More events from Phil's senior year.

During the last two weeks Phil attended the Portage Northern Winter Formal and participated in the annual Holiday Collage music program. Phil took Hannah Sawyer to formal and they both looked outstanding. Instead of going out for dinner, Hannah's parents had several of the kids to their house for dinner. What a great idea. Our first Holiday Collage concert was in 1998 with Bryan playing his saxophone. It is one of the highlights of our Christmas season.

Brenda has a business card

Recently I was opening an account for some retired clients and when I asked them for their address, email, home number, cell number, etc., they simply handled me their personal business card. I quickly copied all the information I needed and added the card to my list of contacts. I was impressed with this idea of a "personal" business card and decided to make one for Brenda and myself.

So for Brenda's birthday last week, she received a Kindle, Ugg Slippers, and a stack of her new cards. Need to reach us? It is easy - there are nine options listed on the card (this includes the really old fashioned method of mailing a letter to our home address). Don't try Twitter- we haven't signed up yet.

Philip's College Update

Philip found out this week that he was accepted by the University of Michigan and was deferred by the University of Chicago. He was also invited by UofM to apply to their Honor's College. He is still waiting to hear from Rice University, Washington University in St. Louis and Kalamazoo College. He also will not get an answer on the Kalamazoo College Hyle Scholarship (a full ride, merit scholarship) until mid March. Phil will have some excellent choices and it will be exciting to hear his decision come April.

Wikileaks Releases Latest Attack - The Mulders

courtesy of Associated Press - Clifford Mulder, staff writer


Following up on his threat, Wikileaks founder, Julian Assange, is again posting confidential information on its website. Following his release from jail this morning, Assange posted sensitive, internal communication from Allen and Ann Mulder in Lowell, Michigan on his Wikileaks site. The communications, which include over 1,200 personal letters written between 1968 and 1999, are yet another attempt by Wikileaks to discredit the United States. But instead of going after the government or a corporation, Wikileaks is attacking the core of our country - our families. Al and Ann Mulder are a traditional family who have lived in the same area for nearly 50 years and have raised four children. Al is a retired auto worker and Ann is a retired nurse. The letters expose some deep secrets about their four boys - the kind of information any parent would want to keep hidden. "We feel completely violated by Assange", stated Ann fighting back her tears. "Isn't any one safe? This is information that was between my husband and I - my kids should not find this out over a public website. I am calling Eric Holder to take action" added Ann.

After reviewing the 1,200 letters, it is clear why Ann and Al wanted to keep this information private. Here are a few of the bombshells from the letters:


T0: Al and Ann Mulder
From: George Whitehead, Kent County Sheriff
Dated: May 21, 1971

The Kent County Sheriff's Department has concluded our investigation into the shooting at your home on May 19. While we understand that you reported the shooting as an accident, the results of our investigation shows that your son Craig intentionally shot his brother Kevin in the back with the BB gun. Based on our interview with the boys as well as forensic evidence, it is clear that Craig meant bodily harm. While we would normally seek charges against Craig, he will be release into your custody since he is a minor. There appears to be anger issues that he will need to have addressed.


To: Al and Ann Mulder
From: Susan Westbrook, U.S. Ambassador to Sri Lanka
Date: July 15, 1996

Thank you for your recent communication and petition regarding your son, Kenneth P. Mulder. As you know we have been working around the clock since July 11th to win Kenneth's release from the Sri Lanka prison. While I know that the petition, with over 300 signatures, is asking the Sri Lanka government to keep Kenneth, this does not appear possible at this time. The Sri Lanka authorities regret arresting Kenneth and are begging the U.S. to take him back. Since Kenneth is a U.S. citizen, we have to send him back.


To: Al and Ann Mulder
From: Chin Li Lu, Chinese Olympic Team
Date: November 1, 1975

To follow up on our phone call this week, I would like to reiterate the wishes of the Chinese Government and our Olympic Table Tennis Program. As we prepare for the 1976 Summer Olympics, it is important that our table tennis team play against the top players in the world. Your son, Clifford, is an outstanding player and we are impressed with how he dominated the recent Lowell Middle School tournaments. Our offer is to have Cliff attend school in China next semester and play table tennis against our Olympic Team. I understand how difficult it is to allow your favorite son to leave for six months. You have my word that this would be an outstanding experience for Clifford. While I know that you refused our offer over the phone, will you please reconsider?


