The Elliott Newsletter without the pictures..sorry you only get what we wrote up...

The Elliott Newsletter 2008 Address : 3653 Doxtator Rd Durhamville NY,13054 E-mail: tkata@juno.com
Merry Christmas Everyone and by now a Happy New Year! “Better late than never”, that’s what I say…Our year as we reflect back was extremely busy. In fact, every time I think I am almost done writing this we remember something else, so here it is…in a nutshell. At least, from what we remember.

Visitors and Farm Info….
From animals to vegetable...
We have had a very productive year on the farm. We put in a small garden (thanks to Grandpa Elliott for tilling it four times over. We hardly had to weed!) We planted peppers, squash, watermelon(that didn’t grow well),zucchini, and onions lots and lots of onions! Our tomatoes once again looked like the rainforest. Its incredible how well they grow out here! From our bountiful garden we were able to can salsa and tomato sauce. The rest of the veggies went in the freezer.
In the spring we went to another horse auction just to look and ended up buying Denver a pony!(sound familiar? Never go to an auction just to look, because most of the time you end up with something!) Lucy is fourteen and she is just the perfect size for Denver! The best part is she only cost $250!
On the down side, this fall Cole (Autum’s horse) got Potomac fever. After trying to heal him for ten days we had to put him down. It was a hard loss but we are thankful to have a caring vet(Thanks Steve) and that the other horses did not get it! As for the cows they are growing well! We had thirteen calves this year! It is so much fun to look out and try to figure out which calves are which! The challenge with having that many calves is naming them and keeping them in the fence! Ahhh!! we had such a hard time keeping them in this year, but we are so thankful that we have good neighbors!
The pigs are pigs! We got to taste our own homegrown pork this year! The funny thing is Teddy had two of the pigs together cause they were next to go to the freezer but he went out one day this month to take care of them and as he was looking at them he figured out one was gonna have piglets!
The chicken’s have had a population change! The demand for farm fresh eggs has increased and the production was going way down, so we introduced 20 more hens to our flock. We’ll see how things go…
Now for the dogs. Max is still protecting us like a good dog should and Freckles has had our first and maybe last litter of Basset hound puppies! She had eleven but only five made it. We have had so much fun watching them grow up! In fact, we still have one, so if any of you are interested in buying one come and get him.
Now for the people! We had the GREAT honor of having our dear friends, the Lindsey family, park their forty foot bus in our driveway for a week! We had so much fun with them. The week was filled with swimming, horse back riding, and a very favorite tradition…Oreo dunkin!! Oh yeah, there is a special technique for this event, and this year was the first the fathers added a “new twist”. Unfortunately, this can only be shown to others when the Elliott and Lindsey’s get together, so when they come back this summer you better pencil Oreo dunkin in!!
We also had a special visit from U.Dan and Brianna who came up from Florida! Thanks Bre for helping us put hay in! You were a real trooper. Even, A. Linda came up from Connecticut to visit, too. It was lovely to see you all!!
This year was also the year for family reunions. We made our way to Pennsylvania for the Ianson, Tyler, and Elliott reunions. It was a joy to meet new/old members of the family and seeing loved ones we haven’t seen in awhile. It’s amazing to see how much the younger ones have grown and the different projects that the older ones are into. Thanks everyone for all the hard work that you put into bringing the families together!
We also had our first Paparella family reunion since Great Grandma died.
It was held at Verona Beach on the rainiest day of the summer…It was a joy to see old family photos and hear the stories of our family history! Even Paul came up from Florida to attend. It was nice to see you!!
Also, A.Marie and U. Lee made there way to Pennsylvania from Wyoming. It was fun to hang out and see them again. We shouldn’t let years go by before we see each other!!
Elliott Family Insight…Where each person has a different story…
This year was Mom and Dad’s 25th wedding anniversary, so as a special gift to them we the children sent them on a 10 day Sicily and Southern Italy tour. They started in Palermo Sicily and made there way by bus to Rome Italy. They had a wonderful time and would like to go back sometime in the future.
 
