Slesk Family

discovering my inner Martha

2010-12-18T16:19:00.000-08:00

This plan has been in my head for a couple of years and now it is becoming a reality.
We are re-doing our bed room and are anxious to see the final results which are still a few days/weeks away, but here is the progress to date.....
(Sorry, no 'before' pictures so just visualize ugly and outdated in your head)

Actually, I found a couple of pictures to use as 'before' pictures, so you don't have to trouble yourself with visualing. Here is ugly and out dated before your eyes.

Old bed and "window treatement"

original window trim

Current state..........

New Bed

New doors-trimmed but unpainted Windows decently trimmed and ready for public consumption

This is the schematic for the wall unit that will be built on the bed wall

Knock list still remaining:
wall unit installed
trim to be finished
bedding to be found/bought
shower curtain and rug for bathroom

2010: Another Banner Year

2010-09-30T08:32:00.000-07:00

Where it all began almost 30 years ago.
(notice Heath's face)
Vancouver BC at the Olympics

There have been many fun and rewarding experiences this year.
I am not a great photo documenting type person, but here is a representative
example of some of the best things in life.

The Five (so far) Grandkids.
5 wiggly kids + 100 photos = 1 usable shot
you can still see how amazing adorable they are!

Miss Elli Jae on her birthday.
about 10 minutes old.

Ellie and her family on her Blessing Day

Ellie and Harper-bound to be best of friends.

I just love this shot. Avery and Heath already best of friends.

Grady and Heath - here let me help ya

Eli and Grady came to see Tait and the Trojans in Yakima at the State Basketball championships. Trojans took 2nd. We were proud.

Good sport, Tait!

We take everyone and anyone who dares to the Oyster Dome. A 6 mile round trip kick your hynie hike. Come and join us!! Here we are with Ryan Walker and Eric and John Hoyt.

A random walk thru summer......

2009-09-01T16:37:00.000-07:00

Trek (our 'family')

the "hill"

Tait with his 'family'

our 'wheels'

ma and pa slesk

beautiful Avery

Handsome Heath

Groovin' Grady (he is table dancing)

Six Sisters
Kristen! we never got a picture when you were here :(

Mt Baker beckons all who are brave enough to
join us

Picture time... rarely the attention of all 3

We got lucky

Grady takes Washington (and us) by storm!!

2009-05-31T19:55:00.000-07:00

We were so happy that it worked out as it did. Eli and Brittany wanted to go to Hawaii. (who wouldn't?) Knowing, as I did, that you cannot fly from SLC to Hawaii direct, I asked, quite nicely, if they would fly thru Seattle and we would meet them when they flew in and take Grady for them (or was it really for us?--you decide) for a week. What a week we had. He was a joy to have. We find that when we have the little ones around we all smile all day long and look forward to getting together all the more to be amused, entertained and smiled at. He didn't disappoint. We got to read all the favorite old books (Spooky Old Tree, Little Critter) that Tait won't let us read to him anymore. :( We got to be greeted every morning and after every nap with excitement and a smile! We missed him even before we had to give him back.
Advice: Don't kill your kids before you get your reward :) they are the means of getting that reward. Being Grandparents is the greatest reward. WE LOVE THESE LITTLE CRITTERS and can't WAIT for MORE!! to come our way. (Take that as no small hint)

A boy and a dog. A bit tentative at first, but they grew on each other.

Always a smile.

Always a smile and a ball! Yes, he is hamming it up for the camera here.

The Takedown----I love how he is all in!
Might there be a future in wrestling? For Grady, I mean, Avery wasn't so thrilled.

Learning the skills.

Outdoor time with Avery.

The Classic Pose.
Basketball is his #1 passion right now.

We love you Grady and miss you.
See you soon.
Amma, Papa, Tait and Emily

California

2009-05-07T22:44:00.000-07:00

California here we came!

Uncle Tait and Heath hanging out.

