You Should Be Scared...Very Scared!

Well Brad you still haven't posted your video. I am sorry it has had to come to this. I have decided to take drastic action. If you don't get it posted by the 31st you can expect a visit from Phil. He is currently between jobs and has a plenty of time on his hands. He is also very angry.

Disclaimer: The expressed opinions in the above video do not necessarily reflect the opinions of 3SFF...especially if they are republican opinions.

I made Janna cry again: I ROCK!

Well folks, another year has come and gone. I thought I would post a few tips and tricks I've learned to help us out next year.

I think we can all agree that A LOT of our time is spent converting and compressing files to make them easier to post online, right?

If we could all post a few helpful things, it will save us a lot of grief in the coming years. And really, the only grief we should have during the holidays is from Janna as she harasses us to get our videos posted already!

So, here we go.

(1) Since we all need to post our videos to the blog, try and create your file in a format that is already recognized by certain uploading sites (say, Youtube, or Vimeo,for example). Since Vimeo accepts wmv files (and I used them last year and liked them), I created a slideshow in Photoshop (saved as a wmv file) and easily uploaded it to vimeo.

-Tip #2: be careful about your music choices. Vimeo prefers audio files in mpeg format, so I made sure my song was an mpeg (you can usually convert songs from one format to another-but sometimes it's a pain). I learned this at 3:30 this morning.

Tip #3: Try to incorporate current pictures/characteristics of yourselves and children in your video. I sometimes don't realize how fast we all change, and it's so fun to see the change in everyone through the years.

My best friend for this project has been photoshop. In addition, I created a slideshow in powerpoint, and in Windows movie maker. I can't tell you how much I hate Movie Maker. It makes timing your clips (slides) a HUGE pain. I don't recommend them.

So, that's all for now! Anyone else have any bright ideas they want to share? Do tell!

FINALLY

We really hope you enjoy this!If not, Sarah will have given herself carpal tunnel in both arms for nothing!

Untitled from Sarah Rew on Vimeo.

The Florida Rews are finished!

Whew! We are happy, but pooped at the close of this video season.

Sorry it is so late!

There's just one small problem...our video is a powerpoint presentation. We need to convert it to video and we will be good to go.

So...if you have the patience, check back tomorrow! And once again, we are sooooo super sorry it is late. Also we would like to take this time to tell you all that you are all more beautiful, smart, intelligent, computer savvy, athletic, fit, and good looking than us. It is tough being us--we can barely tie our shoes.

Forgive us?

Merry Christmas From the Ihnens

CLICKHEREFOROURAMAZINGVIDEO


Merry Christmas 2010 From the Ihnens! This is from Ryan, Missy and Emma! I bet you guys didn't think we had better dance moves than Josh and Sarah, but we have practiced hard and we know... We Rule this year! Love and miss you all!

Bonjovial Christmas 2010 3.0.wmv

The Nana and The Papa at Rew Hall

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eTMzGFtAzhA

In case you want the words to this classic song, written by Nana herself, here they are:

Starting the blog in November

The writer was pretty whacked.

Gave us a picture of a person

Whose qualities we all packed.

Each of them was quite unique,

From Roon to Clara Barton,

Tubman, Edwards, Anthony,

And Ross, Burnside, and Wharton. Yah!

___________________________

Uncles were riding bikes like mad!

And Josh and Sarah danced great.

Where in the world was Howard, the cad

When the Focus was his fate.

Then there was a miracle birth

And Missy's yarn addiction.

Teaching the birds and bees was mirth,

But the poison caused affliction. Yah!

__________________________

Chorus:

Bump, Bump, Bump

Another film bites the dust,

Bump, Bump, Bump

Another film bites the dust.

And another year's gone and we're still moving on.

Another film bites the dust.

Gotta plan next year, get your butt in gear.

Another film bites the dust.

Bump, Bump, Bump

Another film bites the dust.

Bump, Bump, Bump

Another film bites the dust.

The Baby Wisperer

Did you know these do exist??? Well I had the pleasure to have one for a full hour last night... for FREE!!! Man, I should tell you that I would pay big bucks for one of these. Since I am a big couponer, I got my first hour free and plan on signing up under 10 different names to get 10 more hours for free! :-) If you would like to take advantage of this deal here how it works... (note: this offer is only available in the greater Tri-City WA area) when you feel at your wits end with your newborn baby you call 555-555-5555 and leave a message (they have caller ID) saying "accordion lover" you should receive a phone call within 10 min. This special code will give you your first hour free. If you agree to listen to him play the accordion for 15min. he will add a bonus 30min for free.