They love sharing their pictures, so if your around come and see them! They truly are beautiful.
I think one of the hardest things we did this year was throwing a surprise party for them. Somehow we actually pulled it off…well, sort of. Dad threatened to sign up for over time the day of the party, so we had to tell him. Which was ok with us, he took on the task of getting mom to the park. (We truly had no idea how we were going to get them there.) Thanks to all those that were able to help us make it special for them and to those that wanted to come and could not. (A Super thanks goes out to Grandma & Grandpa Elliott and Aunt Becky! We couldn’t have done it without you!!)
Dad also reached his 20th year on the job! He is counting down the days till he can retire! Mom however, is encouraging him to keep working!
Mom continues to keep busy with her horse, schooling Denver, and gardening. She got a brand new turn on the dime lawnmowers this year, so she learning how to use it. (No, it wasn’t Ashley’s fault this time…)
Dad had the “wonderful” opportunity of running the farm on his own when Teddy left for London. He feels that he would rather just do what Teddy says needs to be done than run the farm himself! Which means, Teddy has been banned from leaving the farm during hay season ever again!
Once again Dad, Teddy and for the first time Autum went down to Martinsville for the Nascar car race. They rented a car and away they went. He really liked driving the car down there; as some of you car owners know it is a lot faster to take a turn then when your in a Suburban. When we got down there we were all excited to be away from the cold weather. They usually get their first tans of the year there. Well, not this year! The rotten frigid weather followed them down there. Poor Autum and Teddy didn’t have any warm clothes, but Dad was prepared he packed for cooler weather. They ended up buying jackets and gloves to keep warm!
Dad also had the wonderful opportunity to go down to New Orleans to help build four playgrounds! He and a few people from the jail went down to help the community. They really enjoyed rebuilding the play areas and getting to see the huge smiles on the kids faces! Dad was also in awe at how much still needs to be rebuilt down there.
Ashley Marie  Where in the world is she now?
In order to tell you where Ashley has been we have to start at the beginning. Actually, we will just have to highlight her year, because it would take a book to write down everything that she’s been up too!
In the beginning of the year a dear friend called and asked if Ashley would be willing to travel to Russia and help them out with their three little ones.
At first she wasn’t sure whether to go or stay, but after much counsel the answer was a firm “YES!” In March, she packed up her stuff and stayed in Krasnodar for 3 months. There she got to experience a new culture, different language, got to see the Black Sea, eat different foods…the list is endless! On top of her going to Russia, she spent more time in London and got to see Vienna, Austria!
So you would think after being gone for three months she would be happy to be back home? Oh know….she has the travel bug. Since she has been home she’s been to Pennsylvania, Kentucky, Ohio, Illinois, Missouri, North Carolina, an Arkansas…By car or plane she made it to her destinations! Don’t worry, she is officially home till July. She has a new nannying job that requires her to be home; then who knows where she will be!
Before I forget, Ashley did get certified this fall to teach English as a second language. It was a 60hr course she took and she passed with amazing ease. Her final grade came from preparing a lesson plan and then delivering it to the other students in her class.
If you want to follow all that is going on in Ashley’s life she started a blog. It is so much easier for her to keep up one thing then send out a lot of emails and hope that none of you changed your addresses….here it is- bluebuttontravler.blogspot.com
Ted Jr.  (with his London host family)
Teddy went out in the beginning of the year to look at trucks and sure enough he found one he liked! He ended up buying a black chevy. Its a standard and is as basic as you can get. It is nice to have a good truck on the farm to do some of the heavy duty pulling! He christened it early by letting a full hay wagon crash into the front bumper. Don’t worry it didn’t do to much damage. Just enough to say welcome to the family..
Before I get to the London trip, I have to tell you a true story…this story takes place in the giant city of New York!! We decided to take another trip this past February. We wanted to see a play and some more of the sights that we didn’t get to on our last trip. This time Ted actually drove our suburban right into the heart of the big apple! Our A.Janis and family live in Manhattan, and they allowed us to stay at their apartment. (In our minds we were saving money on a hotel) Well, as some of you know it doesn’t usually work out like that for the Elliott’s, and in this case there was no exceptions.
