Don't Faint

I finally got this to work. I think my computer was blocking my ability to get on the blog but after being the stubborn person that I am figured out how to resolve the problem. I knew I could do it! I am not a very computer savvy person!
It has been months, I know! The funny thing is that not much has changed. Dave is working way to many hours, comes home exhausted, working 7 days a week. He is going to work himself sick. He comes home and falls asleep in the chair minutes after sitting down. Tanner has developed a deep appreciation of how hard Dave works, he is also working at the sod farm laying sod. At first Tanner viewed it as a way of getting paid to lift weights in exchange of going to the gym and getting his workout, but when it is humid and your underwear sticks to everything and the dust is so far up your nose that you can't breath, he began to develop second thoughts of his choice for work. He is determined not to let Dave down and make it through the summer but is not sure that he wants to do it again next summer although the money is very good. Tanner claims that the only good thing about the dust so far up his nose is that he can't smell anyone next to him on the steamy rides home. (haha) Mitchell is simply enjoying being an 8 year old this summer with no responsibilities at all except Katie (the dog). As for me, works is picking up some, the construction slow down had us to less than 1/2 staff with the electricians and although we have not hired anyone back yet, we are seeing a small but positive change.
The next event for me to plan is Missi's shower for the Kuoppala side of the family, I was originally looking at September 15th but saw that Becky may be planning something that weekend as well in connection with Eric's wedding. The 22nd would work ok as well if that date works for Missi. Becky, you will need to let me know when you confirm Eric's plans and we will go from there.
Who is staying where for the wedding??? Does everyone have plans of when they are arriving and where they are staying for Ivan and Missi's wedding?
Sorry we have been so out of touch with everyone, I hate to say the "w" word but I am ready for winter! Things slow down then and Dave's life gets back to normal and I don't have to try and keep the boys quiet constantly(smiles). We need rain!!! A lot of rain!!!
I am still working on my list of things to do before I am 50 but I haven't checked to many off yet....but am plugging away!
Take Care All!!
See you in October
Farmington Kuoppala's

Ivan and Missi

Hey everybody! I hope everyone is having a great summer and enjoying the outdoors. Ivan and I are going camping this weekend with our friends Sandy and Gary, and Sandy's family. We have done this for the past few years and have a lot of fun. I have been going to this campground since Sandy and I were kids, so it has a lot of great memories for the both of us! I am taking Friday off so that we can have a long weekend!

I think I may have written about this before, but incase I havn't... I now take care of the two older girls Sarah ( almost 7), Molly (almost 5), then a baby boy, Brendan (10 months), from a different family. Well, this past weekend the newest to-be-member of my little "daycare" was born. In September I will be getting little Ms Anna Sophia! It is going to be a lot of work trying to carry around a baby and a soon-to-be toddler, but it is going to be fun! I still miss the other baby girl I had, Paisley, but I hear she is doing good! I get regular emails and pictures from the family, and they will be coming back for a visit in October!!!!

Well, Ivan is working hard, at his golf:-) He has been very excited lately because he has been getting his score lower than ever before. He now refers to golf as his "work," and he "works" a lot. He is enjoying himself and having a wonderful experience he will never forget.

Both Ivan and I are working hard to keep the lawn and gardens looking nice. We are learning that we have a pretty nice green thumb. Although I found out I killed a bunch of Day Lillies in the back corner of the yard. I did this on purpose because I could not remember seeing them ever flower, so I thought they were weeds. Ivan sprayed the, a lot, with weed killer, then we planted grass. Later I realized that there were more of these plants on the side of the house, but they were blooming. Oh well, we now have a little bit more lawn to mow. Ivan has been plucking crab grass and other weeds keeping the lawn nice, now if we could just get some rain!

Ivan is almost done with everything at my boss' house. He now has built them a new garage, sodded the front and back yard, built a deck with a wall/privacy thing, planted 7 Arborvitaes, filled in beside and behind the garage with rock, and build a beautiful 2-tiered planting bed. Wow! I don't know what my boss would have done without him! The backyard is so beautiful now, and it is mostly all Ivan's work!

Well, I should get back to work! Have a great summer!
~MISSI~ (and Ivan)

Where is everybody?

Have I chased you away? I am finally starting to check the blog more often and am finding very little activity. How is everyone? Let's hope summer is keeping you outside and away from the computer.

