Happy Holidays!
It seems like we were just writing last year's holiday e-letter only yesterday.
This photo was taken in November '04 which brought many of our family members together for Roger and Ruby Trapp's 50th wedding anniversary (Diane's Aunt and Uncle). The celebration was at the Audubon Center on Grindstone Lake. It was a wonderful day that brought many family and friends together -- and it was enjoyed by all! Diane's Mom and Rob Hoven (Noelle's fiance') are also in the photo.
Emmanuel, when not at work for the State of Minnesota, got back onto the soccer field this past summer as he co-coached for Holly's soccer team -- "The Pink Flamingos." They had a super season and came in 2nd place in the championship. Several of the girls have expressed that they want him to coach them again next season.
Diane is still working at the Minneapolis VA and working hard on promotional activities. She's been there now for 16 years.
Being a Girl Scout Co-Leader and now recently, Assistant Day Camp Director are newly taken positions. Co-Leader, Sue Boemer, or "The Boss" as Diane's sister calls her, has been a leader for more than 15 years. She keeps Diane busy planning meetings and updating the troop's website. We finally hit the search engines! It was great to be able to look up "Troop 1140" and see our site. Diane and Sue attended the Adult Girl Scout Leader Conference in Scandia, MN at Camp Lakamaga this past August. Krista says, "Mom goes from Pageant Mom to Girl Scout Mom!" Diane is also the web designer for the South St. Paul Girl Scout Service Unit which has more than 20 troops.
We were able to get together, while the kids were in school to go on a boatride on the Grand Duchess that went from Hudson, Wisconsin down the river to Treasure Island Casino located in Red Wing, Minnesota. Steve Balfanz (Diane's cousin), Emmanuel, Pat Balfanz (Diane's aunt), Roger Trapp (Diane's uncle), Linda (Diane's sister), Ruby Trapp (Diane's aunt), Lois Balfanz (Diane's aunt), Seated: Mae DeNucci (Diane's Mom), Edward Balfanz (Diane's uncle), and Diane made the trip. We enjoyed brunch buffet and good company on the boat and then once down at the casino marina, we were brought by bus to the casino. We spent about 5 hours before getting bussed back to Hudson. Can't forget the cards next year! One was a big winner and most were not -- but it was still nice to be together!
Holly, 12 years old, is in her final year at Lincoln Center Elementary School, here in South St. Paul. She is involved in Student Council, Peace Club, and Girl Scouts. Holly is having a FANTASTIC school year so far. Mrs. Benning is her teacher and she does a super job! We are so pleased with her and so happy with Holly's achievements so far this school year! Next fall it's off to the Junior High School for Holly! In fact she has already had to choose a few classes.
Besides spending time with Grandma and Auntie Linda at Grindstone Lake, Holly attended several Girl Scout camps this past year. She even traveled to Mason, Wisconsin (near Iron River), where she spent 5 days at Camp Northwoods with her friend Molly. There, she learned many Girl Scout songs and even went kayaking for the first time! Her troop earned the Girl Scout Bronze Award this past October. The Bronze Award is the highest honor a Junior Girl Scout can achieve. The troop organized, advertised, and put on a halloween, overnight camp for other Girls Scouts in Minnesota. This camp was attended by over 30 girls. All had an awesome time!
Here is Holly in her soccer uniform with her two friends and teammates, Mikaela and Molly. They're all in 6th grade.
Holly enjoyed many hours at the local pools, swimming like a fish!
Noelle is already a Junior at the College of St. Scholastica (CSS), studying biochemistry. She has been preparing to take the MCAT (Medical College Admission Test) next spring. She is hoping to attend medical school at the University of Minnesota. At CSS, Noelle is involved in the ARMs Program, which stands for Academic Role Model. One element in this program is that she assists others in succeeding or reaching their goals. For example, she independently arranged for study sessions for one of her classes which was attended by many students. It was such a great idea that the professor put her study sessions on the class website.
Her senate job, Finacial Vice-President keeps her very busy several hours each week as well as meetings on Sundays. She still volunteers in Jane's classroom (Rob's aunt) one day a week. She has also started "shadowing" radiologists at St. Mary's Hospital in Duluth and did so during the summer at Region's Hospital too.