To all you new moms that just don't know what to do with a crying infant this is a lifetime opportunity. For those of you who do not live in the greater Tri-City area I recommend you research one in your area.

He specializes in infants that:

1. do not tolerate their mothers eating anything with flavor

2. poop every 10 min and then proceed to scream in pain from diaper rash

3. have colic that only occurs between midnight and 3am.

I hope all of you enjoy this as much as I do!! (could i rub in in more??)

Notice to Slackers!

By unanimous vote (actually it was Thera's idea) the deadline for video submittals has been EXTENDED to December 31st. THANK YOU THERA!

We will now call them 'holiday' videos, not Christmas videos. We don't want to offend those who will not have finished in time for Christmas, after all.

I Won! I Am A Queen!

Well, dear family. The pageant went well. I won Ms. Senior Washington by a LANDSLIDE. Those poor other women didn't even have a chance.

Swimsuit competition pics are forthcoming. I wanted to give you notice since this is a family blog. Check back soon!

I'm Speechless

Six weeks of solid blogging and I am out of material. There is nothing left to say. It's Jen who writes this so speechless is an accomplishment. I am sure there are funny things left to write about but I can't think of them and that's likely due to all the dirty jokes Janna keeps sneaking into her daily tweets. It's been quite distracting for everyone.

This weekend I will hand off the passwords to the family. The idea is that everyone will post funny stuff themselves. Most likely you will only hear from Janna and we can't promise it will be g-rated. In the spirit of setting the bar low, if nothing else check back for the videos on Christmas Eve.

Get the video cameras out everyone there is only 7 days left!!

And Now You Know Why...

We are skeptical anything PHD related ever gets done in Florida.

Personalize funny videos and birthday eCards at JibJab!

Why Papa Howard Doesn't Swim

I am told that Dad made it home from the Thousand Islands in time to help Janna and grandsons finish putting lights on the Christmas tree.

Janna thought it would be a great time to talk to the kids about the nativity and the true meaning of Christmas.

Howard thought it was the perfect opportunity to, well, expand their minds.

Thera admits that she wasn't expecting an afternoon at Nana and Papa's to be so informative but said "one less awkward conversation I have to have with the boys."

Howard's side is simple "I was only explaining the male and female ends of the Christmas lights."

Janna states "I left the room for a moment to get my step stool and came back and Braden was saying so that's where babies come from?!?

To be fair to my Dad I am pretty confident he was only explaining electrical components. I also know how thorough Howard can be and therefore am pretty confident Braden now knows where babies come from.

Having taught some of my children the birds and the bees I found this tactic to be brilliant. I plan to send the rest of my children home to decorate Christmas trees over the next few years.

Howard's going to be embarrassed over this post but not quite as embarrassed as the time Janna convinced him to go hot tubbing. The evening ended with Janna having to take scissors to cut his swimsuit off of him. Do we really even need to know more?

The story gets funnier every time Sarah tells it.

LAME LAME LAME

Congratulations Sarah on winning yet another contest. It is exciting to know that someone is still reading this website. Your prize...drumroll...nothing. Missy claims she's too sick to crochet which is sad when there are so many beanie hat thingies left be to made.

Unfortunately it looks like another season has nearly come and gone and no nude performance from Howard and Janna. If I were Ryan I would take this as a sign and start stocking up on Coca Cola and cancel the BYU channel.

Next week is our last formal week of film festival posting. On Monday the 20th I will turn the password of this blog over to the rest of the family for them to post as they wish leading up to the 24th. If last year is any indication expect that week to be a snoozer.

On the 24th everyone will upload their videos. Yes, Josh, Sarah, Brad, Thera, Missy, Ryan, Howard, Janna, Chad and Jen you are supposed to be doing a video. That is the whole point of this website.

Coming up next week a riveting expose' that may or may not be entitled "Howard's in the Room Cover Your Children's Ears!".

Where In The World Is Howard?

This one I fear is a bit too easy. So no clues just yet. Good luck!

Who is Sophia?

Sophia is Miracle's nickname. Miracle was given her namesake because of her miraculous conception after a tragic church basketball injury. Brad and Thera waited five long years for her. Brad's a little embarrassed so he insists on calling Miracle "Sophia" after his favorite sister-in-law. This just infuriates Sarah.

