Happy new year

I would like to wish everybody a happy new year. I also would like to thank everybody for a great weekend. Isabella's still talking about the farm. I'm very happy and grateful that Jeannie has such a great family, so my girls can experience it. Thanks, Jason

Kriz Family Christmas!

Thanks to everyone for another wonderful Christmas gathering! It was so great to see everyone and a good time was had by all. It's just so very hard leaving everyone :(

Jilly, hope you feel better soon, you too Rach!!

Love the SW MN Kriz Fam Zoo!

Merry Christmas Eve Everyone!

School Christmas Concert

Hello everyone. I just thought I would post a few pictures of Taylor at her shool concert last week. I added a few additional notes on the pictures, so check them out.

Taylor's first year of band. Bobbie you will be proud as she is a clarinet player. Quentin I believe played the Sax.

Terry

The Weather Outside is COLD!

Wow, I know I have lived here all my life and should know what to expect, but come on. Doesn't Mother Nature know my husband must have a home gym and I can't park in the garage.


Okay, I am done voicing my complaint. The weather does however put me in a Christmas spirit. Our tree is all decorated and the lights on the house look fantastic. Isabella has even taken a liking to Santa this year. She is the first little girl I know of that has asked Santa for a Princess fishing pole. I've got to love her, she is creative. Alex and Addy are even in the spirit. They eat all the scraps of wrapping paper that are left on our floor.


I hope everyone is doing well, and are wrapping up their shopping. I am extremely excited to put this week of work behind me and come home and spend some quality time with all of you fine folks. I even made cookies this year.


Well, I will not take up a whole lot of your time. I did want to share a couple of pictures. Isabella and I went to Falls Park to see the light show on Saturday night. I thought it was hilarious that you could see the snot froze to her upper lip. (I know gross, but you would be thinking it!) I also had to share a couple of pictures of the twins. They are eating table food now, and I wanted to show how neatly they are eating it.


A short update on them. Addy is crawling and took her first step today without falling down. Alex kind of crawled for the first time tonight. She is well on her way. It is so fun to watch them. I don't think Isabella is liking it however. She tends to ditch Adelyn when she follows her in a room.


Okay enought babbling. Have a great rest of the week and we will see you all next weekend!

SNOW!!

We've got two inches. Can anyone top that?

Santa stopped by my work place after the Christmas parade last Saturday.

Santa Claus Is Coming To Town

Ho Ho HO

Christmas Parade

Getting to be that time of year -- we're headed to the Star City Christmas Parade in downtown Lincoln in about an hour (Saturday). Took this photo of Kade and Abby under the tree this morning. Kade was being goofy -- he wanted "Snuggles" his other black lab dog in the photo as well.

Hope everybody is staying warm this weekend. We'll be heavily bundled up for the parade -- it's cold out there!

Mr. Blog Commissioner...Wake Up...Where is our Holiday Background?!

Deck the Halls...fa la la la laaaaaa

Sounds like everyone had a great turkey day. David and I just finished another meal of leftovers, but we're not complaining,and we're definitely not wasting away! We had David's mom, his sister and her kids, and his niece and her 3 friends here for Thanksgiving. Our small townhouse fit everyone just fine. We enjoyed rainy weather the day before and on Thanksgiving so it almost felt like the "right" time of year!

We have booked our Christmas flight for Dec. 24-27. We'll fly in before noon on Christmas Eve and leave early on Sunday. I am more than excited to come home. As usual I am requesting a light dusting of the white stuff for Christmas, just enough to cover the ground and still travel safely. Sorry Mom, but we won't be home early enough to hang your lights! Those were such good memories and I would love to relive them, but it's not going to work out again this year! hee, hee

I will be sending our new address and phone info to you via email so be on the lookout for it. I totally forgot that I hadn't sent it to you guys! Oops!

Happy decorating, baking, etc.!
Love and miss you all!
Jill

One Holiday Down- One to Go!!

My gosh, if Thanksgiving is done that means that it's almost Christmas!! How did anyone shopping on "Black Friday" do today?? I didn' t do much to encourage the economy-- just felt good to sit drinking coffee this morning and watch all those crazies attack the stores on TV. Didn't feel like I was missing much!!

Wanted to say a big thanks, first to Ter and Tammy for the great time we had at Dustin's wedding. Should be a dance about 2x weekly to get Dad to kick up his heels more often. It's probably as close to exercise as I'm going to get him. Was a beautiful wedding -- hope you had a quiet Thanksgiving to recover.

