Waiting for the Bus

We snapped this shot of Timmy waiting for the bus one morning.  Funny kid.

Three Days in Marissa!

We really enjoyed our brief time in Marissa (my hometown) this past Christmas.  We could only stay for three days, but we packed lots of fun and chaos into that time.  There were 18 people and three? dogs in the house at all times, and more during the day, so there was nary a dull moment, you can be sure. 

Here is a picture of me and my two sisters.  I love them.  We look so calm, peacful and "together in this picture.

But calm is just an illusion.  Take a peek at the next shot taken a couple seconds later....!

That was more like "normal."

...Because we are very, very normal.

Ah....morning ruckus...

Luckily Tim and I slept downstairs.

In a bed.

Usually the women are the gameplayers (between meal preparations, of course), but this year it was the guys.  Just insert my Dad into this picture, because he was the champion card player.

Games games games...notice the constant rain outside.

Meanwhile....the wrestling just went on....and on....and...

Oh we had a medical situation...a minor one to be sure...but let me tell you that splinter was STRAIGHT in!

My sister Alyse was the surgeon, and a comforting hug was needed after the bloody trauma.

We spiffed up on occasion...

....or not...a five mile run got Alyse, Jess, Andrew, Zach and Tim some fresh air...and probably a few curious stares if I know Marissa.

My neice is showing off her.....ok I have no idea what you call them....they are like long leg warmers.  They look cozy.  Maybe I should get a pair....

She likes them!

Every once in awhile, Mom would just come and look at the chaos and shake her head.  I bet she's adding up how many more meals she's going to be cooking to feed all the energetic kids!

These are our favorite matching pj's.  Lands End clearance.

Speaking of meals...this one looks very sugary!  Do you think they know it?

My nephews make me smile.  Always.  Come on!  I dare you to look at his face and NOT smile.  You are probably chuckling.  I know you are.

Wardrobe additions.....Go Nebraska!

Go Waller's Market???

You have to live in Marissa to get this one.

It's a butcher shop.

It sells bacon....

...and steak, cut how you like them...

...cut right in front of you if you like.....

it's an institution....

hence...

the shirts....

...for everyone...!!!

On our third and last day in town, if FINALLY quit precipitating!  We had some family pictures taken on the back of my parent's property...and then Tim and I were goofing around.

I think I had had a few too many cookies....and slices of bacon...oh and the pie...

poor Tim.

I'll end with my lovely daughters.  We were SO cold, we couldn't hug tight enough!

Thanks family, for a GREAT time in Marissa.

Holiday Fun

Since we were celebrating a week or so early with the Lindquist side of the family this past Christmas, it was good fortune indeed that Lily had received some "Reindeer Food" from preschool.  A sprinkle of this magical mixture was sure to bring Santa and his reindeer in a hurry and a flurry...no matter if it wasn't precisely the right date! 

Unfortunately, the lovely traditional Swedish meal which we enjoyed before this picture was taken went completely unphotographed.  Next year I will treat you all to how it is done...or how Tim's mom does it...I really can't take any personal credit, but I take a lot of personal enjoyment.  This year, you'll just have to experience the "after meal" part of the celebration. 

"The Sprinkling of the Reindeer Food"

It must be done in formal frocks.

Annika was dubious...but Lily was SOLD OUT!

And look!  It worked!  "Santa" arrived right on cue!

There was a change of wardrobe, courtesy of Nana and Papa.

"Lindquist University"

We always dreamed of them going to college together!

Does it get sweeter?

He doesn't get to go to college.  He has to stay home with me.  I'll "Home College" him.

Uh- Oh...Why the long face???

It seems that, after four years running of this evening's happenings, it suddenly occurred to Lily that if Papa was Santa ...then....dot....DOT....DOT.....

Oh the wheels are turning....

There were lots of older family members to make the most of it too....

"Lily, who's Santa?"
She moped for quite some time, but ......

Let's just say she got over it!

We had a lovely evening of laughter, food, fun and....

...family bonding.....girl style...

...and boy style...

I've NEVER seen the kids wrestle on Nana's couch before....must have been all the cookies....

Postscript....I just now noticed that Lily was wearing a purple polka dot bow all evening....not exactly MATCHING her Christmas dress.  Sigh.  I am not a detail person.

Dog Update

Just a little update on 11 1/2 week old Molly!

She's definitely getting bitter...did I say "bitter...I meant "bigger"... got a new collar and leash.

Training has begun in earnest!

But still her favorite activity....

...is biting the head off....

...her beloved squirrel....

Puppy bliss it seems...

Christmas Day Dinner

Every family has its own traditions.  On the Lindquist side we always have a Christmas meal of Swedish meatballs, potato sausage, rice pudding, fruit soup, Swedish cookies and several other signature dishes which make the holiday fesive, memorable and distinct.  It is one of my most anticipated meals of the year.  I'm always too busy eating to think of taking pictures!  But next year I will!

On the Curry side, we have had a variety of amazing meals over the years.  Dad often smokes some amazing and delicious cut of meat, or Mom makes lasagna...

But this year "we" (term used loosely) outdid ourselves.  As far as I'm concerned, this can be our Christmas Day Dinner Menu for the rest of my life.  It was amazing!

My brother Tim brought his propane boiler to make it all simple.

One pot...you'll love seeing what's inside.  But first for the sides!

Roasted potatoes.

Crescent Rolls.

Homegrown corn...the best in the world, by the way.

Now for the pot!

Check this out!

THIS IS MY NEW SCREENSAVER!

YUM!

Moments

Do you ever have those moments when you look at your child, or a neice, or a nephew and think...

"Ok...that is me....all the genes lined up and there is a little me..."

I know what she's thinking...what she's doing...how in her imagination...

she's NOT sitting in a cluttered kitchen....

With a disinterested cat...

and a really disinterested puppy...

But instead the whole world is listening in rapt attention to her dramatic rendition.

I know how she feels and what she thinks.

And I like that.

It's good.
Most of the time it's good. :)

Molly in a Mood

Who knew that dogs can get "in a mood."  Molly has many moods.  I snapped these pictures one afternoon when we were babysitting a friend's baby.  Molly definitely noticed that she wasn't the center of attention anymore.  It wasn't long after I took these pictures...in fact it was WHILE I was down on the floor taking these pictures, that I noticed a strong unpleasant smell on the carpets.  It seems she she had been expressing her distress silently and....well....damply for a few days.  We had to have several carpets cleaned and she is now kept away from carpets.  But these sweet pictures were before that revelation.

"Hmmmm...she's playing with that baby again....all that kissin' and lovin'"

"I remember when I was the one who was the center of the universe...like it was yesterday....."

"Well....we'll just see how they feel when they realize I have been leaving my mark on all the carpets...this is my house ...."

"...and I just don't think it's fair for some baby to come in here and take over my turf..."

"Stinkin' baby"