At suppertime, we try to do "Brag & Bummer." One person starts by sharing something from their day. If it is a positive thing for them, they call it a brag; if it isn't so great, they call it a bummer. After sharing, they pick someone to go next. We continue until everyone has had a chance to share.

How about a Kuoppala round of Brag & Bummer about the summer to this point? I will start with one of each.

Ok, I can't limit it to one brag. Eric and Rosie's engagement and upcoming wedding is a brag for me. So is our trip to Toronto for Summer Services and the company we have had. I have to add the weather to my brag list. ....My bummer is that my job is at a low point (hopefully the lowest it will get). I am finding it difficult to go to work and difficult to keep a smile on my face.

Your next!
-b

Technology

I have finally joined the technology of the more recent past. I finally got a digital camera last night. I'm working on practicing with pictures, then will practice with how to get them onto the blog. Before long, you'll be seeing so many pictures of my goats, cows, geese, chickens, dogs, cats, ... you'll think your seeing the Hobby Farm blogspot =)

We are going to have a fun weekend. Tom, Steph, and kids are coming up tonight, Jen tonight or tomorrow. Should be a lot of fun.

How is everyone else doing?

Heather

Quail

We have watched these little critters from the time they started walking. Have tried many times to get pictures of them. Today I tried again. They have taken to hiding out in the "bowl" around my new trees. I imagine there are nice juicy munchies from all the watering the tree gets. Will try for better pics again ... today I got these. They aren't remotely close to "photographer quality" photos ... but for Anita quality .. I did pretty good with that manual button!

The Marjanens

Well ... let's see. Shall we go forward from the beginning .. or shall we start with yesterday ...
Jari went to Finland for 10 days, leaving the 22nd of June and coming home on the 4th of July. He was able to meet folks he hasn't met, experience the food and culture of the country he was born in, and enjoy suviseurat for the first time. It was a bit of an exhausting trip. He was ready to come home by the time he did. That is good!

While he was gone we did things like:

1) mom went to work occasionally

2) mom drove kids all over creation

3) we all cleaned house frantically on the days we had showings

4) we listened to numerous books on tape

5) mom quilted, and quilted, and quilted some more

6) we visited

7) we had friends over

8) mom never made it around to baking dad some pulla before he came home :(

9) we played MANY games of Settlers

10) we went exploring!

Alyx, Brock, Anna & Tia had never seen the Grand Canyon. We have talked about doing it for the past year and just never managed it. So, last weekend we spent on the road. On Saturday we visited the Canyon. It was HOT. We visited 2 overlook spots and the kids were DONE! I was a bit fried. Wondering why on earth I ever thought this could possibly be an important thing to do. Ugh. They never even saw Grand Canyon Village or the head of the Bright Angel Trail! Oh well. We did do the IMAX .. it was delightfully cool in there.

We spent Saturday nite in the town of Williams. We ate pizza that was yummy and learned that the town has a re-enacted cavalry band that marches through the town (I think) 5 nites a week. They also have a cowboy shootout in the street those nites. The town is so sweet! Am going back for an entire weekend sometime soon. Oodles of cute little shops and fun historic things. It is known as the Gateway to the Grand Canyon and is where the train trip starts if one wants to do that kind of thing. Kids were anxious to go swimming at the motel ... so we cut our town sightseeing a bit short. To find out that the pool was not heated and it was quite chilly. Tia did a fair amount of swimming .. the others walked to Dairy Queen .. and came back with a dozen beautiful roses for me!! How sweet they are.

Sunday we ventured to the Grand Canyon Caverns. The only association with the Grand Canyon is that the air inside of the caverns comes all the way from the Grand Canyon. 56 degrees year round at 21 stories beneath the earth. Quite neat .. my second trip there.

Then off to Montezuma's Well to tramp around in 117 degree weather. Would recommend seeing these places at a cooler time of the year. I skipped Montezuma's Castle. Was tired of opening a wallet constantly .. maybe some other time.

Stopped at Juha & Annette's for a nice visit. The house across the road has a pond that the kids were able to go swimming in. They went for Rhino (no .. not the animal kind) rides and we all had a good time. Then back home. We had Anika Wuollet with us for the weekend .. she flew home on Monday. Brock spent Monday at a water park birthday party .. Anna & Tia went somewhere for the nite. And the rest of the week came rolling right along.