Jeannie and Jason, you did a great job hosting both families Thanksgiving. Looked like everyone visited pretty well, and the food was delicious. The rest of you should have come, just cause there was enough food for you all and probably most of Jeannie and Jason's neighborhood also. Of course the best fun was playing with Isabella, Alex, and Addy.

Today was nice and quiet-- did a little sewing and we took a couple of horses down to the river to ride since it was so nice. Girlfriend did so good on the hills and creek crossings. If I don't mess her up, she might be a keeper!! I know-- I should have been putting outside lights up, but I do have a few weeks yet, not?? Besides I can' t decorate much inside until the carpet cleaner guy comes and does his stuff. Always a good idea to have a few excuses ready--

Love you all, and we wish you all a late Happy Thanksgiving------------Mom

Happy Thanksgiving Kriz Family!!

We want to wish you all a very blessed Thanksgiving Day!

Safe Travels to all of you that will be on the road!

We can't wait to see you all at Christmas!

We love you!

Terry, Tammy & Tay lor

Are we REALLY only a month away from Christmas?!

The lights are on the house......don't worry...they won't be turned on until after Thanksgiving. It was almost 50 degrees yesterday, though, so it had to be done.

What's everyone else up to this weekend?

Young Cowboy From Nebraska

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C0r_FbARIn8&NR=1

The Farmer's Prayer

Lord, bless the land You've given me,

And may I always know

As I tend each crop and creature

You're the One who helps them grow.

Grant me the strength and wisdom

Please protect me from harm,

And thank You For Your gracious gift -

The blessing of a farm.

- Robin Fogle

Sunday nite visit

Well, the great deer hunters, )Jack and Dad) are out on the prowl tonight, so you can be pretty sure nothing with 4 hooves and antlers can escape their scrutiny. I have heard many a big deer story over the past several days, but have yet to see any prize winning specimen arrive on the yard. This makes me think the deer are winning- and that somewhere out there is a buck or two that are thumbing their noses at these guys. Mike Baumberger did stop last night with a buck (I think-I didn't go look)) in the back of his pickup, so at least someone is getting some effective shots. Maybe tonight will be the lucky night, though.

Not doing anything that exciting from my side of the farm. Mostly have been spending lots of time either at shift work or teaching the crowd of diabetics that have shown up as referrals. I think since I am at the clinic now, both docs notice me and remember to refer people. Has been fun as I have started 9 people this past month ( only did 6 the whole rest of the year). Also have one of our new young nurses, Sara VanZee shadowing diabetic education to learn the job and replace Heidi. She's young, pretty, enthusiastic and as friendly as a cocker spaniel- you can't help liking her! Hope she continues to like it. Maybe in a few years I can work for her???

Well, thought I had more to tell, but can't think of much. Tammy, happened to the Santa suit post??? Should work on a little Christmas spirit pretty soon- not quite in the mood yet--
Love to you all--and hugs to big and little ones! Mom

Citizen of The Month

I am the citizen of the month for October. The citizen of the month is when one student from the middle school, elementary school, and high school, pick one student for citizen of the month and student of the month. So then you get to bring like your mom or your dad to the school and you get to sit at a certain table and you get to pick your lunch and stuff. It should be really fun. My mom is going to eat with me and all the other people. So I am the citizen of the month for October.
I am so excited for basketball season to start. Our first practice is on the 24 and I can't wait.

Love Rachael!!

Holy Snowflakes!

Do you northern Krizes have your long undies out? The weatherman here has you all in a Winter Storm Warning! We're just supposed to get cold rain, or maybe some snow showers. Kade is excited....I miss the days when that kind of weather sounded good.

Stay warm!

Is all the Kriz Fam Exercising Their Right to Vote??!!

Happy Halloween Kriz Fam!!

Happy Birthday Jason!

Happy Start to the Holidays!

The girls are getting a good start to the holidays, so I thought I would share their spirit.

Bella refuses to take off her black Christmas dress and the twins are infactuated with the pumpkins outside.

We had a chance to snap a couple of pictures, I hope you all enjoy.

Can't wait to see everyone over the holidays!

Love,

Jeannie

Twister Title 2 and Other Holiday News

Hey All! Can you believe that Christmas is less than 2 months away!?! I can...it was ch- ch- chilly out there on my run this morning. Couple that with Kade's attempt tonight to pick out "a few" things from the Toys R Us Big Christmas Book (he marked something on practically every page, including the $500 battery-powered Jeep), and I've now got the holiday spirit.

