Nilsson News & Notes

A chilly St Boniface

2011-02-05T11:51:00.000-08:00

My friend Tom is a photographer who lives in E'ville, he's real active in media literacy etc and also teaches at SIUE.

Anyway, he posted this photo of the St Boniface statue on his Facebook page this morning, and it was so beautiful I asked him if I could download it to share with you all. He said he would print copies for us if we'd like.....I just love this photo.

Hope you all are digging out!! xxoo

Greetings from the Great White South

2011-02-02T07:24:00.001-08:00

These are the drifts in our backyard.

Record day in Tulsa: Largest one day snowfall -- 14"

Greatest total snowfall ever for the month of February -- ON FEBRUARY 1ST

Chicago Winter

2011-01-22T08:55:00.001-08:00

If law school is about learning shades of gray, there can't be a better place for it.

Ian's Christmas Gift to Norm

2011-01-20T09:13:00.000-08:00

Norm asked me to post this pic of Ian's Christmas gift to him......Ian did it in art class last semester. Looks great hanging in Norm's family room!!

Thanksgiving in the Smoky Mountains

2010-11-29T18:40:00.000-08:00

It sure looked cold in Naperville. We had a great time. We went on 5 good hikes totalling about 15 miles. One was at about 5,000 feet. Here are some pictures. Enjoy

2010 Turkey Trot

2010-11-26T11:26:00.001-08:00

From A to Z on Technology

2010-11-22T17:02:00.000-08:00

I thought you might enjoy a little story on my moving into the 21st century on technology.I ran into Kathy Hentz today (literally, of course) and was telling her how nice my guys were to get me such a great gift and I proceeded to tell her about my facebook experiences and that I was even skyping. She knew very little about skyping and I was explaining as if I knew all about it. She humbled me rather quickly when she remarked how interesting it is that 6 months ago I didn't even know how to use an ATM. I think Al Gore would be very proud of me. Dad

A Massive THANK YOU from Dad

2010-11-13T13:09:00.000-08:00

TO: Mimi, Tom, Ty, and Julie I can't begin to tell you how thrilled I am to have such wonderful kids.Today, each of you and your spouces, have taken me into the 21st century with most entertainting piece of equipment conceivable. What a great way for me to pass the time and now that the phone is a seperate item I can spend untold hours exploring nmy new toy.I have even Skyked ( is that the right word ?) with Ty and Mimi and Ty was not happy with the old blackboard in the back ground so we had to improvise an SIU banner to hang there so that it would seem like I"m having a press conference. And, Kudo's to Julie who brought the machine over on Thursday and gave up most of her Saturday to install the internet. And, let us not forget Al Gore. How proud MOM would be of you guys. Love Dad

See Don Run. Run Don, Run!

2010-10-10T08:25:00.000-07:00

Don't We all Clean up Nicely?

2010-10-09T07:29:00.001-07:00

Look Who's in the Tulsa World

2010-10-05T07:47:00.000-07:00

This photo was in today's Tulsa World to publicize this year's Walk to Cure Diabetes. Monica and I are serving as Family Team Co-Chairs and the other gentleman, Les Austin, who also has type 1, is there representing the Corporate Chairman. Nick Jonas is the National Walk Chariman this year.

The walk is Saturday

That's Gotta Hurt

2010-09-16T09:19:00.001-07:00

Sad Day for Drew

2010-08-20T11:01:00.000-07:00

The news of the Derrick Lee trade was not taken well by the Drew-man. The poster has come off the refrigerator (Finally!) and Drew is now rooting for the Braves -- That is the team he saw beat the Cards last summer -- until they trade Lee back to the Cubs after the playoffs.

He even asked if he could go to Atlanta. What is a Cub fan to do? The same thing they have done for over 100 years . . . wait for another one.

And how about Christmas coming early for the Cardinals? Pedro Feliz Navidad

Kissing the Stanley Cup

2010-07-27T17:20:00.000-07:00

Jack's Fifth Grade Party

2010-05-28T13:27:00.000-07:00

it comes in handy to have a classmate whose mom is a Cardinals VP.

Drew's Big Day

2010-05-05T05:03:00.001-07:00

Fun in Tulsa!

2010-05-05T04:53:00.001-07:00

Wild Saturday Night

2010-05-05T04:51:00.000-07:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, TOM!

2010-04-22T04:36:00.001-07:00

Tell Your Friends

2010-04-02T12:34:00.001-07:00

This weekend only all Publish America titles -- The Redemption of Chance and The Sombrero Beach Club -- are available for only $5.99 per copy.

Happy Easter!

Congratulations Tom

2010-03-23T18:33:00.000-07:00

We really like the cover of your new book as it is so colorful and inviting for anyone to pick it up and read it. And, certainly, congratulations for the publishing of your second novel. Your Mom and Dad are very, very, proud.

Now Available

2010-03-23T06:53:00.000-07:00

With the hustle of Miami to the north and the bustle of Key West to the south, the islands in the middle of the Florida Keys sit in contrasting ambiguity and anonymity. This is changing, however, as progress creeps from each direction like a gathering Atlantic storm.

In the very eye of this hurricane sits a bar called The Sombrero Beach Club. Its owner, an old ballplayer, and a beautiful new resident, a formerly disgraced DC attorney, investigate what is happening and who might be pulling the strings. The mystery takes them back over thirty years while drawing them closer in the process, but are they maybe working on opposite sides?

Events spiral out of control as they race the clock to preserve the innocence of the Middle Keys. They discover things are never what they appear on the surface. But just who is playing who? And more importantly, why?

Hilarious clip

2010-03-09T08:39:00.000-08:00

Photos from Saturday

2010-03-03T17:29:00.001-08:00

The bottom photo is from the competition and then we went downtown to visit everyone's favorite law student and covet his apartment.

Another band clip - this one's jazzy!

2010-03-03T17:26:00.000-08:00

Here's Ian's middle school jazz ensemble competing at a jazz festival in the Chicago suburbs on Saturday. Poor Mimi and Don probably thought they were through with middle school jazz festivals.....!!

Thursday night at the Fabulous Fox

2010-02-12T09:12:00.001-08:00

Here's a clip from the "St Louis Performing Arts Festival" at the Fox last night....Scott was in Chicago so I taped it for him....wanted to share.

Gosh that family in front us talked through the whole thing. So rude. Grrr.....

Happy Friday everyone!

Great Day to be a Boilermaker

2010-02-09T07:08:00.001-08:00

Look at what greeted us on the back page of the Wall Street Journal today!! We are proud to consider ourselves "Boilermakers by Association." -js

Who Dat

2010-02-07T19:11:00.000-08:00

A couple connections to the winners... Earlier in the year he coached a game at Naperville Central and now hes holding the Superbowl trophy. And the All American QB from Purdue was the MVP.

great video

2010-02-04T14:43:00.000-08:00

Here's a fun music video, featuring Thomas Jefferson signing about the Declaration of Independence. "Schoolhouse Rock" for 2010, maybe!

Hmmm.....

2010-02-01T12:28:00.000-08:00

Well our department secretary at SIUE can't order any more paper or toner this semester, but SIUE is building a brand-new science building with stimulus money.

And SIU has sent out emails saying that our paychecks are guaranteed. Until March.

Now we can watch the demise of our native state online, with this handy website called www.illinoisisbroke.com

So you Illinois voters: for whom are you voting tomorrow?? =)

Happy Birthday, Ty!!

2010-01-28T04:48:00.001-08:00

Have a great day!!

Congrats to Tom and Jeff on their great news

2010-01-26T20:48:00.000-08:00

We had tears of joy tonite when reading Tom's blogmabout publishing his second book and that he can go to his Broken Arrow Book Store and see his first book on the shelf for sale. What a feeling that must be. Congrats Tom as that is the dream of a lifetime for an aspiring author.We are awfully proud of you Tom. And, how about Jeff getting a wonderful opportunity to intern with a Judge who is going to hear the Blago trial.What a smart move that was, Jeff, to go to Law School and then to be admitted to Northwestern and now to be working with such an esteemed group of Jurist.Words can't describe how proud you have made us. Much Love Mary and Norm

This is so cool

2010-01-26T13:48:00.000-08:00

There is a bookstore in Broken Arrow I frequent called the Book Place and the guy who runs it was nice enough to read The Sombrero Beach Club while I was still writing it. He really liked it. More about that in a minute. Anyway, the Book Place is now stocking The Redemption of Chance. I was actually standing in a bookstore that is selling my book. It was something I had dreamt about when I started this whole thing and today I got to see them on the shelf. He said they haven't sold any yet, but it didn't matter. It was an indescribable feeling.

Now the next bit of news: Publish America has accepted The Sombrero Beach Club and will publish it. The ink is still wet on the contract, but hopefully it will be ready for a good summer read on the beach. It should only be about 300 pages and therefore a lot less expensive.

I will Keep everyone posted

Tom

Hitler Finds out Scott Brown Won

2010-01-20T12:46:00.000-08:00

Sure Mac was juiced.....

2010-01-15T12:43:00.001-08:00

but at least he's still the same race he was when he was born......

2010-01-14T18:07:00.001-08:00

Drew's First Confession

2010-01-14T07:59:00.000-08:00

"Bless me, Father, for I have sinned.

To the disappointment of my father, and my father's father, and the Almighty Father, I am still a Cub's fan."

2010-01-12T15:45:00.000-08:00

Some Juice for you Cards fans to sip on

Ian - All Cleaned Up

2010-01-11T06:50:00.000-08:00

Well we pulled him away from the XBox, bathed him and dressed him yesterday for his All-Suburban Honors Concert. He looked so nice I had to capture the moment on film. The concert was great and he was excited so all was good yesterday.

Today I am heading back to work after a five week break. It's been lovely but I am looking forward to getting back into the routine. Only one class at Webster this semester, and two at SIU. Should be much easier than last semester.

Hope you all are off to good weeks with warmer (!) weather and dreams of spring training. -Julie

2010-01-06T08:25:00.000-08:00

Happy HOLLIDAYs!

PENNY for your thoughts, Cub Fans.

Two of Oklahoma's finest -- Stillwater's Matt Holliday and Broken Arrow's own Brad Penny -- will be wearing the Birds on the Bat this year.

The Cubs will have Marlon Byrd on their bat.

Repeat after me: "Here's to 2010. Let's win the Central again! The Cards are so 2010, the Cubs won in 190-when?"

Happy New Year!

2010-01-04T17:11:00.000-08:00

Yes, this is a good look! Working on the laptop wearing his new Snuggy!! He doesn't look too excited about being in this picture though...

This picture is to show Mom and Dad how beautiful my Nativity looks. Thanks so much!!

If any more animals or other guests come to visit baby Jesus, I'll need a bigger display area.

Happy New Year everyone!

Long Weekend in England for Julie

2009-12-16T06:56:00.000-08:00

Had a chance to finally get a stamp in the ol' passport that I've been carrying around and went to England this weekend with my friend Cathy. (Remember her? She's my friend Julie Korenak's sister the photographer - she did M&N's 50th anniversary photos)

It was fabulous. We spent one night in the countryside (see that farmhouse? That was our bed & breakfast) and then two nights in London.

If I am lucky enough to see any of you at Christmas, I will show you the rest of the photos. It was a fabulous experience and I really am the luckiest girl in the whole, wide world.

Thanksgiving

2009-12-02T19:18:00.001-08:00

First, Matt and Mattie the dog! They make a great pair.

Second, our group at the most ridiculous Christmas parade ever. THERE WERE NO BANDS! Santa received a great cheer -- mostly because the parade was over. All in all, we had a great weekend and hope to have the rest of you here with us next time! (We promise we won't go to that parade again!) Happy December

Mom's Birthday & Veteran's Day

2009-11-16T04:44:00.000-08:00

Had to post this photo because it features Jack actually speaking into a microphone. I would normally say that I hope Jack inherited Dad's public speaking ability, but I was informed on Wednesday that Dad doesn't really like to speak in public. My world was shattered!

Anyway, my friend Kay took this pic while Jack introduced Grandpa for the Veteran's Day assembly this year. (Next year, it will just be Sean in elementary school! yikes!)

Then we took Grandma out for a big, indulgent birthday lunch and it was great fun.

Hope you all are off to a good week - it is cold and rainy here and finally feeling like November.

xxxooo -Julie

It's Been A Wild Fall!!

2009-11-12T06:41:00.000-08:00

I apologize I have been silent for a while. I am just coming out of my depression from the Cardinal's collapse!! We are having a great fall, except we're raking this weekend and that is a BIG job here at the Ponderosa. The bad news is our next door neighbor already raked, which means we can't blow ours in to their yard!

We got TP'ed pretty good by some friends. In addition to toilet paper, they put thousands of Post-It notes all over the house and cars. Our dog didn't get off the couch and she barks at everything. Go figure.

Taylor is very interested in modeling and acting. She is taking classes in Nashville, TN and has done workshops with people from Disney & Nickelodeon. We're all hoping she's the next Miley Cyrus or at least on one of the shows. They're trying to get Tay to LA for auditions after Christmas.

Hunt is being Hunt. Overlapping sports! He had a good football season playing defensive end and tight end. One of our best players got hurt in the first game and was lost for the season. We finished last weekend with the 6th grade classic, an 8 team tournament. We went 3-1 and lost in the finals to some 'men' from a farming town!! Hunt decided he wanted to try hockey this year. He is improving everytime he puts the skates on. He scored a goal in his first game. He made the 6th grade school basketball team last week. Needless to say, Patti and I are running full speed to get him to practices and games.

Christopher got his first deer with a bow this year. He and his buds have been out many times so far. Gun season opens Saturday for deer. He is going to school Monday-Thursday noon and works Thursday-Sunday at Dick's Sporting Goods in the gun department. If there was ever a job suited for him, its talking about guns. Only shooting them would be better for him!

Patti is putting in hours at the holistic weight loss center and juggling her time. My job is going very well and our business is doing great since no one is buying new cars.

My dates on Saturday night

2009-11-09T09:51:00.000-08:00

Scott and I took the boys and his parents to the St Louis Symphony on Saturday night, which sounds all serious and high-brow but it was "John Williams Movie Music Night" so we were met at the door by Darth Vader and stormtroopers then spent the evening listening to music from Jaws, ET, Superman, Indiana Jones, Harry Potter and Star Wars. It was great. Since the boys were all clean at the same time, I decided to take photos.

Hope you all are off to a good week!

Thurs Nov 4th - from Julie

2009-11-05T08:32:00.000-08:00

Hi everybody! I don't have nearly the juicy nuggets that Tom had in his last post.....but my students are creating presentations right now and so I thought I'd take this opportunity (since I'm not home and can't do laundry) to say HI to everyone and chip in with some Smith Scoop.

Scott's parents are coming this afternoon to spend the weekend with us. Tomorrow night, to celebrate Scott's birthday and our 15th wedding anniversary, we are heading to a hotel in Clayton for the evening. I'm not sure what we'll talk about if we're not interrupted and I'll probably end up cutting his meat during dinner out of habit, but I'm sure it will be nice.

Ian's team has a playoff game on Saturday, they ended the season 8-1 and I will not miss the practices or the carpools. The beefy center, Ian Smith #18, had a fun season though and their games have been very fun to watch. He's been most busy, however, with music these days. He was fortunate enough to be picked for jazz ensemble (which means 6:30am practices three days a week - eeek) and the St Louis all-suburban honors band. He is most excited about the all-suburban band, though, because it gets him out of PSR at St Catherine's on Monday nights for the next nine Mondays. His jazz group will be performing at the Fox Theatre in February and they'll also be hitting some February jazz festival in Chicago. Poor Mimi and Don, they probably thought they were done with attending middle school/high school jazz festivals!

