THE SKJLOG : Close Encounters of a Skjei Kind

Skjei Lefse Fest 2009!

2010-01-23T20:51:00.000-08:00

To celebrate Christmas, the Skjei kiddos (now thriving as resposible adults...) and their significant others got together and made Norwegian lefse! Although I completely undercooked the potatoes in the beginning, I was able to redeem myself by bribing my judgmental siblings with gifts of personalized alcohol! It always seems to do the trick!

Here are some shots of the festivities!

Scott, you've always been a charmer

Beano and Gen

The assembly line

Beano with Sukey-Jean-Gina

Having someone take glamour shotz of me while in my drunken giggly stupor. 'Twas a lengthy morning of rum n' eggnogs!

A sampling of Skjei dogs

2010-01-23T20:44:00.001-08:00

Megan with Sukey

Maybellene with herself (as usual)

Sara & Maybel

Megan with Arlis, Ralph and Clio

YIKES! Now that's a dog!

Making a blog - I agree, Ali...let's get this baby rolling again!

2009-05-08T06:52:00.000-07:00

I don't have much to report or any photos to share (can't figure out how to get them from my new NWPT Christmas party gift camera to my computer yet)...

So here is an update from the Vogel crew. Work is very busy for me (got home at 12:3oam and was back up and at it by 5am). I am going to a baby shower this weekend for a law school friend named Rike. We are also hopefully going to make an offer on the property we have been looking at in Stanwood. Fingers crossed!

On Sunday we are going to join the Madsen crew for Mother's Day at Emerald Downs. Should be a good time. Jeff and I watched the Kentucky Derby last weekend so I am in the spirit already!

OK y'all... I am going to sign off now. Happy Friday!

Hard Workin' Man

2009-05-05T22:11:00.000-07:00

GOSH, doesn't anybody have a baby to post about in this family?! Oh, no we don't. For this reason, I have gone through all of my pictures to find SOMETHING interesting to post on this out-of-date blog. This is Rob in his creative state. He did a remodel for some artists. They created a brass bird, and Rob was able to inlay it into some nice concrete, which became their kitchen countertop! Pretty schnazzy if you ask me...

...and then here I am in my creative state...

Christmas sweater pics from the slopes of Big Sky, Montana

2009-02-02T22:29:00.000-08:00

WE MISS YOU GUYS!!

Rob's in the news!

2008-12-16T17:38:00.001-08:00

Rob's custom remodel project for Anacortes artists Al Currier and Anne Schreivogl is in the latest edition of Home Accent in the Skagit Valley Herald. Check out the link below to read it! (scroll to page 8) I am very proud of this talented, passionate and inspiring man. Cheers to Rob!

http://www.goskagit.com/specialsections/homeaccent/2009_01/

We went to the Packer game!!

2008-12-08T19:54:00.000-08:00

Hi - it has been some time since I last made a post. Ali's post has got me in the spirit.

The four of us went to the Packer vs. Seahawk game in October. We had a great time and had the most AMAZING seats!

We received a bunch of heckling from the naughty Seahawk fans but stood proud in our green & gold!

GO PACK GO!

2008-12-08T17:52:00.000-08:00

¡Buen Viaje!

¡Vamos a Mazatlán para la navidad!

Rob and I are getting outta here for Christmas!

He's got his ol' pony "Shuffles" and I've my lil burro "Bonito" to scoot on down to Mexico for an injection of piña colada serum and sol.

¡Hasta la vista!

Awesome

2008-09-08T15:46:00.001-07:00

Jeff Kwan-Do

2008-08-27T09:46:00.001-07:00

<<...>>

This is Jeff doing his imitation of Rex Kwan-Do from Napoleon Dynamite. He really liked the American flag bandana I got him for our trip to the mountains. More vacation photos and funny stuff coming later once I can figure out how to get the pictures from my camera to my computer. Now I have to go pick Arlis up from the groomer…she is trying to repair the lovely Mohawk haircut Brian gave him while we were gone. Arrrrr!