So, without further waiting, here is the proposed holiday plan. Thanks to Terry for getting an early start on this, by the way. Sounds like the party will be in the afternoon/evening on the Saturday after Christmas, so Dec. 27. This will allow Terry and Tammy to get Taylor and get to the farm, and allow Dave and Melissa and family to spend time with the Bondes on Friday. Mom will be juggling some work days, but thinks she can get it figured out. Jeannie/Jason and Jill/David, please respond so we know this will work for you.

We will continue the White Elephant tradition with the usual stipulations, so start cleaning those garages and closets or shopping if you are so inclined! Also, as started last year, we will not do formal gifts for the adults but will do a freewill offering for a charitable cause. Mom and Dad had the opportunity to collect the offering and pick the charity last year, so that right now passes to Dave and Melissa and family. If you want to contribute, bring your donation in an envelope to the party. Dave and Melissa and crew can tell us the charity at that time.

We have drawn names for the preteens/kids and I have/will email you with your name. (Zach has chosen to join the adults in the White Elephant exchange.) The exception to this is Adelyn and Alexandra. Because they are new to the family, and just so darn cute, we figured everyone would probably want to buy them something. Diapers, anyone?

Have I covered everything? Post a note if I haven't! We are looking forward to another fabulous Christmas with the Krizes. We'll bring the Twister, so start stretching out now. :-)

Ho, ho, ho! See you in two months.

Long Lost Family Members Searching for Relatives!

Hello!
My name is Jill and I believe I have found my family - YOU! Do you still remember me? Am I still accepted in the family? I promise to make cheesecake if I'm invited for the holidays! Well, it's been a long time and I'm sorry I haven't blogged. It has been more than hectic here. We moved a month ago and you would never know it with all of the boxes stacked in the garage and in the bedrooms. We bought a new townhouse, 2 story, 3 bedrooms. It's the exact model/plan as the townhome that Anne and I lived in together. It's the perfect starter home for us! Our first mortgage payment is due next week so we don't really like that part of the whole thing, but I guess we'll pay it. I would love to show you pics, but we can't find the cord for the digital camera! (I'm sure it's in one of the many unopened boxes!) I have a new camera that I haven't figured out yet either so please use your imagination on what the place looks like.

School has been really difficult this year. I have a tough group of 3rd graders, or at least a handful that will take every ounce of patience I have. I say it every year, but I think this year is the most difficult. We are piloting a new online gradebook and report card system, and glitches are popping up daily. We have a new math curriculum that was supposedly aligned with the state's standards, but is so far out of alignment that we're being told to just deal with it and the fact that our students will not do well when it comes to testing! I don't have my trusty sidekick Anne anymore since she moved across town, so it's depressing at times. I vent to her voicemail and email quite often. I think I should have been less greedy and accepted a position at a 12 month school. Our lovely governor has also decided to chop education funds so we have been busy trying to cut $122,000 out of our school's budget for next year. What fun!

On the positive side, David's job is going well. He's been talking about applying for a new property opening next summer, which is a pretty big promotion. He has a few opportunities in the next year that he's being considered for so things look good.

Anyhoo...once again, it sounds as though carving was fun. When will the pics of the masterpieces be on the blog? We miss all of you. It sounds as though we will probably be home the weekend after Christmas Day. Is that still the plan?
Love,
Jill and David

Happy Halloween all!!

Thanks for the great pumpkin carving weekend, you guys. Was great fun- from wrestling with the little kids, getting to cook for a crew, playing with the twins, and watching all the big and little cousins interact. Even (kinda) enjoyed the tromping through the slew grass-- and watching the pheasants thumb their beaks at our line of hunters.

Hope you all got home with a minimum of trouble. Jeannie and Jason, hope you didn't need the extra baby food and empty bottles in your blue bag-- will bring it up next time we come. By the time I found it you were probably home already! I might also have one heavy blue sweatshirt-- kinda looks like a Jason size and a few stray socks.

The wind this afternoon was really unreal. Dad says it knocked a lot of corn down-- guess it's a good thing there isn't too many acres left out there to be harvested. Hope it blew itself out-- now it really feels cold-- might get a good freeze tonight.

Missed the Minnesota Kriz's and of course the Las Vegas crew. Hope you all had as much fun this weekend as we did. How did Taylor's volleyball tournament turn out??

Love you all-- till next time--- Mom and Dad

Happy Halloween all!!

