Spreading the News . . .

FYI to relatives of mine on the maternal side - head on over here for some late breaking news on one of our own. Scott is Tom and Brenda's oldest child. I believe the wedding is scheduled for June 24th in Medford. Congratulations to Scott and Angie!

Slosh and Squish

Here's the thing about horses. They eat, they sleep and they . . . they . . . well, er, ick, yuck. This requires routine "dunging out" of their quarters. Hard to tell where the mud stops and the muck begins.

"All I want for Christmas is a red Cowboy Hat." Which she received. Now for a little sunshine?!

Sticky Fingers

As I was on the way out of my parent's home the other day, I snagged these three sifters and stuck them under my coat. My mom has hundreds (no joke) - and surely wouldn't miss a few. She commented when visiting at Christmas that she has the same ones. "Really?" I said in my most convincing tone, trying to hide my slightly mischievous grin. I am just "borrowing" for now and will return them when she sends me an "overdue" notice.

Hoping for frozen precipitation

Ooops!

By Golly, he'll do what I say next time!

Truth is, I did not hit or throw anything in anger. A wrench accidentally slipped and caused this shiner. We've been calling him "Bruno" around here. By the way, doesn't that shirt really "set off" his eye(s)?

. . . and a Happy New Year!

I am saving .44 where I can this year, and will include our Holiday letter on the blog. Of course I still expect our mailbox filled with your letters and pictures, so don't cross us off your list.

Well, we're both over 40 (how did this happen?) and have been married for 20 (blissful) years. We have a kid with facial hair and his homework makes us scratch our heads in confusion - any of this sounding familiar? The highlights of this year are a visit from the Swiss crew in October, Sten and Milah visiting Aunt Shelly in SanDiego, Auntie Pam coming to stay with us for a few days, and a gathering of old friends on the banks of Green Peter for some camping, eating, s'more building, joke telling, and reminiscing with occasional bursts of hysterical laughter.

We didn't venture too far from the house as Scott is tied to the office these days. As many would know, starting a new business requires long hours and jumping at the customer's request. We have 2 trucks leased to the City of Albuquerque, and three truck bodies waiting for chassis. If you need a garbage truck to entertain the neighbor kids, we can set you up! Scott loves what he is doing and his customers are thrilled to have a local source for parts/service. He continues to swim 3 days/week and is on the Swim Club board. Their most successful fundraising effort is staffing a concession booth at the OSU Football games. Scott organizes the crew and works the games, so we are relieved that footballl season has ended and we can have our Saturdays free. Scott and the girls recently participated in a community singing event called the "Singing Christmas Tree." Sten and I learned the songs too as they were constantly humming, singing or dueting their pieces for 3 months.

Sten is a sophomore in High School and was an avid supporter of "No Shave November." Yikes, he had a lot of hair on his chinny chin chin by the end of the month. He earned his permit in July, so we are frequently passengers - sometimes gripping the handles and "offering suggestions." He purchased a 1979 Ford crewcab pickup and plans to complete a frame-off restoration, replacing the motor with a Powerstroke engine. If it has tires (or tracks) and you must put gas (or preferrably diesel) in it, he is a knowledgeable source. He started a custom haying business this past summer and it was a family affair to keep him hydrated, scheduled, and transported from field to field. He has participated in water polo, wrestling, and golf. He is swimming this winter and hopes to get in some snow boarding and snowmobiling.

Milah loves school and is ultra organized which suits her well in her recently elected secretary position for the student council. She is in the 5th grade and is nuts about math and soccer. After being undefeated the previous year, it was a bummer when her team didn't win a single game this year. She is a valuable player in any position, and I especially like watching her kick the ball as goalie - she can boot it nearly to the other goal. She has joined 4H with a horse group and she is looking forward to Fair - she does not, however, enjoy cleaning the stalls. She is in the swim club and enjoys leading her group.

