Happy Holidays!

A visit from the tree decorating elves

Wishes of Holiday Peace and Joy to All

Fall Came and Went

We're here.. yes we are.

I'd like to start blogging more again, but then I'm not sure where to start. That's what stops me in my tracks. I hate to leave anything out, but then I realize there will always be some things left out. So I'll just stay simple (that's what I shoot for anyway) and post a few tidbits that are present in my mind... or on my memory card...

So.... fall was upon us, as was Abbi's 15th birthday. 15! No way!


And other big news for her... yes, she's a permit driver



Alec and Abbi got to go to a Metallica concert in October and Clint, being the super cool guy that he is, agreed to take them.. (really thank you Clint! I couldn't have handled that group in concert!) They all returned from the concert with raspy voices and .. "IT WAS AWESOME AND AMAZING" eeping from their mouths. If they could have yelled it would have been in caps.



Also in October we met up with lots of friends in Isle of Palms, SC. Qacei Gold, Chloe and MJ Maier flew into the Atlanta area a few days before and so we were very lucky and got to enjoy them a bit before too. Here are some glimpses from those fun days.

Qacei and Kyra decided to get the Lincoln Logs out.. they're so fun!


Chloe was set for the drive to the beach with her Tomato Soup Chronicles! Can you tell we were packed to the gills.. (weird phrase but it fits..)





Beach time



Crabbing


And of course playing Bananagrams is a must!



And cross-dressing ...


Building a sand fortress... before the tide comes up.. hurry!!

Talking with good friends


Going to Where the Wild Things Are.. which we really liked.


And..saying our good-byes is always hard



We all had a great time.

I'm going to end this post here and next time I'll bring it all up to speed with Halloween, ARGH and now we're getting ready for a visit from Tim's parents.

Hope all is well with everyone out there, Life is still good here at the Traaseths :)

She's leavin' on a jet plane!

Big day here at the Traaseth's, Abbi is flying to Massachusetts today. She'll be staying with the Kream's for a while and also the Biegler/Yablonski crew; then she'll be going to Not Back To School camp (in Vermont). This is her first time and I hope she has a great experience. We have lots of friends who have had great times at this camp so we're pretty sure it's gonna be a good time. Abbi's really excited. She's flying without us, but not without a companion, her friend Logan will be joining her in Atlanta from FL so they'll be flying together (makes a mom's mind a bit more calm :)

While she's there she'll turn 15. Hope it's a wonderful time Abbi-doo!

This is an old picture, but I love it. I think it really captures her spirit :) Nothing like the Terminator motorcycle!

Of course it's about video games

Abbi brought this to my attention this morning and I thought it was pretty funny.

It lends itself to: "people, get it through your head, video games do not make people violent" it's a game.

Anyway, short and sweet :)

a few kudzu thoughts

Did you know that kudzu blooms? It's still a devastating plant but I was pleasantly surprised by these flowers, and since it's every where around me, it's nice to see the these little flowers.


When we wonder about what we'll do when Tim changes jobs I always say, "well, we could travel around with goats. For the kudzu!" ;) And then I could make some gjetost too! (it's pronounced Yaytoast) Kyra and I love it!

Drum inspiration

On the last blog post, Laura asked what music Alec was interested in now. I wanted to share this video. He loves this, it's Dream Theater. He still loves Metallica too, and will be going to their concert the beginning of October.






There are 104 time signature changes here, in under 6 minutes. (I think, that's what I read anyway, anyone, feel free to correct me, Alec?) There is also some ragtime music going on in that song, pretty cool. Of course we had to get some Scott Joplin up on YouTube after they pointed that out. :)

And here is Mike Portnoy, their drummer, explaining some of his part.




Another one of their songs is all about mental illness, that also lead to lots of discussion.

Sounds right

A lot of times when I have lots of things going on I really have a hard time sitting down and blogging. Yes, I'm busy, but mostly I have all these ideas swirling around in my head and I can't pick which ones to write about.

So tonight I'm going to do a simple little thing, tell you about some different sounds I've heard tonight. We've just returned from a trip down to Florida, which was wonderful, but I'm very tired. And when I'm tired I tend to be very sensitive (a surprise right?) I tend to hear, smell, and respond to everything, so here's what's swirling around me right now.

Popping sounds from Abbi clicking on different things on Sims3. She's just found a new challenge for that game, pretty interesting.. it's called the Legacy Challenge.