Job Update

Hello everyone,
I just wanted to give everyone an update on my employment status. It was a long day today, but I came out of it with my job. There were a total of 78 job cuts today of which 16 were in the IT department. My team and my bosses team did not have to cut anyone so that is the good news. The bad news is that I knew almost all of the 16 that did get cut. It was hard to hear some of them get cut as they were friends of mine. Hopefully this will be the last cut for some time. I am also hoping this economy turns around so that people can feel safe and secure in what they do.
I hope you all are doing fine and that you are having a good fall. I am not sure we will make it home for pumpkin carving as Taylor has a VB game that Saturday and it sounds like she kind of wants to play at it. If she changes her mind then I will let you know, but for now it is not looking very good. This will likely relieve the rest of you, because now you will at least have a chance to win the contest. hehe.....
Well I have rambled long enough. Talk to you soon.

Terry

Fall at its Finest

I got the chance to have a little taste of home this weekend by participating in a cross country relay race from Omaha to Lincoln. It was really fun running down the rural roads as combines were cutting beans and hunters were looking for turkeys (the REAL kind, not the running kind ... it was opening weekend). It certainly got me excited for the party in a couple of weeks.

Here's a photo story on the relay, in case you are curious. http://media.journalstar.com/comments/?mid=M48f1c61776b2b

See you in a couple weeks!

Fall Bounty

Just a quick note to let you all know that it is apple season again. I made pies today and probably will again since I get a huge guilt complex when I look out at all that free food. If you are interested in taking pies home over pumpkin carving weekend, give me a little guidance as to how many you want. What kind do you prefer- the two crust or the crumb topping kind?? I will make and freeze as many as I have time for and you should bring a cooler or something to transport them. Also I am processing the last of many batches of spagetti, and pizza sauce ( they are about the same tasting) , as well as salsa--and my shelves would be glad to part with some of these. Should you be harboring some of the jars from last year I'd be glad to take them out of your way as I am kind of low on them by now.

I am trying apple butter tonight. The jury's out on whether or not this is a good idea. Let you know later ---

Don't need to feel obligated to pick up any of the above mentioned options-- maybe you are still trying to use up last years!! Tammy, I know you have been canning also.

Am looking forward to pumpkin carving weekend. Of course it is my weekend to work, but I think I have arranged at least to have Sat. off. Love, Mom

Twas a Lovely Day on Campus

Hi all! Kade and I just returned from a quick trip to beautiful South Dakota! Sure is nice weather up there.

We hung out with Jeannie, Jason and the kids, on Friday and Saturday nights, and Jeannie and I took Kade and Isabella to experience Hobo Days (SDSU's homecoming) on Saturday. We took in the parade and part of the football game, until the kids folded over in exhaustion. Jeannie and I both agreed that perhaps the most fun of the whole weekend was seeing the Armour/Corsica band come marching around the corner in the parade and embarrassing Zach as he moved past. We saw the band's banner, looked at each other and said, at the same time, "Do you suppose Zach is marching?" It was a nice surprise to see him drumming in the back - although we almost missed him because he looked so different without his glasses and in his band hat (AND he wouldn't look at us until right at the end as they were headed down the road)!

Anyway, the only thing we could have done without is the flu bug that Kade picked up. It was a long four hours home today, but he was a trooper. Hope we didn't leave any bad germies up there for Jeannie and Jason and kids.

Farmers were combining soybeans, and some corn, all the way up on our drive. Made me very homesick, as is usual this time of year. Glad to hear that Dad and Dave have the beans done, but I am hoping there'll still be a little bit of combining left to do when we come up in a few weeks.

Lastly, sorry to hear about the MN Twins. Maybe next year, Melissa!

Hope everyone is doing well. Happy Fall to All!

Since the Minnesota Twins lost and are out of the playoffs - do we have to cheer for the Dodgers VD? Just wondering :)

Guess it's about my turn to add a few words to this message board. I keep thinking I don't have anything interesting to write, but will give it a go anyway.

We are enjoying the beautiful fall weather-- I can't decide which activity I should tackle when I have a few days or hours off-- garden, ride horse, sit in the sun and read, or go visit some of you. Of course fall things like house cleaning exist, but I haven't officially acknowleged them yet!! (Not until the panic of the week before pumpkin carving when someone will surely have to sleep in my spider infested bedrooms upstairs).

Dad and David are combining beans and drilling wheat this week. (as well as repairing said machinery for doing these things.) Last week they weaned and worked calves, so the bellering (sp?) is over. I am waiting for their attention to turn to the annual and much loved fall chicken house cleaning-- that doesn't seem to be happening too fast. Should we make it a family activity for pumpkin carving weekend? Something to work up your appetite for Melissa's buffet!