Avery and Heath got reaquainted on Heath's turf.
They generally got on pretty well.
Best pics are on Katy and Natasha's blogs.

Don't you just love that smile?

I like the hand action in this picture. He looks like a real pro.
Banging on noisy metal things is right up his alley.

Heath and G-Pa just can't get enough of each other.
Billy has always sung the Primary 'Hello' song to Heath since
birth and Heath always responds with a big smile.

I say it every time....'those eyes...those
dark chocolate eyes.....'

M-I-C-K-E-Y M-O-U-S-E,
our newest Mousketeer

Heath loves his daddy!

Isn't this picture great?

G-Pa and Heath had to be surgically separated when we left.
They are such buds!
We also got to spend time with Katy, Paul and Avery.
It was a great time to have a couple of the grandkids together.

Next blog.....Grady takes Washington by Storm!!

Ahhhh....Spring Break.

2009-04-15T10:37:00.001-07:00

In Utah.....

...with our favorite Utahns...
(do we bore?)

While in Utah, we....

...started walking

....took baths.....

....ate lemons....

.....got to know each other.

...and had a good time!
Thanks, Eli and Brittany, for your hospitality, your time, for sharing Grady and providing the pictures. (Bad Amma for forgetting her camera)

What did your elf bring you today?

2009-03-13T13:52:00.000-07:00

I pulled in my driveway and found that I was the proud new owner of one of dad's latest creations. What a thrill! Now I will have Billy and Tait drag it endlessly around 5 acres til I find 'just the right spot'.
Thanks Dad! I love it!

Heath comes a-visitin'

2009-02-15T16:57:00.001-08:00

(and mommy and daddy to) :)

He loves...Papa

....Eating......

....piano lessons......

.....and Avery

.......oh, and Amma too (not pictured)

Indulge me

2008-12-31T17:38:00.000-08:00

Cousins

Grady and Avery getting to know one another

Avery and her new toy.

Billy and Emily at Christmas Adam

Eli and Brittany

Aunt Emily

Grady and Amma

Creative Kids

2008-12-31T17:25:00.000-08:00

I wanted to share the fun Christmas gifts that Billy and I got from our ever amazing kids.
We admire the creativity behind these gifts.

Natasha and Josh sent us this cute NOEL that Natasha painted.
I love nativity scenes and this is a fun way to display it.

Katy and Paul were the brains behind this sign. It will hang at the entrance of the garden or on the greenhouse, I think.

Eli and Brittany put this magnetic board together and made a scrapbooked page with the grandkids on it for each month of the year. It hangs over the desk where we will see it daily.

Belated Christmas Greetings

2008-12-31T17:19:00.001-08:00

Next years Christmas card??......NO!
We hope you all had as wonderful a Christmas as we did.

White Christmas....just as it should be.

2008-12-31T16:58:00.000-08:00

Mother Nature was kind to us this day.

Blizzard.....what blizzard??

2008-12-17T15:10:00.000-08:00

Gail posted their 'blizzard' on her blog.
So I HAD to answer. And now for your viewing ....and listening pleasure....
.

Happy 16th Birthday Tait

2008-12-12T15:49:00.001-08:00

We can hardly believe our 'baby' is 16!
It's been 16 years of fun watching him grow and develop into the fine young man he is.
We love you!

Country life...

2008-11-21T15:00:00.000-08:00

Now THAT'S one-stop shopping!

More on Tait.....

2008-11-16T10:09:00.000-08:00

Same game, different newspaper.

http://www.lyndentribune.com/node/3648

Givin' Tait his due....

2008-11-11T13:55:00.000-08:00

Tait had the opportunity recently to QB his varsity football team in a post season play-off game against Coupeville. Just sending on the nice article that the Bellingham Herald wrote on his performance.

