HAPPY CHANUKKAH!

Happy Chanukkah! I can't wait to see you in 8 days! -paige

Winter Storm

Especially for you out-of-towners- here are some pictures of the damage two of our trees (an evergreen and Daniel's tree) recieved last night due to the winter storm. Snow days are a nice unexpected vacation, but at the expense of a tree?- I think I could have handled going to school one more day...

Matt
P.S. check out the video at the end of this post




Winter Snow Storm

Good luck!

I just wanted to wish the best of luck to everyone who is approaching finals!!!

I know that I, for one, am looking forward to two of the busiest and most stressful weeks of the year, so I wanted to empathize with and encourage everyone else feeling the same way!

So sleep and eat well...good luck... and i will most likely be seeing all of you in a very short couple of weeks!

I love you!!!

-Kim

Turkey Day!

Hi Everybody! This is my first venture onto the Blog and I hope I'm doing it right...Anyway, I wanted to wish everyone a very happy Thanksgiving. Personally, I love Thanksgiving. And the thing I am most thankful for is my family - all of you! Being at the Ettleson's yesterday with all my loved ones around made my heart smile. I hope all the Lincenbergs had a great day. You were missed, but you're all always in our thoughts. Love to all...Laurie

P.S. Special thanks to all the cooks in the kitchens - Jeri, Gram, Joan, Leah, Daniel, Matt and Michael W. Yummy!

Happy Birthday Mom!

Staying up late can have its advantages- such as creating the first post for someone's birthday (if I remember the date). Well, I have made sure I will never forget this one.

Happy Birthday Mom!

Love, Matt

P.S. Jakey's input: Matt, I'm really tired...when are you going to bed?

Happy Birthday Leah!

Well, it is almost over, but, I made it in just under the wire. Happy Birthday Leah! We are looking forward to celebrating with you this week-end. I hope that you had a great birthday! Love, Aunt Jeri

pictures

here's some more pictures from what i've been up to lately....

you all should post pictures too! i would love to look at them!

love,
Kim

http://community.webshots.com/user/kimyear3

(Semi-) Quick Update...

Hi Fam!
Now, I know I haven't posted anything before (I guess I just haven't had anything to say that's up to par with the fruit salad investigation of '06). But better late than never, right? So, I just wanted to let you all know that I passed my Personal Trainer exams and am now an official Personal Trainer and Group Fitness Instructor... yeah! Also, I am moving on Friday, Nov 10 to the wonderful city of Chicago where I hear the weather is great this time of year: I can't wait to experience it for myself. Sara and I will be neighbors...just 7 floors apart! I made a promise to myself (that is absolutely stupid in hindsight) to always climb those 7 floors by foot: just some quality time between me and the stairwell. I'm REALLY looking forward to it. I've also heard through the rumor mill that my birthday is coming up which, according to my calculations, means just one thing: TIME FOR CAKE! Sure I've been thinking about my life-altering move, my possible career path, my forboding financial situation, perhaps a decent mate to spend the rest of my life with, but more importantly than all that... what kind of cake to get! Which reminds me: I seem to have lost my priority list. If someone finds it, could you please return it to me ASAP? I might be needing that...

Love you all,
Leah Marie

fun!

Today is my sorority's Daddy-Daughter day and my daddy is coming!
We're going to be bowling, so I just wanted to let you all know that I'm getting some practice in before christmas! Yeah! You never know... I might just break 100! :)

-Kim

One of my favorite pictures! (posted by Sara)

Congratulations Daniel!!!!!

Congrats to Daniel for his exciting victory at the very cold and blustery Slaw Invitational. He pulled off a 1 stroke win over his brother, Matt. IMHO all the participants deserve a medal for competing in such lousy weather. We can all be proud that a few brave souls in this family kept this very important family tradition alive! A big thank you to Dad/Grandpa for sponsoring this event. Let's hope for an earlier date next year! Once again, a big CONGRATS to Daniel!!!! Jeri

Slaw Invitational

Hey, i just wanted to say that everybody has just over a week to prepare and sharpen your game for the Slaw Invatational. Best of luck of to all competitors and if u don't play well in the cold, u might want to stay at home........matt........

