Future of the Blog

Abe and I were talking at Christmas that since this was a great way for everyone to share anything they wanted, we should keep this blog going into the new year. We talked about starting a new one that wasn't about Christmas but since it took almost a whole year (or felt like it) to get everyone onto the blog we should keep the one everyone is a part of. So let us know if you guys still want to keep this thing going strong or if e-mail will be the family news source. It was great to see everyone this Christmas and I hope to see everyone again very very soon. Love ya'll and keep getting better Bill!

Well, this has been a great way to connect, not only for the holidays, but for general keeping-in-touch. Thanks, Abe, for setting up the blog. Thanks to all for being part of it.

I hope that Santa (pictured here) grants you all your fondest wishes. I know that my fondest wish involves all of you getting the best that life has to offer. Y'all seem well on your way. Merry Christmas and the best of tricks in 2006!

John and Ann

Merry Christmas

Beryl and I would like to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Jakes List

So I am giving whoever has me a one week till Christmas list.

The only thing I can think of are any books by Clive Cussler.

I hope everyone can make it to Great Falls at least once during the holidays. I am so glad to be home and I can't wait for Christmas.

Love everyone and travel safe.

Re-Repeat?

Just letting all you out of staters know that Carroll just won their 4th NAIA National Championship in a row. Pretty amazing. As for the title of this post... does that work? Just wondering. Hope everyone is doing great, can't wait to see everyone. Get well soon Bill!

Travel Plans

Just thought I'd drop a line in to let folks know what my Holiday travel plans are:

Dec. 24th - Arrive in Missoula at 1:00 in the afternoon. I'm thinking about heading up to Great Falls right away, and spending the evening visiting with everyone there - I especially hope to see Bill.

Dec. 25th - This is where it gets fuzzy. I have to be back in Missoula at 4:30 to pick up my very good friend Sunil at the airport. Now, I may just turn right around and drive back to GF (anyone want to join me for this day of Christmas driving?) or I may stay in Missoula. Not sure yet.

Dec. 26th - I'll likely head to Helena for a day or two.

Dec. 29th - Fly out of Missoula and back to Chicago at 6:00 a.m.

Maurika's crew wish lists ...

So here's the list from the Renton crew ...

Maurika
Donations
Doctors without Borders
Lost & Foundation

Video Camera - digital
Pearl Necklace
Frame Building Set (I don't even know what this would comprise of, but I want to build the frames that would be on the inside of a canvas)
Gift Certificate to Rio Grande Bead Store online
Egyptian Cotton Bed Sheets - Queen
Gift Certificate to Maternity Store
Photo album for our wedding pictures
Leather gloves
Sunglasses
Massage Gift Certificate

Mark
Gift card to book store
Blank CD's
Gift card to Apple iTunes
Watch - silver, large in width
Black Scarf
Leather gloves - black
Work gloves
Tool belt - with bags
Coffee Mug from Montana
Travel Mugs
Napkin Holder
Knife set (one with a HUGE chopper knife - ya know, one step smaller than a cleaver)

Rileigh
Gift certificate to book store
Kid Cell Phone - the Firefly
Laptop
A Mansion to live in (dreams big, eh?)
Clothes - she's got a style all her own, no tank tops, v-neck shirts, see through shirts or belly shirts - she doesn't like them (thank goodness)
Size XS or S adult women's for tops, Size 8 shoes, Size 1 women's pants
Messenger Bag for books for school (side carry), to replace her back pack
Very small dog accessories, she's getting a toy chihuahua puppy next month
"Dogs" game for gameboy advance
"SIMS Unleashed" for computer game
Gameboy SP
American Girl Magazine subscription

Bridger
Gift certificate to book store like Barnes and Noble or like...
Sunglasses
ESPN Gamestation - this is not a video game ironically like I thought it was. very cool.
"Old" transformers - (like Mark- and Abe-old...) Optimus Prime, Blitzwing, and Devistator
Yugio Card Holder
Robots
X Force Light saber - very particular about this one.
Fleecy Jacket - size M in boys (he's a 6-7)
BIG remote control Jeep CJ - this is what he wants to drive in high school
Joystick for computer games
Airplane computer game to play with joystick above
Transformers Original Series Movies
Hot Wheels (and track)
Gameboy SP, or DS - his broke
Gift Cards (he's a huge fan of these) from: Toys R us, Target, Fred Meyer, Hollywood Video

