Snowbound in WI

Hal writes:

Happy birthday to Anna! Our plans were to leave this morning and head north for Christmas, but the Wisconsin Dept. of Transportation strongly advised us otherwise. The snow isn't too bad where we are at, but the interstates and highways to the north are not traversal. So we are just waiting here to see if the weather changes.

Below is a nice holiday photo of the two of us. This was one of the better ones after several attempts earlier in the day did not turn out (Hal couldn't keep his eyes open facing the sun). The bridge behind us is the one that was placed next to my hall last May to allow students to walk to the other halls and the dining center.

Part of our holiday festivities includes my department holiday party. Below is a pictures of Jen, my colleague who recently got engaged, and her finance Jason. Why is she so unhappy? Well, in the mystery gift exchange I lured her to select the package I brought by placing an ornament on the outside that I knew she would select. Inside was a copy of Barry Manilow's new CD. Now there, is an on-going feud among the RDs as to who is better, Barry Manilow or Neil Diamond, and Jen is in the Neil fan club. Unfortunately for her, although it was a popular item "stolen" many times during the game, her fiance also wanted to hear the sweet soothing tones of Barry and ended up with the prize.

One of my colleague's sons playing in a box. Who needs a toy when you can have a box just about your size? I would enjoy my own box to play in, but it would have to be about the size of a refrigerator.

One of my colleagues made ornaments for everyone else. She created eight dala horses for me to hang on my tree.

After finals, students are allowed to stay one more evening. I hosted a gathering for my RAs where we had baked spaghetti and played some games.

Yesterday Anna and I went with our friends Matt and Kim to the Wisconsin vs. Valparaiso basketball game in the Kohl Center. Prior to the game we ate at a restaurant where Matt and Kim went to before Matt proposed called Porta Bella. I had some delicious Manicotti and Anna enjoyed her favorite, portabella ravioli. But we saved room for nachos and ice cream at the game. Pictured below is Anna and I a few rows down from where our seats were located.

Anna wanted me to take a picture of the poor, lonely Valpo alumni. I'm guessing it was Valpo Alumni Honors night, so they found the one grad that had a GPA over 2.0. But nobody wearing red wanted to sit near him...

Valpo played well, but unfortunately the game last longer than four minutes. It was actually pretty close until the very end when they ended up in foul trouble and the Badgers actually started to make some free throws.

Well, once again we are late getting our Christmas letters out. Happy Holidays!