4th of July. We cleaned house/yard in the morning for what was suppose to be a "between 10:30 and noon" showing. At 12:20 I texted the realtor with a what's up message. Oops they can't make it. Will be there on Thursday instead. House got clean anyway. After grocery shopping and salad making ... and a 20 minute shut eye for me .. we went to a BBQ at Vic & Mindy Andersons. A houseful of folks there. Joni and Ami w/family, Jeff and Mona w/Nora, Becca, and many others. Was a fun day of visiting. Came home, picked up a cooler and munchies. Had this bright idea that we would pick up Jari from the airport and watch fireworks from the top level of the parking garage. Bad idea. Am happy no one else joined us. It was incredibly disappointing. Marvelous to see hubby/dad come home. His luggage didn't come with him tho', so was going to have to make it through an entire work day on Thursday without any good Finn licorce or chocolate. What a challenge!! After watching the airport dud fireworks we hit the freeway and drove under them. That was better. We all decided that fireworks without the sound are just not the same. We were way too far away for any kind of stunning display.

Today is Thursday. I made it through a day of work with a bunch of nutty people. Full moon is past ... I think the remnants of the full moon are all with us as patients. I am getting progressively closer to transfering to hospice. Jari's luggage came today. Glad we don't have to go clothes shopping. Chocolate ... licorce ... iitala ... marimekko ... lots of fun prizes.

Hoping to see you all sometime soon. If the house doesn't do something marvelous like selling ... we'll see you up there the end of July or beginning of August sometime. Will keep you posted.

OOPS

That's frustrating. It didn't post, so wrote up a new one. Even closed out and it still came on there later. I guess it shows how I may tend to be repetetive?
Heather

Happy 4th of July

How was your 4th of July?

Here is was a little busy. Several of us are working with the Horizons program and had floats in the parades to advertise and recruit. Tuesday: work, parade in Gilbert, fireworks in Eveleth. Wednesday: parade in Eveleth, BBQ at someone's house, chores at home, fireworks in Virginia.

We have a new addition to our home. One of our cattle had a calf yesterday. His name will either be Sam or Independence being as he chose to become independent on Independence Day. Momma was with the other cattle, but they moved closer to the house and she was out across the field. Got the other animals into their pens: 10 goats, 3 geese, 1 horse, and 10 other cattle. Went out there and she had done well. Later checked on her again and she appeared to be feeding the little guy. This morning we went out and she and baby continue to be doing well. Let's hope that they both do okay until one of us has a chance today to get home and check on them. She did amazingly well for her first calf and she never should have been bred as she is too small. She was bred when we got her from a sale and we didn't know it.

Would love to hear what the rest of you did for the 4th of July!
Heather

It's Independence Day!!!

How was your 4th of July?

We had a busy one here. For the Horizons Project that several of us are involved in, we had a float in the Gilbert and Eveleth parades. It was a lot of fun. First time I've ever been in a parade. So, Tuesday - work, Gilbert parade, Eveleth fireworks. Wednesday - AM parade in Eveleth, BBQ at someone's house, home to do chores, then fireworks in Virginia.

We have a new addition to our house. One of our cattle had a calf last night. I plan to call him either Independence or Sam seeing as how he gained his independence on Independence Day. Momma did really well for this being her first calf. We didn't have to help her, she was just walking around the field eating grass and later, she was still across the field when the others moved toward the house. Got all the lovely animals into pens (10 goats, 3 geese, 1 horse, and 10 other cattle). Got out there and momma and baby were doing okay. We gave her some time to do what she needed to do, checked back later and it appeared that she had fed the little guy so we went to sleep. This morning, out to check on them, stood the calf up and Momma continues to be caring for him. Lets hope it goes well today during the day until one of us gets home from work to check on them. This momma is proud of the new momma as she was way too young and small to be bred anyway - she was bred when we got her. I will have to get some pictures of them to post at some point. I'm going to wait until she is a little less likely to charge us to our death in order to protect her baby. She is still a bit possessive.

Would love to hear what others did to celebrate our wonderful country on Independence Day.