The garden is winding down. Am still canning the occassional tomato, and have carrots and some green peppers out there yet. Dug the last of the potatoes with Jacob's somewhat reluctant help. Am still putzing around with moving perannial flowers, now that the chickens are shut in they have a half chance at rooting in. Some things actually look great with the cooler weather- one last surge before Mr Frost puts an end to it all.

We have to go to Spearfish the week of the 8th - 12th of Oct. I have the annual Diabetes Educators conference there on the 9th and 10th and we figured on staying for the weekend. We'll maybe take horses to ride Sat and part of Sun. No doubt will have to work Mon. At least will get our mileage paid for and my hours at the workshop. Should be beautiful to ride out there then.

Bobbie and Kevin-- what is Kade's soccer schedule-- I'd still like to see him play before he graduates high school---

Tammy, where did the great profile come from?? Has that been up long?-- just decided to click on the blog members and here was all that stuff. Recipes sound great!!

Jill, am waiting to see this new nest you two have moved to-- I know you have nothing but time to update us all :).

Love to you all---- Mom

family update!

Fall is in the air down here in Lincoln. Rode to work today and it was 44 degrees! Had to don the head band and a long sleeve base layer.

We celebrated Kade's 5th birthday with a trip to the bowling alley with a few of his pre-school friends. Man, talk about herding cats. Bobbie and I did our best to keep the whole thing somewhat organized, although Bobbie commented on how my chaperone skills quickly deteriorated as soon as the Notre Dame football game came on the TV. Hey, I'm a guy!

Our 10th anniversary was pretty low key. We had plans to head out for the evening (babysitter was lined up), but Kade got sick the night before so we had to cancel our "date" and stayed home and rented a movie. Funny thing: as we exchanged cards the morning of our annivesary -- we discovered we got each other the same exact card -- as well as writing darn near the same exact thing on the inside. We took that as a sign we were meant to be together -- or we're complete wack jobs!

Kade is doing soccer again this fall and I've filled in as coach for a couple weeks. The first week, one of the mom's called attention to my Pampered Chef kitchen timer that I was using to time the game (she was quite impressed, let me tell ya). The second time I coached, one of my players -- little Jack -- marveled at my Thomas the Train whistle I was using. Hey, I may not be fashionable, but I get the job done -- 2-0 under my coaching!

Well, that is all for now -- see ya'll this fall...

HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY JILLY!

Happy Birthday Bobbie!

Another Visit to the Hospital

Hey Everyone!
Just wanted to let you know that Adelyn and Alexandra had to have surgery to get tubes placed in their ears this morning. They were champs, very little crying and things seem to be going well.

Hopefully the night will go as well as the day did. Hope everyone has a great weekend.

That time of year...

This little guy greets me on my morning work commute along the bike path. The sun comes through about 7:30 each morning to light him up. I think he knows he's on display amongst his fellow trees so he makes the most of it.

Terry's Here

Okay. I am still around, just been really busy and not much going on. Hard to top the Royals game and weekend trip that the Wickham's went on.

Anyway I do have something to blog about tonight. What is everyone doing for Christmas plans. I have the opportunity to get Taylor on the weekend of Christmas and I was hoping that is when we all could get together this year. It is not like me to plan this far in advance, but you know sometimes change can be good for you. So being that the planner of the bunch (aka. Bobbie) is wanting everyone to get on the Blog, I thought this would be a good reason to get everyone back on.

So know it is up to you. Let me know your thoughts! I have also attached a picture for inspiration.

Ok, now

I am wondering where ALL of you are??????????

Where's Terry?

It's been quite a while since we've heard anything from him. Hu-lowww-oooo. Are you out there?

HAPPY BIRTHDAY KADE!!

happy grandparents day

We were out for a family walk tonight in the crisp fall temps. Kade has taken to riding his bike lately -- it finally clicked as dad hoped it would. Of course it happened now that he's pretty much outgrown the bike you guys bought for him a couple years ago (and he's getting a little bigger one for his upcoming birthday -- thank you Craigslist!)

Hope all is well. (click on the play button below)

Mr. Blog Commissioner...time for a new background!

Remember the 80's!!!!!!!!! Dave, Bill and Lisa Millar and I went to see Rick Springfield at the Corn Palace. The concert was awesome - he is quite the entertainer!! He made the concert alot of fun - standing and walking on chairs in the audience while "old" women tried to take off his shirt and pinch his ___!! He made us feel really old when he announced his birthday was the next day and he would be 59!! Yikes he doesn't look or act like he is 59!!

KC trip

Our weekend trip to KC went way too fast. We took in a good ballgame Friday night, even though the Royals lost 4-3. It ended with the tying run being tagged at the plate in the 9th inning -- bummer. But the fireworks that followed made up for it (for Kade, anyway).