Peter's Christmas Wish List

Donations:
Your local Humane Society

Stuff:
Black or white thermal silk shirts
a medium sized dumbek drum (one of the metal kinds with a plastic head is great)
Dark colored socks
Gift certificate to Powells books (powells.com)
Banana Republic
Gap
a reverse osmosis water filter (undersink kind)
black drawstring pants (size medium with wide leg and not tapered bottoms)
Book with nice pictures of animals (preferably not ugly animals)

Jim and Beryl's lists

Here is our simple list:

for both Beryl & Jim ..Donation to either
Tooele Animal Shelter
121 N 150 W
Tooele, UT 84074
or
Healing Horses Therapeutic Riding
PO Box 183
Tooele, UT 84074

OK,OK,OK

Here you go! Here is what lists I have access to.

Mary:
contributions to
Holy Spirit School Endowment fund
2820 Central Av.
Great Falls, MT 59401

Holy Spirit Building Fund
2816 Central Av.
Great Falls, MT 59401

doo-dads:
anything really cool for our house:
pottery, table linens, any kind of glasses, area rugs (earth tones), waffle iron, small hand mixer.

Jim:
Same charities as above

Doo-dads:
XL turtle neck shirts--gray, navy, black
MSU garb

Maddie:
she loves art things, construction paper, markers, gel pens, glue etc
books
polly pockets
leap pad books, for 2nd or 3rd grade

Sam:
he plays the sax and would love some intermediate sax music
any nike or addias shirts, Mens M
sweats Mens M
fun board games, Life is one he has mentioned.

That is all I have for my family. The rest are on their own to post up. So now Mom is on the ball, the rest of you join in!

Happy Saint Nicholas Day

I hope that you are all enjoying a wonderful Saint Nicholas Day - I just got back from "St. Nicking" some of my dear friends - just what I needed to get into the Christmas spirit and swing of things. So...on that note here is my list:
A happy family!!!

Donations to:
Helena Food Share, PO Box 943, Helena 59624
Lost and Foundation
Habitat for Humanity www.habitat.org
Doctors without Borders www.doctorswithoutborders.org/donate
Oxfam International (hunger relief) www.oxfam.org
Amnesty International (human rights work) www.amnesty.org

Stuff:
sink installed water filter
fast bag for boxing
something locally made - where you are, that you like
a visit from you in Portland
zip up sweaters, thin zip up sweatshirts (not bulky) - size small
black socks
family pictures

Peter would also like to post his list - Abe could you please send him an invitation so that he can?
Thanks. If not, I will try to get it from him and post it myself - sorry about the wait Meghan.

Anyhow, unfortunately Peter and I won't be able to come to Montana this year for Christmas - so one of the best presents you could give us is to call around Christmas so that we can catch up with you!

Love you all.

limp limb

I would like to appologize for the rest of the Wingerters who havent posted lists. Trust me, I am just as frustrated with them as the rest of the Moore family. Ben, Jake, Miranda, MOM, DAD, I don't see a list for any of you. Looks like our branch of the family tree is hanging a little low folks. GET YOUR ACT TOGETHER! love you! Nick

No Shouting!!

Here's my list - finally. Thanks for the connection, Abe, and for having Food Share on your list - way cool!
Donations
Helena Food Share (surprise!)
PO Box 943
Helena MT 59601

The Friendship Center
1503 Gallatin
Helena MT 59601
TFC desperately needs a new, safe building. Food Share needs to wait until they are done with their capital campaign before we start OUR capital campaign. So, by helping TFC, you help us. Small town things...

NAMI MT (National Association of Mental Illness-Montana Chapter)
c/o Gary Mihelish
554 Toole Court
Helena MT 59602

Good Samaritan Ministries
3067 N Montana Ave
Helena MT 59601
Indicate “social services” on check

Books
The Five Regions of the Future – Joel Barker
The Source: Twelve Principals of Governance that Power Exceptional Boards – Board Source
I love fantasy (dragons, elves, magic) – any recommendations? Book lists of great reads are a marvelous gift!
Books on Islam (I’ve read a basic overview)

Odds and Ends
White turtlenecks (petite medium)
Smartwool socks – black
Yoga VHS tapes – endurance, strength, flexibility, etc.