Bivalve Bash 2008

2008-08-13T15:28:00.001-07:00

Once a year, we open our throats and amplify our alcohol tolerances to ingest an inordinate amount of beer and deliciously raw Chuckanut bivalves - oysters, to be exact. This year's summer was no different. Here we are around a table with a healthy serving of beer, berry shortcake and bellies full o' bivalves! Can you say, "aphrodisiac??!" To my (Ali's) left at the table is the Reigning Skagit County Mud Run Champion, Matt Ritzy!

Matt Ritzy, Ali, Dad, Beano, Annie, Mark Ritzy (background), and Rob!

Dad, Pat (from NWPT), Scott, Gen, Annie, Ali and Rob! If you've never attended, you've gotta do it. Celebrate those bountiful Skagit Valley mudflats!

The kids before our big camping trip!

2008-08-01T17:06:00.001-07:00

Clio, Ralphie & Arlis got backpacks for the trip to the Olympic Penninsula!

So cute!

Love,
M&J

Almost done!

2008-07-23T18:30:00.001-07:00

I just have 2.25 hours left of this exam. Boy I am tired. Man I hope I passed. I don't want to ever have to do this again.

Nonnie in the Newspaper!

2008-07-15T14:35:00.001-07:00

Here is a fun photo of Ali teaching at her summer education program at Mount Vernon High School that was in the Skagit Valley Herald. She is going to be like the teacher of the century for the MV school district. I just know it. She is so rad.

I, however, am not so rad. I have to cram 20 substantive subjects of law into my brain in one week and am not doing so well in my efforts. Please send me good vibes, OK. I need every bit of help I can get! My one bit of solace is thinking that in just two weeks, I will be hanging out camping with my dogs and Jeff somewhere in the woods on the Olympic Peninsula.

Welcome Back Scott & Stevie Wonder Week

2008-07-05T15:18:00.000-07:00

Scott is getting back from Mexico today. He and Gen went down there for a week after he had his big MCLE exam last Saturday. I went to feed his kitties on Wednesday. They were so lonely so I hung out for a bit and petted them.

Last night we had the Fourth of July Extravaganza in our neighborhood. It was SO loud. Clio nearly lost her mind. I had to take all three dogs in my bedroom and turn a loud fan on to distract them. Poor dogs – they hate this holiday.

Today I am working on making a couple more sets of flashcards for the bar. I have a little over 2 weeks left and time is getting short. Yikes. I have to just keep my rear glued to this chair and power through this. I think that starting today, my full night’s sleeping habits are going to be cut short. I can do this!!!

This week I am taking one night off – on 7/11, Dad, Linda, Ali, Rob, Jeff, and I are going to go watch Stevie Wonder play at the White River Amphitheater!!

Kulshan Creek Neighborhood Soccer Tournament!

2008-06-30T11:22:00.000-07:00

Every year I organize a couple of 4v4 neighborhood soccer tournaments for elementary and middle school kids in MV. The kids are badass and play their hearts out all day! It's a ton of fun to listen in on their hardcore game talk: "Hey, you remember what you just did right there? KEEP ON DOING IT! KEEP ON DOING IT THE WHOLE GAME!" It's really serious business, guey.

Happy 60th Birthday Auntie Paula!

2008-06-25T16:06:00.000-07:00

One of our uber-cool aunts is celebrating her 60th Birthday today! Happy Birthday Auntie Paula Martin. Rumor has it that Paula is coming north to join Mom, Ali, Rob, Beano, and Shawna at the Conway Tavern for a tasty crab feed. I am so jealous! Instead of crab, I’ll be devouring the very appetizing Article 9 of the Uniform Commercial Code in a smelly classroom at the UW tonight. Have fun everybody!

We love you Paula!