Brad was also a little angry when he found out I had spilled the back story to Miracle's name on the blog. Rumor has it he wanted to give me the finger but unfortunately Brad attended the ward turkey bowl and now all his fingers are dislocated. Which is worse than his usual groin injuries but better than the time he burst a kidney at a stake tournament.

Recently when Brad got both his front teeth knocked out at open gym, Thera just lost it.

I am told she said, "Brad enough is enough. I will not stand by as you slowly kill yourself at three on three tournaments and pick up games."

To which Brad replied "Thportth are my life!"

Fat Chance

Each year we as siblings with the help of our spouses and children make a video that is a Christmas gift to the rest of the family. Ideally it is funny because after all Christmas is about Joy. Each year, however, it's the same song and dance....


-Chad's the star of Jen's Video


-Sarah does all the work of Josh's Video


-Missy and Ryan wear a different colored scarf and their dogs assault each other while Emma looks on.


and...


-Brad and Thera show off their athletic ability


For Example...


Do you remember the year the theme was "Ancient History"? Sarah recreated a pyramid and taught her children to write in hieroglyphs but Brad and Thera just video taped their kids playing Lacrosse.


Do you remember the year the theme was "The 80's"? Chad learned all the choreography to Thriller and performed it with his family as back up dancers but Brad and Thera simply taped a swim meet.


What about the year the theme was "Wild West"? Missy and Ryan wore scarves and cowboy hats in front of their tree but Brad and Thera had qualified all their kids for the Junior Olympics in archery and video taped it for all to see.


This year the theme is "Talents" and Thera had their video submitted six months early. Apparently they have a few like this just sitting around.


Yes that is Brad wearing his Bomber football helmet.


A panel of judges has disqualified their video because Sophia did not appear in the video. Brad states that Sophia was red shirted for 2010. Thera and Brad have vowed they will appeal but it's nearly basketball season and they are all a little distracted. We'll see.


Sophia is dreaming of being an artist....



Fat chance.


See video below.

Personalize funny videos and birthday eCards at JibJab!

Hint #2

Sarah is right. Dad was at Grand Central Station but he didn't stay there long. Janna is right he did set sail and near Canada but not anywhere near seattle.

Howard is navigating a 50 mile stretch of river. We sent him to find something but if you've seen one you've certainly not seen them all.

For the record Ellis Island would have been much more creative than what I came up with.

Keep thinking!

Where In The World Is Howard?

Howard was here on his way to where he is now. If you look closely you'll see him.

Things are back to normal at Howard and Janna's. Dad felt it was safe to leave Janna who is still dealing with her grief but is back to aimlessly perusing craigslist. There was a rumor that the grandchildren were planning (in an attempt to cheer her up) to come over and help set up Christmas decorations. This would involve noise, dirty fingers, possibly furniture rearrangement, small pieces and a slight mess and so Howard was willing to take his assignment however bad it may be.

Howard is on a vessel. He didn't have to leave the country and yet he felt he should bring his passport. He only has a two day supply of food and water. If you don't guess his location by Friday he will resort to drinking his own recycled urine water, but, not because he has to, just because he wants to.

Good Luck!

Surely You Can't Be Serious?

I am serious and don't call me Shirley.

Heart break and tragedy has struck everyone in the family this day and quite possibly everyone in the world. A great American hero has passed on.

Actor Leslie Nielsen is dead.

Howard has returned home from his latest adventure to be by Janna's side.

Nielsen is best known for his critically acclaimed work in Airplane and the Naked Gun series.

I think we can all remember the first time we watched one of these movies with Mom and inevitably she laughed so hard she wet her pants.

I know my childhood was enriched with these great works of art.

He will be missed.

Youngest Child Syndrome

Ryan was really excited to announce this year's "Conversion Challenge 2010" because after all Thanksgiving is supposed to be his big week. Did you know that Thanksgiving sometimes falls on his birthday and this year it did. How perfect was that going to be? Thursday the family gathered for a birthday dinner and to hear Ryan's big announcement. I had arranged for a correspondent from 3SFF to record the event. But, the unthinkable happened....

Ryan opened his mouth to make the big announcement and like an eagle hunting prey MISSY swooped in and stole the moment from him. Apparently she had been sitting on thIS juicy tidbit for about 8 WEEKS.