So, good luck and bring your A game (which might include a winter coat)

Love, Daniel

Happy Birthday Lizzy!

I can't believe that Lizzy is turning 12! Wow! Where does the time go???? Happy Birthday to my sweet Miss Liz!

kim's pictures

Hi! I put new pictures up online, so if you're interested, here's the link!
Love you all!


http://good-times.webshots.com/album/554460969EkZwbw

YAY JAKE!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!

I LOVE YOU!

~Kim

Happy Birthday Jakey!

Jacob, Jakey, J.K., M.C. (Man Child), etc... Happy 7th birthday to you! I can't wait to celebrate at your birthday party on Sunday! I hope you get all the birthday presents you're hoping for! And I'll be buying wrapping paper on Sunday too. See you soon! Love, Sara
(Matt or Jeri - Will someone show this to Jakey? Thanks)

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Happy New Year everyone!

Home for the holiday!

Just wanted to let everyone know that I'm coming in town for Rosh Hashanah. I'm inviting myself to the White House on Saturday night so make room for me at the table! :) See you all soon. Love, Jeni

Marathon Boys- update

Back in Des Moines, BJ White continues to run, although this time without his trusted running-mate, Mike White. Of course, that didn't stop him from "running over" most of the competition. By keeping an impressive 7 minute, 36 second mile, BJ completed the 10 mile track in about an hour and 16 minutes--no small feat. More updates to follow...

Field Reporter- Matt Ettleson

Remembering 9/11

Where were you 5 years ago?

I was sitting in Spanish class back in 7th grade watching the coverage on television, shocked.

We reflect so that we can remember- we remember so that we can protect our future...

Where were you 5 years ago?

(Feel free to respond in "comments" area)

Matt

The Marathon Boys

Mike White continues to pile the miles running this summer. Over the Labor Day holiday, he and BJ competed in the Des Plains River Trail Half-Marathon, a scenic path curving through prairie and forest. In their respective age groups, BJ finished 5th out of 14 runners and Mike finished 4th out of 17 runners. For the statistics that really matter, BJ edged Uncle Mike by exactly one second, disrupting any marathon-ending celebration they planned when they crossed the finishline simulataneously. Not to be overlooked, both of the "Marathon Boys" had an impressive 8:14 minute per mile running average.

Field Reporter- Matt Ettleson

G'day Mates!

Hey everyone! This website makes me really happy! I'm sorry that it took me so long to check it out! Anyway, thanks for the birthday wishes! I had a really great birthday weekend! Friday night, I had a campout in the backyard with about 10 of my good friends. We played guitar and sang, roasted marshmallows, played karaoke, played twister, watched disney movies, told ghost stories, and slept in tents! It was the perfect way to turn 18, reenacting all of the things I used to (and still do!) love to do. Saturday, I hung out with Jonathan and then he took me out to dinner at a Japanese restaurant where they sang to me and made me wear a funny wig! Other than this weekend, my life has been pretty hectic. School is tough, college applications are never-ending, and I got a job! I work at Java U- a coffee shop. I make coffee, salads, and work at the register. It makes my life more stressful but I like it. I think that that is about all for now. I will check back again soon! I miss and love you all!
love,
devin =)

Happy Birthday Jessie!

I don't know if you check this, Jess, but I just wanted to wish you a very happy birthday! Love, Sara

Happy Birthday Devin!

Wow, you're officially an adult! Old enough to vote! Woohoo! I hope you have a fabulous 18th birthday, Devs! Love, Sara

Happy Birthday Kim!

Kim, Happy 20th Birthday!!!!! We hope that you have a great birthday and that you do something fun on your special day. Say good-bye to your teens, hello to the roaring 20's! We love you! Aunt Jeri and the fam

Hello from NYC!