Procrastination station... welcome to the life of a lawyer larva who needs to study for the bar

2008-06-22T15:47:00.000-07:00

My friend (also a July bar sitter) sent this to me today. It is the story of my life right now.

Congratulations Ms. Skjei - Mount Baker Middle School's newest eight grade language arts teacher

2008-06-19T19:28:00.000-07:00

I received a call from a very excited Ali Skjei on Tuesday night! She called to notify me that she has been hired for her first full time teaching position at Mount Baker Middle School. Ali is going to be a great teacher. We are so proud of her.

A legend retires

2008-06-08T19:01:00.001-07:00

Mom just told me that Mr. Dennis O'Neil is retiring from teaching. He was my 3rd and 5th grade teacher at Madison and was by far the most amazing teacher ever. Well - it is possible that Ali may best him, though!

Remember this guy????

2008-06-08T18:59:00.000-07:00

It's Francisco (and Ali) by the pool at the Mayan Palace. After this photo, Pancho was off on his way to grab me my third cubeta of Negra Modelo for the morning!

Tilly has put this on her Christmas list

2008-06-08T18:55:00.001-07:00

I always used to marvel at the little tiny display sleeping bags at Payless as a kid. We called them kitty sleeping bags. Well someone has answered my prayers and finally decided to market a real kitty sleeping bag! Jeff and I saw these at Fred Meyer the other day. We told Tilly about them and she says she would gladly trade the god awful scratching post that Beano made her for her very own pink kitty sleeping bag.

How can you say no to the Rototiller? Especially when she sticks her tongue out for you!

Mom's first modeling job for the Skagit Valley Health Dept.

2008-06-08T18:45:00.000-07:00

Here is mom's picture for the brochure for World Hepatitis Day. Did you know that 1 in 12 people in the world have some form of hepatitis? Mom works in communicable disease detection and prevention and is doing her best to make it more like 1 in 14 or 15 or something like that. Go public health nurses!

2008-06-07T22:03:00.000-07:00

Who is that hairy man??????

2008-06-07T22:02:00.000-07:00

Viva La.....MIKE SKJEI!!!

Annie Zilla

2008-06-07T22:01:00.001-07:00

Lounging around......watching TV...usual Annie Zilla!

Ali's Bday

2008-06-07T21:58:00.000-07:00

All of us on Ali's B-day at El Granaio

Hawaii

2008-06-07T17:54:00.001-07:00

Me and Scott won the smiling contest

2008-06-07T17:51:00.000-07:00

Pic of me and Brady at the Puyallup Fair. Haha.

BOOOOORING

2008-06-05T18:18:00.001-07:00

Did I ever tell you how boring making outlines and memorizing them is. I am so bored with this bar stuff and it has only been a week.

San Sebastian

2008-05-10T06:56:00.000-07:00

Andrew and I got to San Sebastian last night. It is pretty nice here even though it is kind of gray today. I think that I might try some surfing today or tomorrow and see how stupid I can look at the same time. Adios

Check out the new t-shirt!

2008-05-08T17:30:00.000-07:00

Oh yeah it's tight!

Good luck with the rest of your quarter Dr. Bones!

2008-05-01T10:39:00.000-07:00

Good luck Scotty Bones - I can't wait to go to your Clinical "moving up" ceremony!

Love,
Meggie Nannos

A MAJOR AWARD!!

2008-04-17T09:21:00.000-07:00

Time to toot my own horn for a bit...!

Megan Skjei Vogel, daughter of Maryl Skjei and Mike and Linda Skjei of Mount Vernon, was recently selected as the recipient of the Justice Charles Z. Smith Award for Public Service at the University of Washington School of Law. The award recognizes a student who has made a commitment to work in the public interest and has provided service to the law school and to the wider legal community. Megan will graduate from UWLS in June, earning a Juris Doctorate with a concentration in health law. She plans to join the law firm of Davis Wright Tremaine, LLP this fall after the bar exam. During law school, Megan served as the Vice President of Programs for the Student Bar Association, President of the Student Health Law Organization, Treasurer of the Law Women’s Caucus, and was a Trustee for the Washington State Bar Association Young Lawyers Division. She worked as a legal intern for U.S. District Court Judge John C. Coughenour, the King County Prosecuting Attorneys office, Children’s Hospital, and the UW Children and Youth Advocacy Clinic.