Jack just got back from three days of 5th grade camp and really liked it, he's not one to enjoy leaving the house so I was very happy and relieved that he liked it. His contacts and braces have made his face look so different, he's looking like quite the young man these days.

Sean has finally gotten some teeth pulled so he no longer the last third grader with baby teeth. He is loud, exhausting and intense and absolutely involved in everything. But it's all good. Our lives aren't any busier than anyone else's.......but I sure appreciate working mothers and single parents more and more every day. Just don't know how people get everything done. I tell my students that my real job starts at 3pm.

Classes are going really well this semester and we are almost winding down already. I will be all finished with classes at both schools by December 10th, which is so nice. Next semester I am only teaching three classes and supervising an independent study so it will be a little more relaxing than this semester has been.

Scott's grandma wants everyone in Branson for thanksgiving so we are heading down there to have turkey with the in-laws. We will sure miss all of you and hope wherever you end up, you have a great thanksgiving.

Mom and Dad's 55th wedding anniversary is this May, so Mimi and I were thinking that we should set aside the weekend of the 14th-15th for some celebrations. Please check your calendars!!

It's been a while, so here's what's going on . . .

2009-10-14T06:27:00.000-07:00

First of all, how about that Don? A marathon in less than four hours and in a shirt he had to buy himself. I did try to be your official outfitter but ran into a snag. I had the 2010 Nike Catalog from the tennis shop at Indian Springs and picked out this cool shirt which was unlike anything I had ever seen -- various shades of orange and yellow in this cool fade pattern. It was groovy, but they wouldn't be available until January. So maybe next year. You did look good in your yellow.

Now to the Cardinals in the playoffs: If you blinked you missed it, but the Cub fans would certainly know that. How did that Milton Bradley thing work out for you guys? Carpenter and Wainwright pitched back to back games on 19 occasions this year and in 17 of those the Cards won at least one time. Two times they didn't and one was last week.

Monica Update: The surgery was on the 5th and she is doing great. She is not quite up and around yet, but getting closer every day. She sat at the dinner table with us last night for a roast which Tanner cooked and served himself. It was great; he did a tremendous job. Monica is at that point in her recovery where she no longer feels bad, yet doesn't quite feel good. It's a limbo she is not enjoying. She has yet to get on her laptop for work, and get this -- she has not even turned on her cell phone! But it's coming. Thanks to all for the well wishes. I have passed along each and every one. And thanks for the flowers.

The Nilsson Cup Golf Challenge: Ty and I are now two time defending champs. It is getting so bad that Tom and Kerry are looking for different sports to try. Bowling has been suggested. They must not know how many kid's birthday parties I go to at the local alley. Plus, any sport you can play whille drinking beer gives Ty and me an advantage.

Tanner is seriously considering the priesthood. That will signal the end of me sneaking out at Communion. I told him priests have to take a vow of poverty and he said not parish priests. So that means he has already looked into that. He is one of the more materialistic people you will happen to run across. Try buying tennis shoes with him. Regardless, I am 100% behind him. He will also be the best signing priest around. We have a video of his performance at the talent show and are trying to figure a way to get it off his dad's stick drive and onto the web.

I went yesterday to teachers' meetings at the school for Drew and Blake and was told by all teachers that I have two very smart and entertaining kids. To which I replied, "No Duh!" Drew seems to talk alot in class (Again with the not being surprised) while Blakey has read more books so far this year than any other student in the school.

Speaking of Blake, we had a team of 45 Super Heroes for the JDRF walk this year. The weather was great and a good time was had by all. Thanks to all for the pledges and the moral support.

Finally, The Redemption of Chance is now available in hard cover. I am working with a local bookstore to stock it and sell them at a book signing at Indian Springs. If I can put this all together, I will follow up with the lady in Eville and see if she would still be interested in hosting one there. The Sombrero Beach Club is making the rounds with publishers. Nothing yet.

Go Irish! Go Purdue students rooting for the Irish! And tonight watch Tu hosting Boise State. I will not be at the game -- I get to go to an NBA pre season game between the OKC Thunder and the Washington Generals or somebody -- but we are going to the TU Tail Gaters before hand.

My best to all . . . Tom

The Champion!

2009-10-12T17:18:00.000-07:00

Don finished the marathon just behind the Kenyons!! He achieved his personal best finishing in under 4 hours!

Jeff, Matt, and I along with over 2 million of his best friends were there to cheer him on - it was a great day!

Good luck on Sunday, Don!!!

2009-10-09T06:08:00.001-07:00

Nilssons Win Golf Challenge ...... Again

2009-09-29T17:45:00.000-07:00

Lake Ozark, Missouri - September 28 - Tom and Ty Nilsson won the 2nd annual golf challenge at Dogwood Hills Golf Club today over Tom Carrol and Kerry Weinaught. Team Jack Daniels (Carrol and Weinaught) started strong by winning the first 18 hole scramble match, however the Nilsson boys came alive and won the low ball/low total match by double figures. Then they won the rubber match on the 16th hole to capture the bragging rights for the second straight year. In all, 54 holes were played over the magnificent Dogwood Hills layout on a windy day under sunny skies and 70 degree weather.

2009-09-26T21:35:00.000-07:00

Tom- Lets just say i didnt have many friends at purdue today. Went to my first game as a purdue student and was cheering for Notre Dame. It was a pretty gutsy move, wore my irsish shirt but i had to wear it under another shirt. there were a lot of angry people at the end that would not have been very happy w/ me. It was a great game though, cant believe they let purdue hang with them for that long though.

2009-09-24T18:43:00.001-07:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I1ukJ95CIxA
this explains a lot. pretty funny.

One of my students in the Post-Dispatch

2009-09-22T09:21:00.001-07:00

Hey you Cubbie fans, thought you'd enjoy this link to a Post-Dispatch photo taken at Busch Stadium Sunday night. Bryan, a Webster student from Elgin, is in the photo standing up wearing a blue Cubs jersey. I ask him the magic number daily. He is a very good sport. -js

Stormtroopers Reflect on 9/11

2009-09-17T10:08:00.001-07:00

Let's get away from baseball for awhile (I'm anticipating a return of the roadkill cardinal pic) and enjoy some Star Wars-related creativity.

This is for Matt:

2009-09-10T17:54:00.000-07:00

Apparently the magic numbers were causing emotional distress. Just think, Matt! Spring training is only six months away!

Think that crotch grab is how Edmonds ended up with the Cubs?

2009-09-10T05:39:00.000-07:00

2009-09-08T18:23:00.001-07:00

atleast we dont do this...

2009-09-08T09:47:00.001-07:00

Smith Brewing Co Newsletter, Sept Edition

2009-09-07T09:12:00.001-07:00

These pictures somehow loaded in reverse order. Scott starts with the modified cooler, and adds hot water to the grain mixture. This sits for 60 minutes. It's the "mash".

After 60 minutes, the mash gets drained into the brew pot, where he brings it to boil and keeps it there for 60 minutes. Hops get added occasionally during this time period also. (Hence the watching of the watch!)

After the 60 minutes, the cold water is run through the wort chiller to drop the temp quickly. Then it's drained through the strainer, put in the big white vat to ferment.

The most important thing, though, is to have buddies sit close by and drink brew while they watch you brew. Great fun on Sunday in STL!

2009-09-04T19:25:00.001-07:00

2009-09-04T05:35:00.001-07:00

2009-09-03T04:53:00.001-07:00

2009-09-02T14:47:00.000-07:00

Magic Number = 28

2009-08-27T04:51:00.001-07:00

Just sayin'. -js

Cub Fans Have Gone to the Dogs

2009-08-24T06:34:00.000-07:00

One of these two Jeffys is about to start law school. Is it:

A) Jeffy the person

B) Jeffy the dog

C) The Cardinals have an 8 game lead.

Monday Aug 24th

2009-08-24T06:08:00.001-07:00

Lots going on today....but first of all let's just say how nice it is to see John Smoltz in a Cards uniform. Scott and I were thinking about getting a hotel room downtown for our anniversary in October (#15) but all the rooms downtown are booked. How come? According to my Busch Stadium friend Linda, MLB has booked them all in anticipation of the playoffs and World Series. Just sayin'.

Excited for Jeff today as he has his orientation at Northwestern! I start classes today too and had several dreams last night; you know the ones where you have to take the final but you haven't been there all semester and you run around looking for the room? My body has aged but my stress-dreams have not.

Scott's mom is in the hospital in Springfield MO with some oxygenation problems....for some reason she just can't get oxygen into her blood and they are running gazillions of tests. Will keep everyone posted.

We are really concerned, though, about a classmate of Jack's who was in an accident on the Meremac River on Saturday, spent some time under water, and is now in a coma at Children's Hospital. Please pray for him, his name is Nolan.

Hope everyone is off to a good week. xxoo - julie

A Note from the Birthday Boy

2009-08-14T07:25:00.000-07:00

Hello Everybody. Thank you for the Birthday wishes and I just realized that starting tomarrow I will be going on 84. Hey what great news about Katie and Ryan. Like Julie said, I can't imagine that any part of my birthday will be as exciting as Katies. And, a reflection on our recent Dauphin Island experience, Mom and I want to say what a wonderful week it was and can you believe that we have been doing this family thing for the past 25 years. Can anyone recall each of our ventures? I remember Keystone, Chicago, Tulsa, Arkansas, Lake of the Ozarks, and Dauphin. Were there others? How many years at the Knolls etc ? Let me share a story about the trip home: We left Dauphin about 7 am and got to Eville about 8:30 pm. Don and Mimi decided to drive on to Naperville arriving about 1 am. From the long time in the car Mom and I could hardly get out of bed the next morn but when Mimi called that morn to say they got home safely she advised that Don had just gotten home from running 20 ( yes 20) miles in his preparation for running in the Chicago Marathon this fall. And, Mimi is planing to run 13 miles. or one half a marathon at the same affair. How about that? Thanks again for the kind birthday wishes.

Happy Birthday, Grandpa!

2009-08-14T06:15:00.001-07:00

Well, Norm's birthday probably won't be as exciting as Katie's....!! But I can hear him say "Hey, at my age, ALL birthdays are exciting."

Happy Birthday, Dad! Enjoy your day!!

We're Engaged!!

2009-08-13T06:38:00.000-07:00

We are engaged!!!!!!!!
We are so excited!!! (Even the puppies are)

Smith Dog Party 2009

2009-08-09T21:09:00.001-07:00

Just in case you were still wondering just HOW weird we are in St Louis, here's a little video to prove the point. We had a dog party again this year and had quite the turn-out. Notice how in the video I don't show any human faces? It's all about the dogs. Great fun. And Sophie is pooped!