Music
Susan Werner – anything, esp. “I Can’t Be New”

It took me a while to think of anything other than Food Share and Friendship Center.

Abe - Susan Werner was just on Piano Jazz with Marion McPartland. She did a GREAT take off on "I'll take Manhattan" that was about Chicago - and fun! I doubt it's on CD - but McPartland's website may have it.

The blog is quite cool - I've been lurking about the corners. Merry Season to all!

Can't find a list?

This page of the blog holds about 12 posts -- the most recent ones. To look further back, look at the list of "Archives" on the right side of the page. Click on one of the months to view previous posts.

I'm pointing that out because my list is back in November. It's great to see people getting their lists up. You slackers know who you are.

Happy St. Nicholas Day!

Lists for the Philpots

Here are the two charities Jerry and I love:

Primary Children's Medical Center Foundation
P.O. Box 58249
Salt Lake City, Utah 84158-0249
Where Kesiah spent two days with spinal meningitis when 8 days old.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
50 East North Temple Street
Salt Lake City, Utah 84150
You can request your donation go to fast offering which goes solely to feed those in need or humanitarian aid which goes to help people in hurricanes and earthquakes and such.

As for gifts,
Jerry: Beanie hat, a good ballcap, gift cert. to home depot, media play, pretty happy with anything

Hannah: I really want a cd of your favorite music, either an album or a mix of good songs. I'm a little picky that I don't like any kind of explicit themes/language or rap, I need music that I can play with the kids around. You know, so we can dance around the kitchen after breakfast. Or anything else that you would like to give.

Mikayla: She's a princess girl, pretty much anything pink. She also loves to do artwork so some good/different markers or art supplies appropriate for a six year old.

Carter: He's a superhero at heart. Batman, superman anything and he is happy.

Kesiah: She's a baby freak. Even though we have probably forty two babies, that is what she would love. Or baby accessories.

Anyway, don't feel ruled by the list. We love getting things that are unique or of your own picking.

another shout out ...

Hey, Beryl! What do you want for Christmas?!

Get that list up here, please.

Shout Outs

Ok, if the person who you've drawn for Christmas has not yet posted a list, this is where you can give them a shout out to tell them to get on the ball. Me first.

HEY JERRY! WHAT DO YOU WANT FOR CHRISTMAS?

YES!!! I did it! Here's the list...

Okay all...I'm really excited because I finally figured out my login and password that I had forgotten long ago. Now I can post my list (even though I already emailed it to Nick - but since I can't remember what all I put on it, maybe here's some new ideas):

- DVDs (any - I only have 6 and Ashland can get boring)
- Scrapbooking stuff (stickers, pages, books, etc)
- Rascall Flatts "Feels Like Today" or if they have a Christmas CD
- Barnes and Noble or online bookstore gift card
- ND stuff
- Griz stuff

Donation: Joyful Heart, Lost and Foundation, or St. Labre Indian School

WOOHOO! Glad I've finally joined the world of blog! Love ya'll!

Brief lists from the Morrises

Bill: white button collar dress shirt 17/32-33 (Penny's 65% polyester/35% cotton)
DVDs of suspense movies (e.g. Clear and Present danger)

Connie: flannel sheets--queen size extra deep
boots size 10 (or money/gift certificate towards them)
hair dryer
blender


Donation to the Sletten Cancer Institute at Benefis foundation. http://www.benefisfoundation.org/cancer.htm

Nate Moore's Christmas List

Here is my Christmas List. Lucky for me one of these things can be crossed off... an early Christmas present you could say. Another can be crossed off because it won't happen. Things I can cross off are in Black Bold Italics. Well, here goes nothing:

1. For the Montana State University Bobcats to beat the University of Montana Grizzlies. (See Picture at Right)

2. For Abe I. Moore to someday become a mature adult who does not insult family members. (Crossed off because of comment made in his Chritmas List See Below)

3. Notre Dame stuff

4. Montana State Bobcats stuff

5. Seattle Seahawks stuff

6. A lump of coal... that I can throw at Abe when I see him

Nick's List

Very Brief list:
-Notre Dame stuff (obviously)
- or a donation to the Holy Spirit Building project.