Sustainability Video

2008-04-07T14:16:00.001-07:00

Check out this video I created for my Sustainable marketing class. Its pretty cool. I mean I can't really take that much credit since this amazing guy Chris did all the editing, but 3 other group members and I created this video to get word out. It's about five minutes long but it just goes to show what a few ambitous college students can come up with! Hope you like it!!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HtX0c8UwafY

If you want to get involved check this website out too

http://www.wwu.edu/sustain/

SDUB

A nice parable

2008-04-06T12:47:00.001-07:00

A parable told by an old Cherokee chief who was trying to teach his grandson the principle of moral agency

“A fight is going on inside me,” he said to the boy. “It is a terrible fight at times, and the fight is between two wolves. One is evil—he is anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, self-doubt, jealousy, and ego. The other is good—he is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion, and faith. This same fight is going on inside of you—and inside every other person too.”

The grandson thought about what his grandfather had said to him for a minute and then asked, “Grandfather, which wolf will win?” The old chief simply replied, “The one you feed.”

Spa Day!

2008-04-06T11:04:00.001-07:00

Hi all - I am getting ready for a day of extravagance. I am using the gift certificate that Jeff got me for Christmas at the New Life Day Spa here in Lynnwood. It is this Korean Spa (there are two of them here). I am going to get a body scrub, body moisturizer, massage, and facial!! I'll be there for like 4 hours. Aaaah!

Yesterday Ali, Mom, and I went to a baby shower at Paula's for Meli's impending baby. It was fun to see everybody.

Dog central is going well. Arlis is getting better when we go on walkies. At first, he was very tentative and skittish when cars would pass by on the road. The breeder's house was way out in the country so he is used to more placid surroundings. Clio and Rubbie are being good older siblings - showing him how to go potty and giving him a tour of the dot park in Edmonds yesterday.

I am coming up to MV on Thursday night. I am excited to watch The Office that night. Friday I am going to work in the yard at our rental. Saturday night we have our Spring Gala for the law school at the Aquarium. It should be fun - like the Enchantment Under the Sea on Back to the Future!

New Job for Ali!

2008-04-03T17:46:00.001-07:00

Hi,
Yeah, that's my eyeball. So all of you readers know (all 4 of you who actually read this blog...), I have just been offered a job at Mt. Baker Middle School (in MV) as an after-school teacher for a small group of at-risk middle schoolers. The program is focused on violence prevention as well as teaching basic academic skills to these students to attempt to keep them in school and off the trouble track! Many of the students do not attend school during the normal school day or only attend for a portion of it, due to past behavioral issues. In other words, this'll be a challenge -- but I'm hoping a very rewarding challenge for all involved! I start on Monday, April 7th for orientation, so I'll keep you posted on how it's all going! ¡Deséenme muchísima suerte!

--Ali

Lazy Tuesday morning

2008-03-25T09:14:00.001-07:00

So I am really enjoying being a housewife. I am sitting here watching the Today Show and plotting my day. I think I’ll continue my room to room spring cleaning job. I am still attacking the living room. There was quite an accumulation of dust in here. I guess that is what having dogs and being a student will get you.

Later today I am going to ride the bus to school and do some work in the clinic. We have a big case going on right now that involves potentially suing a bank for some big bucks so I have to stay on top of things even though it is spring break for the school and I am technically not a student any more.