Go Tait! Go Trojans!!

http://www.bellinghamherald.com/highschools/story/655257.html

Tag...I'm it...twice

2008-10-21T18:00:00.000-07:00

Where we met: Officially at the home of mutual friends. We had actually met before, but neither of us had remembered it til years later.

How long we dated before we got hitched: 4 months

How long have we been married: 27 years, 3 months and 4 days.

What's my fav feature about him: his sweet eyes

What's my fav quality about him: he is kind and loves me

What's his nickname for me: My Love

His fav color: don't think he has one

His fav food: not picky, he eats anything I make. A good steak always will work though

His fav sport: Baseball

Who said the L word first: He did...in French...

First kiss, when and where: After one of our dates, can't remember when or where now. How sad.

Fav couple thing to do: We like to hike together, and bike and garden and travel and have our kids here with us talking and playing

How many kids: Five really wonderful, sweet, special precious people

His hidden talent: 60 minute bread? He is a great pruner of fruit trees. I love that he likes to prune all 50+ of them.

His age: 50 and looking great!

His fav music: Classic Rock. Classical. And I am sure he loves my Christmas music in September :)

What I admire most about him: He really cares about me and the kids and wants us to be happy. He will doing anything for that. He works hard for us.

His fav pastimes: being with me and our kids. Sudoku, hitting golf balls in the back yard

Will he read this: Maybe :)

Eight TV shows I like to watch:
1. The Office
2. If These Walls Could Talk
3. Divine Design
4. Semi-Annual Conference
5. History Channel stuff
6. That's about it, I don't watch too much TV
7.
8.

Eight things that happened yesterday:
1. Ran 5 miles
2. Did Laundry
3. Cleaned the house
4. Put a blog together (not posted yet)
5. Read
6. picked Tait up from school (he didn't feel well)
7. Made a yummy pizza
8. watched Oceans 13

Eight favorite places to eat:
1. Home
2. Black Forest
3. Mikanos
4. Cafe Rio
5. Yes Coldstone counts
6. Tacanos (sp)
7. Cheesecake factory
8. The top of a mountain

Eight things I am looking forward to:
1. Natasha and Josh and Heath coming in 2 weeks
2. Eli and Brittany and Grady coming at Christmas
3. Katy and Paul and Avery coming to visit
4. More Grandkids :)
5. Our next date
6. A trip to Austria
7. Our next hike
8. Christmas

Oktoberfest 2008

2008-10-20T16:34:00.000-07:00

Start with one clear, crisp Autumn day and nothing can go wrong!

We invited our wonderful family to join us at Slesk Acres (reservations accepted) for a day of Cider making, Greenhouse raising, face painting fun. The challenge was accepted by the very brave Knoblich, Brock, Anderson, Johannesen and Lewis families.

The guys dove into the greenhouse operation right away and made amazing progress throughout the afternoon. Thanks to their diligent work we now have a structure that is 3/4 of the way done.

Cider was being pressed as soon as we could get a strong arm to crank for us. Thanks Alan. He has one ripped bicept to be sure!

The kids set right to making sugar cookie creations, scary spiders and had face painting done by the very talented Miss Emily.

The sandbox turned out to be a favorite place for all the under 12's.

A field trip was undertaken to the Appel Farm (a dairy) and Boxx Berry Farm for a 'tractor' ride for the kids. (Missy, Allison, Karen and Mom all went with the kids on the field trip so they have all the pictures.)

Lastly, we made and feasted German Potato Salad and had Polish Dogs and, of course, gallons of freshly pressed apple cider.

Thanks for all who came and made it a success. I know I had a great time and hope you all did too. (Thanks, also, to Katy who took all the pictures for me)

A heap o' livin...

2008-10-05T18:48:00.000-07:00

Everyone already knows all our news, but I have not officially blogged it, therefore, you don't officially know it. Or something like that. So here goes..... Avery Rose Behan arrived June 22. A little angel from heaven. Mama and baby did well and Paul was on cloud nine

Heath Ryan Holmquist arrived 'right on time' July 28th. Mama and baby did just fine. Josh called within a couple hours of birth and was able to hear his baby boy cry. Another slice of heaven.