Ryan was crushed. He called me to complain-

"You know", he said "I am a pretty patient guy, I watch the Tab Choir when Janna wants me too, I let Missy decorate our house with crafts from her church nights, I endure Howard bearing his testimony every awkward moment he can get , but this, this, it was too much. This was suppose to be my week. My one chance each year to take control of this crazy situation I'm in and call the shots." He took a PREGNANT pause and then ranted some more "No more Ryan why don't you come to dinner and then bam! general conference happens to be on. No more disapproving looks when I walk in the room with a can of ...Coca Cola. You see for me Thanksgiving is the game changer each year I set the stakes and see if they truly want to play ball."

It has taken a couple days for him to come around. MISSY has apologized and says she FEELS awful and says she's JUST NAUSEOUS. Whatever.

So here it is folks this years "Conversion Challenge 2010"

Howard must play the classic "Do As I Am Doing" on the accordion with Janna on vocals while playing the tambourine. Of course entirely in the nude. To make it just that much more challenging this year the song must be performed at FHE.

Why did Ryan choose this? It's payback for all the awkward FHE's he's had to attend when everyone sings songs like "Popcorn Popping" and he has to pretend it's somehow normal.

If the challenge is met Ryan has agreed to take the discussions all through the month of December and be baptized in the Columbia River on Christmas day. Of course Brad will baptize him because Howard will no longer be worthy.

WE ARE SO EXCITED!!! RYAN'S PRETTY EXCITED TOO!

Personalize funny videos and birthday eCards at JibJab!

Way To Go Josh & Sarah

Josh and Sarah have successfully guessed Dad's location as being Charbonneau State Park located 12 miles from Pasco and partially bordering Lake Sacajawea.

What was the fight about?

I can't give away all the family details. What would I write about next year?

Dad is glad they guessed it because all though the park is open year round the area just got it's first snow and that could have been a cold Thanksgiving.

Coming up this week we have another performance by Josh and Sarah followed by a major announcement by Ryan and possibly a game or two.

Where In The World Is Howard?

Howard stayed close to home this time. Most of us have been to this location many times. This location was also the subject of the only fight I can remember my parents having during my childhood. Let me tell you it was a doozy!

Good Luck!

It Could Be Worse

Ryan's been cooking something up. He let me in on it a few days ago. We have a tradition here at 3SFF that Ryan makes a big announcement every Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving is the holiday that Ryan gives thanks that he only married a Mormon and not a Quaker because, after all, things could be worse.

Each Thanksgiving he gives my parents their one big chance to win him over to the green jello side. It's a challenge of sorts.

This Thanksgiving you will not be disappointed.

What else is going on in the family?

Well, since you asked, Miracle is doing great. Brad's been giving Thera a break everyday by taking Miracle to open gym with him. Miracle is getting slowly indoctrinated in the ways of the bomber. She has been dressed in nothing but Green and Gold since birth and it will remain that way until her 18th birthday.

Josh and Sarah have taken up cloth diapering little Louisa and therefor we have lost all contact with them.

Chad is busy doing everything. Jen spends her quality time on wikipedia and google. The children are barely surviving.

Missy, of course, has a severe addiction to yarn.

I know what you are thinking, wow, Howard and Janna really screwed those kids up.

But, as Ryan says, it could be worse.

Above picture courtesy of my new favorite website "whatnottocrochet.wordpress.com" where people can submit things that should not ever have been crocheted.

Tragedy Strikes Moon Race 2010

Minutes ago our cyclists were attacked on the track. Live coverage has been canceled and this is the only video we have at the moment. The video clearly shows Ned racing ahead towards a certain victory with Ray and Tom battling it out in the rear. In an act of desperation Ray shoves Tom to the ground and then the unthinkable. 3SFF are calling this an act of terrorism. Our prayers are with Tom. We all hope he can swim.




See you tomorrow!

Janna found Howard and Stay Tuned

Janna has found Howard in London, England. He was visiting his old friends at the Handle Bar Mustache Club and getting a Dr. Pepper at the Windsor Castle Pub.

Don't forget to check back today for live coverage of "Moon Race 2010". Where our Uncles Ned, Ray and Tom will be battling it out for the title of greatest Moon on the bike.

See you there!

Let's Settle This Once And For All

Ned has challenged Tom and Ray to a bike race. We will be bringing you live coverage of the event tomorrow. We are keeping the location and time under wraps due to threats made by our rival film festival family. We are trying to arrange security since last weekends poisoning but Brad's napping and Sarah has lost Josh in a library. Howard is still on location in the most visited city in the world. We could use Ryan, like last year, but he's reluctant. It's cold out and Missy hasn't finished knitting his winter coat. Chad would do it but just doesn't have the time, we all know he does everything around here. We are going with the element of surprise instead. Safety is the highest priority here at 3SFF.

