Merry Christmas!

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Wrestling Season Underway

Adam and Jack have wrestled in 2 tournaments so far. First tournament, Adam placed 8th and Jack placed 3rd. Second tournament, Adam placed 3rd and Jack placed 3rd. Adam (in orange and black) pinned 2 wrestlers (one in 4 seconds) in the last tournament.

Indoor Soccer Season Ends

Adam played his final game as a sub for the Rebels 11U indoor soccer team. They earned 3rd place. Adam scored 5 goals in the 21-1 win.

In Loving Memory of George Vettel

We lost an important part of the Vettel family on Veteran's Day, November 11, 2008. James' father was living with congestive heart failure and its complications. He spent the last few weeks of his life in the hospital. The boys and I were fortunate enough to see him two weeks before he passed away. James saw him two days before he died. He was surrounded by his loving family.

Here is his obituary:

George F. Vettel, 78, Cummings, N.D., died Tuesday, November 11, 2008 at the Hillsboro Medical Center, Hillsboro, ND.

George Francis Vettel was born June 26, 1930 in Hillsboro. He was the seventh of 12 children born to Walter H. and Frances Olivia (Schnoebelen) Vettel of Caledonia, ND. He was raised in Caledonia and attended school there. In 1939 he and his family moved to a farm near Cummings, ND. He continued his education at Ervin Township School No. 4 and graduated from Hillsboro High School in 1948. He farmed with his father and brothers.

He served in the U.S. Navy from 1950-54 as a radar operator aboard the U.S.S. Taconic. After his military service, he returned to the family farm. He farmed the rest of his life — in body and spirit — working in partnership with his brothers Walter N. and Tom. He married Betty Ann Germaine of Fargo October 7, 1961. They made their home on the Vettel family farm and raised their seven children there. He was very active in the community and served on a variety of boards including the Ervin Township board, the Shelly Creamery board, the Land O’ Lakes District board, the Hillsboro Medical Center board, the Health and Humanities Foundation board and the Traill-Steele Mutual Insurance board. He was also active in the Knights of Columbus as a grand knight.

He is survived by his wife, Betty; four sons, George H. Vettel; Steven (Jane) Vettel; James (Jen) Vettel; and Joel (Sandy) Vettel; three daughters, Michelle (Mark) McLean; Colleen Vettel; and Sherri Vettel; nine grandchildren, Maggie, Jacob and Alex McLean, Adam and Jack Vettel, Eric and Luke Vettel, and Kennedy and Taryn Vettel; three brothers, Ed (Dorothy) Vettel; Gerald (Lorraine) Vettel, and Tom (Karen) Vettel; three sisters, Rita Frenzel, Lavonne (Walter) Kozojed; and Janice (Jim) Berry.

He was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers, Carl, Walter N. and Harold; and two sisters, Geneva Anderson and Dorothy McCoy Smith.

Halloween 2009

Shopping for Halloween was easy for Jack. The minute he saw the desert trooper he was hooked. Adam had a hard time deciding if he was going trick or treating or not. Finally, the day before Halloween he decided to go. Even though I thought the Joker from Batman was the creepiest thing I had seen at the movies, he LOVED it.

Fundraiser with Friends

We were invited to attend the Herb Brooks Foundation Gala to raise money for youth hockey. After the event, we went to a couple of bars downtown Minneapolis. One of the photos is taken of us in the elevator at the Foshay Tower.

Can YOU eat 6 saltines in a minute?

The boys decided to take the challenge to see if they could eat 6 saltines in a minute. Jack tried the 1 cracker at a time technique and made it to 3. He had showers of crackers coming out if his mouth. Adam tried the shove all the crackers in your mouth technique. With each laugh, it was a stream of cracker crumbs. They eat about 3 saltines each.

Apple Orchard

We had a beautiful day at the apple orchard. Unfortunately, all the apples were picked off the trees, but we were able to taste and pick from barrels. Jack liked the Corland and Adam liked Harrelson. We made a tasty apple crisp that night.

In Loving Memory of Uncle Bob

Robert, 71, passed away quietly at his home surrounded by his loving wife and family on Tuesday, October 21, 2008, under Hospice care.

He was born March 12, 1937, the first son of William and Myrah (Thiele) Scholand of rural Buxton, ND. He attended rural grade school and completed high school at the Crookston Cathedral. He was united in marriage to Caroline Adams at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church on November 17, 1959, in Reynolds, ND.

They farmed at Buxton, ND, for 36 years and shared the love of music and entertained at many occasions around the area for 20 years with the Bob Scholand Band playing old-time music. Following farming, he did carpentry work and then was employed at UND for 4 years.
Bob enjoyed being and participating as a member of the Reynolds Knights of Columbus Council #6430. He had a deep love of hunting and fishing with family.

He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Caroline, Portland, ND; 3 children, Steve (Terri) Scholand, East Grand Forks, MN, Sherri (James) Erdahl, Wahpeton, ND, and Bonnie (Marty) Amble, Bismarck, ND; 7 grandchildren, Tyler and Kyle Scholand; Krista, Brandon and Cole Erdahl; and Sydney and Taylor Amble; sisters Rita Frey, Champlin, MN, Joyce (John) Riske, Reynolds, ND; brothers Gary (Mary Ellen), Lawton, ND, and Michael (Connie), Buxton, ND.

