Hello Stetzner Family! Merry New Year 2008!
I can't believe how much snow we have here in Idaho Falls. It is abundant believe me. The evergreens are heavy with snow covered branches and the trees make our streets look like a Kincade Christmas Card. It has lifted our holday spirits and sent us out side frolicking in the snow making snow angels, snow men and sleigh riding. We top that off with a nice warm cup of hot chocolate with lots of snow balls (marshmellows) on top!
Keep the love coming! Deanna

My latest favorite web sites

Just in case any one wants to shop online for me... (or anyone else I guess) I like http://www.gifts.com/. On this website you can answer easy questions to narrow down the personality of the person you are shopping for. This is kind of fun!

For some of us younger kids, Ashley and I both really like http://www.babygirlboutique.com/. Here at this site you could spend hours and hours checking out all they have from shoes, clothing, accessories and vintage jewelery and hair ornaments.

Here's to happy shopping!

Love to all!

-Meredith

Do you have a favorite website to share?

Do you have a favorite website you'd like everyone to know about? Let's start a list to share with everyone!
I LOVE listening to music while I work. I found two websites that play free music while I compute!
The first one is www.accuradio.com. When you go to that site, you can choose from the most amazing channels of music and each channel has subchannels that you can click on to make your choice even more customized. You can find anything from classical to vintage rock to new age jazz, to Celtic and even Native American offerings. When you try it, look at the 'toolbar' at the top and click on "more" for even more offerings. They even have a comedy channel and a Holiday channel for Christmas music.
My second find is www.pandora.com. This music channel is also free. When you open their site, you are asked to type in an artist (or group) or a song. The site then plays that song and offers more music in the same style for you to give a 'thumbs up' or 'thumbs down' to.
You can experiment with either of these sites to find exactly what you like.
Try these. I think you'll find something you like, no matter what your style.
Love you all,
Michele

Merry Cristmas from the McGarveys!

Fantastic Site for All Families!

Merry Christmas, Everyone!

I know a lot of you with children will be spending time with them at home over their school vacations and the website link below will take you to a site that has an amazing multitude of activities that you can do with your children - from writing to Santa, coloring, reading exercises, motor skill exercises to even cooking treats with the entire family. From the creators:

"Northpole.com is a commercial banner-free, child-safe Web site designed to provide a family-oriented Christmas site for children and families to share together. Parents, grandparents, and teachers around the world have told us about the quality time they spend sharing the site with children. We hope you, too, enjoy the site as much as we enjoyed creating it for you. " If you are a teacher or care about what your children are doing, you'll love this site. Check it out: http://www.northpole.com/

With love to you all,

Michele

Happy Birthday in December!

Happy Birthday to all these wonderful people who are celebrating another year! Hope your day is wonderful!

Shannon Wilks (12/01)
Andrew Stetzner (12/01)
Kevin Downs (12/02)
Makena Lee French (12/07)
Mike Johnson (12/09)
Elaine Hetherington (12/13)
Dolores Wilks (12/16)
Hilery Cedergreen (12/22)
Brock Stetzner (12/25)
Caleb Stetzner (12/27)
Julia Johnson (12/28)
Madison Alexis Hetherington (12/29)
Rita Stetzner (12/30)

++ William F. Stetzner would have been 108 on December 12.

These people are part of the greatest family on earth and aren't we glad!!!

A test of your Thanksgiving knowledge

Here's a fun test of your Thanksgiving and turkey knowledge to try:
http://home.aristotle.net/Thanksgiving/trivia.asp

Have fun. When you're finished, have a wonderful holiday!