If you want to suprise me with something else thats cool too!

Abe's Christmas List

1. A happy family - who will work for food and live in the basement. Kidding. John always said he wanted a happy family for Christmas, which was always the easiest gift to give.
2. Donations to Helena Food Share.
3. Medium guitar picks.
4. Large white undershirts
5. You. In Chicago. For a visit. Unless you are Nate Moore.
6. Book: Touchdown Jesus
7. Any Grizzly stuff. Or Bobcat toilet paper.
8. Family pictures
9. If you are Joey, CDs of music you've put together that I can play with.
10. An interesting corkscrew
11. Scrabble board

Molly's brief list ...

i still don't have an invite to the blog site so i am not on there. i guess i could just tell you my list. all i want from the cousin gifting is a donation to the Joyful Heart Foundation. Thanks!
molly

Here's the list again

The original posting of this list has been buried in the blog archives, so I'm posting it again.

Keep in mind these ideas ...

1. Post your wish-list of items you'd like or charities you support to this site – or find someone who will do it for you.

2. Keep the value of the items on your wish-list to about $20 or less – likewise when you're shopping or donating for someone. Your own creations are always nice gifts.

3. When shopping for someone, you're not restricted to the items on the list – buy 'em a pogo-stick if you want.

Siblings and In-Laws
Connie – Jim M
Bill – Tom
Jan – Jim W
Marc – John
John – Beryl
Ann – Mary
Tom – Marc
Jeanine – Bill
Mary – Connie
Jim W – Jeanine
Jim M – Jan
Beryl – Ann

Independent Cousins
Maurika – Kelly
Mark – Matt
Abe – Jerry
Hannah – Miranda
Jerry – Briana
Briana – Nick
Peter – Mark W
Michael – Jake
Matt – Ben
Kelly – Joey
Joey – Abe
Meghan – Peter
Jen – Nate Meunier
Molly – Maurika
Nate Moore – Michael
Miranda – Hannah
Nate Meunier – Nate Moore
Ben – Molly
Jake – Jen
Nick – Meghan

Dependent Cousins
Shannon – Kesiah
Sam – Bridger
Madison – Carter
Rileigh – Madison
Bridger – Mikayla
Mikayla – Sam
Carter – Shannon
Kesiah – Rileigh

Howdy

Figured it was about time to join the fun!
All is well on the RockinB Ranch/Farm/???

Congrats to Matt & Kelly!! (And Grandma Jan)
Great to see John, Ann, Hannah, Jerry, and the kids over Thanksgiving.
Hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Go Griz!!

just look at this face!!

Ok, so here's the deal. This girl right here hasn't received an invite to get onto this blogger site. And unfortunately, my technologically inept mother lost the invite and doesn't know how to get back on the blogger site. So Abe, if you read this....could you please send an invite to Molls and my mom??? I know there are a couple other family members who have yet to get an invite as well. I don't want to send threats, but seriously, does she look like a girl you want to mess with??

Poor Grizzlies

Just updating all of you. The Cats were dominating in their 16-6 win over the Grizzlies. It was awesome to see them do it in person. Sure, the Griz do get to go to the playoffs, but we get bragging rights for the third time in four years. It's not like the Cat's would have won anything in the playoffs anyway. If the Cats were winless going into Cat/Griz and beat the Griz, the season would be a success. Also, Abe, you are sooooo lucky I didn't take that first bet, although I am content with my $5 win. POOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOR GRIZZLIES!

Jen's List

Well...I guess since Uncle John did his, I might as well post one too!!!

I know Jake loves shopping, but if he doesn't mind, I will just ask that he donate to a charity!

Charities:

Boys and Girls Club
Heart Foundation (ask Molls about that one)


Little Gifts:

Good Charlotte CD
Casting Crowns CD
Chain for my Miraculous Mary Medal
Charms for my bracelet


Ok....that is all, for a complete list, as the 'rents. Hope everyone is doing well!!

