The Swenson Lee Family

I just wanted to send a quick update that we are moved in, far from being settled but getting there. Once I find some of my computer stuff I will share photos of our trip. For now, please know how much we appreciate each of you! This is so incredible! I am off to a volleyball tournament, but will begin sharing my journal online hopefully on Sunday. I will have big shoes to fill blogging after Terri Osland (actually Olivia has bigger shoes than Terri but you get the point). A special thanks to Terri as Erik and I were cut off from the real world while vacationing in CA and she did an amazing job keeping everyone in the loop! We still don’t have a home phone, so please use our cell phones to get in touch with us. We finally got internet a couple of days ago so we are getting connected again. Erik and I have so much to share with you!!! Can’t wait!

It is almost 9 pm on Tuesday night and for the first time in about 6 days, I feel completely calm.  That EMHE fiasco was just too much for someone with my temperament.  It is unbelievable what was accomplished in 8 days as a result of the collective energies of so many kind people.  On behalf of the Swenson-Lee family, I just want to shout out a thank you to everyone who contributed either directly or with a supportive spirit.  I am sure that they will want to share some stories and memories with you once their life resumes some sense of normalcy.

The “big reveal” was advertised as approximately a 2 pm event, but was moved up at the last minute because of impending rain.  I busted my tail to get there only to wait for 3 hours for their return.  It was an especially long wait for everyone because for most of the time, each person was staged and practicing the expression of enthusiasm that would naturally generate itself upon the return of the family.  For awhile, I thought that I was going to be with the group of folks with blue shirts on staged in the driveway.  I was pretty excited because I knew that would be a great place to see the expressions of the family when the bus actually moved.  Sadly (for me), the guy in charge directed about half of us to leave at the last minute to make room for the contractors.   I weasled my way into a good spot across the street and still was able to get some good photos.

While I was on the driveway, there was a lot of practicing of the big event.  The limo drove up several times and the crowd was prompted to erupt in applause.  It actually got pretty tiring so many or most of us on the driveway sat down.  It was during this time that they practiced moving the bus and one time, there was a “fake” family staged behind the bus who feigned some excitement when the bus moved.   I was just sitting there watching, but the lady behind me was a little perturbed.  She said, “I can’t believe they didn’t tell us they were going to bring the family this time.  It seems weird that we were prepared or anything…”  I thought that she was being sarcastic so I turned to her and said, “You are kidding, right?”  No, she wasn’t.   I said, “It’s ok, that’s not them.”  I thought I was gullible.  Sorry.  It was a little funny.

The rest of the story is history and I think the pictures will tell it better than I can.  After the family went into the house, we were told that they would be in there for hours filming.  I have also heard that they will not actually stay in their home until Wednesday night.  I have not spoken with Vicki yet, so there are many details about the house that are still a mystery to me.  I did hear, however, that the cupboards are stocked with food and their clothes are all dry-cleaned and waiting for them.  There was a lot of attention to detail in this whole affair.  Click here to see the photos of the “big reveal.”

Vicki, Erik, Taylor, Tyler, Samantha, Trever, Tara, Olivia, and Stella are FINALLY home.  It was so fun to see the expressions on their faces when their home was revealed to them for the first time.  I could live without hearing “move that bus” again (as we probably had to say it 874 times during several trial runs), but I am grateful that I could be there.  After they were escorted into the house, I heard that there will be several hours of interviews and films so the crowds dispersed.  I have many photos to share and will post those soon.

Because of rain, the big reveal is now scheduled for 1:30 instead of 2 pm.  Come earlier.

One of the highlights of Monday was the opportunity for both Vicki’s volleyball team and Erik’s football team to volunteer on furniture moving day. Some of my assistants (thank you both!) passed on these photos. Click here.

Click here for another set of photos and I am going to paste in a story emailed to me from someone who graduated from HS with Erik (it is quite funny):