FATHER IN HEAVEN, we thank You for allowing us to gather for this special meal of Thanksgiving. Comfort those without shelter, particularly those who have lost their homes to fire, tornados, hurricanes or those who are just wondering.
GOD OF OUR HERITAGE, we thank You for this country that allows us to enjoy such bounty amid freedom. Please watch over those nations striving for freedom, especially Iraq, Afghanistan and other places touched by turmoil.
PRINCE OF PEACE, we thank You for the people who enrich our lives by gathering at our tables. Please watch over our sons and daughters, fathers and mothers separated from their loved ones this day because of service in the military, fire departments, police departments and hospitals or care facilities.
WONDER COUNSELOR, thank You for the gift of our labor by which we have provided this meal. Touch our hearts to be compassionate and generous to others in need, particularly those who labor to plant, harvest and prepare this food.
JESUS OUR SAVIOR, thank You for sacrificing Your life upon the cross so that we might know the depth of your love for us. Help us to embrace our crosses of pain and hurt out of love for You.
HOLY SPIRIT, thank You for Your seven-fold gifts by which we are able to follow Jesus to the Father. We ask you to be equally generous to those who are hurting, confused, angry, afraid, alone and desperate this holiday.
GIVER OF LIFE, thank you for all the experiences of this past year. Thank you for carrying us when we were weak and for dancing with us when we were happy. Please show Your face to those who are lost and guide them to your heart.
AMEN!
A wonderful, peaceful and fun-filled Thanksgiving to all of the Stetzner family.
Deanna

I AM THANKFUL FOR

I am thankful for all those thing that we prayed for when we were young. God has granted me a wonderful, loving family that depends on me in the most precious ways that make me feel whole. I truly have no words to express my gratitude for my beautiful family. I just know that I thank God for the extra time he has given me with them. My wish for you is that you are as happy as I am. I am so thankful for my family who I love and they love me.
God Bless You All,
Lydia

My Thanksgiving Prayer

Dear God,

Thank You for this family; it has to be the best one You ever made. For every one of them, God, thank You; and while I’m at it, thank You for a sense of humor, too.

Thank You for meadowlarks, ‘cause my mom told me what they’re saying. Thank You for roses and lilies and wildflowers.

Thank You for a full belly – it’s the only thing that’s completely paid for. Thank You for a roof, a bed, a furnace and an old car that is oh, so faithful, but tiring quickly.

Thank You for jumbo clouds, warm rain and umbrellas. Oh and thank You for warm chocolate chip cookies and cold milk!

Thank You for beautiful music, the kind that can make your feet leap or your heart weep. I really think that music is a gift You gave Yourself, but thanks for sharing it with us.

Thank You for ignoring my ranting and complaining. Thank You for answering my prayers and thank You for not giving me everything I asked for.

Thank You for strong, loving parents. Thank You for a wonderfully loving spouse with incredible fortitude and perseverance! Thank You for tears of joy when babies are born, and the sound of angel wings in their laughter. Thanks for children that love us in spite of ourselves and our mistakes – (whatever!) Thank You for allowing me to love and be loved for however short my life might be.

Thank You for Your grace, Your mercy and most especially for Your forgiveness, because I need that – every single day! There are so many things to be thankful for, but most of all, thank You, God, for Your unconditional love when I’m not even remotely likeable. I am truly blessed. Thank You for my wonderful life.

Amen.

Lil' Buckaroo

Here's a video of Sully's first horseback ride at a play date up here. He even gave her a little kick and said "giddy-up"! Be sure to note the cowboy boots, Wrangler jeans, and a bandanna for a belt completing the "look".

Hey, Mary Frances . . ?

I don't want to be the one to throw a monkey wrench in all your hard work (and believe me, I know it's hard work) and planning of the BIG PARTY, but what are the chances of moving the dates to say, July 11th instead of July 25th? That date would make it much easier for this branch of the family tree to make it to the party. It's only a suggestion, and if it's not possible, we will certainly understand and deal as we can.

Thanks for all the hard work you're doing.

Love to you and everyone everywhere.

Michele

Yah, I guess I'm not too computer illiterate!

Dear Family,

I sure everyone is trying their hardest and marking their calendars for the upcoming family reunion July 25th. I am hoping all for all the Bill and Sara Stetzner's children, we need one great picture for all your children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren to have and treasure. It should be lots of fun and relaxing I hope.

Please write any suggestions, you know I am pretty easy.

Love you,
Mary Frances

Hello

Not sure if I am capable of sending any blogs but maybe with the help of God someone in the family might get this. Had a great Birthday, 45. Mike surprised me with front row seats the Billy Joel concert in Las Vegas Novmember 17th.

The real "Boo"

I used to think that it was all about the shoes. Now I know that this is what it's all about.
We would sure love it if you would share your pride and joys.