We parked on W.Central Park Ave. It was a nice area, no signs that say no parking. In fact, there was cars lined up in front of us and behind us. Matt even got out to make sure it was ok to park in our terrific spot! After we got all parked we decided to walk around for about 5 hrs. When our group finished sight seeing we went back to check on the suburban, and sure enough it was still sitting right where we left it. Wet and happy we decided to go to the apartment. After doing introductions and stuff Matt, Ted, and the girls all went to get the luggage. The play started in 2hrs and we wanted to freshen up some. Not 10 min later, Ashley’s cell phone rings and its Autum saying the suburban GONE!! VANISHED, NO LONGER WHERE WE LEFT IT!! Sighing really loud, Ashley asked it they where in the right spot. It had only been 45 minutes since we last checked on it. Much to our dismay….The suburban was nowhere to be seen.(Keep in mind there was 7 of us on this trip, and if you want a funny story listen to each of us tell it. I am sure it would make a great movie!) Anyway, they came back to the apartment and U.Bo helped us call the police and such. Meanwhile, Ashley had called dad to get the license plate and registration number, and that he may have to come down and get us. (Mind you at this point Ted is going on like 28hrs of new sleep, so he was really incoherent.) To make this story shorter, our vehicle got impounded and a parking ticket to boot. The money that we all saved on the hotel room…Yeah! You guessed it….went to our hefty fines. The moral of the story- ask a local if its ok to park in a certain spot; never trust your gut!! Secondly, be really grateful that Papa and Ted’s names are the same, because if the name didn’t match the registration…well….we don’t like to think about that! Despite the set back we had a wonderful time, and are very thankful for A.Janis and U.Bo’s hospitality.
To add some more excitement to the house Ted decided to go get Ashley from London (to make sure she came the rest of the way home). Matt, Marianne, and Angelie all made the trip to London with him. It was great fun walking the city streets of London and seeing all the sights- St.Paul’s Cathedral, Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace…the list is endless! We had great host families that took great care of us, and made some friends along the way! Thanks to Andy & Sam for putting up with the boys, and to Malcolm and Judith for taking in the girls. It was truly charming to meet you!!
 Autum Lee
This year Autum has done more traveling than ever before! She has been to NYC, Martinsville Va, all different places in Pennsylvania, and to Burkesville KY( The best kept secret in Kentuky!). She had a blast going back to the big city with Ashley, Teddy, Angelie, Christine, Marianne( The Bouffard Girls,)and Matthew Laskowski. We all walked and walked and walked some more! Then after we were whipped we went back to Aunt Janis’s apartment and played the Wii. This was quite a sight as most had never played before! But don’t worry we caught on very fast! The funniest part was when Autum kicked Matts butt in boxing! (Sorry Matt had to mention it). There is pictures and a video for those who doubt this story! Even though Autum traveled so much she does still have a job! Autum was very sad to have to give up watching the Lombardi boys at the end of the summer,but the traveling and gas prices called for change. Now she sits for Jen and Harry full time. They have added to Autum’s work load by having a beautiful baby boy named Griffin. He is such a little joy to watch! If you ask her she will gladly get her phone out and show you pitures of (her) boys!
Autum still has cows and is content to not have a horse after hers died. It was a hard fall, losing so many animals. The big news for Autum is…….. She got her license this year! Now mom will not have to take her everywhere and she can haul the wagons and give mom a break!
Autum, Ashley and our dear friend Marianne all decided to go down to Burkesville, Kentucky to visit the Lindsey family the same week she got her license! It was good practice and nice to have three drivers. We had a great time down there and loved seeing the Lindseys new home!
Denver James 
Denver has been back and forth from Pennsylvania more than all the other kids. He is the only one that doesn’t have a job so he gets to go where ever mom and dad take him. Denver has moved into fourth grade and will still tell you he doesn’t like school! He enjoys reading everything and drawing whatever he can! Mom also signed him up to gym and swim at the YMCA once a week. He is becoming a really strong swimmer!!
He is sure to let his older sibbling know when they are doing something wrong or yell at them when mom sends him for one of them.
He is getting so tall and is now wearing mom and Autum’s boots whenever he can get away with it! If he learned to put them away when he’s done with them; then he wouldn’t get caught!
Denver’s still tends to the chickens. It isn’t his favorite chore at all! In fact, he came in the other day and informed us that he will never have chickens on his farm, “ They make everything dumpy.” All well, for now the job falls to the youngest.
Denver is really enjoying having a horse of his own. He will go out and feed and brush her! He has become our very own Roy Rogers! If you come to the farm and say you want to see Lucy he will be more that willing to saddle her up and show you how he rides!
Well, I think that about covers our year. At least it does for now…Next year is well on its way, so I’ll just have to say Happy New Year!



Merry Christmas from our house to yours…..

Family Photos....

 

Missouri Pictures....

Home From Missouri...

 
Merry Christmas Everyone!!
I hope you all are enjoying the time you spend with family and friends this week...It is wonderful when you get to see people that you haven't seen in awhile during this Christmas season...
I got to enjoy another part of the holiday rush this year that I didn't expect to ever see. Ok maybe I did but not like this...I accidently slept through my alarm yesterday morning. Jason,Joanna, and I needed to be out of the house by 4am to get to the airport in time for me to catch my flight...BUT because we all slept...we didn't get up till 5:20am and I didn't make it in time to catch my flight...After, talking to several people on the phone and the Delta people;we came to the conclusion that I needed to buy another ticket home. Because Delta didn't have any seats available until the next morning Priceline wouldn't change my ticket for me.They said my ticket won't have any value tomorrow. Even if it was Christmas.... The holiday rush was on for everyone...so we went to get some breakfast and find an airline that had a seat for me. After, spending a little more money..(sigh.haha) I got a flight to Syracuse...the thing that was kind of tiring was how many times I had to switch planes! I flew from Arkansa to Charolette N.C. Then to Philidelphia...after that SYRACUSE NY!!!Yippee.....In any case, if there was one thing through that whole made sense was that on the plane to Syracuse I was supposed to sit next to a window in the middle of the plane!!(finally! I had been sitting in the very last seat of the plane all day...you know the one next to the bathroom!!) I was so excited!! No more smelling the toilets,a window...But alas! I didn't have the heart to split up a family. I was supposed to sit with a guy and his 2 year old. His wife was supposed to sit in the back of the plane with their 5 month old..I just couldnt say no....they looked so pitiful and I didn't have any good reason to say no....My good deed of the day done..haha..they where very grateful! The guy even wanted to buy me a drink...which was weird because the flight attendant came over to me and asked me how old I was...Thinking that because I just switched my seat without telling them...I was in big trouble! But that wasn't the case...Yeah, my heart skipped a few beats, but again all was well...I am home safe and will be uploading all the pictures pretty soon...(even the family photo shoot!)
Above in the picture is Sage Shaver. He was helping us make cookies and such for a party...Merry Christmas!

