The next generation of our immediate family tree arrived on October 3^rd when our oldest daughter Martine and her partner Matt delivered a bouncing baby boy by the name of Carter Matthew Lueck.  Mom, dad and baby Carter are all adjusting to their new life roles.  Martine continues to grow in her role as Harmony-Ho herd manager and to build her registered Holstein show string.  Her greatest competitive success occurred last September at the Central WI State Fair in Marshfield where she and her team captured the Reserve Grand Champion trophy with “Pixy” a very fancy Senior 2 year old. 

Speaking of family tree growth - our youngest daughter, Rachel, was an integral member of Martine’s delivery team during Carter’s birth.  Apparently the delivery experience was a positive because Rachel announced her own pending addition to our family tree shortly after.  She had been living in St. Paul, MN for the past 2 years going to school and working to launch a Massage Therapy career.  Rachel moved home to our house on November 1^st and has reestablished her Massage Therapy business (RELIEF! Soft Tissue Therapies) and has taken a job at the Marshfield Clinic Veterinary Labs.  So, Grandma Bredl and I have one bundle of joy to spoil with another due in July.  To date we have been up to the task.  Sharon is simply elated with her new role of “grandma” and not surprisingly is extremely good at the job.  As the “baby bonanza” began to unfold, all around were rushing to purchase “how-to” books but when I attempted to find my own “how to be a grandpa” reference manual - none was found.  From this I had to infer that being a grandpa must not be a task of such difficulty as to merit an instructional manual!

Sharon and I continue to thrive on the challenges inherit in the operation of a small business in a tumultuous economic climate.  True to character we are actively formulating plans for future business opportunities specific to further processing of our milk production – a bold venture but an essential component of ensuring the success of the next generation at Harmony-Ho. 

In February Sharon and I made our annual pilgrimage to the Caribbean with St. Maarten and Saba being the destinations chosen.  We had the great privilege of sharing parts of our adventure with my sister Dawn, her husband Mike and our mutual friends, the Parmeters.  While on Saba Sharon and I completed our Nitrox SCUBA diving certification and climbed the 1066 steps to the top of Mt Scenery 3000 feet above the Caribbean Sea.  Saba is an absolutely amazing piece of real estate!  During the month of July we accepted a gracious invitation to attend the wedding of one of our former trainees – Gethin Owen from North Wales.  It was an experience overflowing with the rich culture of the region – 600 year old castles and cathedrals mixed with pints of Bitter and the irrepressible warmth of Welsh hospitality.  Throughout the summer months gardens and fields required tending but we found time for boating, biking and walking.  Sharon informed me that she has reached her goal of walking 1000 miles during 2006 and I really enjoy the bike.  I decided to purchase a new bike this spring after pricing psychiatric care – I determined the bike to be a much better investment!  Together with a mix of family and friends we participated in a number of group bike rides including 130 miles of the Grabaawr and we hosted the one day Eau Pleine River Valley Tour from our home in September.  It was a great year!

We look forward to another fun filled, successful and healthy New Year and sure hope you do too!

Ralph and Sharon Bredl