Tonight is my favorite show, The Biggest Loser. I am still working on my quest to shed my law school chub. I think that this week at Weight Watchers I will reach my initial goal of dropping 10% since the start of the year. Jeff and I went to the gym last night – he joined the gym and we did some cardio. I tried to do pilates but was having the worst low back/sciatic pain. I think that I’ll need to strengthen my back muscles before I do the pilates again.

We had a nice Easter weekend. Mom, Ali, Jeff and I went to Paula’s. It was fun to see everybody. I was a little tired/hung over from the night before at the Conway Tavern so hanging out at Paula’s mostly consisted of sitting on the couch with Ali, Katie and Matt Borovina and shooting the bull.

3.5 days till we pick Arlis up!! I am SO excited. Last night Jeff and I went to Petco and picked up some puppy stuff and a new Le Bistro dog waterer thing. We used to have one for Baby Lee back in the day. I figured with three big “dots” around the house filling up the water just once every couple days rather than 3 times a day will be more efficient. We got Arlis some puppy food and also purchased this enzyme cleaner thing that is supposed to work well in the event of puppy accidents. I am really going to work my tail off to get Arlis potty trained as quick as possible. It will be perfect to be home right now while we are getting him used to our house.

Well – have a splendid day everybody!!

Time for a parade - school's out!

2008-03-22T18:49:00.000-07:00

LET'S HAVE A PARADE! I am done with school - yes. Hope everyone is having a great Saturday. It is so warm out!

Happy Easter tomorrow

-M

Snuggle, Cuddle, and then hug me

2008-03-22T10:56:00.001-07:00

The snuggle bunny wishes you all a happy easter!!!

Check it out at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CWZxcAeSoVI

Love Genevieve and Scotty

Our new poodle Arlis!

2008-03-15T18:09:00.001-07:00

Well everybody, a poodle baby is finally coming home to the Vogel house! Here is a photo of the pup that we will pick up in a couple weeks from the breeder in Kalama. I am really excited and now just have to think of a good name!

*** This just in - a name has been selected. The dog-child shall be called Arlis (formal AKC name to be announced at a later date)

CAVANAUGH GRAD NIGHT 3/22/08 - Why can't the festivities begin yet?

2008-03-14T17:40:00.001-07:00

Did I ever tell you all how much I like the taste of scotch whisky?

A Haiku by MeggieNannoSkjogel

Saturday evening
I'll have twenty seven drinks
Cavanaugh Grad Night

*** This just in - the fiesta has been postponed in honor of baby jesus and Easter. This will give us more time to do something about the soggy deck. Keep your eyes peeled for a future announcement.

No more school, no more books party

2008-03-06T08:37:00.000-08:00

So Ali and I are finishing school on Friday 3/21. For me, I am confident that it is FOREVER. Ali may have the urge to return to scholastic servitude at some point in the future. Nonetheless, we want to do something fun that weekend. Since Lake Cavanaugh is free and we are all poor why don’t we conspire to plan a little shindig?

Kitty

2008-02-29T11:51:00.000-08:00

This is the kitties new scratchpost me and Shawna made. I am now taking orders from anyone intersted in saving their furniture. We are trying to teach him to poo in the toilet like Mr. Jinks. Next step is putting the box in the toilet. Too bad he doesn't have thumbs.

My thoughts on censorship

2008-02-28T10:19:00.000-08:00

My first amendment was devastatingly crushed by the editor of this blog, a lawyer nonetheless, following this experience I am boycotting any further posts.

Dad's got mail!!!

2008-02-28T08:39:00.000-08:00

Well folks, after 45 minutes of over-the-phone instruction, Michael Alan Skjei has checked and replied to two emails. Yes, you read it right, Dad has an email address. Go Dad Go!

You can reach Dad by email at mikeskjei@verizon.net. He will be checking his email daily while Linda is traveling because her phone isn’t working in Thailand. So make sure to send Dad some funny forwarded messages. Maybe Beano has some good ones about angels and kitties saved that he has received from Auntie Linda!!