This is oodles of fun! Just got off of work and I'm gearing up for the weekend! So I had my annual review at work this week and it went ok. Got a raise which is always good. No promotion but I was told I should probably expect one in six months - which I was pretty happy about. Going upstate to Lake George, NY for Labor Day weekend with Rob. Not really sure what's there, but Rob says it's pretty scenic with lots of activities. It's also near Saratoga where all the famous horse racing happens??? I don't know. I'm excited to get away though. We'll have a good time. We like our little weekend road trips. Can't believe summer is almost over!

Love, Jeni

Happy birthday Dad and many many more!

HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
PEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE
BIRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRth
DAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY
DADDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD
with love from you loving son.

Le quiero a mi familia!

Hello from Athens, GA!!!

I am so excited about this blog... I am definitely adding it to my usual internet routine!
So to update on myself...
School is going pretty well so far. I am taking four science classes and spanish, so my schedule is busy! The SDT house has been really fun! Rush was stressful, but parts of it were fun, and we ended up with a pledge class of 48 girls!
I suppose I should mention that Stu and I are doing very well. We've actually been seeing a lot of each other while still enjoying our own college lives.
On that note... Devin is coming up to visit tomorrow night! I'm so excited!

That's all I have for now... but I'll be back!
Love you all!
-Kim

Happy Birthday Grandpa Bob!!!!!

Happy Bithday Dad! We look forward to getting together to celebrate. We wish you many, many, more happy and healthy ones. We love you very much! Jeri and fam

Back to School

I wanted to wish all of you a great "back to school".......Hope you all have
great teachers.....Meet new friends........Have fun..........and maybe learn a
little!!!!!!!! To those of you that aren't of school age I can only hope that you
find what you're looking for and enjoy Life in the process...Love always, Gram xxxxxxx

Summer Ending

For some of us students (and teachers), the summer is coming to an end. I would like to take this time to reflect on what a memorable summer it has been. From going coast to coast in two weeks (San Diego to Washington D.C.) and visiting several college campuses in between, it has been one of the busiest summers of my life. Of course, that only makes the time pass quicker. I have documented many of my summer experiences on this blog, and I hope others follow that lead for summers (and falls, winters, and springs) to come. As our family becomes older and relatives spread out across the country, communication becomes that much more important to keep our family ties tight. While a blog such as this isn't the most personal of mediums for communication, I like to think of it as a virtual dining room table everyone is able to sit around and listen and share their own thoughts (like at Camp Slaw)- and this post is no exception. I would like anyone who reads this to use the comments area to input their own thoughts about the blog, the summer, or anything else.

Matt

Fruit Salad Update

There were 11 fruits in Leah's fruit salad, not 10. Apparently my mom threw in the pineapple at the last minute. And in case you took part in the rumor that there were mangos, there were not. See the lists of fruits below:
1. watermelon
2. grapes
3. cantaloupe
4. honeydew melon
5. peaches
6. apples
7. blueberries
8. raspberries
9. strawberries
10. bananas
11. pineapple

This clarification was brought to you by Sara Rianna :)

Greetings from DC

Hello everyone from our nation's capitol. I am writing this from my aunt's computer- I haven't been able to access a computer before this so that is why I have made only one post from Washington (in case anyone was wondering). So far, we have visited the White House, the holocaust Museum, the WWII memorial, the US Postal Museum, the Air and Space Museum and the National Archives, among others. Unfortunately, there are no pictures because I didn't bring the digital camera- and photography isn't allowed in most of the museums anyways. Despite all the fun, it has been an exhausting trip (lots of walking despite the good subway system they have here), and I think I speak for the rest of the fam when I write that we ready to come home. See you Chicagoans soon...

Matt

P.S. Happy belated birthday Grandma!

Back from California

As many of you know, Daniel and I spent a week in California with our grandparents. Here are some of the pictures I took.

Matt
Borrelli's- Italian restaurant we ate at for our second night- great pizza













I'm putting here at La Costa - I made the putt- I have it on video for any doubters...