November Birthdays !!!

Happy Birthday wishes to everyone with a November birthday! Hope your special day is the best yet, with many, many more to come!

Mary (Stetzner) Lincoln (11/02) The Planner!
Zachary Stetzner (11/02)
Jacob L. Fordmeir (11/04) Happy 2nd birthday!
Joan (Stetzner) Traylor (11/05)
Kendall Stetzner (11/05) His 18th people! WOO-HOO!!!
Madeline Michele McGarvey (11/05) Happy 1st birthday, Sweetheart!
William (Bill) Wilks (11/08)
Meredith Anne Graham (11/08) Happy birthday, Doll Face!
Julia Jade Hardman (11/13) Happy 1st birthday! Hope you're feeling well!
Nickolas Tracy (11/22)
Samantha Rose Katz (11/22) Happy 5th birthday!
Alyse Anderson (11/26) Happy 4th birthday!

These people are part of the greatest family on Earth and aren't we glad!

Happy Halloween!!

Hello Everyone! Just sending our Halloween greetings!

Love, Ashley, John, Sully & Maddy!

Haven't got the picture thing figured out. Guess I'll wait for Tom to come over.
Took a beautiful ride up through Island Park today. The colors are fabulous! Discovered Lakeside Lodge. We should all meet up there some day. What fun we could have.

OOPS!! I forgot to introduce you to...

As the kids say, "My bad!" I forgot one of our 5 granddaughters. This is Julia McInelly, Matthew's daughter. She lives in Germany with her mother Angela. We miss her but we wanted you to meet her too.

Much love to you all,
Lydia

I sure was hoping that more "stetzners" were looking at this blog. It was a fun idea but seems that not too many are interested.
I know that we love to spend our spare time with our family and honestly we would rather be with them than go anywhere else. That's why we won't be going to Montana at the end of July 2008. We have already made plans to go to Glacier and the Flathead Valley the first of July with our family and we will be returning to Bear Lake with family the first week in August.
The picture is of Mary Ellen and Don's great grandbabies.
Starting on the left is McKel McInelly (Brian McInelly) with daughters Taelor and Emma. Next is Ashley (Graham) McGarvey with Sulley and Maddy. Then Libby (McInelly) Fehringer with her twin daughters Avery and Rylee.
We hope that you are as in love with your family as we are with ours. Thank you God for these blessing and the daily joy they bring.
We wish you the same joys and love that we have been blessed with!
McInelly

Oops! Forgot to tell you that Mary Evelyn is also Helen's
Alana Foley belongs to Eamon and Tanya (Helen's grandchild)
Mary Evelyn belongs to Colin and Brenna (Helen's grandchild)

Hey! Yea! This old gal can learn new tricks and I will figure out to send pictures too. Just give me some time.
NEW BABIES:
Alana Maile Martin-Foley Born March 20, 2007 (Helen's)
Mary Evelyn Kelly (goes by Evelyn) April 11, 2007

Soon to be born (if not all ready) Sari and Caleb Anderson's baby girl. (Elaine's)
Deanna

Am I in?

Just me. Checking to see if I was successful getting on the Stetzner blog. Let me know.
Deanna

Happy Birthday! ** October Birthdays **

Happy Birthday to these Stetzner Family Members who have birthdays this month of October! Hope your Birthday is the greatest one yet! Love to you all!

Colin Kelly (10/05)
Brian McInelly (10/07)
Paul Stetzner (10/10)
Loretta (Traylor) Kron (10/14)
Jack Hetherington (10/14)
Julia McInelly (10/19)
Emma McInelly (10/19)
Avery Jo Fehringer (10/21)
Rylee Lyn Fehringer (10/21)
Brenna (Foley) Kelly (10/27)
Tom Walters (10/29)
Katie Stetzner (10/30)
Bill Johnston (10/30) Bless you, Bill.

Some Glen Echo highlights

Click on the link below to see a few pictures from a fun weekend we had up the Poudre Canyon.

http://www.flickr.com/gp/14056790@N04/X741b8

REUNION

After revueing the situation---I think I'd better think it out again!!!
we have already made plans with the McInelly's for the 4th of July at Whitefish and then on to Bearlake to meet up with the McGarvey's. That takes up about 2 weeks and time to head for Greeley. If we have enough money and time we will consider Flathead--but it looks very, very doubtful.

