Green Bay Weekend

By popular demand, here's a few glimpses of our weekend in Green Bay, WI.

"Oh look," Tabby declared, "they're making clouds here!"

Voices of Peace were responsible for our presence there at the Cup O' Joy coffeehouse. We had a great time jamming with them before and then during the service.

Ha, and there's Big Screen Britt. Heh, heh, heh.

Dad and Levi introduce their "Theme of the Delivered" arrangement.

...Perkins afterward...

Zack and Hannah

Feeling exhausted and happy

Carolyn and Mom

I don't know who told them they were cool...

Our room there on the fifth floor of Regency Suites right in the heart of Green Bay.

All packed and ready to go home

The kids absolutely loved the glass elavators. They wondered if a brilliant streamer unfolded beneath them like the ones on Mr. Rogers. Obviously, this photo proves the lack of streamers.

The view of the court yard from the top floor.

Guess a person can't visit Green Bay without at least driving past the Green Bay Packer's stadium.

And thus a musical, fun family weekend ended.

Cup O' Joy Event

We will be performing at the Cup O Joy :: Christian Coffeehouse in Greenbay, WI. on Friday, December 7. We're looking forward to sharing some good Christmas carols, and I think our personal favorite is "Drummer Boy" featuring--you guessed it--Zack on his drum.

Funeral Details

ANDERSON, John G., 44, formerly of the Baldwin/Woodville area, died Saturday in Chippewa Falls. Services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at Pederson-Volker Funeral Chapel, with burial in Forest Hill Cemetery, both in Chippewa Falls.Friends may call an hour before services at the funeral chapel.

In Memory of John

In the wee hours of the morning of September 29th, Mom’s only brother, John, committed suicide. We are devastated.

I have learned that when someone close to your life dies, it's hard - we all know that - but when the life was taken on purpose by that person them self, the grieving is unlike a "normal" death. Not only do we feel the pain of his death but also the pain of what he did. You want to ask them "why" but you know it's too late. It's a shocking and sharp feeling that leaves you feeling numb.

He had a family, though very broken. Pray specifically for his 3 teenage sons. They need Jesus and especially so now. Your prayers are appreciated.

--as quoted from Courtney's blog

Tears
Sherry DePolis
When sorrow leaves you nothing but emptiness inside
And all you have the will to do is break down and cry
There’s a resting place in Jesus for broken hearts to mend
And beyond this world of sadness we will never cry again

Tears, he’ll wipe away the tears some glorious day
That fall from the windows of your soul
Tears will never stain his throne tears will all be gone
From the fountain, where the broken spirits go

Lay your burdens down at Calvary when all your strength is gone
Jesus will never leave you to bear the cross alone
And someday there’ll be no sorrow beneath his watchful eyes
For heaven has no broken hearts and the angels never cry

Barnabas 2nd Annual Fund Raiser

The following is taken from the Barnabas Christian Coffee House website...

Very family friendly setting.
Pray for a beautiful day for this fun filled day of activity

Click HERE to hear the very professional ads created by Garrett Novak for a weekly Public Service Announcement. The announcements are very generously aired at no cost by WHEM Radio 93.1 FM.

Saturday - October 6 - All Day Music
Fundraiser for Barnabas House
Brats, Beans, & Scalloped Potatoes

Starting at 11 AM in Allen Park, Chippewa Falls, right across Hwy 124 from the Chamber of Commerce Building (old Hardee's restaurant)
Musical guests:

11 am - Dan & Jacey Lea
Folk/Acoustical Gospel
12 noon - Roger Mickelson
Traditional/Country style Gospel
1 pm - The Otterson Family
Traditional Gospel
2 pm - Sequoia
Contemporary Christian Music
3 pm - Ray French
Original Contemporary Gospel with a Blues Flavor
4 pm - The Iwaszko Family

Folk/Traditional Gospel
5 pm - Garrett & Andrea Novak

Contemporary Gospel & Worship
6 pm - Crosswinds

Variety of Styles from Traditional to Bluegrass Gospel
7 pm - Greg Farley
Contemporary & Original Gospel with an acoustic and electric rock style
8 pm - Lee Elmer
(who will also emcee the event)
Good Old Fashioned Country & Traditional Style Gospel

There will be a bake sale, silent auction, and a thrift sale held nearby in the coffeehouse that day.

All donations are tax deductible and verification of donation will be given for tax purposes. We are a registered 501C3 non-profit community service organization.