Thanks for a fun week!

2009-08-02T13:25:00.000-07:00

Still recovering from the whopping ride home yesterday. On our way to a baseball game where I will pull out our chairs and there will be sand in them. =( Looks like we need a new air conditioner for the house, which will make Monday morning even more fun. Oh well. Jack starts a LEGO robotics class tomorrow so that's neat.
Ty and crew: thrilled for Hunter, congrats. We missed you last week. Can you believe how big these kids are getting? xxoo - julie

Also: BBQ in honor of Norm's birthday at our house, Saturday August 15th. Would love to have any/all of you join us. xxoo

Ohio Valley Regional Champs

2009-07-30T17:04:00.000-07:00

Action Shots of Hunter

2009-07-30T16:54:00.000-07:00

Four Smith Boys in Tuxes

2009-07-19T13:47:00.000-07:00

Here's a photo from Scott's brother Michael's wedding last night. Great fun. The boys enjoyed their tuxes but were very happy to take them off. Ian was an usher, Jack did programs, Sean was the ring bearer and Scott was a groomsman.

When we got to the church, Sean asked me "Have you and Dad ever been important people in a wedding before?"

Home Run Derby night

2009-07-13T07:52:00.000-07:00

Matt and I will be in the thick of things tonight....he will be roaming Busch selling foam fingers and other goodies and I'll be working in the team store. Doubt you'll see us on TV, but I think it will be lots of fun anyway! Go Albert! (And please, don't hurt yourself.......) -Julie

Summer Olympics at Dauphin Island.....?

2009-07-08T07:37:00.000-07:00

Yesterday M&N had a great idea: how about we have the Olympics at Dauphin Island this summer? We immediately started on a list of "events" and we need your help. Here's what we've got so far:

Washers
Wiffle ball (team exhibition sport)
Uno tournament
Apples to Apples tournament
Yahtzee tournament
Poker tournament
Left-Center-Right tournament
Frisbee throw
golf ball closest to hole
Pickle
Karaoke ("Dauphin Island Idol")
Ankle-stomping balloon game
Limbo
Shell finding
seed spitting - distance
scavenger hunt
crab races
sand sculpture within time limit (use neighbors for judge)

Scott also suggested "person who falls asleep the fastest" and Matt suggested "beer drinking" but then we'd have to handicap Tom.

Any other event ideas out there? Kudos to M&N for the idea, and kudos to Monica for finding the perfect medals online. (yes, there will be medal award ceremonies. Be glad you don't have to make a family banner for the opening ceremonies!!)

Any other event ideas??

Lighter Fare

2009-07-07T06:47:00.000-07:00

Sorry about the "heavy stuff"....the 4th of July always gets me goosebump-y. And don't worry, my friends harass me constantly about being the only nerd who cries during fireworks.

Okay Ty, here's your link! The website looks great. Hopefully the tourney goes without a hitch and you can hop in the car when it's over and join us all at the beach. I'm guessing my pal Linda is waiting until after the ASG to get your goodie-bag ready. I am actually working the team store during the Home Run Derby as a "greeter" with my friend Julie Korenak. Yes, we will be getting paid to talk to people. Is this a great country, or what?? (Actually, we'll be getting paid with merchandise, but that's okay too)

Here's Ian's band from last week playing some Lord of the Rings music! Happy Tuesday, everyone!

Tough to Compete.....

2009-07-06T10:38:00.000-07:00

Julie has been throwing down some deep stuff lately, which makes normal family stuff seem fairly insignificant. I will lighten things up with some baseball talk. I am directing Newburgh's largest ever baseball tournament July 23-28. We're having 10 teams from seven different states coming to town. We expect over 500 people from out of town.

I have built a web site for the tournament that I want to show off. I can't get the link to work!! Julie, will you fix this for me?

www.newburghregionalbaseball.shutterfly.com

We're off to a good start. We won a tournament in Madisonville, KY last week and went 2-2 in Nashville over the weekend. We lost to a REALLY good team yesterday 5-0. We're going to the State tournament this week in Greensburg, IN.

I'm still looking for ideas on fundraising for the tournament. If you have some ideas, please comment. I have a Harry Carry recording of 'Take me out to the ballgame' we will play in the middle of the fourth of each game!!

My favorite John Adams quote

2009-07-03T20:29:00.000-07:00

"The Second Day of July 1776, will be the most memorable Epocha, in the History of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated, by succeeding Generations, as the great anniversary Festival. It ought to be commemorated, as the Day of Deliverance by solemn Acts of Devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with Pomp and Parade, with Shews, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more. You will think me transported with Enthusiasm but I am not. I am well aware of the Toil and Blood and Treasure, that it will cost Us to maintain this Declaration, and support and defend these States. Yet through all the Gloom I can see the Rays of ravishing Light and Glory. I can see that the End is more than worth all the Means."