Harley Kids

Here's my half-naked boy riding his sister around on his "hawg".

REUNION

Received Mary Frances' E-Mail about the reunion. We were planing something on that line--but had Whitefish in mind. Let everyone have a better picture of the cost and where the accomodations are. We had such a good time in Estes Park and we are all looking forward to this one. Remember all the ROWDIES (?)--well--they have kiddies of their own so it will be good to see all of them!

Need your help, please.

Dear Family,
I have been using the Stetzner Family Directory which Deanna so lovingly put together for us last January to reach you with invitations to this family internet site and to give you the list of birthdays for each month to come. I am keenly aware of how fast things can change and I realize there might well be some changes of which I am not aware. So, if you know of any changes - primarily new babies or new marriages or whatever, please forward the information to me and everyone else by using this blog. We can congratulate you and be exceedingly happy along with you.
Similarly, if you need anything from any of us, this is the place to be. Please list your woes and your needs and we'll pray with you or commiserate with you, have a drink for you, or maybe even send you a dime or two, but most importantly, we can stay in touch with you.
Love to you and yours,
Michele

just so you know I'm still bitching---

Michele is trying to smartin' me up---I don't think it is working --but at least I'll keep in touch of all you WHO I LOVE--and really want to know what is going on in your life. Love to you all and I think this will be fun---and informative. Please--- This should be a good way for all of us to keep track of all.

September Birthdays

Happy Birthday to the following family members with September birthdays: (In age order-from oldest to youngest)


Donald Stetzner (09/15) Love you, Dad!
Joey Stetzner dec. (09/09) Bless you, Joey.
Deanna Cowley (09/06)
Bob Graham (09/21) Love you, Dear!
Stan Walters dec. (09/16) Bless you, Stan.
Randy Kron (09/09)
Chris Stetzner (09/07)
Courtney Cedergreen Katz (09/10)
Juliana Walters (09/08)
Cameron Fordmeir (09/12)
Cameron Foley (09/26)
Brett Johnson (09/29)
Logan Stetzner (09/16)
Carah Sweet (09/05)

Hope your birthday was extra special and that you have many, many more!

Hi Stetzner families,

This looks like fun. Pass the word so we can all know how you all are doing. I would love to send you a picture of what is most important in our lives at this time...grand babies, but I can't figure out how to do it. I'm sure that you all will have some advice for me on how to do it. Go ahead and help me out. You will be glad you got to see their pictures. All 5 girls are beautiful, of course.
We hope that this find all of you doing well. This branch of the tree is doin good.

Love to you all,

The McInellys
Jim, Lydia and Jimmy

Hi Kitty! Hi Helen! Hi Lydia!

I see your names on the 'contributor' list! What do you think of this thing? You can respond to this 'post' by clicking in the 'comment' at the bottom of my post to the right of my name. Let me know what you think of this, if you've spread the word, and if you'll use it.

P.S. - How are you, Kitty? Helen - how are the new grandbabies? Lydia - how's school? Are you taking down the rowdies?

Love you,
Michele!

MANY ARE MISSING!

Many have been sent invitations to join us here. Perhaps their "spam catchers" didn't let the message get through to them. Please e-mail your close family members - ask them if they received the invitation. If they didn't, let us know their e-mail address, and we'll get them the invitation. This could be a really cool way to keep in touch. I hope you'll think so, too!

Casa Bonita!

Here is a snapshot from our Casa Bonita trip. Apparently Maddy likes the lousy food!

Yes! Please e-mail me with all family member's e-mail addresses so we can get them invited!

Great Idea!

This is a great idea! I would love to be able to use it to the utmost, so you'll need to learn me, okay?
Maybe we should include all the other Stetzners, if they want, so they can keep us updated on the supposed reunion planning?

Just a thought.

I love my grandkids!!!

GG

Hi guys!

Hey There!!
A friend told me about her family setting one of these up and it sounded like fun! We can post pictures and videos, and just make random comments!! We'll just have to play with it and see how it works!
Love ya!
Ash