Psalm 35:27

"Let them shout for joy, and be glad,
that favor my righteous cause:
yea, let them say continually,
'Let the Lord be magnified,

which hath pleasure in the prosperity of His
servant.'"

Thumb-Pickin' Cowboys

Here's a few (rather dark, fuzzy and uncreative) shots of our night at the Barnabas House. The cowboy theme was inspired by the fact that we were replacing a Texas Cowboy who was scheduled to sing, but found out a couple weeks ago he would not be able to make it. The Barnabas House never corrected the schedule change on their online schedule, so to make up for everyone's grave disappointment at seeing us, we did our best to make good replacements.

Levi picking out his rendition of "What a Friend"

The drummer boy.

The videographer and our biggest fan.

Anita signing "What a Day That Will Be".

The pianist at intermission.
And no, she didn't have a cowboy hat.

A little friend Tabby found.

Confessions of a Blonde Webmaster

You know your webmaster is blonde when she entirely forgets the login information for your webpage.

Thus explains the lack of news and interest for you OtterTrackers—what few of you remain. Now you know why this site did not proudly announce the birthdays, anniversaries, the brand new Nelson son, the graduate from basic training and all the other happy and significant events.

In case you happen to wonder, reports indicate that the information has been successfully retrieved—after months of hacking usernames and tapping passwords—and stored away in a safe file. Interest should therefore perk up this neglected little corner of the web a little more often. Don’t hold your breath though… data has a way of evacuating the possession of the certain blonde webmaster.

The Otterson's Itinerary

That sounds real official, doesn't it?

There's two events coming up with the Barnabas Christian Coffee House that we've been asked to sing for.

Saturday, September 15, 2007
Time: 7:30 PM
Location: Barnabas Christian Coffee House

Saturday, October 6, 2007
Time: 1:00 PM
Event: Fund Raiser
Location: local park--exact location has not been communicated to me.

You're all invited.

Would You Believe It!!

The first time she’s been on a horse in four years!

She was even raising some dust :)!!

Way to go Mom! :)

Our Last Days With Gabe

We had some fun times with Gabe before he flew out to Fort Benning, GA. He left on Wednesday, and it took maybe five minutes before we started missing him. June seems like an eternity away right now.

Fun & Games

^^part-time photographer

^^Cranium

Horsin' Around

^^Riding Amigo one last time.

^^Uh, this stallion can be a bit of a handful.

Jamming

[A couple departure photos here]

Tabby's Cat

This is my cat named Clovis. He is a good cat to me. I love him very much. He sleeps with me sometimes and he plays with mi toes.

Tabby Otterson

A Little Tip For The Homeschoolers

Just fyi...when Mom and Dad say, "just because," it is a legitimate answer; when the students say, "just because," it needs more elaborating.

Coffee House Jamming part 2

Somebody asked us about our singing Saturday night...

What kind of coffee house is this?? What kind of music do you sing?

This is the Barnabas Christian CoffeeHouse in Chippewa Falls. Situated in the heart of Chippewa Falls, it reaches out to the needy, and those seeking for more than what the bars have to offer.

Our music is Southern Gospel mixed with Bluegrass. You couldn’t call us professionals since we seem to take our living room and it’s atmosphere up on stage with us. I’m not sure if we could play or sing a song the same way twice. Though Dad did make a list of songs to sing and play, it was more like jamming up there than anything, especially when the list was forgotten as the audience started hollering out their favorites.

I guess a video clip would be just the thing to give you a chance to hear us. Wouldn’t you know, the rousing rendition of "At Calvary" starring Toby Nelson on the harmonica was documented in movie format.



Right to left:
Toby: harmonica
Hannah: mandolin
Courtney: piano
Landon (entering for the final ending): tambourine
Zack: percussion
Dad: acoustic electric guitar
Levi: bass guitar

Blonde Joke

There was this blonde girl driving a snow mobile in the field, and this cop pulled up. He said, “Why are you driving the snow mobile? There’s not even snow!”

She said, “There is to snow! Look all around you!”

The cop said, “There is not snow!”

She said, “Kneel down then!”

The cop said, “I don’t see a thing of snow!”

The blonde said, “I guess there isn’t any snow. Why do cops have to bug blondes?”

Coffee House Jamming

We were asked to sing at the coffeehouse this past weekend. Here's a few shots of our time on stage...

Toby's harmonica was the star of the night. Two songs were not enough.

Levi accompanied on the bass guitar.

All together now:

My favorite little percussionist: