WOOHOO!! Go Chargers! :)

Sorry the picture isn't that great, but I'm pretty excited that they fit and you can even get in without too much difficulty. This will save me a lot of time each morning in icescraping and defogging. Can't wait to get there on Sunday, everyone give Anne and Andrew a hug for me.

We are so excited. I can't believe we will leaving in just two more days. We just finished our last Christmas party today- the one for Mike's work and we have tithing settlement tonight. From there we mostly have an open schedule to get things done. I really want my house clean and maybe even my Christmas cleaned up before we leave. I know, what a Scrooge. I just don't want to come home to all of it. Besides, we did the girls' Christmas on Saturday. They loved it and were thrilled that Santa came to their house early AND will come again in Washington. Though that will probably only be stockings. Okay, here is a funny story and then I'm pretty sure there won't be a post until we get there. Not like the drought will be anything new right?

I have to tell you about Sadie's Christmas present. When we were at Toys R Us last month she saw a great big, giant Ariel. It is the size of Ellyn and it sings the chorus from "Part of Your World" in this weird alto voice. Sadie started begging for it for Christmas, we told her that it was too big and that it was creepy. Sadie was furious and off and on all month she has told us that all she wants for Christmas is the giant Barbie. We didn't here about it for a week or so and Thursday night we were talking about having Christmas Saturday morning. I asked Sadie if it was going to be alright if Santa didn't bring the doll. Sadie looked at me and said "Oh Santa will bring it, Santa knows what's in my heart." Yeah, so Friday morning I'm calling over to Toys R Us in Regensburg and trying to find someone that speaks English and having them hold Ariel for me. Next, I drove an hour and a half, loaded Sadie and Ellyn into a cart, put Mike's fleece PT cap on Sadie's head, over her eyes, and handed the woman at the customer service desk a note with the word "Ariel for Brooke" on it. They nodded knowingly and brought it over for me. I told Sadie that we were picking up a present for Jane and that I didn't want her to see it either so they could all be surprised. It seemed to work- trusting little thing. So Christmas morning Sadie had her doll and it is now her child. She adores it and takes very good care of it. She carries it everywhere and it is almost as big as she is. It is hillarious. She is so cute.

No, we won't be bringing giant Ariel, much to Sadie's dismay, so none of you will be lucky enough to hear her lovely song. Can't wait to see you all.

love, Brooke

Well, while most of you are all having fun together already in Vancouver I am peacefully sitting at my desk enjoying some DELICIOUS Belgian chocolate. My boss, Michelle, just returned from a 40th birthday trip to Belgium, the Netherlands (where her boyfriend is from) and Ireland. She brought back tons of Belgian chocolate and I would have to say it is probably the best I have ever had. Called "Galler".

Work is good but slow. Slow actually isn't too cumbersome because I can study for the pop culture quiz. Matthew, Michelle, and I have our audition in Beverly Hills on Friday January 26th. We are studying away with pop culture quiz books and trivial pursuit cards. I have learned a lot already but we all have a long way to go before I feel really confident about our chances. We have to all pass a pretty difficult pop culture quiz to move any further in the audition process. If we all pass then we have an interview and then it is up to the casting directors to pick who can compete in a regional game to see who will be on the show. Pretty involved. If you saw last year's show at all you know that on the actual show the questions are not very hard but, from what we have heard, the screening test is hard. So I will probably have some cards in my hands at most times while I am up in WA. :)

I work through Thursday when we are having our office luncheon which I am looking forward to. We are going to a really nice restaurant in Del Mar that I really like. Then I am rushing to the airport to make it up to WA that night. I can't wait to see you all! It will be a fun-filled week but hopefully somewhat relaxing too!

Oh yeah - and Mom, I found the oreos! :)

All pictures as of 12/15/06. Definately starting to look like a home. I was able to go inside and actually see the rooms forming. I think I should wait 3 more days until I go back to look again. HEHE!!!