Maren is in the 2nd grade and recently obtained spectacles so she can see the board. We had no idea that she was having trouble until she failed a school screening (we get the clueless award). She looks adorable and she has been (surprisingly) responsible with them. She continues to be the most social one of the bunch and has a real knack for making everyone feel special. We are certain this will lead to a sales career (hey-maybe selling garbage trucks). She competed in soccer - and I do mean COMPETED - she was one of the leading scorers on a coed team. Maren also swims and enjoys harassing the big kids at every practice.

Susie spent most of the year with us, leaving in September to go to nursing school in LaGrande. When she is around, I feel like I have a "wife" to help shuttle kids and pick up an occasional gallon of milk. The kids sorely miss her, but she is enjoying college life and even got a 4.0 her first term.

Danner the dog happily plays "Hank the Cowdog", and truly is "Head of Ranch Security." Funny how such a mellow and friendly hound can sound so ferocious. When he hears an unfamiliar car at the bottom of the hill, he alerts us (he is always right on). He speeds up the hill beside us at 20 mph, breaking to do mid-air twirling 360's and has an annoying habit of attempting to bite the driver's side tire, despite multiple bouts of hollering, rock throwing, and air soft gun shootings. But he is C-U-T-E, even if he is D-U-M-B.

It is my job to make sure all these characters have clean clothes, full bellies and a smile on their face. I enjoy creating and selling my wares at a shop in town, and I don't feel a day is complete without a little sawdust in my nose or paint in my hair. I am attempting to be a Quickbooks wizard and dance a jig when I balance to zero every month - I also have to keep a close eye on the Snap-On invoices (ahem). Susie and I are the marketing geniuses and our brochure/exhibit displays are jaw dropping (a possible slight exaggeration).

Hope this finds each of you nestled cozily under a blanket, sipping hot chocolate with extra marshmallows. We are looking forward to the New Year and welcome strays and relatives or stray relatives. Love to you all. Scott, Lisa and Crew

Scrub-a-dub-dub

We interupt this program . . .

I'm not sure who had their head down the drain when they designed a house with 6 toilets, but it was not a wise thing to do. However, this bottle of smelly liquid makes the job easier. Just spray a little in the bowl or shower, let it sit for about 10 minutes and wipe it down without much scrubbing. Although it does make the bathroom smell fresh and clean, I would not recommend it as mouthwash or perfume. Happy cleaning!

While we slept, the wind was busy rearranging the deck. That table is heavy - I'm surprised we didn't "spring from our beds to see what was the matter"

Holidays at school mean baking sugar cookies and Christmas programs, and that the kids will soon be home for a few weeks (eek!)

Ho Ho Ho!

Happy Holidays from Advanced Waste Automation. Recognize the fella in the cab? (Thanks Susie for your photoshop wizardry).

Imagine my thrill (and Scott's, of course) when I discovered this lovely t-shirt! Doesn't he look jolly?

Project Accomplished

My creative self is slowly emerging again. My head fills like it's been filled with spray foam and the calendar has been stacked with too many obligations. This chunky frame caught my eye at the (you know where), and I couldn't resist. It was a gawdy bright gold and after 7 coats of paint, I finally settled on this creamy color and then made it a chalkboard. Do you ever have something in mind but it doesn't quite turn out how you envisioned (don't you hate that)? A few of those in a row can get a girl discouraged - but it adds to the kindling pile:)

Would you like that SUPERSIZED?

Harley Dude

Like Father, like Son

Susie has an entertaining application on her IPhone . . . looks like we've been on a pizza eating binge around here. I dare you not to laugh!

Go Beavs!

Today is the Civil War football game - the poor Beavers are supposed to get hammered by the Ducks - but anything can happen(right?!). Most of our crew is in a concession booth at the game serving overpriced hotdogs and popcorn. Maren's running with Nana and that leaves me to clean the house (nah), put up some decorations (maybe later) or scout out some deals at a Goodwill (bingo!).