Snoring from Saddi, she was here in Gainesville while we were in Florida. She played and ran with our neighbors' dogs, she hasn't moved from this spot here by me since she came home, 5 hours ago!

Alec playing the drums downstairs, the real drums, and I can feel the vibration on my butt as I'm sitting in the kitchen. He wanted to start up drum lessons so we called a place and he loves the instructor. I'm so glad.

*blurp,blurp* The kids' cell phone making the noise it makes when a text comes through. Kyra has become the all around pro texter, she can text her best friend Samuel in TN for free, and lots of other friends. (if you're on Verizon, she can text ya!) Oh, and for those of you who didn't know we don't have our home line any more, we've gone to total cell phone usage.

Tim walking this way and that, carrying boxes from the garage, opening boxes and mumbling phrases to himself. Yes! He's getting ready to go out tomorrow morning to sell his new heart med, Go Tim!

And me? A cough. Kind of boring isn't it? But I've been coughing the last couple of days, don't know if it's allergies or just having too much fun with my friends. All I know is it's worth it!



This is a flower I saw this morning, it's a little vining flower, so pretty. I was a bit bummed that I didn't have my camera with me, I forgot it! But then I remembered my phone! Rock on :)

Our 4th Celebration

We went up to the Chattanooga area last week-end to celebrate the 4th and see some friends. The Haworths hosted us and the Bowmans and Aycocks joined in too. We had a great time.

Here are some of the kids.



We drove up to Foster's Falls on the 4th to swim and hang out in a swimming hole. The water was wonderful for us northerners. Finally cool water to feel refreshed in this warm water. Note: the swimming pool isn't cool anymore (in our neighborhood) and the lake by us feels like bath water! So we loved the cool water.

Walking to the swimming hole is quite the trek. It's down, down, down...

picture by Laura

and it's beautiful.

picture stolen from Laura

I did NOT like this bridge... Alec kept saying, "remember Donkey and Shrek Mom!" And all I could think of was.. "I DO NOT like platforms.. walkways that move.. EEK!"

another picture stolen from Laura

Sweet friends

guess who took this picture!

The picturesque refreshing swimming hole

Kelli took this picture! Wait! or Tim!

At the top again, just beautiful.




Then we went back to the Haworths and had some fireworks fun!



Silas casting a spell!



I love this one!


It was a great day.

The High Museum

Last week we went to the High Museum in Atlanta and had an amazingly great time. Not only did we marvel at the Monet exhibit, but we also were entertained by a jazz band at lunch. Also, while eating and enjoying the music we got the treat of a group of dancers who decided to stop by. I caught a little bit on video (with my new super phone!) You'll also see our friends Jake and Rachel with us. They visited us last week. We had a great time!




Abbi was in awe of the exhibit. The mural of Water Lilies was amazing.

Finding elbow room

They're still there but I have a feeling it won't be long now.

Look at the guy on the left, he's decided to find a little extra space on the pillar, out of the nest, don't fall buddy! And then look at the 2 on the right, the outside one has his wing around the other one. Close quarters will make you cozy up!


We keep jumping up on our chair that's in the piano room to check on our birds, wondering when they'll fly. We'll let you know when it happens :)

Soon to be leaving the nest

They grow so fast don't they?

And our kids too. I know people say it all the time and I'm one of them. It's so startling some days, usually when I'm seeing them the first time for the day it really strikes me.. can they have grown up this big already?

Alec is going to apply to Gamestop, I'm really excited for him. I think he'd be so awesome at helping people at a store like that. We've been talking about interviewing, what kind-of questions they might ask, what clothes to wear, those kinds of things. He's been practicing driving too which is a new feeling for me.. and another.. eek, he's old enough to do that??

He came up to me earlier this week and told me that he thought he was there. There??.. hmm.. I really wasn't sure what he was talking about but he told me he was feeling ready. I think maybe he was referring to some talks we had had the last couple of years when he would tell me he sometimes worried about jobs or the future. I would reassure him and tell him that I was pretty sure that he would figure out something and that it would come to him at the right time. I'd tell him that I thought he should keep doing what he loves and that I really believed that what he was doing would lead to something.

He also went on to say that he thought he was probably going to quit WoW, wanted to apply to Gamestop and he wanted to work on his handwriting. Wow! He said he's been thinking a lot and planning. He was excited and happy in telling me these things. What a cool kid :)


I did make a suggestion and say that he could keep his character around so he could play it casually if he wanted to, or .. maybe.. he would like to transfer over to the realm where the girls and I play! hehe...