The babies were blessed on Aug 3rd.

Emily spent 3 weeks on an awesome Church History trip that took her across the US and back.

Tait went on a 50-miler in the Cascades with his quorum

Eli and Grady came to visit us for a week in September! Finally, all 3 grandkids together and all 5 kids together too! Who can resist naked babies?

or a pile of babies?

or sleeping babies?

We 'managed' to fit in a Husky game..

and a hike to Fragrance Lake (recognize it Cheryl?)

And finally, we took a week and drove Natasha and Heath to California to help her get set up for when Josh arrived on Sept 15th. Can you say instant bond? It was and it was a sweet moment for father and son.

and of course, Disneyland is a must when in Southern California

Obviously much more happened this past Summer and these are the highlights, nonetheless, life is very full, busy and blessed.

A pumpkins version of fence 'sitting'

2008-09-27T23:09:00.000-07:00

Something about this pumpkin made me think of commitment. (Ouch)

2/3rds of Heaven

2008-08-06T15:14:00.001-07:00

Avery and Heath were blessed on Sunday.
We wished Grady was here so we could have a
complete picture.

Support your local Marine

2008-07-11T14:10:00.000-07:00

We are proud of our servicman!

Emily+Graduation = Official Adult :)

2008-07-11T14:03:00.001-07:00

The much anticipated day arrived, the parties, the robes, the processional practice and now the culmination! Happy Day!
Congrats Emily. We love you!

Emily is currently on her Church History tour and will be home Aug 4th.

Meeting Grady

2008-06-13T16:30:00.000-07:00

June 7th. We finally got to meet Grady Tait Slesk in person. Eli met us at the door and handed him to me and said he was ours for the next 3 days. We (I) loved that!
I held him every chance I could. He has large blue eyes and is so alert when he is up and manages to make 100 funny faces as he drifts off to sleep. Life is sweet!
Here's a sampling of Grady:

Emily= Official Adult

2008-05-25T16:20:00.001-07:00

June 6th is my Graduation!! Hopefully I can hold out until then. That was a waste of 13 years. Right? HA! I'm onto bigger and WAY better things. For the next 6 months or so I plan on working my fanny off to get as much money as i can. After that, I will be moving to Utah (so random, I know) and attending Beauty School. I am excited to join into our little gang of hair dressers that we have going. I will be needing all of your healthy heads in the near future for my practicing
Thanks for all of your support!
Wish me luck!!

Check out my Slide Show!

2008-05-10T17:12:00.001-07:00

Tait

2008-05-08T13:28:00.000-07:00

Tait (15) at a recent baseball game.
Tait is just finishing his Freshman year in HS this year.
He managed to do well in school as well as compete in football, basketball and baseball, but probably his most important accomplishment was passing his mother up in height and you all know what a feat that is!
He is such a sweet kid (almost always) with only a hint of the former..um...temper? He has grown up and matured so much and is a delight to talk to and has deep insight for one so young.
He got his patriarchal blessing this year and was a excited to see that he will learn a foreign language in a foreign land.
He is so very excited to be an uncle and will be so good with his niece and nephews.
I just thought you might like a little glimpse into the person called Tait since we don't all see one another as often as we like.
He is a great kid!
We're pretty sure we will keep him.

Annual Spring Break Pilgrimage to Utah

2008-04-15T14:17:00.001-07:00

One wouldn't be a proper Mormon if one didn't 'do' Temple Square everytime, right?
We usually try to see that lastest movie, see the visitors centers, and hear the choir if possible. We did all 3 this time. Always a calming place to be.

But just to show we can have a GOOD TIME too, we found a ware house full of trampolines and jumped our brains (and possibly bladders) out.