Megan, you can do! You can do it all night long!

2008-02-26T14:58:00.000-08:00

Maggie-bubs, I can't believe you are so close to being done, I forgot that you don't have to go to school next quarter. I'm definitely strugglin with the whole motivation factor this time of the quarter, too. I've pretty much been applying the advice Dad would scream at me in basketball to all my classes. "SAG! You gotta SAG!" Instead of actually taking anything head on, I'm just kinda hanging in limbo, doin a little reading here and there. I've only got 11 days till the end of my quarter, so neener, neener!

To everyone else: Hi, how are you? This weekend was nice, I rode my bike downtown and caught up with Mom, Paula, and Steph at Pike Place and we had a little brekky and then did the whole market walk thang. I got some halibut and big ass grapes. Sunday, Gen and I rode to the Ballard Locks and hung out in the sun for a while. It was definitely a nice weekend for a bike ride.

I'm gonna get back to class, we have an enthralling lecture on diagnostic testing statistics goin un, good thing I brought my meth so I can stay awake (picture is above). What a life saver that nifty little drug can be.

Keepin the Blog alive,

Scott

EDITORS NOTE - WE OUGHT NOT POST PICTURES OF METHAMPHETAMINES ON OUR BLOG SCOTT

T-Minus 25 days

2008-02-25T08:24:00.000-08:00

Holy cow – I don’t know if I’ll make it through these next 25 days. Too much work…not enough motivation. At least I have Long Beach to look forward to.

BLOG

2008-02-18T11:39:00.000-08:00

This is my first blog. Woohoo!

baby kitty blog

2008-02-17T20:12:00.000-08:00

There is a new baby kitty at turtles house. He looks just like a miniature Ollie! We aren't quite sure what we should name him,so we decided to stick with Eddie for the time being. If you have any suggestions feel free to post them. Here is a cute picture of Teany Man and his new buddy.

-Beano & Shawna

Happy Valentine's Day!

2008-02-14T18:35:00.000-08:00

Jeff and I are going to check out a hip Norwegian bar in Ballard tonight for our Valentine’s Day date. It is called The Copper Gate and it has a viking ship bar. Don’t worry – I’ll let you all know how it was on Saturday as we celebrate the 30^th Birthday of one of the most special traditions in the Skagit Valley, the Vasa Lodge Swedish Pancake Breakfast. Here is a short story about our beloved pancakes from the Skagit Valley Herald this week:

Vasa Marks Pancake Breakfast Anniversary

Strawberries. Maple syrup. Swedish pancakes. Yum!

Members of the Vasa Order of America Solidaritet Lodge 396 in Mount Vernon serve up the traditional Swedish delicacy about eight times a year. This month marks the 30th anniversary of the local Swedish-American fraternal organization’s successful effort to maintain a community connection through delicious food and raise funds for its programs at the same time.

Lodge member Kris Allen of Mount Vernon said they start preparations on Friday — filling syrup bottles, thickening strawberries, preparing tables and silverware — in advance of cooking and serving the delicate pancakes on the third Saturday for eight months each year.

Saturday, Feb. 16, will mark 30 years almost to the day that the local Vasa members borrowed a grill that could accommodate only six small pancakes at a time. Allen said they are more efficient than they were Feb. 18, 1978. They now use three large grills and can turn out 22 pancakes at a time to feed the 500 to 600 loyal diners.

Fresh milk, eggs, flour and sugar are the primary components of the pancake batter recipe, mixed moments before it is poured onto the hot grill in 8-inch orbs. Each thin golden brown pancake is carefully rolled before it is served. Three pancakes, along with ham, juice, fresh-brewed coffee, and a choice of syrup or strawberries are presented to each diner between 7 a.m. and noon.

Breakfast at the Vasa Hall, 1805 Cleveland Ave., costs $6 for adults and $3 for children age 10 and younger. Most of the proceeds go toward education scholarships, support of the Conway Little League and youth soccer teams, and other Vasa community programs.