I love these little realizations that our kids have, I feel so fortunate to be a part of their experience.

Need more shoulder room!

We were gone for the week-end and I wondered if our baby birds would be gone when we got back, but they're not! They do look like they'll be taking off soon though.

And... there are 5 up there!


We've discovered some interesting facts about these birds. Both parents feed them and sat on the nest when they were tiny or hatching. And the more interesting/gross fact -- the parent will keep the nest clean by grabbing birdy poo and flying away... efficient, but we were kind-of in a ... ewwww stage while watching.

Last week I was worried that they were going to fall out because they looked so unaware of their surroundings, kind-of wobbling around; now they seem to know right where they are, they even turn around when they have to do their duty, as to not get it in the nest.. only on my porch.

I think these 2 adult birds are BUSY..

Here are the babies wanting more food.

Daily Birdy Pics

You can almost see all 4




Feed ME!



Off to get more food.


And 2 of my babies. A sea of legs!

Baby birdies

The little family we've been watching. A little blurry but still so cute. Babies' heads resting on the edge of the nest, see them?


The nest is on the top of a post on our front porch.


I love watching birds. These ones are bluebirds, and that's new for us northerners. We didn't see many of them up in Minnesota.

Waiting for momma or daddy to return with food. There are 4 babies.

Early Saturday morning, Tim, Abbi and I trekked up to Helen GA. Helen is a town about an hour north of us that was built to resemble a German alpine village. Check out the buildings in the pictures, it's really fun visiting there, like a quick visit to Germany :)

But we weren't visiting Helen to look at the buildings or check out the quaint shops, we were there to see hot air balloons. The Helen to the Atlantic Balloon Race was going on and fortunately for us it had rained Thursday and Friday so the balloons were taking off on Saturday morning.



Abbi loved this group of balloons.



It was really cool to see.


After we got our fill of balloons we found a German cafe and had a yummy breakfast. I had fried battered apple slices that were so yummy.

Kyra funness!

How fun is Kyra?

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THIS FUN!




Now it's time for Sims 3

19 Years it is!

Tim and I have been married for 19 years today, wow! Time sure does fly :)

We've actually been together for a lot longer than that though. We met in gym class when we were 15. That's the first we talked anyway, I remember him from 8th grade Democracy class, he doesn't remember me though :P

We became friends then but weren't really that interested in each other. I thought Brian Stone was cute and he had nice legs. He was in between Tim and me, in our squads (group thingies). Tim had made a decision that he wouldn't date anyone until he turned 16 and could drive. So we knew each other but were just friends. We'd talk, but not a whole lot, I'm not much of a flirter and I wasn't much of a talker to boys.

So how did we get together? My friend Mindy was quite, let's say assertive :) I think she'd talk to Tim or have someone talk to Tim and say "you should ask Kelli Storsved out" and she'd say to me "I think you guys would make a great couple". I even remember laying by her at her house for a sleepover at that same time and get this.. I say "I think Tim and I would have really cute kids!" And she replies "Yes!" I'm crazy aren't I? Not even dating the guy but having his kids???

Well, needless to say, we were right, I think my kids are pretty ding-dang cute.

So I'm thankful to Mindy and to Tim for asking me out. He made the move :) although he wasn't the one to make the move for our first kiss!

This isn't our first, it's at our groom's dinner. Aren't we cute?


Happy Anniversary to my honey, I'm so glad you're in my life.

Ready, Set, Goin' to MN

We're getting ready to go to Minnesota. We'll be flying up there tomorrow afternoon. It's been almost a year since we've been back, more accurately, it'll be a year the beginning of July, a long time anyway, for us to not see a lot of our family and friends.

We'll be flying into Minneapolis, visiting with friends and family. So excited to meet my new great niece.. or is it grand niece? Anyway, my niece and her husband had a baby girl so that's one priority we have.. SEE.. NEW... BABY! :) Then we'll head up to Grand View Lodge which is a resort in Brainerd MN, and hang out with most of Tim's family. We're all anxious to see family and enjoy the lakes in that area. There's also a very cool pool house that we enjoy too.

Memorial Day we'll head over to the Fargo-Moorhead area to stay there through the week. Hopefully we'll see more family and friends while there too. Fun fun!

Have a great Memorial Day weekend everyone and it's back to packing for me!

Time to Drive!

We're pretty excited. Alec passed his permit test today and we're about to go out and drive! Wahoo!