Luke on the Slopes

Here is a very short video of Luke bombing down a hill at Afton Alps. He knew he was on camera so he decided to go for speed over style... that's Luke! He is equally comfortable on the black diamond slopes!

Christmas 2009...

Merry Christmas, everyone! The armageddon blizzard of 2009 that was predicted sort of fizzled out, so we were able to make it to two different family Christmas parties: Mark's on Christmas eve, and Janet and Bill's on Christmas day! Great times, everyone - thanks for your hospitality!

The goat cheese made it out from under the tree, all the way from Bethesda, Maryland... we won't say where it went after that! Libby modeled her new scarf from Grandma Penne - she will be an original on the slopes, that's for sure!

Luke managed to get more guns out of Santa, it looks like... at least they are Nerf toys...

The snow did manage to pile up over the past several days, so we took time out from presents to do some shoveling...

Another one of Laura's masterpieces appeared... this time a painting of a chateau near where we stayed in Tuscany this past spring!

A game of Guesstures at Janet and Bill's was the perfect ending to a fun couple of days of Christmas cheer!

Back on the Slopes!

It has been cold, but at least we are back on the slopes at nearby Afton Alps!

Santa's Reindeer Come to Hudson!

Luke got a special treat last week when he got to visit with Santa's reindeer! They came to the river-front park in Hudson, Wisconsin, just a few minutes from our house...

Basketball Boy!

Luke is in 3rd grade recreational basketball and he loves it! He really has an aggressive, competitive attitude on the court, and pays attention to the coach... who just happens to be our neighbor, George Yoshida. The "Tin Cans" of East Ridge are a winning team. Way to go Luke!

Libby's Concert

Libby had a band concert recently at Lake Junior High School... She was awesome on the flute! All of the kids are really musical. Jack is excelling with the piano, and loves to just close the door of my office and play to help him relax after school.

Luke plays the piano a little bit... but he is really a closet rocker/drummer. He's the only one with genuine rhythm in the family, we think!

Skating in St. Paul

It's finally looking like winter outside (even though it is still fall) - so Libby and Luke spent a chilly afternoon outside, skating at Rice Park in downtown St. Paul. They are pretty good skaters, considering their warmer-climate roots!

Afterwards we wandered into the Landmark Center which is right next to the skating rink. It was originally a courthouse, and has been restored beautifully for use with special events. There are also some really interesting museums inside, including the Schubert museum of music. The kids had a great time looking at the old instruments, and making their own music with Chinese instruments, and computer devices!

Learn more about the historic Landmark Center HERE.

Farewell, Arvid...

Gramps and Grandma Penne came to visit us in Minneapolis this past weekend. It was a sad occasion, because we gathered to say goodbye to Arvid - stalwart, calm, unflappable, warm, gentle, kind, faithful Arvid. He gave all of us so much, in his subtle way, and he will be missed. Bill said it so well, when he mentioned that Arvid's gentle character could be summed up by the Bible verse in Galatians 5:23-24.

Here is Arvid and Lorraine's headstone at the St. Olaf Zion Lutheran Church of Odin, Minnesota. The kids were interested in seeing the prevalent Laingen name all around this little church. Dad gave a beautiful eulogy for Arvid... and reminded all of us what arvid sprayed on his Odin Feed Mill window way back in 1981 when the hostages returned... "Amen." Curt went to the Feed Mill after Arvid's funeral on Saturday and sprayed the same word again, in the same spot!

Here are my cousins on Arvid's side... Steve, Patti, Brad, Karen, Bruce and Curt.

We had a really nice visit with all of the relatives at Arvid and Lorraine's house... It doens't feel right without the two of them there... yet they were all around us.

The kids really enjoyed the farm atmosphere, as always... Curt dragged out the John Deere Gator that he gave to Arvid a couple of years ago, and they had a ball driving that around the farm.

On Sunday night, we went to the historic Foshay Tower in downtown Minneapolis, where Gramps raised money for a trip to Norway while he was in college... and where a giant yellow ribbon was displayed for the hostages over 3o years ago! The beautiful skyscraper looks like a Washington Monument... and in fact we learned that indeed the architect had built it to honor George Washington... it is now a luxury "W" hotel, and is beautifully restored. There is a small museum on the 30th floor, where a history of the Foshay is displayed - including a small tribute to the yellow ribbon around the building.

Veterans Day!

Happy Veterans Day! Minnesota Wire held our 2nd annual Veterans Day BBQ at the plant in Eau Claire, Wisconsin (above is the logo I designed). We had almost 400 people attend, along with 17 exhibitors, antique cars, and a ton of sponsors... including Famous Dave's with the BBQ sandwiches, Culvers with ice cream, and Leinenkugels with the beer! The Wisconsin Army National Guard and the U.S. Army Reserve from Fort McCoy sent 9 vehicles including some armored Humvees and some large trucks for which we make cables. There were a lot of Veterans present, and active duty, Guard and Reserve members from all the services.

I was the emcee again for the program, and our keynote speaker was Brigadier General Cipolla, deputy commanding general of the 88th Army Regional Support Command at Fort McCoy, Wisconsin. The "Memorial Madrigals" from the Eau Claire High School sang the National Anthem. Note the two blue stars on the front of the dedication rock - denoting our 2nd annual event!

This octogenerian Army Air Corps Veteran actually flew a glider into France on D-Day, August 6, 1944!

The event... "Serving Freedom's Finest" was a great success. We raised a large sum for the Chippewa Falls Veterans Assistance Program, and it was a great afternoon to reflect on the sacrifice of our Veterans.

Libby Goes to "Career Day" at the Zoo!

Libby and I spent Saturday at the Minnesota Zoo... it was "Career Day!" We heard some pretty interesting things about jobs relating to animals from zoo keepers, feeders, veterinary technicians and veterinarians. The tour included some behind the scenes looks at how and where the animals are fed and cared for, and where they live when they are not in an exhibit.

The bird show was included, which was amazing. We had eagles and hawks flying over our heads, and parrots talking and making some ridiculous sounds. A beautiful bald eagle came out to finish the show.

There isn't a dolphin show at the zoo, but the "enrichment period" - where they do many of the same tricks they do at shows - was just as good!

Yes... this is a bowl of live maggots... Ewww!