Brent

Thanks for the birthday well wishes. Danica had a great birthday! It started with a special pancake breakfast, then she had her favorite dinner (smiley fries and green beans, with chicken nuggets.) Then we went to Debaltzo's for cake and ice cream. Danica didn't really want to touch her cake but that's okay! Adina thanks for the darling outfit, she can show it off while we are there! She had her one year check up today and is as healthy as can be but still really tiny. She grew two inches but is now in the 3% for weight, only 17.3 lbs! The hardest part is that we want to turn her forward facing in her car seat but the doctor convinced me I have to wait until 20 lbs. because her body is still proportioned like an infant (bigger head). Anyway, she'll probably be nearly two by then! She is getting really close to walking and will hopefully do it while we are there!
I have to be short because we are so busy getting ready to depart. We arrive Sunday afternoon, staying until New Year's Eve. Adina and Barb, a few quick q's: We are wondering if we should bring Hayden's carseat, he can fit in a booster or regular seat, is there one available or will Ellyn or Sadie need it? (they are obviously coming from a lot farther!) What about one that can go rear facing for Danica? What about a stroller and a pack n' play we can use? Thanks, I am just trying to decide what to pack! Thanks!! We can't wait to see you all!

Tracey

Happy Birthday to Danica - the blogger site wouldn't let me on yesterday.

Just wondering when everyone is arriving - I have a very sketchy idea, but would love to know for sure.

Also wondering what the Selah Schickies are doing for the holidays - would love to see them while everyone is here!

Excited to see you all...
Adina

Frank Caliendo Impressionist Week (Letterman)

Let's see if you guys can get any of these - WITHOUT looking them up:

1) What's the name of the TV news-magazine where Murphy Brown worked?

2) Who inspired R.E.M's hit "Man on the Moon"?

3) On TV's The Drew Carey Show, what is Buzz Beer?

4) True or False? You can find a life-size replica of The Simpsons' multicolored four-bedroom home in Henderson, Nevada.

5) In what state did singer Gloria Estefan have her near-fatal bus accident in 1990?

6) Which KISS tune did Garth Brooks record on a 1994 tribute album?

7) What company does Peter Gibbons (Ron Livingston) work for in Mike Judge's 1999 comedy Office Space?

8) The design for what legendary figure's postage stamp was decided by a nationwide vote in 1992, with the more youthful version winning over the older-looking one?

9) What's the fictitious identity Andy Dufresne (Tim Robbins) creates to skip town with the embezzled prison money in The Shawshank Redemption?

10) In 1992's Scent of a Woman, how did Lieutenant Colonel Frank Slade (Al Pacino) go blind?

Post your answers in the comments! :) Good luck!

She was weighed on Tuesday of last week and was 10 lbs. She is growing way too fast. We can't wait to be home in 5 days!!

love, Kim, Melia and Treven

We got an audition!! :) :) :) Wish us luck! I am off to study!


M

"Every time a winner loses, a winner becomes a loser!"

USS Arizona Memorial 

Oil still seeps to the surface from the wreckage 

Some of the USS Arixona remains above water. 

The winter wind has returned to Washougal - garbage cans and other debris are blowing everywhere! I'm so glad we have a warm, dry house to come home to.

Well, since we now have Big Brother watching our every blog move, I thought I should write - so I'm not labeled a 'looker'. Just kidding - Dave and I were looking at that tracker the other night. Pretty cool. It is very interesting to see who is reading our blog - we even have a fan in North Wilkesboro, NC - hmmm - who is it that we know from there? Hmmmm.

Anyway - we are taking off tomorrow for Seattle. I'm very excited - it couldn't have come at a better time. Dave is thoroughly stressed with the transition going on right now - he purchases the practice in about two weeks - and I think some time away from the lawyers and consultants and lenders will do him some good. We are grateful to K&B for watching the kids - they are excited for some time over there.

Morgan quote of the day: Mom - do you know why I can't run fast anymore? Because my shoes ran out of ammo.

Love you all...can't wait to see everyone.
Adina

Thanks Mom for posting. It has been getting a little draining to keep looking at the blog and having no one post. Plus, with work I use this thing called Google Analytics to track my company's website...it is free so I set up a page to track how many people are looking at our blog! So I now I know exactly who has been looking and how many times they have been looking without posting a thing!! :) So even if you don't think anything interesting is happening in your lives, oh well, post something! (and now Marnie steps down from her soapbox)

All is well in San Diego. I guess I haven't really written anything about my life since before Thanksgiving...T-day was fun. I spent the day with Matt's (huge) family in El Cajon. They are all really great so it was super fun. Things are pretty much normal with work at GTI and Sport Chalet. A little slow at both places but still enough to keep me busy.

