Rumble in Reno...CHAMPION!

 Jason talked Ansen into one last wrestling tournament in Reno in February.  Ansen wasn't so sure he belonged there because kids came from all over the country but he went and oh man, was that boy of ours ever nervous.  He and Jason drove down together and all was going great until the morning of the tounament.  Ansen melted down.  His nerves got the best of him and he didn't want anything to do with the tournament. Nothing.  The girls and I were here in Oregon and all I could do was talk to Ansen before each match and say a little prayer with him and then he'd go out and wrestle.  Poor Jason was trying to help him, i was trying to help him and suddenly the thought hit me that if he knew how many people were cheering for him, maybe he wouldn't feel so alone out there on the mat.  I sent a few group texts and this is what came pouring in:

RUMBLE IN RENO Words of Encouragement BEFORE MATCH:

 Coach Scott: “Wow, that’s awesome. The hard work and dedication is paying off. You belong there; believe in yourself and what you want to do.” 

Tab: “Duuuuuude!!! Mr. A, YOU GOT THIS!!!!!” 

Jenn: “Good luck, Ansen! We love you and we know you got this! Get out there and take them down!” 

Cece: “You got this, Bubba!!!!! You got this. Remember that you either win or learn; There is no losing. You’ve improved so much & we’re so freakin proud of you!!!”

 Grandpa Widing: “Hey Sweetie, good luck! Wish we could be there with you. We are here to support you all the way. You can do this, Ansen. Love you! Grams & Gramps.” 

Stephanie: “You got this, Ansen. We love you!!” Emily Grimmett: “Go get’em, Ansen!!!!!” 

Aunt Danna: “You got this, Dude!”

Grandma and Grandpa Forsberg: "You go this, Ansen! You are awesome!"

Auntie Kirs: "Show 'em what you're made of. No mercy!"

And you know what?  That boy just won, and won, and won his way to Champion!

AFTER WIN:

 Coach Scott: “Way to go, Ansen! Great job, keep up the hard work, buddy. So proud. 

Emily Grimmett: “Woot! Woot!!! Sweet hardware! Congrats Ansen!!!”

 Stephanie: “”Woohoo!!!!!!! Way to go, ANSEN!” 

Jenn: “Yay!! You the man!”

…From Hailey, “Ansen, good job on winning!”

 Aunt Danna: “Watch out brotater!! There’s and Arnold…aka, Ansen in the house!! You da man!! Proud of you, Ansen. Love from all!!” 

Tab: “Dannnng!!! Way to go, Mr. A!!!!” 

Tom Stewart: “I really think you’re a future state champ. If you can go to Reno and do that, WOW!! Fricken bad A**”

 Brandon Hoopes: “WAH HOO!!! Study! Nice work, Ansen. Champ of the Rumble in Reno!!!” Janette Naville: “Great job!!! You’re the man!! Now you get to eat all you want at a buffet."

It was a long emotional day for both he and Jason and everything turned out just great!

Congrats, Ansen!

January 2016

This boy took the Patriots losing the Superbowl pretty hard.  He was afraid that going to school the following Monday was going to be full of teasing that "his team lost." Since I can be a little bit of a snot and I knew most of his friends are Seahawks fans I did the snotty thing. We wrote the Pats season record and the Seahawks season record on his hand. That way when someone said something about "his team" he could show them that his team, even losing the Superbowl, had better season.

Petty, I know. I'm not sorry.

Ansen also had the Pinewood derby.  His car did well but he was more excited abouthte way it looked then the way is raced. All razzle-dazzle with this kid.

People's choice and Best Sports theme.  No surprise there.

Braley was a beast on the court.  She had a GREAT season.  She lead her team in points and spirit.  She doesn't come off as aggressive but on the court she means business!

Ansen had state in Salem.  It was tough and suuuuper late this year.  He took 7th and we were so, so proud.  He really was disappointed that he didn't place but his bracket was tough, we was one of the lightest and (helllooooo!) it's only his second year.  The most important thing is he was a good sport.  Win or lose he always took time to congratulate the other wrestler on a good match.  His last match was at 10:30pm.  The last match of the night was at 12:30am.  So nuts.

