continued...

Lizzy's Bat Mitzvah & Jeni and Robs' visit to ATL!

We had so much fun at Lizzy's Bat MItzvah and wanted to share some of our pictures. Also, Jeni and Rob came to visit us in Atlanta this past weekend. We went to Athens for a UGA game! We won! yay! (So did Michigan, wahoo Devin) [PICTURES BY JULIE, POSTED BY PAIGE]

this is AMAZING!!!

What's new at NU?

Greetings from Northwestern, bloggers-

A lot has happened here since I last posted on Dummyline a week or two ago. Classes are now in full swing- in fact, I had an organic chemistry test this morning- not much fun, but it's good to get it over with and be able to enjoy the weekend.

I also recently interviewed, was offered, and accepted a job here as a sports medicine aide. It's actually a fairly exclusive position, and I feel very fortunate to be able to take part in the program. Although I don't know all of the specifics, the SMA program mainly involves the sports medicine staff training students to do emergency and basic physical therapy and injury prevention as well as observe surgeries and doctor appointments. No it's not that glamorous- but I do think it would provide invaluable experience to any aspiring doctor (such as myself). And being on the sidelines during an NU football game is pretty neat, too.

Not much else to really talk about. I am looking forward to the Bat-Mitzvah celebration and I will see you all soon.

Matt

here is a short preview of the montage- enjoy:

Happy Birthday Lizzy!

You are now officially a teenager! yay! I wish I was there to celebrate with you but I bet you still had a wonderful day. 13 days... I CANT WAIT! I love and miss you and everyone else. Love, paige

i would just like to share that I have been offered an
interview at the Medical College of Georgia!

i have completed all of my applications (to 11 schools) and hopefully I will be hearing from some more throughout the fall!!!

2 WEEKS UNTIL LIZZY'S BAT-MITZVAH!!!!

i am so excited to see you all so soon and to celebrate with Lizzy!

LOVE, kim

An hour at the lake

I took these pictures yesterday at NU's shoreline of Lake Michigan. Some of them turned out pretty good. (You can click on an image to get a closer look)

Matt

camp slaw pics

Julie's pictures:

http://community.webshots.com/album/560815352hcWDnD?vhost=community

What they call a dorm at Northwestern

Brought to you by popular demand, a video of my half of the dorm:

Matt

Moving Day

Hello from Northwestern!

Today was a pretty hectic day. In addition to Phil (our contractor) carving our garage wall, I had to move into my new home at Northwestern. It's a quaint little place in south campus, but it's home for now. After moving in and rearranging some furniture, we (a group of 15 or so students) met our peer advisor and we had dinner later in the dining hall in my dorm. After that, we had a meeting with all the people on our floor and played a few games. Next, we went to an auditorium in a place called norris university center and watched a quite comical orientation video.

Of course, I will not be posting everyday, but every so often I would like to keep you guys informed. I hope everyone is doing well and I might see you all soon.

Matt

THANK YOU!

I would like to thank each and every one of the Whites, C. Slaws, Langermans, and Ettlesons for being so thoughtful and generous to me for my birthday!!!

The watch is PERFECT! I couldn't have picked out a better one myself, and the extra gift card will definitely come to use! I really appreciated all of your messages and phonecalls...my birthday was wonderful and i felt so loved!

I LOVE YOU ALL SOOOOO MUCH!!!!!!

love,
your 21-year-old niece/cousin,
Kim

My dorm!

Hello everyone! Thanks for all of the birthday wishes! U of M is fantastic so far...I start classes tomorrow morning so I'll let you all know how they go! Anyway, here are a few requested pictures of my dorm! Enjoy!

My Desk:


My Bed:


Birthday Balloons:


My Dresser

Happy Birthday Kim, Devin & Jessie!!!

On this fine Labor Day weekend, I'd like to post a birthday shout-out to 3 very lovely ladies: Kim (21), Devin (19), and Jessie (25). Did I get the ages right?! I hope so! Happy Birthday, cousins 'o' mine. I love you!!!

Love,
Sara Rianna

Construction Mocumentary

Matt

It's amazing what you can do without having anything to actually do

Matt's Dig

Matt

Camp Slaw 2007 Photo Blog

Matt

Happy Birthday Grandma Bobbie!

Happy Birthday! We hope that you have a great birthday. We love you so much!

CAMP SLAW!!!