Oceans of Fun was a blast. There was hardly anybody there for the first couple hours cause it rained earlier and was cloudy, so we had no waiting to try some of the rides that were not kiddie oriented. Though, we did have to coax Kade hard to leave the kiddie area for awhile.

We hung out at Crown Center downtown before coming back. As we sat there sipping coffee and munching rolls, we entertained ourselves by running through the fountains trying to stay dry (and not spill coffee as I so demonstrate). Yeah, we know how to have fun, don't we ;)

The praying mantis pic I had to throw in. We ran into him at Crown Center. It's the biggest one I've ever seen. Thought he was pretty cool. Not sure what he thought of us as we were running through the fountains.

End of an awesome vacation

Sorry I have been so slow about sitting down to write-- seems like all week has been a rush to catch up. I'd like to say I have accomplished that, but actually that hasn't happened yet.

As I am sure you have all figured out we really had a great time over the past 2 1/2 weeks playing at being pioneers. We learned several things on this trip 1) we can both sit in the saddle for 15-20 miles of horseback riding and survive, day after day; 2) we have pretty good horses, lots of folks had lots of problems with their rides; 3) there are a lot of nice people out there who like to drive wagons or ride horses from all over the country.

Was not the usual lay back and relax type of vacation. The days started about 5:30 AM with feeding and saddling horses, packing the noon lunch, grabbing a couple of slices of toast ( all we had time for for breakfast) and breaking down camp. All the vehicles and trailer, etc, were moved to the next nights stop at 7AM- a process that took from 2-3 hours. Dad usually moved the trailer and set up the pens and I stayed behind to babysit the horses during the move. Usually they were delighted to graze while we waited, but tended to wander or get in other horses areas. Was a good opportunity to visit with other souls also watching their horses. Nothing like a couple of hours to pass like that to find out the life history (and maybe more than you wanted to know) about your fellow travelers! Several buses brought the guys back-- your dad of course, always was on the very last bus!!

We usually started riding about 9:30AM and traveled through prairie, gravel roads, rivers, creeks, and hills both rolling and steep. Was a big contrast to travel from flat prairie at Ft. Pierre to the steep trails of the Black Hills. The weather also, went from 100+ the 1st two days to 60 the last two. We rode in tank tops and got totally sunburned, to bundled up in 3 layers of shirts plus sweatshirt and slicker for the rain.

Was quite a little confusion the first few days while wagon drivers, teams, riders, and mounts got used to traveling together. Was a runaway the first couple of days, resulting in a horse breaking it's leg and needing to be put down; one wagon driver didn't condition his team well, and after driving 3 days in the hottest weather lost on horse to heat stroke; and of course the stage coach wreck crossing the Cheyenne river (I have pictures). A number of people got bucked off- one who also got stepped on and later died! There were a few broken bones- one guy got air ambulanced off the banks of the Cheyenne ( he tried to stop the stagecoach team and got ran over). Our friends from Yankton wrecked their buggy on a steep Black Hills trail- no one hurt only kindling out of the buggy. We, luckily, survived nicely.

Susan Holter (you may remember her as Susan Porter) rode and camped with us as well. She roughed it a lot more as she slept in her horse trailer on a blowup mattress and used a water bucket as her sink to wash her hair. She's my new hero!

In the evenings after supper ( most evening stops had a local groups like 4-H, or Cattleman's Assoc, that sold a supper- we ate a lot of pork and beans) there was always a history given on the area we had ridden over that day. Lots of older folks from these areas shared stories of growing up and ranching or riding the trails we were following. These were always interesting , even though we all tended to nod off after a while. Some of the young bucks might have stayed up and enjoyed a little extra beer, but most of us hit the old sack about the same time the sun set.

Have lots of pictures, but will share them with you when we see you again. Was good to get home but hard to return to the real world. Would go again in a minute. As for the horses- we turned them out to the pasture and they have't shown up in the yard by the barn since. Can't say as I blame them much!!

Am frantically weeding and cleaning the yard as there is supposed to be a garden class here next Saturday. I am definately not planning on a weed free yard by that time!

Thanks for all the updates and postings. We always check for something new. (Your dad may check several times daily). Love you all Mom

PS: a sidenote for the Schwans employed- on the second day of wagon train, in 100+ temps at midafternoon, we pulled out of a pasture onto a gravel road just as the Schwans truck came to the intersection. He stopped, looked at the procession and kept right on truckin'. Do you know what a sales opportunity he missed? Man, we'd have paid $5 per bar for anything cold-- he could have emptied the truck. (Maybe we looked scarier than we realized!)