We'll post coverage of the race. Good luck Men!!

Hint #2

Wow, Janna and Missy should be writing this blog, they came up with great ideas for locations for Howard but...they're wrong.

Howard is out of the country meeting with a club that has been around for more than 50 years.

By the way, did you know that there is a Beard and Mustache World Championships?

Where in the World is Howard?

Howard may not sport the mustache these days but...once a mustache man, always a mustache man. He is currently on location at a famous pub with some old friends drinking Dr. Pepper.

What about prizes? Well, Missy is a little tied up knitting Emma's entire winter wardrobe. We'll get back to you on that.

What about Janna on Vocals? Are you wondering about the accordion performance? It hasn't been forgotten, just enhanced, we've got something up our sleeves here at FFHQ and it involves Ryan. Stay tuned!

Somebody Poisoned the Water Hole

I know I don't have to tell you this, but, the world of family film festival blogs is pretty high stakes and cut throat. This past weekend we saw the worst of it.

Staffers in our Arizona location were poisoned. Every man was down. Though we don't know exactly who the culprit was, we have our suspicions.

This of course has cost us precious time and staff morale is at an all time low.

To make matters worse Howard refused to go on location Thursday. Something about a new grand daughter being born. He is becoming very high maintenance. Give the man a weekly segment and he gets a big head.

We expect to be up and running with a new installment of "Where in the World is Howard Rew?" on Monday.

See you then!

Speaking of Hidden Talents

I received a shocking phone call from Missy last week. It went like this -

Missy: "Jen, brace yourself, I have some bad news."
Jen: "Oh no, you've run out of yarn?!"
Missy: "No, that would be almost as bad, but, Dad is selling his beloved accordion on craigslist."

(Missy is a habitual craigslist shopper like her mother)

Jen: "What? No, not the accordion, we have so many lovely family memories of Dad serenading us with the accordion. Think of the Christmas's, the St. Patty's days, oh, they will never be the same."

Missy: "Yes, Dad is truly talented, our childhood was filled with music because of him."
Jen: "Does mom know?"
Missy: "She's too pre-occupied taking vocal lessons and tweeting."
Jen: "Vocal lessons? Well it's about time."
Missy: "Do what you can Jen."
Jen: "Don't worry I'm on it."

So I put staffer Mason on it. He is our techno guru (the only staffer besides me that can use e-mail) and he did some investigative work.

Turns out Howard is just upgrading and the vocal lessons Janna is taking are all part of big surprise.

Howard and Janna are going to be performing for us soon!

Howard on accordion and Janna doing a vocal solo. They said if we want we can choose our favorite childhood song for them to sing. Missy has agreed to video tape it and post it to Youtube for me. What we need is your ............... song ideas! So post them. Janna has told me that she is going to be dedicating the performance to her new granddaughter "Miracle" (what a lovely name).

For those of you don't know, Miracle was born this morning at 2:30 am to a very thrilled Thera and a relieved Brad. What a blessing, Brad can still have children since his tragic church basketball accident.

For me I have great memories of Howard singing "Another One Rides the Bus" by grammy award winner Al Yankovic.


Congratulations Brad, Thera, Braden, Bradley, Christine and Miracle!!!!

Hidden Talents

Who knew that Josh and Sarah were once Olympic competitors? Sarah wanted to perform the routine below for the 2010 film festival talent showcase. The Floridians held a talent audition. No surprise, Olivia won the the lead role by a landslide. I felt for effort we should celebrate Sarah and Josh's talents anyways. See video below.

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Uncle Ray Vs. Uncle Tom

Uncle Ray has submitted his own bike talent video. Who has the better skills? Submit your vote in the comments section.

One Too Many Hints-

I sit at home thinking of ways to help you all focus on where Howard is. I just can't plant the idea in your minds. Germany is not that big of a country. How many hexagon shaped towns can there be? You are all a bunch of lamos.

Rankings for the Week of November 1st

This week Missy one by a landslide in the "Famous American" contest. Mom pulled off a victory in naming Dad's character. For those that don't read the comments section, Howard was George Boldt. He is famous for popularizing Thousand Island dressing among other things.

Missy won the platypus beanie and has agreed to make Janna a special gift. Janna will be receiving a custom crocheted lap dog sweater for the future yapper Howard will never actually let her have.