Daniel putting on the same green (he missed his putt)












Daniel, Grandpa, and I went to Petco Park to see a Padres game (they lost to the Nationals :( )













This is point during a semi-final match at the Acura Classic at La Costa- Kim Clijsters is in the near court and Nicole Vaidisova is in the far court- sorry about the fuzziness- no flash photography allowed










Here's another picture of the match- it's a little clearer (we also went to the final- I have pictures on my phone of that match- Maria Sharapova defeated Kim Clijsters 7-5, 7-5)

Happy B-day Dad (Mike W.) and BJ!

Although you're both out of town for your birthdays, we are looking forward to celebrating with you this weekend! Love, Sara Rianna

California - part 2

Today, Daniel and I went to a Padres game at Petco Park. We also played a little golf (we both shot in the 80's at La Costa). updates to follow...

Happy Birthday Daniel!

Happy Birthday Daniel (one day late!) Hope it was happy!
Luv, sara

Camp Slaw Pictures

Entering the era of digital camp slaw pictures, I'm sure some are wondering how they will receive their pictures- as of now, each family will receive all the pictures on a pair of CD's (too many pics for just one)- from there, each family will choose which pictures they want to print from those CD's- also, the CD's can be copied fairly easily; so, realistically, anyone who wants the pictures can have a set. The CD's are in the process of being made (Sam's Club)- check later for updates.

Daniel's sports update

hi everyone! and welcome to Daniel's sports update:

Can you believe the Chisox? Whats up with them? they are ice cold! But how bout Ross Gload, yeah thats right ROSS GLOAD'S GRAND SLAM in the ninth which sealed it up for the White sox, maybe this 6 - 4 win over the Orioles will spark a play - off run.

But now, to the real team in Chicago, those cubs. We would be in pretty good shape if we only played the Cardinals. The cubs beat them again today 6 - 5 and now have a 7 - 3 record agains the rivals. Too bad it's too late and Dusty Baker is on his way out. Maybe next year (but don't count on it).

Chicago Bears traing camp opened up this week and we already have injury problems. But wait, it is not Rex Grossman, but our running back Thomas Jones. And get this, he pulled his hamsrting during a physical. Talk about being out of shape! Otherwise the Bears are all set for a repeat play off appearance - lets just hope Cedric Benson is as good as Thomas Jones( i have confidence in the #4 overall draft pick).

In other news Corey Pavin shot an opening nine of 26! Yes Grandpa, you will have that score on the 4th hole on Saturday. Also in Golf, Michelle Wie is in contention for the Evian Masters - is it a Major? Does it matter? I will be cheering her on this weekend for her first LPGA Tour event win.

Update: Le Tour de France - Floyd Landis wins Tour de France - or did he - Testosterone levels were high in his body and his title is now up in the air - BUT WHO REALLY CARES!! Sorry Uncle Mike - lol.

If this is extremely boring just post it in the comments, or if you like it and want me to continue with Daniel's sports update just post that in the comments.

See you all soon,

Daniel

Camp Slaw Reflection

What was your favorite part of Camp Slaw? ~Matt

I like the pics!

Matt, I like the pics! I can't wait to see the rest of the pictures Jeri took!

A few Camp Slaw Pics

At the pool





























At the beach





















The Osthoff sign













BJ's bowling


















Lizzy's shot-making














Daniel and Mike tubing














The whole fam















A little frisbee before departure

Wow, this is so cool! Matt, you rock! I look forward to seeing you all at Camp Slaw very soon! ~Sara Rianna

Matthew, I've never used a blog before...this is a great idea! What fun for everyone! I'll put it in the Camp Slaw newsletter coming out soon! Thanks.
Laurie

Family Pictures (picture test)

Fam at Cruise Slaw '04













Fam at Camp Slaw '05

(to upload pictures: when creating a post, one of the options along with font, size, justification, etc. is a square icon with a sky and landscape- click the icon, a new window should pop up, click browse under "upload photo from computer" and then open the desired photo- problems? email me)

Posting messages

In order to post your own messages, you need to go to www.blogger.com and enter the username: Ettleson (with capital E) and password: dummyline. From their, click on Slaw Dummyline- blue and underlined and then create post.

Welcome

Welcome to the Dummyline!