John's Christmas List

Hey, all -- To get the ball rolling, I'll be the first to post a list here. These are not in order of priority, except for donations over doo-dads.

Preferred charities
Helena Food Share, PO Box 943, Helena 59624
Helena Friendship Center Building Fund, 1503 Gallatin, Helena 59601
Habitat for Humanity www.habitat.org
Doctors without Borders www.doctorswithoutborders.org/donate
Oxfam International (hunger relief) www.oxfam.org
Amnesty International (human rights work) www.amnesty.org

Doo-dads
Books in the series by George R.R. Martin, A Song of Fire and Ice
A Game of Thrones (1)
A Clash of Kings (2)
A Storm of Swords (3)
A Feast for Crows (4)

Sweater vest -- green, tan, navy, or brown XXL

Racquet balls

Funky tie

Thanks a bunch. Now let's see some others. It's fun!

Thank you everyone for your love and prayers! We are having a blast here in Florida with the new addition. Nick, so far Will is accomplishing everything you listed. As you can see he LOVES Notre Dame, you all read what he can write and he is an absolute bundle of joy to have around so far. He was quiet for the entire mass today, so we know that he has reverence. :) Again, thank you all for everything.

If you want to see more of little Will, you can go to homepage.mac.com/buyske2004.

Love you all,

The Buyske Three

congrats buyske fam!

congrats to all of you guys (esspesially matt and kelly) on the newborn baby boy! i know the rest of us are very excited to see our new second cousin. i hope we as a family can continue the family tradition with this little one and raise him to: a) love notre dame no matter what b) be a great scholar and c) last but definately not least love his family and God with amazing grace. With the given parents and grandparents and uncles and aunts, im possitive he will be all of the above and more!

and the name lives

HEY ALL!! KELLY HAD A BOY!!!!! WILLIAM PATRICK BUYSKE!!!!!

Thank you all for your prayers!!! I am sooo happy, and you know the grandparents are just beaming!! I Love it!!!

Happy Birthday

Hey everyone!! Just wanted to remind you that Mike's Birthday is this Monday!! He is turning 2-8....so make sure you tease him a little!! Hope everyone has a great weekend and a fun-filled, safe Halloween!!

So, how do we start?

Ok, so to clarify, everyone will list either a gift or charity or both and let the giver pick, right? So do we just put our list in here as a blog? This is my first time EVER even looking at a blog so it's all new to me but I like it. Oh, and don't forget to add addresses too.

Jan's Goldilocks

How bout that game yesterday. The Bozeman Chapter of Charlie's Army watched the record breaking day with the Buyske girls. Hopefully the family members that were at the game had a good time. Good to get Charlie his first win at ND Stadium. Just wondering... does anyone else see the 4th and 9 replay from last week and each time it's replayed think that ND is going to stop USC and win that game just to be fooled into watching the 69 yard catch? Just wondering.

pretty cool!

This is awesome! I hope you all found the lists that John posted. John, did you talk with Rika and Hannah about adding their kids into this mix? I know in the past, they didn't want their kids included. Just wondering!

Match-ups from drawing of names

Here are
your
assign-
ments:

Mary sent the results of the drawing at the family picnic. The siblings and in-laws remain the same.

Given our discussion about "independent" and "dependent" cousins, I redrew for those two lists. The cut-off was high-school graduation.

Keep in mind these ideas ...
1. Post your wish-list of items you'd like or charities you support to this site – or find someone who will do it for you.

2. Keep the value of the items on your wish-list to about $20 or less – likewise when you're shopping or donating for someone. Your own creations are always nice gifts.

3. When shopping for someone, you're not restricted to the items on the list – buy 'em a pogo-stick if you want.

Siblings and In-Laws
Connie – Jim M
Bill – Tom
Jan – Jim W
Marc – John
John – Beryl
Ann – Mary
Tom – Marc
Jeanine – Bill
Mary – Connie
Jim W – Jeanine
Jim M – Jan
Beryl – Ann

Independent Cousins
Maurika – Kelly
Mark – Matt
Abe – Jerry
Hannah – Miranda
Jerry – Briana
Briana – Nick
Peter – Mark W
Michael – Jake
Matt – Ben
Kelly – Joey
Joey – Abe
Meghan – Peter
Jen – Nate Meunier
Molly – Maurika
Nate Moore – Michael
Miranda – Hannah
Nate Meunier – Nate Moore
Ben – Molly
Jake – Jen
Nick – Meghan