Brad, Thera, Josh, and Sarah are all in dead last entirely due to lack of effort. Josh says he is busy working on a PHD, something he has been claiming for years and quite frankly we are all pretty skeptical. Brad is, as I have said before, at Open Gym. Ryan also has done nothing this week but everyone gives him a pass on account that he's married to Missy, a job in itself.

The point totals are:

Missy - 9
Janna- 1


Hint on Howard: When Howard developed this passion Janna was very irritated. To continue enjoying the thing he loves Howard resorted to giving Janna gifts.

Hint

Howard is really getting stressed out. He's tired of being stuck in Germany. He is enjoying the people, since the inhabitants of this town all share something in common with him. He has, of course, already looked up all the Rew's in the phone book and made personal calls to them, but he does that on any extended vacation.

Now Howard is left to wondering the streets of this 330 year old city shaped like a hexagon looking for people in need of advice on whether to buy or lease a car. If only he could be home doing someone's taxes.

Where in the world is...Howard?

Howard is currently on location in the birthplace of one of his great passions. You must name the town.

I had hoped to entice you with some sort of crocheted knick knack, but, alas, Ryan has hid the knitting needles. Apparently he is heading up some sort of intervention. He claims Missy spends her days knitting beanies and watching "Keeping Up with the Kardashians". The house is a wreck and Missy hasn't showered in days.

Missy texted me this "total misunderstanding, holding Ryan's Xbox hostage till he gives up the needles."

Stay tuned for prized detail. Tomorrow we will return with an update on the scores and rankings, and also what prizes have been one and what prizes are still to come.

Also we have received no news on Miracle Baby as of yet. We know Brad and Thera have waited so long for this (years) and they are just counting down the days till her arrival. With all of Brad's church basketball injuries it's amazing he could pull this one off.

I have been told that Thera is spending her time organizing the new house in preparation for the arrival. Brad is passing the time at open gym at the junior high.

Good luck guessing!

What was Howard shaving?

We are now able to add open comments to the entire blog. Let's say you would like to publicly speculate on what Howard was shaving in the shower this morning, no worries, now there is a way!

Become a follower of this blog and you can openly comment on anything in the comment box below "Janna Tweets".

How do you follow this Blog (because Janna wants to know)? Click the word follow at the top of this blog then enter your google account info.

Keep all your comments clean!

Uncle Tom Submits His Own Talent Video

Look guys...no hands!

Running on Fumes, Mayo and a bit of Ketchup

This morning has been business as usual at Film Festival Headquarters. Someone forgot to fill up the gas tank of the company car (my money is on David), so staffer Chad had to ride his bike while wearing his Jesus Heals t-shirt and carrying a gas can all the way to the local gas station and back.

If you haven't been following along (referring to Josh), Missy has successfully guessed every one's character except for Dad and Chad's. I need to clarify that Betsy Ross was not chosen for her refusal to marry a Quaker (although that is hilarious) and instead for her insistence on always having some type of sewing project in her lap. Chad is Otto Schnering best known as the inventor of the Baby Ruth candy bar (Chad's favorite) and also best known for his ongoing lawsuits with the great Bambino over the candy bar, which was supposedly named after Ruth, Grover Cleveland's daughter.

I am going to give everyone the rest of the day on Dad's. There is a hint hidden in this very post.

Film Festival 2010 Teaser

It's that time again. The staffers at film festival headquarters in Arizona have been working very hard preparing for what we hope will atleast be the second best year ever. There are new games and great prizes and lots of family secrets to reveal.

In honor of election week we are kicking of the first post with a patriotic game. You might have noticed that the profile pictures have changed. Each family member is being depicted by a famous or somewhat famous American.

Can you guess them? And even better can you guess why I chose them?

I'll give you a hint. The chosen American shares a life experience or character trait with their assigned family member.

As usual here at film festival headquarters we are offering fantastic prizes to the winner. Missy has generously offered to crochet one of her famous animal head winter beanies for the event She has entitled it "The Political Platypus".

In fact all the prizes this year will be crocheted articles of clothing by Missy. She is feverishly crocheting as you are reading this, only stopping occaisonally to facebook about her progress and also about what she is cooking for dinner. There will be prizes along the way but also we will be using a highly complicated point system to keep track of everyone's scores. Once a week we will update the rankings.

Post your best guesses!


What else can you expect this year?

A new weekly special "Where in the World is Howard Rew?"

We will be following the birth of Brad and Thera's miracle baby

Janna will have a daily segment entitled "Janna Tweets"

And many other exciting things to be announced later!