Camp Slaw was so much fun! I would like to thank Grandma and Grandpa for starting this wonderful tradition and making it possible for us to go every year. I love getting to come and spend quality time with the family while relaxing and enjoying the summer. I love you all and can't wait to see you at Lizzy's Bat-Mitzvah! yay! Love, paige

Camp Slaw 2007

Hi, All! I'm in the process of writing the first Camp Slaw newsletter for this year, so if you have anything you want me to know before it's officially "published" let me know. Watch for the newsletter with job assignments coming within the next couple of days. Oh what fun!
Laurie

"The Boys are Back in Town"

As many of you may know, Daniel and I spent last weekend in Des Moines, Iowa with BJ. The drive was about 5 and a half hours and went smoothly both ways (thank goodness for XM radio). About the only highlight of the drive was crossing the Mississippi- which took about 10 seconds. But the destination was well worth the drive. When we arrived, we met BJ at Drake and he gave us a quick tour the Drake Campus including the building where he works. BJ claimed his office was a little cluttered at the time, but I'm sure I speak for Daniel when I say we felt right at home. Back at BJ's place (which was very organized and neat), we met BJ's roommate Matt and made ourselves at home until we left for the Iowa Cubs game, which was a lot of fun. It's not the major leagues, but how can you argue with between-innings festivities that include a golf cart driving around the field with a cannon that launches hot dogs into the stands- of course they are wrapped in foil when they are launched. Unfortunately, there were no free hot dogs to be eaten for us (or maybe that was a good thing). After the game, there was a fireworks show which was very cool. When we got back to BJ's place, we watched a movie then went to bed for some much needed rest.

The next morning (Saturday), we watched the British Open on TV while we ate cereal on the couch- can't do that at home. After a while, we left to have lunch at Panera Bread. From there we went to Beaver Creek golf course for a taste of Iowa golf. The course was well kept, hilly, and fostered some good boy cousin bonding time- we all know how important that is. After golf, we went back to BJ's place for a little recovery time after golf. Reenergized, we left for the movie theater to buy our tickets for "I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry". Just for a little background, the movie theater is part of this expansive Old Orchard-like mall that was built just a few years ago. I am also happy to report that there is a Champps on site, so there would be some where for us to eat if we all headed to Iowa for a Sunday night dinner ;). That night, though, we ate at Buffalo Wild Wings, which was walking distance from the movie theater. We had a sports-filled meal there, and then headed back to the movie theater to catch the movie. "Chuck and Larry" was pretty funny and a little stupid- but what do you expect from Adam Sandler and Kevin James. After the movie, we went back to BJ's apartment and played a quick game of Scrabble before bed- and I've sworn not to reveal the winner ;).

The next morning was much like the first: cereal and the British Open. After that, we left for Principal Park to watch another Iowa Cubs game- again it was not our day with the hot dog cannon. After the game, we went to the domain of which BJ is the master- his league bowling alley- which is a little old school by the way. We also saw the volleyball courts that are right next to the bowling alley where BJ plays volleyball. We bowled a couple of not-too-serious games before leaving for the Iowa Machine Shed. No, we didn't go there to look at tractors- we went there to eat. It is a family style restaurant with the flair of an Iowa farm. Needless to say, we had a very good meal.

Monday morning, BJ woke us up early and reviewed the directions on how to get back to Chicago. After BJ left for work, Daniel and I had breakfast, packed up all of our stuff and hit the road. We had lunch at McDonald's right near the Iowa/Illinois border and didn't stop afterwards until we were parked in the driveway, thus ending one great weekend.

Matt

Here are some pictures of the trip:

BJ's "domain": Plaza Lanes

Iowa Cubs Game and Principal Park

The movie theater

Daniel, BJ and me at the bowling alley

Boys in Iowa

Yesterday the boys, Matt and Daniel, left for their roadtrip to Iowa to see BJ. It's their first roadtrip, by them selves at least, and they made the 6 hours fine. Honestly, it's nice around the house but it's different. I'm the "oldest" and I like it. Mom is worried more than ever but that's normal. Anyhow, I'm sure they will blog all about their trip when they return on Monday.

Lizzy

HAPPY 4TH OF JULY!!!

how did everyone celebrate yesterday?

~kim~

A day at the ball game

Thanks to Grandpa Maury, Daniel, Dad, our cousin Hale, Jake, me and a few of my friends got to enjoy a Cubs victory in a skybox at Wrigley field. We all had a great time (especially Jake riding the CTA there and back). Here are a few pictures:

Me and Daniel

Me, Ryan, and Mike

Grandpa Maury and Daniel

Jake and Hale

At the game

Dad and Jake

Cubs Win!

Matt

"Iron Mike" does it again

Mike White- our Uncle Mike White- in a gritty all-star performance, has completed yet another triathlon. When I asked him what his goal was for this event, he said, "I don't have a goal. I just try to do the best I can do." From where I am standing, he accomplished his goal, finishing first in his age division (of which there are at least 2 members :) ). Also worth noting, he is planning on being a running partner for a visually handicapped friend. An athlete and a volunteer- is there anything "Iron Mike" can't do?