Hey Everyone

Hi Everyone!
I hope all is doing well. Sorry it has taken me so long to hop on and chat. My days have kind of been blurs these past few weeks. Before I get started I would just like to say a few things.

1) Happy Birthday Mom, Vegas Dave and Zach. (Zach and VD your cards still sits on my table. I promise I will mail them before August ends.)
2) Happy Ann. Jill and David. Doesn't the time fly. (Your card also lies on my table. If I hold out I could just mail all the cards for Jills birthday. haha!)
3) A BIG THANK YOU to the Kriz Family for tending to our children while we went out and I caught up with some old classmates. It was great to see Rachel wearing a tiera and waiving so elegantly at the parade. You guys really do rock!
4)Mom and Dad congrats on making it across a good chunk of the state without needing to seek out any medical attention. I bet the ride was amazing.

Okay, I hope I didn't miss anything. Well, things are pretty busy here. We are kind of like robots every night. Pick up the kids after work, make supper, try to get everyone to sit at the table while we eat supper (surprisingly Jason is the hardest one to get there), feed the babies food in between, bath, babies to bed, take Bella outside until sundown and then give her a bath. Finally about the time the news is on I am alone at last. It is kind of a weird feeling when you sit down in total silence, but it doesn't last long and I am out. I never really imagined how exhausting this would be. However, I wouldn't change it for the world.

The girls have finally learned how to sit up and boy has life changed. If you turn your back for two seconds Alexandra has managed to steal a toy right out from underneath Adelyn. I think she has figured out that if Adelyn spends to much time with one toy she gets frustrated and starts screaming at it. So she makes life easy and just steals it from her before she gets the chance. Then there is Bella. She held a tea party for me and the twins yesterday. It was great until she started getting upset because her sisters were "drinking" the tea before she said they could. Wow, has the fun just begun!

I guess, I have babbled on quite a bit. It was great to see what everyone has been up to lately, or is going to be up to lately. I am extremely jealous of all the fun trips everyone is taking. Have fun!

Hope to see everyone soon!

It's boys time at the house

Hi everybody. Been awhile since I've been on here! Just put Kade to bed so I had a couple minutes. Bobbie flew off to Idaho for a conference for work. She'll get back on Saturday. In the meantime, Kade and I have been holding down the fort.

Frozen pizzas in front of the TV were the gourmet dinner tonight. I'd like to say the fine dining will kick in tomorrow night, but I doubt that will happen. Things kind of get casual when the other half is gone -- and I think Kade is well aware of it. I don't know how many times he's hit me up for a snack or a treat. I do have my limits, but I think its safe to say, I'm a lot more lenient when she's gone.

Kade's got a birthday party to go to Saturday, so I'll be taking him to that. We have to go b-day shopping tomorrow night. THAT should be interesting. I wouldn't be surprised if the B-day boy ended up getting a wrapped up bag of Doritos!

Not much new around here, other than Bobbie's trip. We've been watching a lot of the Olympics. It's about the only thing on TV that isn't offensive for little kids!

Everybody take care.

Happy Birthday VD!

Now she is a Princess!! Yes, Princess Rachael was crowned last night at the annual Geddes Fur Traders Queen and Princess Contest. She competed against 4 other girls for the princess title. She was very excited and said it was alot of fun!!!!

Any Latest Updates On Those Trail Riders?!!!

Tee Hee...Ter went to the local rodeo tonight at the Lyon County Fair with my son Dustin, Dust had tickets from work for the VIP section, Ter thought about wearing the famous Kriz Family Cowboy hat that has been circulating at the Kriz Family Christmas White Elephant but he backed out at the last minute and said he left it behind on purpose! What do you Kriz's think of that?! Pretty bad huh?! I personally think it would have been a hoot...but I have a warped sense of humor! Miss you all.

Here she is - the BIG 4-H winner!! Rachael received a purple on her Sunflower Seed cookies, pillowcase, beaded serving spoon, her goat "Oddy" and her goat showmanship!!! (The red ribbon was for photography - last minute project - we'll have to work on that catagory!!)

Happy Anniversary VD and Jilly!!