She was just accepted into the Ronald E. McNair Post Baccalaureate Achievement Program. Currently, there are only 197 students in the United States that have been chosen as McNair Scholars. A focus of the McNair program is providing research opportunities for students. Students are paired with faculty mentors who are able to facilitate each student’s academic goals. She is yet to find out where she will be participating in this program. One of her choices is John Hopkins University but she is hoping to select a program at the University of Minnesota.
During the summer, Noelle worked as a Manager at the community pools. She also worked at American Eagle at the Mall of America in Bloomington.
Rob Hoven is still the "love of her life!" On Friday, December 2nd, Rob proposed marriage to Noelle. He visited with Emmanual earlier in the week to get his approval. The answer? The promise ring, Rob gave her was quickly moved to her right hand to make room for her beautiful engagement ring. Upon returning home with the news, it was only minutes later that Gary, Sue, and Chelsie Hoven (Rob's family) with Marissa Behr (friend) came over to our home with a cake and champagne to celebrate the event.
Rob completes his General Motors Automotive Service Education Program (GMASEP) in May 2006. He is currently working at Arrow Pontiac in Inver Grove Heights.
Noelle turned "21" on December 4th!
Here, Noelle's friends, Leila, Jade, and Laura, attended a Halloween Costume party dressed as the "Three Little Pigs and the Big Bad Wolf." Aren't they cute!
During Spring Break '04, Noelle, Rob, Laura, Leila, and Jade drove to Florida for some fun and sunshine. Here is a photo of them on the beach.
Daring or crazy?!?! Noelle, Laura, and Leila tried para-sailing! WOW!!!
Rob and Noelle at the 2005 Minnesota State Fair.
Krista, 19, is in her Sophomore year at Hamline University (HU) in St. Paul, where she's studying legal studies/pre-law. Currently she is living alone in the dorms and hoping it stays that way for the rest of the school year. Besides studying, Krista has been busy with the HU Dance Team which practices long, hard hours. Emmanuel and Holly have been to a couple of the HU football games where the team has performed. Diane and Noelle were able to attend HU's basketball opener where the dance team performed at halftime. They were GREAT!
Krista also worked at the community pools in the concession stands this past summer. She's hoping to get a job on the HU campus during the next term.
She brought home a "little gift" that she could no longer have in the dorm at school -- Neiko, a little 3 year old Chihuahua. He came from a family in So. St. Paul who were in the process of moving. Their plan was to "put him down." Krista couldn't allow them do that, so he went to live with her. He's a very good little boy and a wonderful "watch dog." What a bark for such a little dog! We call him "Little Nicky!" Diane likes to call him "Stuart" as in "Stuart Little."
Neiko
Darla and Maggie Rose (also called Margaret Rose Mary) are doing very well. Darla always has a "baby" and many times even sleeps with one in her mouth! Auntie Linda refers to Margaret as a "bully!" She's certainly the "Alpha Dog" in the house!
We lost our little Nemo Man (Noelle's Betta Fish) this past spring. He gave us much enjoyment. Funny how something so small can do just that!
Maggie, Darla, and Nicky find it in their hearts to be together and get along!
We hope that next year keeps you happy and healthy!
We'd Love to Hear From YOU! Emmanuel, Diane, Noelle, Krista, Holly, Darla, Maggie Rose, and Nicky!
This photo was taken in November '04 which brought many of our family members together for Roger and Ruby Trapp's 50th wedding anniversary (Diane's Aunt and Uncle). The celebration was at the Audubon Center on Grindstone Lake. It was a wonderful day that brought many family and friends together -- and it was enjoyed by all! Diane's Mom and Rob Hoven (Noelle's fiance') are also in the photo.
Emmanuel, when not at work for the State of Minnesota, got back onto the soccer field this past summer as he co-coached for Holly's soccer team -- "The Pink Flamingos." They had a super season and came in 2nd place in the championship. Several of the girls have expressed that they want him to coach them again next season. 
The answer? The promise ring, Rob gave her was quickly moved to her right hand to make room for her beautiful engagement ring. Upon returning home with the news, it was only minutes later that Gary, Sue, and Chelsie Hoven (Rob's family) with Marissa Behr (friend) came over to our home with a cake and champagne to celebrate the event. 
Besides studying, Krista has been busy with the HU Dance Team which practices long, hard hours. Emmanuel and Holly have been to a couple of the HU football games where the team has performed. Diane and Noelle were able to attend HU's basketball opener where the dance team performed at halftime. They were GREAT! 
Maggie, Darla, and Nicky find it in their hearts to be together and get along! 
Sign Our Guestbook