Matt

(sorry uncle mike, I tried to keep it low key)

I finally remembered how to do this!

Hi everyone!

After weeks of trying to figure out how to post a blog on this thing, I've finally figured it out. Don't ask why it was so tough - no clue.

First of all, thanks to everyone for their kind birthday wishes and gifts. I must say that it is a bit odd moving into a whole different decade, but I had a great birthday here and it made becoming offically "old" not quite as bad. :)

Things here are pretty good. Work is very busy and I'm going to be going on a business trip to Louisville in a couple of weeks. Rob and I just booked a cruise that leaves out of NYC and stops in Saint John Island, Canada. It will really be more about the boat and less about Canada. :) Anyway, we both had taken some time off 4th of July week so we thought this may be fun. This comes on the heels of us just getting back from an awesome trip in Vegas so yes, we're definitely traveling a lot. We keep pretty busy here. Gone to some really great restaurants lately, seen a couple of great plays...actually went to the ballet last weekend (Rob survived). Hoping to head to the beach out on Long Island on Saturday but who knows if the weather will hold up.

I was thinking about all of you on Father's Day. I must say that it's really tough missing those occasions. I haven't been to a bbq in like 4 years. That's one thing you don't get in the city! Was there TAS? And as I read the blogs, it seems I missed one of Jeri's famous speeches! Oh well...

Anyway, I'm psyched to see everyone at CS. Love and miss you all, Jeni

Jakey riding his bike

Here is a video of Jakey riding his bike sans training wheels for the first time without any help.




Matt

Happy Birthday Dad!

Happy birthday dad and thanks for being such a great person! Today is Michael Berry Ettleson's 49th birthday!!! One more year 'til the big 50. Enjoy it!!
Lizzy

Father's Day

Happy Father's Day to all the fathers out there!!

Matt

I encourage any comments in the form father's day messages to all the dads and grandpas (well I guess there's only one Grandpa)

so long to the spun gold part II

Matt

so long to the spun gold (for now)

Matt

P.S. I am in the process of changing my email to m-ettleson@northwestern.edu- if you want to send me an email, please use this address

Locks of Love

Hey fam! As some of you know, I am deciding to dramatically cut my hair very soon. I do not have a set date and time yet, but according to Mom it will be before school's dismissed on June 12. For as long as I can remember I have not hade a true haircut, despite trims, so this will be quite a milestone for me. Hopefully it will turn out great and I will like it! If anyone has any suggestions for places to go, let me know. No, I cannot go to La Bueate :( I am also planning to do Locks of Love so Mom would prefer a participating salon. Just thought I would let you know. Take care!
Love,Lizzy

camp

Hello! Jamie and I leave for camp tomorrow. We will be returning home on June 28. We love getting letters and writing to people. If you write us, then we will respond. Our address is:

4165 Highway 129 N.
Cleveland, GA
30528-2309

Then just put either "Paige Lincenberg" or "Jamie Lincenberg" above that. I hope I hear from you! Bye. <3, paigey

i'm home from the homeland!

Shalom!
For those of you who don't know, I just returned from a fabulous week of doing Birthright in Israel! I thought I would post about it so that anyone who is interested could read about what I did and the people I met.
First off, I had to fly to New York to meet up with my group of 40 participants (ages ranging from 19-26) and our two american staff Gabi and Nanaxhi (pronounced Nuhnahshee). We waited in the longest line of my life and finally checked our bags and headed off to our El Al gate. We played a couple of icebreaker games to start learning each others' names and finally it was time to fly! The flight was approximately 10 hours I think and it went pretty well. We flew into Tel Aviv, took our first group picture (in which I look ridiculous) and boarded our bus for the drive to Jerusalem.



It was evening by then, so we got to eat, hang out, and go to sleep. The next day we did a walking tour of Jerusalem with our tour guide Racheli (pronounced with the hebrew 'ch') who is the woman on the far right. We saw the old city, the new city, King David's tomb, the Western Wall, the Dome of the Rock, and lots of shops! Then we drove to a town called Zichon Yaakov in which we stayed in a hotel built into a mountain... it had an elevator that moved diagonally! We all hung out by the pool and got to know each other, and then there happened to be a dance party inside! We teased that it was someone's Bar-Mitzvah.
The next day we traveled to Tsvat, which is an art village where Kabbalah was first started. We did some shopping (although I ended up losing everything I bought...), saw inside of a synagogue, the famous candle shop, and found some really cute little hasidic boys!


