Boettcher Tree in Seymour...

We stopped to take a look at the Christmas tree that the Muehl-Boettcher Funeral Home decorates each holiday season in Seymour in honor of those served the past year...  We cannot thank the Boettcher family enough for their continued support and selfless service to those in the most vulnerable time of need.  We feel so blessed to have such wonderful friends who so generously serve the community...

Shining bright in the smell of evergreen...

Muehl-Boettcher Funeral Home Remembrance Tree

Thank you for all you have done for our family, and for all you continue to do to support families within the community...

-The Marsh's-

Joel's Phone Message...

If you are anything like me, sometimes you pick up the phone to give Buck a call, mostly out of habit.  However, we recently canceled his line, and now you hear a service message instead of Joel's calm voice...

So, for a little Christmas gift, you don't have to hear that weird recording, and you can just stop by Joel's blog to give him a "call" over the holidays...

Looking forward to seeing you all over the Holidays!

Joel's Christmas Trees

I just wanted to let you all in on some things that we're doing to celebrate Christmas with Joel.  We're somewhat surprised on how many Christmas trees my family and Joel have up this year, because usually if we get one fake one up by Christmas morning before opening presents, it's a good year in the Marsh Family!  Joel was not a huge fan of the Christmas tradition and usually put up with my crazy antics on Christmas morning as I annoyed him to get into the Christmas spirit.  He does have one famous VanBoxtel Christmas party however which will forever be remembered as "Joel's Christmas"...

To much surprise to all who know us, we have a Christmas tree at our house in Seymour... with a hat that I forced Joel to wear a few years ago.  I was dressed up as Santa and snapped a picture of us together with him in the elf hat, and mailed it out to all his friends, what a sport!  The tree at our house is the "Charlie Brown" tree, and is missing a bunch of limbs, but still looks great...  We particularly like the limb that sticks out way on the bottom, so low I could barely get the tree skirt around it!

Joel's Charlie Brown tree with the "Jingle This..." elf hat

“CHARLIE BROWN TREE”

From little on when Joel was asked to pick out our Xmas tree, it would always have this look. This special tree was truly a reflection of the person he was. He never took people for their looks, brain power, strength, or smooth talking. His relationship with people was based on their heart and compassion for others.

We have another Christmas tree at the Duplex in Seymour.  Chris was kind enough to let us invade his house and decorate the tree after he wrestled it into the house (aka rolled on the ground with it).  Becca was a professional and put all of our decorating skills to shame.  We have a lot of family and random ornaments on there, looks just like our old trees!

Becca and Joel's freshly decorated tree at the duplex...

“THE JOURNEY TREE”

This tree represents Joel’s short, but fulfilling life. It is well groomed from lessons of life and thoughtfulness for others. As you look at the top you will see not one single point, but several. This is Joel reaching out to all of us making us better people while here on earth. Treating each  other with respect, over looking any short comings we may have.

Lastly, I have two trees in Pittsburgh.  I put up our classic tree which was with me in Madison, and added Joel's Packer Christmas hat to the top of it.  But, Joel get's his own personal tree as well, another Charlie Brown tree just to be consistent.

Pittsburgh Christmas display in our family room, Buck's packer hat!

Joel's Charlie Brown tree in Pittsburgh, with a candle for each of us.

Wishing you warm and happy holidays with family and friends!

Love,
Alyce


PS.  If you're missing the snow, check out the Webcam in Twin Lakes, that will make you want to head north!

Thank you for your generosity...

We cannot thank you enough for all of your support and contributions to our memorial and scholarship fund for Joel...   We hope it will further Joel's passions withing our local community.

Here are some photos that motivated us to target Joel's scholarship to those pursuing crafts and trades...  It was truly what made Joel happy and also excited for Friday afternoon to be able to head north...

Building the deck at Eva...

Joel loved all stages of building projects from drawing up the first floor plan to installing the finishing touches and last piece of trim and enjoying a evening with friends and family within the warmth of a cabin sitting next to a wood stove...

Home...

It's been a long hard ride, and I won't loose hope...

On my flight home to Wisconsin... Warm sky with snow covered clouds.