Something that could be exciting - anyone heard of VH1's World Series of Pop Culture? It was on last summer. Anyway, Michelle, Matthew (Hannon) and I are auditioning to be on the show for this season! We are turning in our applications today so hopefully they will be calling us with a time and date for our audition. It should be in January sometime. Then we have to go to the audition, play against other teams and the winners get to be on the show! Plus other teams may get to go but that is up to the producers so I guess we will have to impress them. If we make it on the show then they fly us to NYC in March for a weekend to play and do the taping. We are really exciting about the idea of playing so hopefully it all works out. The top prize is $250,000 so that would definitely be nice. Wish us luck! :)

I am excited it is Christmastime and can't wait to be done with work so I can come up and see you all! But I do hope to hear from you before then! :)


M

Well, since I am one of the culprits that looks but doesn't write, I thought I'd give you an update on my life. I just started my new job yesterday with Columbia Basin College in Richland. I will be working remotely from our home for an average of 15 to 20 hours a week...getting paid very well...and it looks like very interesting work. Melody Sims, from Valentine, is the grant director. It is a grant to establish programs at CBC for radiology techs and various other imaging techs. I will be writing curriculum for the programs, drafting memos for various approvals etc etc. Most of the work right now will be reading, reading, reading to get me up to speed on what is going on. I drove over yesterday to spend the day with Melody and to meet the various other people involved. It sounds really interesting and will also give me time to take care of Grandma and continue my shift at the temple. However, I will be spending more time holed up in the study!

We are really looking forward to having everyone arrive next week. This weekend we are taking care of D & A's kids while they go to see Brian Regan(sp?) on Friday night. Dad had planned a night out for his clinic to go see the Gospel Christmas program at the Symphony that night so we are going to take the kids with us. I think they will enjoy it...it is pretty lively! Dad is planning on taking the priest on a skiing outing on Saturday then our ward party is that night. I am in the Stake Choir this year. Their Christmas program will be on the 17th at 7 pm...hope everyone who is here by then can come. I think it will really be worthwhile. It has taken a lot of time! 2 hour practices every Sunday night...but I have enjoyed it a lot. When I went to the program last year, I was determined to be part of this this year!

As Dad has told most of you, his discussion with Willamette went well. He'll be doing the trial with Dr. Wong probably starting in January and, hopefully, will make a decision as to the direction that we want to go by summer. It's lessened the stress around here considerably! Monday I will be going in to have my entire intestinal tract examined...fun, fun, fun... That means that Sunday I can only have clear liquids. I guess that's one way to lose weight.

Anyhow, I need to get to Curves so that I can get all the things done that I need to today. It's going to be a busy one!!! (Brooke, check your e-mail...I have some Christmas questions for you!)

Love you all,
Mom

Ahhhhhhhhhhhh!
Just had to get that out,
Dave

Click here for more hilarious shots.

Dad
Mom
Mike
Brooke
Jane
Sadie
Elly
Dave
Adina
Isaac
Taylor
Parker
Morgan
Brent
Buffy
Tom
Tracey
Hayden
Danica
Marnie
Peter
Anne
Andrew
Treven
Kimmy
Melia

Was perusing old pics and this one looked pretty cool. 

http://www.northarvestbean.org/html/news.cfm?ID=8

China’s exports of dry beans to Cuba peaked at 99,031 tons in 1997, stopped in 1998 and were only 987 tons in 1999. The average price for China’s exports of dry beans to Cuba rose from $350 per ton in 1995 to $408 per ton in 1997. As Cuba found it difficult to obtain dry beans from other sources at reasonable prices, a return to China for kidney beans occurred in 2000. For all of 2000, it is likely that the quantity of kidney beans exported by China to Cuba will be back up near the 1997 peak. Shipments during the first nine months of 2000 had rebounded to 68,483 tons.

Mike & Brooke