Letter to Abigail Adams, July 3 1776

I love the fact that he had such vision....even back then....referring to "one end of this continent to the other." I had a history teacher friend once who told me how lucky we were that our nation was founded by statesmen, not politicians. Amen! Happy 4th of July! -Julie

A Second Effort at Family History from Norm

2009-07-01T10:47:00.000-07:00

Many thanks to Julie for her efforts on the Nilsson Family Tree as it has opened up a whole new group of relatives that I really knew nothing about. Let me explain. Nils Peter Nilsson, my grandpa, married Elmira File way back when and she died before I was born so I knew nothing of her family. Keep in mind that my mom's family was also from Pokey so that on the rare occasions that we went to Pokey we hung out withe Marti family. I say our visits were rather rare because, in those days with an old car and totally dirt roads, our family rarely left town. How exciting it is to discover, thru Julie's research, that my great great grandpa on my dad's side was actually born on the 4th of July in 1776. And, again thru Julie, Mom and I had the pleasure of meeting some of Elmira's relatives this past Sunday. Gerry Jenner's wife was a File and he told me the story that his dad and Uncle Charlie were close friends and when Charlie moved to Champaign, his son Chuck stayed with Gerry's family to finish his Senior year of Hi School. So when Gerry went to the U of I he stayed with Charlie's family in Champaign. Gerry worked for Upjohn and sold drugs his entire career. His wife Martha was a nurse and is a lovely lady. The other couple were Ben and Mary File. Ben is a master story teller and gave me a book he has written called Ben There and Done That which tells stories of his life. He also is a U of I grad and his wife was a music major at Millikin in Decatur and she joined him as a pig farmer. Every Sunday eve any of the File family that is available meet for dinner at a Cafe in Pokey and I'm sure that Mary & I and Julie and family will join them on occasion so that we can contine this fine relationship. Thought you might like to know a little bit of family history that you didn't know.

A Bit of Family History from Norm

2009-07-01T10:45:00.000-07:00

Observation....

2009-06-30T13:38:00.001-07:00

Does anyone else think it's odd that the "Climate Change" bill was over 1200 pages long, the "Stimulus Bill" was 973 pages long......and our Constitution, the document that outlines and frames our entire government, if printed in size 12 Times New Roman font, is only 11 pages long?

It's longer if you add the amendments and the signatures, though. But still.....

Sunday's Genealogy Field Trip

2009-06-29T12:50:00.001-07:00

When Mom, Dad and I went to Pocahontas in May we met a very nice distant cousin named Barry File who told us that a gentleman named Gerald Jenner had written a book about the history of Bond County, specifically Henry Oliver File, b. July 4, 1776, who helped settle Bond County and eventually had ten children. Henry Oliver File now has over 5000 descendants, including all of us.

Well yesterday we went back to Pokey to meet Mr Jenner (whose wife is a File), explore the File Cemetery some more, and have dinner with more File cousins and the restaurant where they meet every single Sunday night at 6pm. It was a hoot. To paraphrase Scott, "you can't swing a dead cat in Bond County without hitting a File."

Mr and Mr Jenner were so sweet. Yesterday was their 57th wedding anniversary (he said "Well, it would have been our 62nd if she'd said 'yes' the first time I asked her.") and he also told us about his experiences in Europe during WW2. (He is on the waiting list for an Honor Flight.)

We were also able to take rubbings of the tombstones of Norm's great-grandparents (Jacob and Elizabeth File, whose daughter Almira married Nils Peter) and his great-great-grandparents Henry Oliver File and his wife Mary (parents of Jacob). The stones are so worn but if you take paper and rub a crayon over it, the letters become visible.

Anyway, wish I had taken more pictures but here are Norm and me at Jacob and Elizabeth's stones and then a photo of Mr and Mrs Jenner at the entrance to File Cemetery.

You know....when I think about Grandma Hentz or Grandpa and Grandpa Nilsson, I really don't have any interest in their tombstones. I prefer to think of them as they were --- alive. But finding the headstones of these ancestors helps me realize that they really existed. They're not just faded names in an old family bible...They really lived in Pocahontas. They cleared the fields, farmed the land, buried their kids there.....maybe rested under some of those trees for shade.

Tom: there's a book in Henry Oliver File's story. I just know it. Starting with his birthdate.....and if you spend some time around those gorgeous rolling green hills of Pocahontas, it will come to you!

Cardinals Blanket???

2009-06-25T11:42:00.000-07:00

Katie,

The puppy is cute, but the bigger issue is the Cardinals blanket. Are you a closet Cardinal fan? Did you get that blanket out after your mom and dad left town? My guess is there was a Cub's blanket there over the weekend!

Glad to hear things are going so well for you

Katie's First Post!

2009-06-24T13:09:00.001-07:00

Puppy Mania!! Sunday night, Ryan and I put a downpayment on a puppy. We weren't sure that is was 100% legit because there are a ton of puppu scams on the internet and we were worried about this one-- long story... anyway, we actually DID receive our new pup on Monday night. We named her Kayla. Mattie and Kayla love each other but Mattie is a little sad that we pay attention to Kayla and not her all the time. We are having so much fun with them:) Kayla is a boxer and she looks a lot like Mattie right now (tan with a black face). I have some more pictures of them sharing a bone and laying under the couch together.

Anyway, hope everyone is doing well and I am still recovering from a wild weekend with mom, dad, gma, and gpa-- those 4 are crazy!!