The riders are doing well

The last I heard mom and dad are having the time of their lives. They start the morning by moving the trailer to the next destination and then ride usually 15 to 20 miles. In the evening they have some sort of event, stories and history of the area they are staying at that night. I heard on the radio that they will be seeing old wagon tracks and tombstones of people that were buried along the trail. Sound interesting.
Its been a while since I have been on so when I seen all the pictures from the Kriz weekend it made me think of how lucky we are to have such a close and strong family even as we are spread out geographically. I thank God every day for my family.
Things around here has been busy. Zach ended his baseball season. The state tourney didn't go so well. They lost both games to get 7th or 8th. But they had a great season and we had fun watching him play ball. Rach is preping her goat for the 4H event next week. I was told we have to give it a hair cut today. That could be interesting. Jacob has been busy riding combine and trucks over harvest. He has been putting together scenario's for the future on who will be running what machine when he gets older. In each scenario Jacob always runs the semi.
Thanks to everyone for making the trip to the farm. We just have a blast when ever you guys come. And look forward to seeing you again.
Dave

Here is a picture of the trail riders. My parents took the picture at the beginning of the trail in Ft. Pierre.

Krizwold's cont'd

Krizwold's Summer Gathering

We had a blast while we were home in SD! Thanks for making it an awesome week for David and two weeks for me! It's always so hard to leave, as you all know! I miss everyone so much already, especially the kids, tweener, and teenager! I am so glad everyone made it home and Mother Nature was fairly cooperative. Hope all is well. Zach, how did the state tourney end up? Mom and Dad, have a great trail ride. Hope your rears aren't too sore after the loooooooon ride! Be safe! Happy B-day several days early mom!

Lots of love,

Jill and David

Thanks it was so much fun!

I would also like to say a huge THANK YOU to everyone for helping me out this weekend. Even though only one can tell me I know they all had a blast. Isabella has already asked me when can she go back to the farm. I know hauling around 3 kids keeps things interesting, and I know I could have never handled it all by myself. Thanks for everything. I promise to return the favor to whomever is next!

Since no one has added any pictures, I felt it was an obligation of mine. Thanks for coming home to visit us Jilly and Vegas Dave. We miss you already!

Just a quick note to thank

of you for the long trek here for last weekend. Dad and I always enjoy seeing the lot of you here together, and seeing all those little cousins playing together. It is quite a bunch!! Thanks also for the help with meals, dishes, and just generally managing the chaos. Jill and Vegas Dave, we so enjoyed your visit-- hope you found things in good order when you got home.

It actually is raining here and we are pretty much celebrating. I have lots to do, but think I'll set on the patio a bit and enjoy the downpour. The corn and beans will really lap this stuff up. Perfect timing- (Dad of course, predicted that it wouldn't rain- a good sign we are about to get a gullywasher).

The house is pretty darn quiet today!! Love, Mom

Kriz Family Weekend!

Thanks everyone for such a fun and wonderful weekend. Taylor talked about it most of the way home until she finally feel asleep!

Family, fun and great food! It couldn't have been better...except longer.

We love you all!

Terry, Tammy & Taylor

sniff... sniff... do I smell cheesecake?

Hey everybody -- figured I'd get on here and update y'all with what we've been up to. Let's see... Kade's winding down on his T-ball season -- he has one game left, but we'll be heading for the farm that weekend (July 18-20), so his actual last game was this past weekend.

He'd ordinarily would be crushed to miss a T-ball game, but a visit to the farm ranks right up there with the T-ball game and as we explained it to him "the fun at the farm last for 2 or 3 days, where the T-ball game is just an hour!" -- pretty smart, eh?

Bobbie and myself did something new -- we combined both our physical activity hobbies and competed in a duathlon in Lincoln. Bobbie did the running portion and I the biking portion. She started by running 2 miles, then tagged me and I biked 12 miles, then tagged her for another 2 mile run. There were 80-some competitors and 11 teams. Our team name, "The Wonder Pets" was given to us by Coach Kade (if you have kids under 5, you know the Wonder Pets).

Anyhoo, it was a great time and we brought home a medal for Coach, which was pretty cool. Actually, the best part was teaming up with Bobbie and hearing Kade cheer everytime I crested the big hill along the loop we rode. I hope to do it again, if my teamate is willing to let me ride her coattails.

Next up is a trip to the farm next weekend. We're all excited and ready for it. I understand a certain someone from Sin City is at the farm... a certain someone who makes great cheesecakes... a certain someone who just might make a cheescake while we're there... hmmm..... a certain someone that would not want to disappoint her 4-year old nephew (or his dad)...

See ya there!

The Great Pizza Cookoff

Kriz Family IRON CHEF...Let The Battle Begin!

and the race is on...

time is up.....

the finished pies....

time for the taste tests......

and the NEXT Food Network Stars are...

the father/daughter team of

Terry and Taylor Kriz

(sous chef - tammy kriz)