Wikileaks has stated that the Mulder letters are just the beginning and that they have confidential information on over 125,000 U.S. families.

P.S. For those who are new readers of Cliff Notes, I occasionally like to deviate from normal family news and put a "Mulder twist" of the news of the day. For those of you who think I completely made up the above stories: my brother Craig did shoot my brother Kevin with a BB gun; my brother Ken was retained by the Sri Lanka government; and I did play a mean game of ping pong in middle school.

Christkindlmarket in Chicago

Randy and Theresa Lanning from Raymond James

Yummy German Food

Christmas would not be the same without an annual visit to the German Christmas Market at Daly Plaza in Chicago (or maybe two visits). It is a tradition to drink the Gluwein (red wine served hot) in the annual souvenir mug and to sample the German food. What fun!

Getting the Christmas Tree

It is important to dress warm

Of all the places Santa could have been, he was at Butlers Tree Farm!

This year we went back to Butler Tree Farm to cut our Christmas tree. It is located near Decatur (for those of you not familiar with Michigan geography, it is near Dowagiac) and has a wonderful selection of Frazier Firs. Amazingly, Santa was there to greet Phil and Hannah. This is our fifth year at Butlers, and every year Santa has been there to greet us - what are the odds.

Our Wonderful Caregivers

This is the time of year to give thanks and all of us are very thankful for two very special people - Connie and Kim. Connie has been Noni's primary caregiver since 2007 and Kim started in 2008 (We added Margarita in 2010). Connie and Kim are amazing women who give Noni (and Popi) so much love and attention. They have become members of our Hudson family and we don't know what would we do without them.

Hyde Park Academy Rocks

Jessie, who can never say no, is the debate coach at her school, Hyde Park Academy. Jessie has had a great season with many new kids participating. This past weekend, they competed at a tournament at DePaul University. Both the varsity and junior varsity teams took first. The kids were so proud and we all celebrated with McFlurrys at McDonalds. Way to go Jessie.

Wow, it is Branko Wine. From Italy to Chicago

In the fall of 2009 when Brenda and I visited Italy, one of our most memorable events was our tour of the Branko Winery near Capriva. We wanted to visit some of the other wineries near Noni's home and randomly picked Branko. Igor Branko was our host and he was impressed that his good friend, Ilvo Grion, was Brenda's first cousin. Igor's wine was outstanding and he gave us several bottles to bring home. He also told us that his wine was on the wine list in two U.S. restaurants - one in St. Louis and Quartinos in Chicago.

This past weekend, we were in Chicago for my work and our dinner on Thursday night was at Quartinos. So what wine did Brenda and I get to drink? Branko. Ah, Life is Good.

More Houston Thanksgiving

We had a wonderful time on our Houston Thanksgiving trip. Rather than write a long narrative, I decided to simply post some of my favorite pictures. We missed having Bryan and Jessie, but Jessie cooked a wonderful meal in Chicago for them and Jessie's parents.

Even at age 21, Laurel loves the Houston Zoo. Good idea to brush the goats and not feed them.
Mike's Mom, Mary McCormick joined us. She is in Houston for her cancer treatments. It was a real blessing to have her join us. What a wonderful woman.

Is this Sara Vollink's first time on the blog?

Why can't Keith smile. $3,400 of orthodonics work down the drain.

On the way to Texas (yes we drove), we stopped in Kansas for the funeral of Mac McCormick, Mike's Dad. Mr and Mrs. McCormick live on a farm in Kansas - truly God's Country. The funeral was a wonderful celebration of Mac's life.

Keith dances with Cleo while Pepper waits her turn.

Seeing Double?

The birds are safe with us. Actually just me - Keith and Phil were great shots.

It is so much fun to hunt with Mike and Mitchell

The entire Mike and Linda Clan. A Christmas Card photo?

The start of our Houston Thanksgiving

We have been in Texas for four days and we have been busy. Here are a few photos from the trip so far.




Keith and Lisa picked the best restaurants for us to try. Reef had outstanding fish and here is the incredible dessert at Beavers - The Beaver Balls


Shopping the day before Thanksgiving. Camille and Laurel got up early to go along.


A Texas cockroach. Everything is bigger in Texas.