The Jonas Brothers Meet and Greet in Tulsa

2009-06-23T13:34:00.000-07:00

So Blake and

Monica got to meet the Jonas Brothers and pose for group shots along with maybe 100 others. They were being hustled through the line when Monica asked if Blake could take a photo with just Nick, since she has diabetes. Nick, who also has Type 1, overheard the question and thought that would be a great idea. He introduced himself to Blakey and then whispered in her ear, "It's nice to meet you. Thank you for coming tonight."

From then it was onto the show. Honor Society opened for Jordan Sparks with Jessie James also there singing her hit. Then the JoBros played for over ninety minutes to a rocking crowd. Monica took photos and video and you can hear Blake singing along to almost every song. During one song, Monica filmed Blake jumping up and down and waving her hands in the air -- like she just don't care.

It was a phenomenal evening for the Tulsa branch of the Nilsson Girls! I'm sure everyone will get to hear everything in greater detail at the vacation house.

For those who don't know, from left to right above it is Kevin, Nick and Joe Jonas.

Visit with Katie

2009-06-23T06:55:00.000-07:00

One of the highlights of our visit was the World War II Memorial. It was amazing to see so many vets there, including a large group wearing these blue T shirts.

Many, many thanks to Katie, Ryan L, and Mattie the dog for shuttling us around and showing us a great time!

OH MY JONAS!

2009-06-15T08:19:00.000-07:00

This Monday, June 22nd, the Jonas Brothers are performing here in Tulsa with opening act Jordan Sparks. Blake does not yet know she is going. But wait until you hear this. The local chapter of the JDRF in conjunction with the Jo Bros had a contest, since Nick Jonas -- the youngest -- has Type 1 diabetes. To enter you had to have a ticket, already establish a walk team for this year and have raised $25. Monica did all of that, and . . . Wait for it! . . . Blake won! Her name was drawn!

Oh my Jonas! This should make for great deck time conversation at the Vacation House.

She and Monica will get to meet the Jonas Brothers before the concert. Can you believe that? We are trying to figure out a way to tell Blake that she is going to the show AND that she will get to meet the Bros. I'm sure we will just blurt it out because Monica is already dying to tell her.

JUNE 9th

2009-06-09T12:58:00.000-07:00

Why does that date sound familiar? Oh, yeah!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO JULIE
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU cha cha cha

41st lacks a bit of the pizzazz of last year, huh?

Have a great day anyway.

Tom, Monica, Tanner, Blake, Drew, Jaspar, Jeffy (the dog, not the person) Miley and the newest member of the Wild Kingdon, Peanut Butter the Hamster

Greetings from DC!

2009-05-31T14:53:00.000-07:00

The Smiths arrived in DC on Friday and we've been sprinting through town ever since. In fact, yesterday Scott referred to our trip as "the Washington death march". I guess he thinks we've been doing a lot of walking. Oh well! We have!
It's been great to see so much of Katie and Ryan so here are a few photos. We're heading to Mt Vernon tomorrow.....

Response to Tom

2009-05-31T11:14:00.000-07:00

Tom, Mom and I would love to read your book but we don't have a printer. We do have the first 40 pages that you previously sent and if you want to send the balance in printed form we would be happy to read it. As you can imagine, we will think it is good even without reading it.

Any interested readers out there?

2009-05-27T09:29:00.000-07:00

OK -- I've got another manuscript that I have finished and will begin sending out in hopes of getting it published. Would any of you be interested in reading it. I promise it is not as long as The Redemption of Chance which was 270,000 words. This one is just a few redundant adjectives shy of 120,000. It is tentatively called The Sombrero Beach Club.

I know we have all read those stories of the beautiful femme fatale who uses some poor sap. But what if she was actually the one being used in someone else's grander game? So begins the tale of Ross Gaines, former minor leaguer and owner of The Sombrero Beach Club and the gorgeous Tyler Scott, newly hired corporate attorney for the Copeland Group, Inc. of Marathon, Florida. As it turns out the Copelands want to buy the club and guess who they decide is to lead their side of the negotiations? Will the burgeoning relationship between Ross and Tyler be able to survive such a turn of events? And what do the Copelands really have planned for the club?

I can e-mail a word document version of this to anyone willing to read it with a discerning eye and edit it accordingly. Let me know if here are any takers.

Thanks -- Tom

Happy Memorial Day!

2009-05-25T06:44:00.000-07:00

We have this super patriotic friend Craig who actually found this flag - which was destined for the trash bin - at Macy's a few years ago. It's the flag that used to hang downtown, back when it was cool to love America and be proud.

Last night during his BBQ he pulled it out for the kids to see and of course I had to take several photos.

Blast from the Past....

2009-05-22T07:03:00.001-07:00

Thursday Night

2009-05-21T19:54:00.001-07:00

Thursday Morning

2009-05-21T05:44:00.000-07:00

Jo el 3-0

2009-05-19T19:26:00.000-07:00

Guess that Relative! Round 3

2009-05-17T15:45:00.001-07:00

HI everybody! So happy to see so much action on here. I am posting another photo for a round of "Guess that relative" and you cheaters out there will be sad to learn that I re-named the file so that the subjects in the photo can remain anonymous. Heh heh.

Any guesses??? =) Here's a big hint: the photo was taken in Greenville.

JDRF Southern Indiana Style

2009-05-17T07:25:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was our Walk. Hunter has a very good friend who has type one and one of Taylor's best friends has it also. There was 1,720 people!! Holiday World is a Six Flags type park and the owner's son has diabetes. We had a great day and tons of money was raised.