Happy Birthday Katy and Emily

2008-03-14T15:54:00.001-07:00

Claire Share

2008-02-27T11:57:00.000-08:00

The Knoblich's were sweet enough to share Claire with us while they toiled away in Southern California at various theme parks.
We had a ball with her and of course couldn't resist thinking of it as a little stint in grandparent training (Aunt and Uncle training too)
I found that I had forgotten quite a lot after being out of the toddler stage for so long.
My house is not toddler proof as evidenced by the pen marks on the wall, the puzzle, left for convenience sake on the coffee table, all over the floor etc....
I also forgot that toddlers DON'T like to be left outside of a closed bathroom door. For such a little palm, it made quite a racket banging on the door.
The biggest eye-opener was going off to church as per usual with MY bag, with MY stuff in it and completely forgetting a diaper, wipes, toys and snack for Claire. ?? She survived on Cinnamon Altoids.
All's well that ends well.
Right?

And Baby Makes Three

2007-11-26T21:58:00.000-08:00

Three grandchildren that is

Baby Slesk arriving May 2008
Baby Behan arriving June 2008
Baby Holmquist arriving July 2008

We do babies like we do weddings....

Our Mountain

2007-11-14T22:09:00.000-08:00

One mountain, three looks, twenty minutes apart.
I am amazed that I can step out on my back porch and be greeted each day by a mountain of many colors.
God's creations are glorious.

Some things you never outgrow!

2007-11-02T18:57:00.000-07:00

Halloween tends to bring out the kid (and the artist) in all of us.

Ptarmigan Trail--Mt Baker

2007-10-03T07:03:00.001-07:00

I am so amazed by the beauties of this earth and feel compelled to share them. I would love to share them on a hike with anyone who would care to go!! Come visit!! Billy and Jamie, Tour Guides

Katy and Paul are proud new......

2007-09-05T16:20:00.000-07:00

...owners of a mortgage!!

They have started putting their own special touch on the house already and it looks great! They have many creative ideas for the house and are very excited about it.

Their address is:
5862 Vista Dr
Ferndale WA 98248

City Mouse visits her Country Cousins

2007-08-02T07:21:00.000-07:00

Taylor, along with Lauren and Parker came to visit us for a couple of days.

We wanted to show her a Slesk good time. So, off to Hovander Park to wave at the animals, climb towers and tractors and other fun things.

It's Blueberry Season! That means scones, and waffles and jam and fresh (free!) Blueberries til your skin turns blue. I had 3 very eager helpers.

We also managed some fun in the garden! Who knew it COULD be fun, right?
Thanks for coming and visiting with us Taylor. We hope you'll come again!

Nature's Bounty

2007-07-24T17:29:00.001-07:00

After almost 10 days of typical Winter weather (rain) it is nice enough and dry enough to be back out in nature as God intended. I wish you all could be here to share the bounty! We really do 'have enough and to spare'

A recipe in honor of raspberry season. It is 'to die for' .....or it'll kill you--I can't remember which.
It goes like this:
Raspberry -White Chocolate Scones

1 3/4 flour
3 T sugar
2 1/2 t Baking Powder
1/2 t salt
1/3 c butter (firm)
1 egg--beaten
1/2 t almond extract
1/2 c whip cream
3/4 c frozen raspberries
2/3 c white chocolate chips
large sugar crystals

In large bowl combine flour, sugar, BP and salt--cut in butter til fine--add the remaining ingredients--pat onto a greased cookie sheet into an 8" circle--score into 8 pieces--sprinkle with raw sugar (turbinado) Bake 400--18-23 minutes

The Year of Weddings

2007-07-22T16:33:00.001-07:00

I don' recommend doing 3 weddings in a year but the upside is 3 wonderful new people to love.

Testing....testing....1...2...3...

2007-07-18T14:20:00.001-07:00

Just trying to figure out this blog thing.
I aspire to be an expert like all my sisters!