The Lodge’s 110 members hail from five countries — Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland and Iceland. The group formed on Dec. 3, 1920.

(I think that they raised the price in honor of the occasion – as the story below says that adults cost $6 now. Uf da! – hey we should take our camera this weekend and take pictures to post on the blog ok!!)

A virgin blogger

2008-02-13T22:39:00.001-08:00

Hi, this is Ali. I've never posted on a blog before, so I don't know if this will actually do something! I'm sick these days (probably has something to do with holding the garbage can for one of my students while he was puking in class -- poor feller!), but still plugging away at student teaching and ready to actually get PAID to work full-time (rather than PAY TO work).

Wanted to post a picture, because blog posts are only good, if there's a picture attached. So, here you go. It's a picture of my fellow student teachers (we're called "The Chosen Six" and "The Corps of Discovery", because we're the pioneers of the new elementary teacher ed program - gag me). Michelle (on the computer) recently moved to Idaho, so she communicates with us via the Skype program during our intern meetings. Quite techy, eh? The oldies are my two professors, Joanne and David.

There, Megan. I've made a post, now off my back!

Ali baba

A sad day at Turtle's house

2008-02-13T13:14:00.001-08:00

Sometime during the night, Ricoh Skjei left his earthly home in Mount Vernon to go to the permanent campground for kitties. He was old as dirt, and Joins his brothers and sisters, Big Hunk, Snooty Boots, Chaz, Johnny- Be- Good and Samantha, along with cousins Levi, and Shannon. He was a real cool cat and will be missed by Turtle, Beano, Tino and Acey Jackson. Ricoh requested family private services. Memorials should be made to the family cats and dogs he left behind.

Jeff and I made cookies!

2008-02-12T14:09:00.001-08:00

We found a new recipe at www.cooksillustrated.com for the best chocolate chip cookies. The secret is that you melt the butter before you mix it with the sugar. That way the cookies spread flat. My cookies usually are like these big thick mounds – not good. Here are some photos of The Undertaker and I basking in the glory of our tasty cookies.

Yevgeniy, Me, Phil, and Paul in Mexico

2008-02-12T12:12:00.001-08:00

Goin to Whistler Mountain in my Mind.

2008-02-12T11:41:00.000-08:00

In my mind I'm goin to Whistler Mountain.
Can't cha feel the snow fall,
can't cha just see my ass fall...

We're leaving to go to Whistler with some friends from school on Friday for two nights. We're all cramming into a small place to make it cheap (cheap for Whistler, not cheap). I'm psyched, it should be pretty fun. It's all of the guys from my Mexico trip (Marc, Phil, Yevgeniy) trip, Gen, and two of the guys are bringing their girlfriends. We're staying up there Friday and Saturday, and will be coming back through Sunday night.

We should try to do something for Ali's Bday on Sunday night, that way I'll try to arrange with the people that are riding with us to drive a car to Mount Vernon, so that we won't have to drive straigt back to Mount Vernon. Let me know what you guys think (about my plan for Sunday night, not my songwriting skills).

My new Kitchenaid mixer accessory - ICE CREAM MAKER!!

2008-02-10T11:32:00.000-08:00

I am so excited about the new accessory that I just bought online for my Kitchenaid mixer. It is an ice cream maker attachment. I guess that you put the bowl in the freezer before using it and then you just turn the mixer on. In addition to this toy, I bought a recipe book from Ben & Jerry. Yummy – I can’t wait to make my own Chocolate Cherry Garcia!