Off to Missouri

Greetings!
I hope the holiday rush hasn't gotten to you all....I love this time of year for the music,traditions, and food. Ok I do enjoy the gift part,too...but I don't let that become my main focus of the Christmas season! The old saying Jesus is the Reason for the Season still rings true today, so if you are rushing about trying to figure out what to get everyone.STOP! Donate something in that persons name. I would be thrilled! Just a thought....
Anyway, I didn't get everything done I wanted to...All well...the main thing; the newsletter..it hardly got touched. Looks like it maybe a New Year's letter...so please be patient I am trying...really!
Well, tomorrow I fly to see the Shaver family! I am so excited...I need a break from NY...I know I know...it is pitiful! I am all packed, presents wrapped, pasta made, one quilt not finished, and most of the cookies that i make are done....it was a good week, and I need a vacation.
Oh, so before I forget....I have several jobs lined up for next year. I picked up another cleaning job which is only 2 miles down the road..(if that) and I am going to be nannying a little baby boy till June...so when I start that which is Jan 5th there will be no more flying anywhere till the fall...unless, its a long weekend and I head to some big city I haven't been to yet...I'm thinking Toronto should be next..will see..(( = So, the nannying job will be 4 days a week.Plus, 2 cleaning jobs and volleyball....makes for a busy week. It's great! I love being busy helps me to stay focused..it does!!
Alright, I have to venture on to something else; you all have a great week and when I get home I'll post some MO pictures...(no, we haven't gotten the family pictures yet.)

One week and counting....

Well, this being my last week home before I take off for Missouri has started off with a....not really sure how to put it? So,I'll just tell you...I was up most of the night sick!! There is nothing worse then throwing up. I have a list a mile long that is still...well, very long. However, I am doing all the easy things that doesn't take to much out of me. (Especially, since I can only keep water down, and even that has been a chore) But alas! I will prevail!! haha...
Last night we had a family photo shoot...That was interesting and fun! As soon as I get them I will post them. We had it here at the house and we did it in front of the Christmas tree. I'm sure they turned out just fine. We even did some with the puppies...gosh! they are so cute!! Our very good friend Nicole Blair took our pictures.
What else...all my shopping is done and the gifts are wrapped! Yippee!! Now for the projects that I was going to finish today but am sitting here praying I don't...well you know....
Dad and Mom are off shopping...I wonder what they are going to get me? I didn't give them a list..hmmm....
Anyway, other then that it is finally FREEZING here! The temperature for today was
2. Yup, just 2. They say it is suppposed to warm up the rest of the week. (low 40's) Will see, as long as it doesn't melt our snow!! Then it most certianly can warm up.
Oh, I know!! This saturday is the Nutcracker!! I can't wait!! It has been along time since I have seen the ballet. Tis the season!!
Hope all your holiday fun is well under way!!

2 Weeks and counting....

I can't believe today is December 1st. This year has flown by for me!! Now, the pressures on to get everything I need to get done for Christmas;done! I will be leaving for Missouri on the 15th! I can't wait..I'll be spending a week with the Shaver family...so that means that the quilts that I have started, the pasta that needs to be made, the cookies, wrapping gifts....(the list is endless) All needs to be done before I leave! Haha...I thrive on pressure!! I will be flying this time,too...No more driving long distances the rest of the year! (See, I don't get back till the 23rd....I cut it close to Christmas!I did it on purpose)
I am also planning on a couple field trips.Haha...that sounds funny...I am going to see the Moscow Ballet preform the Nutcracker. I haven't seen it in years so I'm really looking forward to going. Plus, Ted and I are going to see Godspell. 2 plays in one month...its so exciting!!
What else...I am hoping it will snow again. All our snow is gone and nothing but mud is ruling our outside!! It is so yucky! At least with Spring you can count on the flowers coming up, but in the winter....sigh....
I am tired of Christmas music already! I know...Mrs,Elliott started listening to it really early this year, and now I don't want to hear it.. Maybe I'll go on a fast from it...and then I will want too...(( =
We don't even have our Christmas tree up, yet..shocking I know...It is unusually late this year, and my mom said she isn't ready...what's up with that!! Actually, where we put it is close to the puppy area, so we kind of want to wait till there out of here! But the fake one isn't even up yet....sigh...we are slackers this year! Wait a minute...I did set up my nativity set. I love looking at it. Autum got it for me...I'll have to take a picture and post it....Also, my ornament tree is up....I'll take a picture of that too so you know what I'm talking about....
Oh, lets not forget the family newsletter....yeah! no, its not even close to being done....but soon...I'm thinking it will be an after Christmas mailing...MAYBE...It is one the 2 week list....So cheer me on as I take on the projects!!
Here I go!!!