Unraveling the Holidays

On the way back from Milwaukee, my husband asked me what my favorite things were about our Christmas holiday. I shared a long list of favorite moments...a refreshing swim with the kiddos, an icy-cold family walk, drinks and conversation in our kitchen, in our living room and in our bar, brainstorming at Acoustic Cafe, a deli breakfast with in-laws, sitting around the family table in Brookfield. There was more but I stopped. Between December rehearsals for my husband's play, shopping, more shopping, wrapping, cleaning, the whirlwind of family coming and going, cleaning again and hopping in the car to go to the next family celebration, the holidays just seemed like a blur. It was nice to unravel the last week, the last month really, and let it all sink in.

Walking around UW-La Crosse

Mom and Bobber--Bears hats do sneak into our house sometimes

She kind of understands Christmas

Dad and T-girl

Cross country skiing in Hixon Forest

Sam Llanas, former singer of the Bo Deans, at Shank Hall in Milwaukee

White Elephant party in Milwaukee

The wonderful in-laws in Brookfield

The sole Bears fan in the Scott family

Looking through these pictures reminds me of all that we have to be grateful for.  As I sit in bed with a stuffy head and an achy body, I know that December has caught up with me. And the message is to slow down, breathe deeply and take it all in, day by day, moment by moment, thread by thread.

Family Time Capsule 2012

This video was a comedy of errors as with so many technological endeavors.  We wanted to view the video with the family on our television. We tried accessing you tube, vimeo, etc. through our Wii console and ran into one problem after another.  When we finally got logged into my You Tube account and found the video, they had already yanked it for copyright (they didn't like my use of John Lennon's song).  Vimeo didn't like the format of the video. So we finally gave up and I hope I we'll be getting Apple TV soon to make this process easier.  Since the family time capsule is really only of interest to family, there isn't a need to share it on the internet.  Viewing it on a big screen would have been nice though.  It was fun to pull all of these images and video clips together. I couldn't believe all of the things we did in a year.  This is a great exercise for anyone interested in capturing a year in time.  One of my favorite bloggers offers classes in the art of creating video time capsules and here is more information about her class: http://www.xantheberkeley.com/creating-time-capsules/. I haven't taken the class but she has some great ideas and is very talented at capturing big and small moments in her family's life.  So here is my sophomore effort at the first Driftless family time capsule.


Family Time Capsule 2012 from Driftless One on Vimeo.

Merry Christmas from Driftless Wisconsin

My Blended Family Thanksgiving

Our holiday comes together a little differently each year.  Sometimes the kiddos are with us, sometimes not, sometimes both parents are with us, sometimes not, sometimes my brother and family are there, sometimes not.  One thing I realize is that no holiday will look the same from year to year. My favorite moments are usually when all of us manage to be in the same spot at the same time, even if only for a short time.  When we went out to take a family picture during our holiday gathering this year, there was some down time while I went to set up the tripod and camera.  While I messed around with camera settings and tried different locations, I glanced up and noticed my mom. She was cupping my stepdaughter's face and whispering something to her. Come to think of it, this was my mother so she probably wasn't whispering but I was far enough way that I couldn't hear.  But they just looked like any granddaughter and grandma talking to one another. I looked at the rest of my family scattered around the yard. My dad was chatting with my stepdad, probably about Chicago sports. My stepsons were running around the yard with our dog. My brother and my husband talked and watched them.  My sister-in-law stayed near her fast-moving toddler.  And my stepdaughter's face lit up as she listened to Grandma Kat. There are many things that can be difficult and inconvenient about a blended family.  There are times when I wish it was easier, when I question the circus-like logistics of trading children back and forth or planning get-togethers with parents and stepparents. Then we manage to all be in the same place at the same time and I see relationships more than statuses.  It's fine to differentiate between parent and steparent or child and stepchild but what really matters is the relationship. It's hard for me to remember this all of the time but there's usually a moment where this becomes very clear to me. And this Thanksgiving it was during family photo time, with everyone waiting to pose together, in unison. This is my blended family.

cousins, T & E

Our friend Larry joined us at dinner. He's been a family friend for 25 years. He brought along his two dogs which made four dogs running around the table. Sometimes you just have to give in to the chaos.

Keeping it Local: June Fun in the Neighborhood

Why get in the car during the summer unless you're lucky enough to be going on a road trip...and I love a good road trip but backyard and neighborhood activities are so relaxing and fulfulling during the summer.

Owen got a bike for his birthday and he wants to go biking all of the time now. Excellent.  He was always asking his dad to go biking through the university, across the street, and at first I didn't get it.  Until I recently went with them.  A kid's dream.  There are pathways and circles and little boardwalks and roundabouts and it's quiet so you have the place practically to yourself.