Hi from Turtle

2008-02-08T13:27:00.001-08:00

My daughter asks that I post to this blog. I am at work right now and very much looking forward to the weekend. I have a presentation at school Monday so will be working on that with a little help (I hope) from Beano. I went to Mike Moe's 60th birthday lastnight and he gives his best to all of the Skjei kids. I am keeping busy with Kiwanis stuff too. We sell tulips next week and so far I have 54 orders. Right now I am hoping for some sunshine. I miss Maui! I want to do something fun for Ali's birthday. Mom

Happy Hump Day Gen - 1/2 way done

2008-02-08T13:09:00.001-08:00

Today marks the ½ way point for Gen in her adventure through law school. It is also the ½ way point for me through my final quarter of classes! I counted a little bit ago and, by the time I graduate in June, I will have spent 26 years of my life enrolled in some sort of school. That is 87% of my time on this earth. Wow. It will be nice to be done!

Costco roses are awesome

2008-02-07T08:57:00.001-08:00

All of you Skjei men out there, Valentines is just one week away. If you need to buy roses, check out Costco. They sell two dozen roses for just $15! This is their normal price so they probably increase the prices a bit around V-Day due to demand but still…what a deal! I love roses more than any flower. I love growing them too. The roses in the picture here are at our Mount Vernon house climbing on the arch that Jeff and I were married under. Pretty cool!

Have a great morning everybody!

-Nagem Iejks

Need ideas for anniversary fun

2008-02-05T13:04:00.001-08:00

So Jeff and I will celebrate our ten-year anniversary on March 12, 2008. Does anyone know of some good places for dinner and an overnight? I am thinking we might go up to Bellingham and walk around WWU to retrace the footsteps of our walk of love…ha ha!

2008-02-05T00:19:00.001-08:00

Sammy, Scott, and Ollie taking a study break.

Somebody's got a birthday in 2 weeks...

2008-02-03T18:02:00.001-08:00

Any plans for the special girl’s special day?

Skjei family pet post

2008-02-03T12:43:00.000-08:00

We don't have any grandchildren to speak of in our family yet but we do have some pretty awesome pets! Here are photos of some of them:

Fat Ralphie the Eatin' Machine

Bella Luna our snortin' shar pei

Clio the German Shedder

Tilly the Boss a' the Casa

Ali and Maybellene (a.k.a. Mrs. Butter-Butts)

Beano & his brother Tino

Megan's imaginary poodle

How to publish from your email

2008-02-03T12:07:00.001-08:00

If you don’t want to log in to the blogger program, you can just send an email to:
megvogel.skjeifamily@blogger.com
with the text you want to include and it will go automatically into the blog. If you want to include a photo, just attach the photo to your email and it will be posted too. Pretty handy!

Remember Skjeis - if you make a post to this blog, I will buy you Swedish pancakes from the Vasa!!!

My new favorite quote

2008-02-03T12:01:00.001-08:00

“The practice of putting women on pedestals began to die out when it was discovered that they could give orders better from there.”

~ Betty Grable

Testing out email to blog settings

2008-02-03T11:54:00.001-08:00

I am trying to figure out how to email straight to the blog… here goes nothing! This is Megan emailing from my desk on Sunday morning. We’ll it’s almost afternoon. Today is Superbowl Sunday. I am not sure if Jeff and I will watch the game. I am probably going to watch it to see the funny commercials and that is about it.

Last night I made beef stroganoff from a “real” beef stroganoff recipe to see if it could rival mom’s recipe. This recipe called for some tomato paste and didn’t include the secret weapon – cream of mushroom soup. Needless to say, it didn’t hold a candle to mom’s beef stroganoff. I should have known!

I am going to paste a picture below to see if this email posting will allow photos. I thought I’d choose one of my favorites of Nonnie the Nonnster!

Talk to you all soon!

Love,
Mega N.A.S. Vogel

First Blog - Introduction

2008-02-03T10:05:00.000-08:00

I am going to start this blog so that my family and I can post fun stuff about our lives. This will be sort of a family scrap book. I am going to send invitations today to everybody that they can post a bit about themselves and hopefully post some fun photos.

Let's see if we can't get this thing going!

-Meggienannoskjogel in Lynnwood