Look Out for the Bright Blue Parka!

We are lucky to be friends with some folks that have a few snowmobiles (don't know if they consider themselves lucky). When Sten gets wind that they are headed to the mountain, he's the first one in the rig.

Now for New Years!

Aunt Shelly time - looks like she's really hate'n it eh?

A new book for Sten . . . "How to Back up a Trailer and 101 other things every Real Guy should know." I think I'd better read it myself as my trailer backing skills are not too swift. My theory is never get into a situation where backing up is necessary - that's what "pull-thrus", cul-de-sacs (and husbands) are for.

Cheap Chic (as in sheek) at it again

BEFORE

Our oldest, non-biological daughter (Susie) has returned to Oregon and is taking up residence at her brother's house. While she was away, I went a little crazy with some paint and decorated her room. Sometimes the ideas rattling around in my head don't work out too well, but I really like this one. My inspiration for the colors came from the duvet cover she chose. Maren is a little bummed - she thinks that Susie's room is so nice that she will never want to spend another night here.

DURING

AFTER

Yeah - we still need to "install" the bedskirt. I found a perfect one at the Goodwill for $5

Season's Greetings

Now that we no longer have a puppy that pulls and chews at things, I can now decorate by our front door again . . .

While it looks like much of the country is expecting a White Christmas, we are blanketed in a thick batch of fog.



Merry Christmas to all . . .
I think back to many holidays gathered in Scotts Valley with my dear cousins and wish we could all be together again. I was one of the "little kids" stuck in the kitchen (waging Lincoln Log wars), while the grown-ups sat in the living room. I remember cheating at various board games and watching old home movies. I never remember the women folk grumbling about the work to be done, but I do remember the safety and love I felt. Thanks for the memories -
Hugs to everyone -

Merry Ho Ho!

This is the first year that Sten hasn't cried while sitting on Santa's lap . . .

Wow, this Santa looks vaguely familiar - he even sounds like our very good friend, Mr. Johnson. How interesting that he should show up at the school program and listen to the children's wishes. Did you know that Santa actually drives a Chevy pick up?

No, Maren's dress does not have big splotches on it - Milah just went a little nuts with the red eye correction and we can't figure out how to fix it:(

Save Your Pennies!

My Dad has a change jar that he has thrown his coinage in each night for 14 years. Because it was overflowing, he took it to be counted. This was no easy task as he had to separate it in 2, 5 gallon buckets (not completely full) to get it to the car. The grand total - $1580.00!! Sten and I guessed the closest, so we were hoping for a cut, but so far our earnings have not been forth coming. I think my Dad figures that I've already had my fair share as I used to dip out of his change jar when I lived at home. Quite impressive - I think I'll go check under our couch cushions.

Merry Ho Ho!

This is the first year that Sten hasn't cried while sitting on Santa's lap!

Hmmm, this Santa had a strange resemblance to someone we know real well. He showed up at the Christmas program and Maren didn't spill the beans to a single person (oh no, you bet). You might recognize him in town - he drives a white Chevy pickup.


No, Maren's dress really doesn't have big splotches - it's a phenomenon that Milah digitally created, thank you Milah.

Introducing . . .

The Bride and Groom

Shelley and Kevin

We hosted a wedding rehearsal dinner at our home last night. Shelley is a former employee and Scott worked with her mom, Wendy, for years. They had the dinner catered which made it very simple - a van pulled up to the back door and delivered the grub. I think I'll call them in more often!

A bit of Fa la la la la decor in the kitchen

Farm Boy Sten

Hmmm, looks like Sten's summer job is covered! Sherman became the proud owner of some haying equipment this week and already has his hay crew. This means I will be the official parts runner as I've hardly ever seen an entire field mowed and raked and baled without a few hurried trips to the parts house. I'm begging Sten to wear some overalls and a cowboy hat for a picture on his official business card - so far I'm not having much luck.

Highlights of the weekend include but are not limited to:

I was pulled over by our local city police for failure to use a turn signal when making a left turn from a turn lane. I was mystified when he turned his lights on at what I was guilty of - apparently it was a slow night for crime and traffic violations.

Sten was victorious in his first wrestling meet on Friday and we were hoping the bump he suffered to his eye would turn into a big shiner, but didn't. We slipped home on roads that were covered with freezing rain - it took over 1 hour to go 13 miles! Sten hung his leg out the car door as we crept along - skating the whole way.

The girls had a swim meet on Saturday and Maren discovered that it's important to have your goggles situated BEFORE you dive in the water. She was struggling with them while on the starting block and then spent her freestyle swim with her goggles on upside down and inside out. At one point I thought she was drowning she was flailing around so much. One things for certain, she didn't set any records on that one.

It's ch-ch-chilly!

We've had some uncharacteristically cold weather recently - down to single digits every night. Scott ever so carefully ventured out onto the pond today and deemed that it was safe to skate on - Hooray!! The pond completely froze over once before about 18 years ago and I have pictures of Scott in his sequinned, fringed figure skating ensemble doing spins and triple axels. Hope this doesn't last too long - Scott will be looking for a Zamboni on Craigslist.

This might be a typical scene in Minnesota folks, but it's a novelty here!