In Loving Memory of Uncle Harold

June 22, 1932 - October 17, 2008

Harold, age 76, of Countryside, born July 22, 1932 in Oak Park, Illinois, passed away October 17, 2008 at LaGrange Memorial Hospital. In addition to serving in the Navy (Korean War), he served on the LaGrange Police Department. He also worked for Northrup Grumman Security and Santa Fe Speedway Security. He enjoyed computers, fishing and reading. He adored his grandchildren and his dog Molly. Survivors include his wife Patricia, nee Christopher; children Karl (Nancy), Steven (Jennifer), Cynthia Cozen and Martin (Lois) Rodey; grandfather of James, Steven, Emily, Andrew, Michalla, Hannah, Keisha and Charles; great-grandfather of Steven; brother of Fred and Theodore Rodey and the late Pauline Begitsche.

School Marathon

Almost forgot - we did complete our 13 mile bike marathon. We were blessed with good weather. We raised over $540 for our school! Thank you to everyone who donated!

Twin Cities Marathon

Well....it was a wet cold day for a run. James ran in rain (sometimes downpouring) for most of the race. He had a great run. His goal was to finish below 3 hours 30 minutes. His official finish time was 3 hours, 27 minutes, 2 seconds.

We watched many of our friends finish as well. It is hard to describe the feeling of watching all of that hard training come to an end. I have a feeling this won't be James last marathon. It is more of a question when the next one will be scheduled.

Twin Cities Marathon 5K and 1 mi.

We had beautiful weather for the boys events for the Twin Cities Marathon on Saturday. Adam ran the 5K in 26 min. 48 seconds!

Jack's mile run wasn't timed, but he was proud of his run.

Next running event is Wednesday - cross country 1 mile.

Cross Country Meet - Oct. 3

Adam and Jack participated in a cross country meet on Oct. 3 (1 mile). Adam's finish time was 7 min., 43 seconds and Jack had 7 min., 56 seconds. It was a nice warm up for the Twin Cities Marathon 5K and 1 mile for Oct. 4.

Traveling Soccer Team

Adam had a 2 day tryout for a traveling soccer team for the spring of 2009. He made the team! One of the highlights will be a tournament with teams from all over the WORLD!

Soccer Game #3

Yesterday's game was much more equally matched. There were a couple of 8th graders, but our team played really well. There was a big rain storm prior to the game, so there were water puddles everywhere. Both teams should have had some goals, but the ball would stop rolling in a water puddle. The final score 0-0. No shoot out?? The boys play together better every game.

We have the big 13 mile bike ride tomorrow morning. Hopefully we'll have good weather.

My TV Star

Jack was "interviewed" about one of our school's programs. Check it out! "Yes, Yes, Yes!"

http://www.kare11.com/news/local/mornings/coolschool/coolschool_article.aspx?storyid=524669&catid=148

2nd Soccer Game

Second game - a little more evenly matched for size. The boys lost 1-6. Adam scored the single goal in the first half. He made a nice move around the goalie and chipped it on. They are keeping their spirits up.

We continue to enjoy the warm fall weather. Our local weather guy said this will probably be the last warm week we have for a while. Hopefully, we will have good weather for our bike ride this weekend.

1st Soccer Game

The junior varsity team held their own. The game ended with a 2-2 tie (against 5th and 6th graders). The coaches are working on setting up a rematch. Adam played for most of the game, but got a bloody nose in the last half. A player on the other team kicked the ball right into Adam's face. He was bummed to have to sit out for the rest of the game.

Next game - Thursday (against 6th and 7th graders).

First Week of School 2008

The boys have survived the 1st week of school.
Adam (5th grade) switches among 4 teachers. He thinks this is pretty "fun to do". We found out that his school needs some 5th graders for their junior varsity soccer team. He'll be playing against 6th and 7th graders. That should be a good challenge.
Jack (3rd grade) reported "pretty good, nice class, nice teacher". He likes having 3 hockey players in his gym squad. I think that means he has a pretty athletic team.

I have been back to work for 2 weeks. There are always challenges about how we can be more efficient with our evaluations of students. Our team gets better every year.

Our family is preparing for the school marathon for education. We will be riding bike 13 miles. We've always enjoyed this activity. It is fun to see all of the different families riding or walking on the trail.

1st Day of School

Another great summer has passed. The boys had their first day of school today. Adam is in 5th grade. He has 4 teachers and will switch rooms during the day. He is most excited about the DARE program (Drug Abuse Resistance Education).

Jack is in 3rd grade. I think he is most excited about seeing his friends again.

Lily

We NEVER thought we'd get a dog. After many years of discussion, our family found a beautiful female beagle from a breeder in MN. We have been blessed in that she sleeps through the night and is doing great with housebreaking.

Lily was 5 lbs. at 8 weeks when we got her and is now around 12 lbs. Lily will grow to be 13 inches and weigh between 20-30 pounds.

The boys have been doing great with her, too. Everyone asks if they help take care of Lily. YES, they do. Everyone helps watch her, take her out, and clean up. I wouldn't be able to do it without them!

We have been attending training classes through the local humane society. Lily is now in Level 2 and seems to pick up on the new skills quickly. I think we have been blessed with a great dog! She loves to meet new people.

Vettel Family Blog

After being inspired by friends that have started a blog, I decided to create one for our family. We hope you enjoy viewing our family events.