“Kathryn and I (that would be Molly (B) S., we graduated from HHS
with Erik in 1989) headed to the site today about 4:30PM. We brought
homemade cookies and brownies in hopes that some innocent bribery would help
our case. (it didn’t) So, we got in line behind 4 other volunteers and
waited. We met Pam, from earlier blogs who is the model of the prized blue
shirt, and became fast friends. Then, the call came. 5 volunteers were
needed for who knows what, here is your shirts and your badges and follow
security guard #1 to your post. Through the back streets we went, to
security guard #2, who had to figure out what to do with us. In the
meantime, we had a beautiful view of the side of the house, and watched as
they were putting up the pine trees and the Rainbow play set. (and ran into
Matt S., longtime friend of Erik and Vicki, and fellow grad from HHS) We
then were told to haul it to security guard #3 and to a party they were
filming. We had to wait as the “set” was on lockdown during filming, which
was honestly a good thing as the five of us were hot and sweaty from our
haul of about a mile, which would not of looked pretty on camera. Then
security guard #’s 4 and 5 told us to go to the tent and eat. “Ok we can do
that”. Now, we are about 1 hour in to our stint as “volunteers” and have
yet to do any work. So, we get in line for a bbq, and find ourselves right
next to the stars of the show themselves, Ty (quite the pipes on that
cutie), Michael, Paul, Tracy, and Paige. Michael was in line right next to
me, and jumped ahead of me for a pickle and a piece of cheese. (I could say
more, but let’s leave it at that) Anyway, the five of us were then sitting
and eating some great food from Majors while we watched a presentation of
Ty’s to the families that had been helped by EMHE of past shows. We cheered
where appropriate, and joined in a jam session with Ty and Paul as they sang
a song “we all know”. We had no idea what the song was, so we mouthed
“watermelon” as the cameras panned us and we looked everywhere but right at
the cameramen. When the party was over, we lingered, figuring that they
would need us to clean up. Kathryn ran to get some photos, and had her back
turned as she went butt to butt with none other than Ty himself. I was the
sole witness and couldn’t have been more excited for her. We had to keep it
on the down low though, as the security was pretty tight and wanted no
“monkey business”. So, we then walked the mile back to the house, and
waited. By now, about an hour later the landscaping was looking absolutely
beautiful. We saw some commotion near the house, so decided to hang around
and see what was happening. We covered our badges with our hard hats (which
were surprisingly heavy on your head:) and hung with the VIP’s. We had a
smoothie, and contemplated how we were going to get the coveted job in the
house. Then we heard the magic words: “all blue shirts to the driveway for
the candlelight vigil” Was this our lucky day or what! We were right up on
the driveway with all the designers again and the governor. As they passed
out candles, Ty, Tom the big cheese builder, Governor Pawlenty and a couple
other notables said a few words about the tragedies that Minnesota has
endured this month. We then were given candles to hold and lighters were
passed around. The wind decided at that moment to pick up, and so it was a
challenge to get the shot of all our candles lit. So, the moment of silence
went on for a bit, as all of us tried to keep our candles from burning out.
Once again, we were in arms distance from the designers, and most exciting
of all, we could see in the windows of this beautiful house and look at
paint colors, bathroom fixtures and a beautiful brick fireplace in the great
room. We talked to a guy that was heading in to put a spa in the backyard.
So many good things for such a deserving family. It was a very surreal
night, one I will never forget. EMHE is one of my favorite shows. As I was
leaving with Kathryn tonight I told my 6 year old daughter Amaia where I was
going. I said, “Honey, I am going to see that show we love so much with Ty.
You know the one that we cry every time they say “move that bus!” Amaia
replied, “Mommy, YOU cry when they say that” She is right. But, I have a
feeling on Tuesday as the big limo pulls up, it will be hard to find a dry
eye when Ty yells,” move that bus!” and the Swenson/Lee’s can finally say
they are HOME. “

This might very well be my last post before the Swenson-Lee family sees their new home.   I fully intend to post pictures of that event if you are unable to make it and I am confident that Vicki will want to share here some of their experiences in California (to whatever extent she can based on the contract she has signed with ABC).  For those of you who are coming to the “big reveal”, I have learned that there will not be a VIP section for individuals on Vicki’s list, only for immediate family and individuals closest to the project (contractors and TJB employees, etc…).  The reveal will occur between 2 pm and 3 pm and the general public is asked to arrive by 1 pm to get it all organized (however that works).  I am certain the traffic and parking with be complicated to say the least.  It is truly hard to believe that this kind of a project is even possible in 7 days.  I just can’t wait to see those 9 faces again!

I have only moments to thank everybody who sent pictures last night. I really want to tell the stories that I heard, but don’t have time right now. I did hear that the candlelight vigil was well attended. Governor Pawlenty was there as well as Senator Terri Bonoff. The issue of domestic violence was addressed as Teri and Tim were remembered. It was a community vigil centered around some of the challenges Minnesota has faced in the past couple months including the collapse of the 35W bridge as well as recent flooding. Vicki’s volleyball team as well Coach “Rex” (Erik’s assistant coach and dear friend) were able to participate.

From the media advisory, I have learned that the keys to the house will be turned over to the design team today for interior work and final touches. Furniture and personal belongings will soon be moved back into the house and the “big reveal” is scheduled for sometime between 1 pm - 4 pm on Tuesday.

Click here for more photos. Enjoy the “money shot” of Ty (thanks to Vicki’s cousin).

I wanted to write tonight before I go to bed to let everyone know that tomorrow is the first day of teacher workshops and since I am a teacher I can no longer blog full-time as I need to focus on my “real job.” That said, I will definitely being blogging a little. I am not sure I can make it out to the site tomorrow so I welcome any stories or photos by email: tosland@comcast.net.

I also have some more photos to share including one of Amy Klobuchar and the spectacular driveway. There is also a photo of the some of the past families who were selected for EMHE. Each of them was there to celebrate the 100th show (not sure if I mentioned that this is going to be a 2 hour special) and were given Ford Expeditions (I think I am right on the type of vehicle) to drive home. Sometime tomorrow I will share more about the candlelight vigil. Click here, enjoy, and goodnight.

There were some wonderful advances that I read about (and some that I saw) in the Day 6 Media Advisory from TJB Homes. It seems everytime I am there a new tree arrives and is planted. Surveillance cameras were installed outside the home to provide the children a new sense of security. They are beginning to work on the driveway, patio, and sidewalk and a deluxe playset for the kids was put in place. Governor Pawlenty will be making an appearance around 6:30 pm.

And….I have photos (thanks again everyone for sending these). Click here.