by your very own Team Gerbil. Team Gerbil is made up of myself and my crazy sister, Flufferbutt. Yes, her name is Flufferbutt. And if you haven’t figured it out by the name, we are gerbils! A little bit about ourselves, we love to chew, climb thru tubes, sleep, and tease those big fury things in this house. But enough about us, let us tell you what else we have heard has gone on this year with Team Boelk.

Let’s start with “The Boyz”. Kinnick and Carver are enjoying 1st grade and terrorizing West Branch. They both played soccer this spring, baseball this summer, flag football in the fall, and just finished up their first year of basketball. In addition, they are proud Tiger scouts and have enjoyed earning multiple badges, belt loops, and other achievements. I hear they are doing really well in school and continue to stump their friends and teachers as to who is who. I don’t know what the big deal is; Team Gerbil can easily tell the difference. Kinnick really enjoys art projects, drawing, and drumming; while Carver enjoys playing this big thing called a piano (apparently starts lessons soon), and playing kickball any free moment he has. They both love to create and build whatever they can out of whatever they can find. That’s why we are often hiding under our bedding! Who knows where might end up. Hey, that reminds me of the time they put me in the Zu Zu Pet toys and……..Flufferbutt, back on track!

Okay, then there is our girl power companion Taylor. Tay is now in 4th grade and doing fantastic. She played softball this summer, continues her dance (tap, jazz, hip-hop, ballet), is currently playing basketball, and is really thriving on piano. There are also talks of her taking up swimming. Yikes! Hope she is better at hat than me. I fear the toilet. Anyway, she also has joined Girl Scouts and is busy earning badges, loves the color lime green and enjoys reading to us!

The big people in the house are always running this way and that. Luckily, they do check our water and food now and then or else I wouldn’t be writing this letter. Amy and Brian continue to be heavily involved in the Vineyard Church community. Brian plays in worship band, sings in the choir, teaches Sunday school, and helps lead Wildfire (youth group). Amy is on the church board, helps set up/clean up Sunday mornings, helps lead Wildfire, also teaches Sunday school. They both are involved in prayer groups, a couples small group, and taking care of the church building. Amy apparently has had a big change with this thing they call a job. (Glad we don’t have to work ). After working 11 years at Knutson Construction Services, Amy decided to take on a different career path and is now a project manager for Shive-Hattery. She truly is grateful for her years at Knutson and leaves with many wonderful friendships, but has really enjoyed the recent change. Brian is still with the City of Iowa City, and has enjoyed coaching the kids again this year in tee ball, softball, football, and basketball. In addition, he is the den leader for these Tiger Scouts. Hmmm…Tigers, don’t think I want any part of that.

Though Hawks aren’t really our friends, if you know what I mean, our owners seem to be in love with them. I’m always hearing about how they are watching the Hawkeyes play football, basketball, wrestling, soccer, field hockey, swimming, and any other sport you can think of. Personally, I prefer tube sliding….weeeeee! Squeeking of tube sliding, they had a blast on their annual family trip to the lake in Minnesota this summer. In addition, Amy enjoyed her family girl trip to Chicago and Brian on his co-worker guy trip to KC. They have recently been busy working in the dungeons of the house. I hear they are finishing off the basement and rumor has it……wait for it……it is going to be all for us! Well, maybe Fluffer made up that last part, but they are busy with wires, drywall, and various other items down there.

Amy and Brian want to make sure that we acknowledge the loss of two wonderful people this year: Uncle Gene and Barb Masengarb. We also give a shout out to those friends and family who are distant: Mikey, the Clark’s, and many other friends and family members. May God bless you over the holiday season as we celebrate with a joyous birthday party for our true savior, Jesus Christ.

MERRY CHRISTMAS, HAPPY NEW YEAR, GOD BLESS, AND GO HAWKS!!!

Brian, Amy, Taylor, Carver, Kinnick, Holly, Butch, Ringo, Various Fish, and Team Gerbil

In rememberance of.......

The mother of my lifelong best friend passed away Monday morning, unexpectedly in her sleep. Barb Masengarb was not only the mother to Mike Masengarb and his siblings, but also served as a second mom to numerous grandchildren and friends including myself at times. Barb was a truly generous woman, who always gave her time to her family and friends first and foremost. She played a significant role in raising four wonderful children of her own, as well as nine grandchildren. In addition, she was a loving and caring wife to her husband John. Barb was only 63 years old and will be greatly missed by many.

Our prayers go out to the entire Masengarb and Newcomb family. Though as difficult as this time is, I know you will all continue living life with generosity and as a family just like Barb taught you. May the arms of our Lord embrace you Barb in heaven, and give all those suffering down here a great big hug!