Heather

Michelle's Graduation

She did it! And a good job of it too :) A comment during the party from someone looking at the display wall asked, "What internet site did you go to find those awards and certificates? We could use some!" She has been blessed with both brain and energy. Hopefully she can continue to use them both constructivly. The following thoughts by Richie Cusick come to mind when thinking of Michelle:

My spirit takes flight -

How it soars!

How it sings!

as it rides on a dream,

as it opens its wings...

How it searches each cloud

for a soft silver lining,

And follows horizons where

new hopes are shining...

My spirit flies high - I am fearless and free -

to express, to explore, to begin to be me.

We are fortunate to have grandparents attending our kid's graduations!

Can you believe we have three adult children already? Three that are done with high school?

Thanks for sharing her day either in person or in thought. It means alot to us.

HAPPY GRADUATION

CONGRATULATIONS MICHELLE!!!

Really wish we could have been there. Can't wait to hear about the party and see some pictures posted on the blog of you in the cap and gown.

Heather

Those were the days...

Oh, the days when we could just pretend!
These girls love to do
skits and dress up in all kinds of garb.
Eric has donated his school uniforms to the cause.

More Projects!

Recognize these guys? Tom and Ken put up Hardi-plank (or something like that) siding on the north side of our house as a fundraiser for the new Elk River congregation that we are a part of.
We have 3 crews that do building projects as fundraisers. This was a pretty small job and the two had a couple slow days, so did it on their own. They work for the same outfit along with brother-in-law, Dean. He is the head of the building crews and does a great job organizing and managing projects. We still need to do the old part of the back, but need to wait until the financial kitty has something in it to work with. It worked out really slick doing the north side this way. Wayne hasn't been home long enough to do it and it really was in desparate need of getting done. The funds will be used for land and church construction when we get to that point. Wayne tore off the old stuff before heading west. I found a drop site where I was able to get rid of it for $15 - and they unloaded it for me! Can't beat that! Now we need to find a warm, dry, still day that Wayne is home to paint the front and the new side of the house. Jenny, don't expect it to be done before you get here :-) -b

Eric & Rosella

Here they are, Seattle bound... Off to visit her family and work on wedding plans. Getting them to the airport for 5 a.m. was a bit early for this night owl, but I didn't have to fight traffic. There wasn't enough light at that time of the morning to get any decent pictures, but it was the first opportunity to try get pictures to share with all of you. Eric has a pretty cool one from Jay Cooke the day they got engaged. It is a silhouette of Rosie's face with her hand and ring visible and the water and rocks in the background. Hopefully he will post it here when they get back :-) They have picked Friday, August 31st as their big day. Tentatively they are planning to get married in her parent's back yard (a gorgeous and immaculate yard) with a reception at the church in Seattle. We will have a reception here also (possibly September 16th) since we know many won't be able to make it out there. Most details are still in the planning stages, other than that Nolan is Eric's best man and her sister Becky is her maid of honor. They won't be having any other attendants. She likes a deep red, but doesn't know yet if that is realistic for that time of year. One of the many details they hope to get taken care of while in Seattle. I am pumped to hear some of you are hoping to get there!!! We won't be able to make a lengthy trip, but plan to drive and be gone about a week. Michelle is flying, going ahead to spend some time with Justin and his family, and then landing here with just enough time to get a few winks of sleep before school starts. The rest of us will likely be piled in the rig with our trailer in tow. Would love to meet up with anyone that is driving for a night of camping somewhere if schedules/plans coincide. ....When Wayne gets back in town, we will spend some time with a calendar in one hand and a map in the other. He has been in Eugene Oregon for a couple weeks, making it tough to do so far. By the way, while there, he was able to go to Longview for the weekend. He was able to attend Justin's graduation, making Michelle quite envious. He also got a taste of Phil J's bread and pizza made in his hearth oven and will probably be stacking bricks to make one when he gets home. He has wanted to build one for some time. I could hear the drool as he was describing Phil's baking. ...Ok, enough rambling. -b

fathers

To Isa and all the other fathers....Hope you have a happy fathers day!!! May your day be filled with love and laughter!
Love, Frans & Jenny

Lindsey's birthday!

Guess who's 6 today??