The architecture at Rice University. Rice is one of five schools to which Phil is applying. The campus is beautiful and is only a five minute walk from Keith and Lisa's apartment. We visited the school on Monday.


The Houston Zoo. We visited on Tuesday and Laurel and Phil loved it. We had not been to the Houston Zoo in over 10 years.


The baby elephant was only 7 weeks old.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

What a change in roles

I woke up this morning in Houston at Keith and Lisa's apartment to hear Lisa leaving at 6:30 to go teach. Then when I got up at 7:30, Keith was all dressed to go to the hospital. Of course, I sat around in my pjs and enjoyed my coffee - no rush. What a change of roles.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

You can't take him anywhere

Our first meal in Houston and Phil pulls a classic "Philism". He is playing with the catsup bottle at the table and manages to squirt catsup in his hair, on his forehead , and covering his shirt. Only Phil!
We had a great laugh.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

The Power of Cliff Notes

When I created Cliff Notes two year ago, little did I know the impact I would have on popular culture. What started as a simply hobby for me, has become a phenomenon (e.g. Google, Facebook). We we were visiting Ann Arbor yesterday and I took a picture of Laurel and her housemates, they quickly asked it the photo would make it on my blog. It is obvious that appearing in Cliff Notes has become synonymous with "Making It", similar to having a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. So here is the photo. Of the girls in the photo, this is Courtney Brown's first appearance on Cliff Notes. Congratulations Courtney for "Making It" - time to update the resume'.

U of M Parents Weekend 2010

Yesterday we drove over to Ann Arbor for our last Parent's Weekend with Laurel. The football game was at 12:00 noon, so we brought over breakfast for Laurel and her housemates. With the help of the other parents, we had bagels, pumpkin scones, bacon, potatoes, Starbucks coffee, hot chocolate and other goodies (check out the quiche that we made). After breakfast, we went over to a house being rented by Nick Olson, a classmate of Laurel's from PNHS. We watched the game with Nick's parents and Anna Caplis' parents (Laurel and Tom came back from the stadium to watch the end of the game with us.

Michigan won 67-65 - the most points ever scored in a Big Ten football game. It was thrilling. Check out our reaction after the last play in the third overtime. Wow.

Alligator Hill

When we were up north with our K-College friends, we tried a new hike. We hiked the "Alligator Hill" trail near Glen Arbor. The trail had three loops with each loop identified as easy, moderate or hard. The area called "Alligator Hill" sits on the west side of Big Glen Lake. During the hike we had beautiful views of both Lake Michigan and Glen Lake. Craig had suggested the hike and we will have to include it as part of the cabins next August.

Phil Votes for the First Time

Phil went to the polls for the first time tonight to vote in the mid-term elections. Since Phil is interested in current issues and is an avid reader, he is probably one of the most informed 18 year old voters around. Enjoy your right to vote Phil!

Cliff Notes - Brought to you by the Michigan Tourist Bureau

Cliff Notes is proud to announce its first commercial sponsorship. The Michigan Tourist Bureau has signed on as our first sponsor. "We are proud to sponsor Cliff Notes. The readership of Cliff Notes fits perfectly with the type of people we are trying to attract to Michigan" stated James Alexander, Director of the Michigan Tourist Bureau. The financial support of the Michigan Tourist Bureau allows Cliff Notes to continue its important mission of updating the world on the happenings of the Cliff and Brenda Mulder family.

I hope you enjoy our first commercial

Kalamazoo Farmer's Market

We always see people we know

We are sure to get Phil a Papa's Italian Sausage

One of the highlights of our Michigan summer is the weekly trek down to the Farmer's Market. I recently read that Michigan only trails California in the variety of fruits and vegetables grown. When you visit the Farmer's Market, you know this is true. We always walk away with numerous bags and we eat very healthy in the summer. Brenda, of course, loves cooking and experimenting with all the new items we find. We really enjoy doing this together every Saturday morning.

Grand Rapids Art Prize is Incredible

2009 was the first year of the Grand Rapids Art Prize. For details on this unique contest, visit their website at:

http://www.artprize.org/

Last Sunday, Brenda and I drove to Grand Rapids to check it out ourselves. Downtown Grand Rapids was packed (on a Sunday afternoon) and the art was incredible. I included just a few photos of the art of display. We walked around for three hours, but really needed three days! We can't wait for Art Prize 2011.