So we hopped on bikes, sailed through the campus with Emma as our leader and aimed our bikes in the direction of the Ranison.  Which brings me to our next neighborhood destination.

Ranison Ice Cream has been operating since 1933.  It was first opened by Bob and Helen McVey who operated the store for over 20 years as the Super Ice Cream Store.  Bruce Ranis who worked at the ice cream shop all through high school, purchased the store in 1959 and later renamed it Ranison.  Though the store was bought in 1998, by a UW-La Crosse graduate, the Ranison it remains, in name and spirit.  Chocolate malt ice cream...that's all I'm saying.  

The ice cream is my preferred choice but the candy and chocolate are really tempting.  A sweet tooth's dream.

and it's in the neighborhood.

and the kiddo's favorite summertime activity thus far has been air soft guns.

this photo is some odd combination of awesome and disturbing.  I guess my brother played with plastic guns (definitely army guys) when we were young.  But look at these things.  Anyway, they love them and run around outside for hours.

Bike rides, ice cream and backyard play...every kid should be so lucky.  I'm glad they get to have real childhoods in a nice neighborhood...even if the college kids are too loud.  Ah, you can't have everything.

Team Scott goes to Milwaukee

Our niece's bridal shower, a Brewers game and a family get-together.  There was a lot on the Milwaukee agenda.  We couldn't wait to get started.

Well, it isn't a Brewers game without some tailgating.

Things started out well.

This one's for you, ladies.

Emma and Owen have May birthdays so they got free goodies on behalf of the Brewers.

So we were happily eating snacks and drinking a beer.

Ricardo, soon to be entering the Scott family.

Uncle Jay

Cough.  Mike brings  out the rally cap.

A fight breaks out between Brewers and Twins fans.  These night games are a tad rowdier than the afternoon games.  And the Brewers didn't rally.  

The next day was sunny and warm, a beautiful day to go to niece Kathleen's bridal shower.

The bride-to-be and her Aunt Karen, host of the soiree.

with maid of honor

Aunt Patty and cousin Beth

Emma looking so grown up.

Grandma Scott, Aunt Charlotte and cousin Kim

Mother-in-law to be and mother on each end, grandmas and Scott sisters.

And then on to a family cookout.

No, we didn't have to call the fire department and the steaks were good.

The brothers Scott

I just loved this picture of Beth.  I had to include it.

Papa Scott, head of the sprawling Scott clan.  

It must feel good to have your 5 kids come home with their families.

Nighty night.

Family Stories and Swedish Pancakes, My Grandma's Memorial

We gathered together to say a last good-bye to my Grandma.  She died in December at the age of 99. I forget that Swedes have a culture until I return to Rockford.  The last of my Grandma's family and old neighbors came to Scandinavian Cemetary.  We drive past Andersons and Nelsons and Swensons and hey, even a Forsell that isn't related to us.  My Dad's idea was that there would be a memorial service and then people could share stories.  Well, Swedes aren't real into public tokens of affection or sharing but my Dad told some funny stories about my Grandma.  One time she was being admitted to the hospital and the intake nurse was asking her:
"Beulah, do you have any nicotine in your system?
"No," she said.
"Do you have any alcohol in your system?"
"No," she said,
"Do you have any drugs in your system?"
"No, I'm clean", my Grandma retorted.

My mom talked about how my Grandma took the place of her own mother (who died at 50) and remained her "mother" even after my parents divorced.  Sometimes blood isn't thicker than water.

My Grandma had 8 brothers and sisters.  One sister is still alive.  She is 103 years old.

Great Aunt Cleona

I really love this picture of her for two reasons.  She has a great sense of humor, kind of sly and that's what I see here.  Also, she looks like my Grandma.  I didn't see it until now.  My Grandma was sly as well, also sharp-tongued.  Cleona is not.  She is softer, the wise older sister.

So we had a 103-year old and a 1-year old, my niece Tula, at this memorial.  There can't be anything more hopeful than seeing new life and old, wizened life next to one another.

During the slideshow, people were asking questions and filling in details for some of the pictures.  A last stroll down memory lane for my grandparents.  I'm pretty sure they were watching and waiting for these Swedish pancakes with us.  What would a Forsell gathering be without the Stockholm Inn?

Jill (my Grandma's niece) and Glenn

Cleona with her daughter, Virginia

Longtime neighbors, Einer and Margo 

My Dad, using his potato chip for emphasis, while talking to Parker and Einer

Millie was my Grandma's neighbor for 50-some years

Mom and Bobber

Mike and Mom

Tula and Momma, Erin

Everyone was here.  

You brought us all together, Grandma.

We got out and had a nice long walk on the Rock River later that day.

Hamlet didn't get to come have Swedish Pancakes so he was happy to see us.

Cousin Jack, me and Mike

Ah, a nice ending to a nice day.