Lindsey had some friends over for the afternoon, then tonight we had Anita, anna & tia, my mom and dad, my sister Lori and her kids, and my sister in law Audra and her two over for cake too! It was a fun day for everyone! Lot's of swimming, and after being in the sun all day, they were out as soon as there heads hit the pillows! Here are some pictures, then I'm off to bed:)

Howdy Everyone!

Congrats to Eric and Rosie!

Eric... I hope you savored the doughnuts, some of the last you can eat in a relaxed state before its a job requirement :-)

I havn't posted for a while, but I do try to skim through the blog and catch up by reading about everything that everyone else is writing about, even though I'm not posting much of anything.

From the "old man" riding the "metal mulisha" honda (I'll line up to watch the metal mulisha backflip), to all the work being done on the house in AZ... to vacationing on the 'range... Everyone looks like they are keeping busy :-) hmpf I don't have any pictures to put up though...

So... I'm just gonna say "HOWDY"

Charlie

CONGRATULATIONS!!!

Many congratulations to Eric and Rosie on your engagement! This is such an exciting time for you guys, and we are so happy for you! Thanks for calling us with the news:)
Love, The AZ Kuoppala clan

Happy Wednesday!

Today marks the last day of the school year for our girls! As usual, it has been a busy last several weeks with Science Fairs and Concerts, finals for Alyx, and the usual hubub. It has been a while since I added anything on the blog ... will see what kind of pictures I can drum up!

I saw this cute idea for teacher gifts for the end of the year. Filled $1 large teacher mugs with classroom staples. The idea I saw had attached a gift card to an office supply or bookstore. I'm too cheap for that one!

The boat left our posession on Monday. A sad day in this household. However, should we end up staying here .. Jari is busy shopping on e-bay and Craigs List for another one. I assured the kids to have no worries .. we will be around water should we stay if the house doesn't sell.

The house. Yesterday a realtor showed the house for the 3rd time to a couple. Not sure who they are looking at it for. They have kids at ASU .. I don't care who lives in the house .. just buy it from me. The boat I wanted someone to love. Am I odd? The house I really don't care. Our "home" travels with us and is where we live and love .. it isn't in these four walls. Besides, I only have thousands of pictures of this abode .. I have mega scrapbooking to do when/if we finally leave. The common complaint with this house has been the view across the alley. They don't like the metal part added to the garage of the house across the way. So we went to the nursery and ordered trees to block the view. If we stay I get to enjoy the trees. If it helps to sell the house, that would be great. Murphy's Law came to visit the day we ordered and paid for the trees. Some goofy tree trimmers trimmed the neighbors nice trees that added shade to our yard and sort of hid his house. Can you believe this trim job?? They must have been straight off the coyote wagon or something. Obviously haven't been trimming for any length of time. Either that or they are incredibly short folks and can't see how nasty this looks. Can't win it seems. Today Brock and I get to work on digging some holes. The tree folks will plant the trees, but we are also lining a block wall with some orange, drought resistant (necessary for me) foliage. Ought to look good when they're in.

Jari is going to Finland in several weeks. He has been talking about it for several years. Says he wants to. Then says he really doesn't care. He is going this time. Ticket showed up yesterday via Express Mail. He will be in Helsinki the Sunday before Suvis, stay through suviseurat and come home the following Wednesday. No. I don't have any interest in going on this trip. This is a meet the family expedition. He will be brought from one house to the next .. meet so many cousins/aunts/uncles that let's hope he remembers their names when he gets off the plane! Someday I'd love to tour Finland .. not yet. The East Coast, Hawaii, Ireland and a few other places are beckoning first. There is that catamarran cruise in the Caribbean .. aaaaahhhhhh.

Other than that folks .. I've hauled out fabric this week and am working on a few projects. It is so much fun. Haven't had the opportunity to do that in a long time. Am also working on Alyx's Christmas stocking. The last one I have to do!!! When those are done it will be time to haul out some paint brushes and see if I can paint a thing or two. Summer without home schooling is truly a vacation.

To work I must go .. laundry, floors, beds etc. Have a great week everyone! Will post Memorial Day weekend camping pics later.

-a

Happy Birthday in June!

I will probably forget to post later so i will just post a Happy Birthday to all the birthdays in June! so Happy 18th Birthday Michelle on June 6th and Happy 6th Birthday Lindsey on June 12th! hope you both enjoy your birthdays a lot! -debbie