Okay, so, this Thanksgiving I didn't see any family. But, seeing these photos from the amazing trip Matt & Stina had with Merete and Finn in Iowa almost makes up for that... above are the "D.C. Oakes"... my YOUNGER brother, Matt with his lovely wife Stina and their munchkins & my wonderful most treasured niece and nephew, Merete & Finn. Below, here, Merete trys her hand at taking care of the fields on a tractor. I love this photo in particular because at her age I recall sitting on my Dad's tractor in Texas (yes, small town girls....)....
According to reports, Merete was able to ride a horse, in a tractor, collect chicken eggs and milk a cow over the holiday while Finn was simply passed between one loving family member to the other. Matt shot skeet and the family took lots of walk and had lots of talks. Below is Merete with her second-cousin on the Kasik side, Morgan. Love the helmet!!
And, you've gotta always have the photo in the cowgirl hat!!
The funniest thing Matt told me was, Merete thought that the baby chicks were inside the eggs just sitting there, ready to hatch... so, when they went to crack the eggs for breakfast the morning after collecting them, she was SHAKING with excitement anticipating the baby chick to pop out and peep at her! I wish I'd been there to see that... so funny!!
The photo above is Stina's Mom, Dot, with her grandkids... Little Finn looks like he wants to terrorize his sister in this photo. I wonder what's going on in his little head... 
The photo of the fam, above, cracks me up because little FINN looks so uncomfortable in his carrier. So sorry I missed the farm hi-jinx!! Gobble, gobble.
11.28.2006
Taking the lead from Mr. Mitch Thrower >> I'm sending out Congratulations to Andy Baldwin who will be taking on the enormous task of getting to know 25 lovely ladies and looking for a Love Connection with one of them on ABCs The Bachelor in the next season installment.
Andy is a top-notch guy, hard worker, honest and loyal friend, easy going and fun to be around. I highly recommend him to any ladies interested in applying to the show.
I've included some snaps from Andy's adventures here... he's done a good job of keeping in touch when he travels and capturing his trips. There is more on Andy and his volunteer work as a doctor on Mitch Throwers online journal and at Project Active. (above, Andy & his class during pool week at diving training. Below, Andy at '04's Tour de France).
I can't wait to check Andy out on The Show!! Good Luck Andy!!
11.21.2006
It's hard to believe... but, as of Sunday night, I'm now officially a certified Yoga and Spinning instructor, per Kimberly Fowler's program at YAS : Yoga And Spinning. Pictured above: Aexis, Vicki, Tom, Stacy, Chaya and Claire. Below: V, Jill, Stacy and Sherri.
What an amazing experience I've gone through with my 20+ classmates. I had many miss perceptions about what teaching would be like going into the course... and Kimberly and Sherri with all their experience, knowledge and stories, guided us to a new understanding and appreciation for the skillet. (pictured below: Tri Clubber LORI and I)
Personally, after trying my hand at both the spin and yoga instruction, I found the spin instruction came easier. Probably because I'm a bit of a loud-mouth, so the brute force energy that it takes to muscle through spin is more natural than the quite sophistication of guiding someone through yoga poses. At least, that's how I see it more now. Even though I'd completed the course, I'm humbled by how much more there is to learn, both by watching as well as by doing.
Above, Sarah, Jill, Claire and Anna show off their official certification slips signed by Kimberly. My classmates came from all-walks. And, even flew in from out of state for the course. An amazing group of people who I look forward to supporting and staying in touch with. Below, Kimberly celebrating with Sarah.
Yes.... there was an after-party.... and, we got a little nutty. It felt really great after the 2+ weeks of intensive classes and lectures.
Below, ski instructor Cathleen with Robin, Anna and I.
Below, the boys... Tom, Tony, Robin & Ben.
Cheers, Team! xoxo