Alright, already, I'll blog

Hey everybody!

Well this should hopefully make Katie's day. She has been a dedicated blogger for a few years now, and she has been bugging me endlessly to start one myself or contribute to this one. This is probably the worst time for me to start writing, since I still need to actually write my thesis before I really finish the PhD, and this will be one more way to procrastinate!

Things are going well in Madison. Maren just turned 18 months (which means Steve is 31 and a half - Steve and Maren have the same birthday). Maren is a really fun kid - she's running around all over the place and her favorite word right now is "purple". She doesn't quite have the meaning down, since she'll tell you everything is purple, but she says it really well.

I'm a little worried that it was mentioned a few times in here that Mike may still be working on selling his house in Madison. We'll be starting that whole process soon and I'm trying to be optimistic that it won't take too long to sell!

Anyway, I should really get to work - I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving and is further along with Christmas shopping than I am!
Bridget

Recommendations?

Have any of you stayed with your families at one of the Wisconsin Dells waterpark resorts? Which do you prefer? We are planning a trip with two other couples and all of our kids, ages 6 months-5 years, for some time in February, and I'm just doing some initial leg work. I hope you all had a great Thanksgiving. Ours was nice, except for Annalise's earache, which contributed to not much sleep for our family all weekend.

Mike and I are going to A Christmas Carol at the Guthrie with our college alumni association on Saturday afternoon. I'm thinking that will get me in the Christmas spirit- then we'll get the tree, haul out the decorations, and finish up with Christmas shopping. Even though I've lost almost 20 pounds since September 6th, I am thinking about starting some Christmas cookie baking. I always think of Aunt Jan's green marshmallow/corn flake wreaths at Christmastime. Boy, were those good!

Happy Thanksgiving!

We hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving. We are headed to my mom's sister Mary's house north of Eau Claire (New Auburn) for Thursday, and then going down to Mike's family's celebration in SW Minnesota. Mom and Dad have been there all weekend while Dad goes deer hunting with Daryl. Bridget and Steve and Maren will be there too!

I am thankful for all of you, even though we don't see each other as often as in the past.

First Parent/Teacher Conference A Success!

As we were driving to the Parent/Teacher Conference last night, Tyler said, "Mom, if Mrs. Cooper says I have been a bad boy, will we go to the water park next week or not?" I had to ask, "Why do you think Mrs. Cooper is going to say you were bad?" His response, "Well, mom, I am bad sometimes and good sometimes!" Ahhhhhh... It turned out, he's actually "good" 95% of the time...tee hee - so after the P/T Conf, on our way home, Tyler said, "I guess we get to go to the water park next week, eh mom?" He's my genius! :)

One Smart Cookie!

Since Bridget isn't posting on here yet, I'll announce some news for her! Bridget, Steve, and Maren are moving back to Minnesota this summer! Bridget will be receiving her PhD in Neuroscience this winter/spring, and has accepted a post doc position at the University of Minnesota.

Happy Birthdays

Happy Birthday to all those celebrating in November.

Barb Nov. 6, Leigh Nov. 7, Scott Nov. 10, Bridget Nov. 11, and Luke Nov. 20.

Did I miss any? Can't count Uncle Dewey any more.

How about them Packers? Kicked some purple butt on Sunday!!!
The Badgers are going to kick some Gopher butt this weekend.

Take care everyone.
Leigh

Ahhh...the Memories!

I have been trying to upload photos from all of my CD's onto our computer. I came across these two photos from the night we went out to the Cardinal Bowl in Thorp after the visitation at the funeral home for Uncle Dewey. They're kind of dark, and I am a retard with respect to editing things, so you'll have to survive! :)

All else is normal here. We have our first parent/teacher conference this coming Tuesday. Should be interesting. Someone (Tyler) has learned some new words riding the bus and has come up with a slight "attitude" at times. That has been very frustrating for me. He seems to think that he makes the rules and doesn't EVER listen to me. Oh well. He'll learn quickly when Santa Claus forgets to stop here, now won't he! :) His tooth is coming in very well, by the way.

Nothing new with Sami or Keith. They just plod on. I am so extremely busy at work, there are days I feel like I am suffocating! But what can you do? I have had to cover for a woman who is on vacation for three weeks, and she is in charge of scheduling all of the legal events for our employees...so, needless to say, I have been doing the litigation stuff (i.e. scheduling close to 10 depositions a week, plus testimony, guardianship evals., etc.). It has been a zoo. I haven't even done any of my own Immigration work, which is sad, because I have at least 3 petitions to file and have approvals for from the Immigration Service by February, and it takes the darn gov't AT LEAST 3 months to process the darn things! Unless, of course, you cough up $1,000 per petition. Then it takes them 15 calendar days! Gotta love our Gov't!! :) Anyway...why I'm talking about work crap is beyond me. Maybe because I can't get it out of my darn head!!

Planning a Scheibe Thanksgiving on Thursday, 11/22 at 11:00 a.m. at my house, for anyone interested in showing up!! We'd be glad to see anyone! And as you can tell by the photos above, beer and pizza are usually a staple!

And Katie, some day we will have to discuss our sons' surgeries! Tyler's was maybe a little more painful! They had to enlargen the opening to his penis as it was only the size of a pinhead and should have been more the size of a pea?? The best damn surgery we've ever had! He can actually pee in 5 seconds now, rather than taking a full minute to empty his bladder, and he can just about pee ANYWHERE! On that note...

Take care all! Talk to you soon!

Love you all.
Allie & Family

Hello Everyone

Hello
Just a note to let you know I can finally get on this thing again. My sign in wouldn't work and had to try and figure it all out again.

Hope all is well with young Bennett. I am sure Allie can relate with Tyler's problem a while ago.

I am doing fine. Allie, Tyler, Sami and I went up nort to Eric and Gwen's cottage yesterday to test him. Gwen had fun wrestling with the kids and getting tied up by Tyler, but Eric had his parenting skills tested by him too and like the rest of us, finally gave in, in the end. Now, Tyler and Dylan both know not to test their Uncle Eric. Also got to listen to Sami howl for an hour on the way home. I think that happened the last time too.

Just wondering if Mike's got that house sold yet? Haven't heard from him lately. I agree with Allie, we need to get everyone together once, even if it is only for a day. I think the kids would have a blast. Much like we did when we all got together as kids. Still love Uncle Don sleeping with the bow on his head.

Well, gotta watch the Pack this afternoon take on KC. My friends are at the game and I am babysitting the dog. Hope they win another one. Don't feel too lucky today, but plan on joining the girls for Bingo too. Gives me something to do. Our volleyball team plays Wed. nights and we have made Allie play for us this year, with the babies and surgery, we have been short handed. She isn't really that bad. Now, if we could get her to hit the ball forward rather than straight up in the air.

Talked to Janet the other day. (We play Bingo together every week.) She said she talked to Aunt AR. Hope the Hatfield's and McCoy's get their land dispute solved soon so she can sell the Florida place. Tell Jane to pack a piece. She may be safer that way.

Talk to you all again soon, now that I have a password that actually works.
Leigh