Dependent Cousins
Shannon – Kesiah
Sam – Bridger
Madison – Carter
Rileigh – Madison
Bridger – Mikayla
Mikayla – Sam
Carter – Shannon
Kesiah – Rileigh

Hottest Ticket In Town

Here's to getting up at 6 this morning after a long night and waiting in line for three hours to get the most prized possession a college kid could have. I went through the line once and then I was "that guy" and cut in line to get the second ticket. So two tickets to Cat/Griz in 3 hours for free... I'd say my day is already a success.

Where have all the flowers gone?

We do need to get some other members on this blog. I'm counting on these little flowers to line up and sign up. They're the Christmas angels, eh?

Anyway, as I noted in a comment to "Beerskee's" post, we will post Christmas lists here. Of course, that means that all participants have to enroll. I will get the name-drawing list and post it here soon.

Meanwhile, I'll be glued to USC-ND tomorrow!

Hopefully when I go to bed on Saturday night or Sunday morning, there will be a new #1 team in the country because our Notre Dame Fighting Irish beat SoCal. This is the year.

Good to see that the blogger sight is slowly but surely growing. I hope that more of the Moore family joins in on the fun!! Anyway, I was just curious if we were still going to be posting our lists on this thing or what?? I am really confused by the twenty different emails on the subject. Hopefully we will figure this out soon. GO ND!!

Love It

Abe, love the site. Great to see everyone's comments. Guess the "Great Christmas Debate" has brought about some great new ideas. Here's a picture I thought everyone might enjoy. See if you can find Dad/John and Orvis in this picture. One of many old pictures we've scanned for a PowerPoint presentation we do at our one of our annual meetings.

And Rika said that the Bozeman kids were on drugs. Right Rika, right. That's not a Bobcat hat on his head.

Ok. On to the Christmas Theme

I note that we have yet to actually resolve the issue of how family gifts will be handled this year. I suppose that Grandma should make the ultimate decision. Has she weighed in on this yet?

Let's get serious!

Okay, maybe not. It's good to see some activity here. I hope y'all will return often to check out the Christmas news -- et cetera. I've been trying to upload a photo here without success. I guess I'm one of those technically [note correct spelling] challenged adults. (I'd rather be technically challenged than language deficient.) So, if anyone has tips on posting photos to this blog within MS Explorer, I'm open to suggestion. Go Griz. john

How Nate Pulls Jake to Class in Bozeman

Go Griz!

Woohoo

Well alrighty...check out the English teacher here. First I just love the family (pseudo) controversy we stir up. I am seriously thinking of using ya'll as a focus for my first novel. It would be a best seller for sure. Second, it's a snow day here - yes, feel free to be jealous. Mom was at 7:00 am this morning when I called and told her. Third, I'm all about whatever - I think the combo idea that the mere college freshman presented is huge. I've learned choice is a number one motivator. You all rock! Love you!

Nicely Done!

Nice work, Abe! The Buyskes in FL are on board with this idea. Hopefully we can get everyone going on this.

likin it

this is a pretty sweet idea on abe's part. i think the fun thing will to see whether our techincally challenged adults will be able to handle it!! :) just kidding!! hope you all have a great week!

welcome

yea im here too. i really truely deeply believe that as long as sometime between december and febuary everyone in the family has been in Great Falls for at least 4 hours that this will be another top shelf christmas. keep ND in your thoughts and prayers. love yall and keep it green.

What up. I am so on this blog. Just letting you know that the link worked. Any comments on this post would be welcomed. Constructive comments, questions.. you know, whatever.

Welcome!

Ok everybody. I've sent each of you an invitation to become an "administrator" of this site. That means you'll be able to create posts like this one. All you have to do is click on that icon over there on the right that says "i power blogger" and it will take you to the "dashboard." Once you're there, you can click "create new post," type in your business, then click "publish."

If this all seems vastly too complicated to you, you can always just give your two bits by clicking on "comments" right below any post like this.

Looking forward to a very merry Christmas!