Winter Wonderland

"Perhaps you'd like to be seated outdoors?"

Scott and Sherman eagerly await an opportunity to use this snowblower. Man like power tool. Man beat on chest. Girl stay in warm house, sip hot chocolate.

Zippety do dah - tearing up the skating rink. Maren nearly took out every person in a two hour period. Sten thinks his middle name is "Opollo", Milah is the figure skater, and Scott is "Mr. Gretzky".

Over the River and through the Woods!

These three have a difficult time spending 10 minutes together in the backseat of a pickup, so imagine my surprise to peek behind me and catch this scene. All together now, "Aaaahhh."

We cheat just a little at Thanksgiving time - heading to the Great Hall for dinner. Leslie cooked a turkey at home so we can enjoy leftovers too.

Sten wasn't too eager to have a matching skirt . . . I fell in love with these muslin petticoat skirts that had an "overskirt". The original idea called for burlap, but I figured that would cause a barrage of complaints due to the itch factor.

Run Kids Run

After a long Thanksgiving dinner, it's always best to let the husband children run off some steam. What better way than a snowball feud?

Snow Bunnies

Let it Snow!

What sweeter words to a kid then, "It's a snow day!" I think we may have a steady stream of kids arriving soon to play in th-th-th the cold white stuff. The girls wasted no time enjoying the day off and I will soon be hollering to put the boots/hats/gloves/mittens/scarves/coats in ONE PLACE!

Two steps forward, one step back

Sten spent 2 blissful days working on his truck. I think it's in the "must get worse, before it gets better" state. As you can see the front clip, the cab and the bed have been removed. The next step is to paint the frame and decide whether he's going to use a Dodge (making it a Fummins or Forge) or stick with a Ford Powerstroke engine.

Can you spot the differences?

Maren came home from school a few weeks ago and informed me that she had some difficulty with the eye screening at school. Sure enough, the nurse called to let us know that we should have further testing done. It turns out that Mare Mare is near sighted and needs glasses. When the optometrist showed her how she was seeing and how she was supposed to see, she exclaimed, "WOW!" I guess I deserve the "bad mommy" award for the week. (it was a little chilly and windy out on those railroad tracks, as you can probably tell)


Meanwhile, Sten decided to shave his stylish locks as his swim goggles are getting tangled in his hair. He sported a mohawk during dinner, but quickly shaved it off last night.

A round of applause, please

Last night we attended Sten's water polo awards ceremony where he earned a Varsity letter and received the "most improved" award. Flanked by the patriarchs.

Alinya was quite smitten with Sten. I love the look on her face as she is looking up at him and I love the swift and firm hand reaching to grab the disruptive munchkin popping into the screen. They were mocking Alinya a bit - she likes to suck her thumb and twist her "pomies" (ponytails) at the same time.

Popcorn Anyone?

The Swim Club staffs a booth at OSU Home football games as a fundraiser. Scott is the labor supervisor and coordinator, and he has recruited family members and unsuspecting friends to fill positions. The club gets 11% of the total sales, which totals 800-1000$ per game. We are thrilled with this as it means less garage sales, bake sales and car washes. Pssst - if he calls inquiring about your Saturday plans - I suggest you tell him that you plan to be out of town.

Sherman and Mr. J - cashiers

Eager customers awaiting their hot chocolate and popcorn (while enduring a miserable game in the rain).

"Professor Popcorn" - Sten on the right and Team VDB on the left

Polo Wrap-up

The water polo team made it to State but were bumped out in the first game. They weren't expected to win - but they gave it a good shot. The team they lost to ended up 3rd in the State - so they did awesome overall.

Pep talk before the game - Stennie Winnie Boo Boo (name given by his sisters) is #14

The football players wear their jerseys in the halls and "strut their stuff". Hmmm, wonder why the polo players don't want to wear those cute little bonnets (and those skimpy swimsuits)???