The girls (and Taters) did lots of volunteer work which earned them ortho hours.  Yay!

Crushed that he didn't place in the top 6. I'm so proud of this boy and thankful he goes to his dad to help him work out his emotions.

His toughest competitor and more importantly, his friend, Ethan.

A stop on our drive back from state.

Happy New Year

We're home!  We made it safe and sound. Unfortunately our luggage did not. We aren't worried about it.  It'll show up eventually.  First time was first when we got into Portland.  We had to go get Rammy.  We missed him but we are grateful because we know Grandma and Grandpa took great of him for us.

These two were happy to be together again and slept the whole way home. Not a peep for either one.

Our frineds had a great little get-together for New Years which was great because we didn't have to plan anything.  We just showed up and enjoyed.

 At midnight we set of lantens and they were beautiful.

 2015 has been an excellent year for our family.  We grew closer together and have loved everything from day to day experiences to things we never imagined doing together.  We have been thankful for our health, our happiness and even our struggles.  We know that 2016 is simply going to be wonderful as well.

Happy New Year from our family to yours!

Goodbyes

Goodbye's.

They are always the worst part of any trip, aren't they?

Getting to the airport in time for a flight was crazy and partially our fault because we were all caught up in a riveting game of Ticket To Ride (obsessed), and then Landen puked all over himself and his carset, and then the lines were long and the stress level was high......just to find out our flight was delayed a bit.

 We are so thankfully for this Christmas and the time we got to spend with Grandma and Grandpa, Aunts and Uncles, and cousins.  It has been so special.

 On our first flight we were lucky enough to fly with Jam, Z and Landy. Everyone kept busy and enjoyed the flight because we knew the second we got off that plane it would be a mad dash for our separate flights.

 They must be talking about something important...

 Each family made their connecting flights, thank heavens.

Christmas 2015 was a roaring success and a perfect way to celebrate the holiday season. While it will be nice to be home in our beds, we sure are going to miss everyone.

Thanks, Forsberg's for all the memories!

Obsessed

There is absolutly not down time right now if you are over the age of 12 because we are working on getting this puzzle done.  It an obsession really.  The kids go to bed and the puzzle/game frenzy starts.

 Grandma has the kids hooked on Sorry! and they are loving it.

Braley got a Harry Potter game for Christmas and Uncle Anders feels the need to quiz her all the time. So far she's crushing it. I would like to say tho that myself, Auntie Kirs and Kahau are holding our own.

 The biggest obsession is happening right here. We are ticket to ride junkies. J-u-n-k-i-e-s.  It's bad. We have been playing til 2 in the morning most days. it's always fun to see who wins the argument to come back at night after the kids are in bed and play between Kirstin and Travis.  

 The games have gotten intense and the amount of stink eye being thrown around is unbelievable. There are high fives and drum rolls and yelling and....outta control people.

 Its so dang fun!

Then theres these two.  They think they are rail masters but hmmmmmm, I don't think they are.

A taste of winter

 Its been so warm here that we've almost forgotten its winter!  We did get a little white stuff which sent these to crazy boys outside in their bathing suits to run down the street (to prove their manliness) and then make snow angels.

You better believe though that right after these pictures they headed straight to the hot tub.

40th anniversary

Dad and Mom will be celebrating their 40th anniversary this next August and sadly we won't all be there.  We took the opportunity to have a surprise anniversary brunch for them since we were all together.  We got there a little early  and did some decorating.

 Look at these handsome boys!

 And this snugly girl...

 The Reeds:

 The Forsbergs:

 The Widings:

 The Semenoffs:

I need to find a pic of them. They were there, I promise.

Prim.  She is slowly warming up to us.  Before we leave she will be our best friend. I'm sure of it.

 We ate wonderful (and large amounts of) food,

 the kids played, and then

 We had the chance to sit and tell our parents thank you for raising us and the lessons that we have taken from them.  It was really, really special. I know that my sisters, brother and I were very fortunate to be raised by wonderful, caring, attentive parents who really only wanted us to reach our potential and find happiness. I think we have all done that.  They have been a force of good in our live and taught us to be good people and raise good families.

Happy (early) 40th mom and dad!  Love you!