From there we went to an army outpost up north by Lebanon. It made us stop and really see the world around us from a different perspective. The soldiers in the Israeli army are not really soldiers at all. They are people who have all sorts of professions, but once a year they are called back on reserve to serve a month with their brothers for their country. It's amazing.
We spent that night in a Kibbutz. We had a bonfire, told stories and secrets, and toasted marshmallows.
The next day, it's Friday now, we went rafting/kayaking on the Jordan River, visited an archaeologically dug up ancient city, and then went to Tel Aviv where we would spend the Sabbath. We had a short Shabbat service on the beach, had dinner, and then spent a couple of hours hanging out in a bar. On Shabbat we got to go to the beach! It was so nice to relax and lay in the sun after being nonstop for the past few days. We also got to party that night in a club! (after our Havdallah service of course)
Sunday we picked up our soldiers!!! We had 8 Israelis join us, 4 boys 4 girls, who are all my age and all in the navy. FYI, all Israelis have to join the army when they are 18. The boys serve 3 years, the girls serve 2. Understand that serving in the army does not mean fighting, there are also office jobs, medics, and even a band! However, my new friends are all fighters in the navy.

We went to Yad Vashem, the Holocaust museum, and then to Mt. Herzl where the veteran cemetaries are. After a long, sad day, we went to the Bedouin tents! We rode camels, smoked hukkah (don't worry, just tobacco), drank tea, beat drums, danced, and had a really good time!
We woke up at 3:15 the next morning to go climb Mt. Masada and see the sunrise! It was BEAUTIFUL! After touring the fortress and hearing the history, we went to the Dead Sea and covered ourselves in mud and floated in the salt water! It starts to burn after awhile, so we moved the pool and go to relax some more!

That afternoon we went to Eilat, which is the southernmost tip of Israel and a fun town! The Israelis showed us how a typical Israeli birthday party is with the games and prizes. That night we went to another club and danced, danced, danced! I love it!
We spent the next morning in Eilat. We went on a hike in the desert mountains, and we could see the border with Egypt. Then we spent a couple of hours on the beach! As you can tell, the beaches were some of my favorite parts! That afternoon we drove back to Jerusalem for Shavuot. We woke up at 3:15 the next morning to walk to the Western Wall and see tens of thousands of people, all wearing white, all visiting the wall for Shavuot. It was incredible.


The next morning we woke up at 4:15 to head to the airport in Tel Aviv. So sad! The trip went so fast, I can't believe it. It was such an amazing experience! I think that every one of you needs to do birthright or travel to Israel in some way. It is so important to our people, and I promise you, even if you don't feel a connection to Israel right now, you will when you get there and realize that you're at home.

Love,
Kim

Jeni's Thirty OMG

One day after the big event, I wanted to share my thoughts for Jen's birthday. Thank you to all for remembering the day. It seems like just yesterday that she was born, Jeri almost passed out at the sight. I guess she never saw anything so beautiful! Mom had to run to the store for a new going home outfit because it was so unseasonbably warm, and Susie's car broke down on the way to the hospital to visit. I did, however, get my chocolate pastry as promised! Jen ( sorry for the embarassment) has always been a precious gift and has given us so much joy and happiness. So, our wish for her, on this special day, is she receive as much as she has given, and even more than we could imagine for her.

Happy, Happy, birthday dear Jenifer.

We love you sooooooooooooooo much.
Mom and Dad

Happy Birthday Jeni!!!

Well, it is the big 3-0 for Jeni. I remember being in high school when we got the news of Jeni's arrival. She was such a great addition to the family. It was so much fun having a baby around. She really was quite a novelty! She was extremely doted upon by everyone! We enjoyed watching her grow through the years. And like magic, 30 years have passed. Jeni, you may live in NY, but we are always thinking about you right here in Illinois. We wish you every happiness on this special day. Look into the mirror. What you see reflected is something beautiful, something caring, and something loved! That something is you! Enjoy your special day! We all love you, Aunt Jeri

Happy Birthday Matt! From your Mother

I cannot believe that I have an 18 year old son! Wow! Where does the time go? I can still remember how my life changed forever on the day Matt was born. I was in awe of the miracle of life. I was so glad that he was finally here! At the same time, I was not sure how to be a Mom! It was all so new to me. I remember crying in the hospital uncontrollably when the Doctor told me that he would have to stay for a few extra days. I remember how helpless I felt watching him from behind the nursery glass while he stayed in a special crib with the lights on him and his eyes covered. I could only hold him for feedings. He must have felt so alone and scared. What a rough start! How would we bond? How would he know that he was loved? Well, we got through it. And when he was finally free from his jaundice treatment and I could take him home, we began our journey. And I do believe that he feels loved! He has brought untold joy into my life. It was so wonderful, that I had to do it again, and again, and again!

Happy Birthday Matt! With lots of love from your Mom!