Thanksgiving, Christmas Frenzy, and The Holy War of College Football

So we caved in to the peer pressure and let our kids decorate the Christmas tree before Thanksgiving this year. We figured because we were going to Utah for the Holiday it didn't matter. I am regretting this decision because Beckham's new toy is the Christmas tree. He keeps yelling "ball", "ball", "ball" to the red bulbs on the tree and has attempted to hit one of them with a baseball bat. Hopefully the novelty will wear off soon.

We left for Utah on Wednesday and had a fun time visiting with family and friends. On Friday morning my sister-in-law Jamie insisted that I get up at 4:00AM to go Christmas shopping. I reluctantly went and it ended up being fun and comical. We laughed really hard and froze our buts off waiting in line. We hit Shopko, Kmart, Shopko again, RC Willey outlet, The Mall, and Bed Bath and Beyond all before 10:00AM. It is amazing what can be done when you get up at 4:00AM. I was really excited because at RC Willey I was able to get a nice dryer for a stealer deal. My sister-in-law Heather moved her way to the front of the line and then ran (I learned that running is a must in order to get the door buster bargains) to the dryers (thank you Heather, I really need that dryer). Anyway, it was a fun time.

On Saturday Jason took Mckay to the Utah vs BYU football game in Provo. They went with Nic and Andrew. Mckay, ever since BYU football camp, has turned into a wild BYU fan and was cheering loud for the Cougars. This is funny because, most of you know that I prefer the Utes over the Cougars (I know I am BYU alumni, but I have cheered many years for the Utes). Jason is somewhat neutral and prefers Ohio State. Jason wanted BYU to win for Mckay and childhood memories of hating the Utes make it hard to cheer for them. But, he also wanted Utah to win for Nic and to upset all of those annoying BYU fans. Mckay got his wishes and the Cougars pulled out a victory. Mckay came home so excited that I couldn't be disappointed that the Utes lost.

Ohio State Beats Michigan

So most of you know, that my husband is crazy for the Ohio State Buckeyes. Every Saturday our lives revolve around Ohio State Football games. Jason is quite the fan and gets a little out of control. Our family and friends like to come and watch games with Jason, just to see his crazy behavior. He jumps on the coffee table, yells at the refs, call the other team names, and claps so loud (this is so annoying). It is also a game ritual for Jason to call other Buckeye fans (Mike, Zac, Darren, or anyone that will listen) throughout the game. Who knew that four years of dental school would turn into a lifetime of Saturday Craziness.

So, Saturday was no different! The Buckeyes played their rival, Michigan. Most of my fellow bloggers know the importance of this game, for those of you who don't here is a glimpse: Buckeye fans count down the days, hours, minutes, and seconds until the Michigan game, they chant slurs about Michigan even when they aren't playing Michigan, and one year while we lived in Ohio students set a block on fire and flipped over numerous cars after a victory over Michigan. This rivalry is legendary in college football. So my husband, being the crazy fan that he is, dresses himself and the kids in Ohio State attire. Our morning starts with the Buckeye fight song. At game time our house gets very loud and the kids hear a few four letter words. On Saturday Jason was screaming and going crazy, calling Mike Hart every name imaginable. I threatened to record him and put it on the blog, so everyone could see his craziness. I was nice and only took a few pictures. So here are a few calm photos. For my sake, I am glad they won. Jason was very happy on Saturday with the Buckeyes clinching the Big Ten Title and earning a bid to the BCS Rose Bowl. Hey who knows with the craziness of football this year, if a few teams lose, Buckeyes could be playing for another National Title. If this is the case we will not be going, especially after last years experience.

Finally Walking and Plumber Bum

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So Beckham has finally started walking. He is still extremely cautious and only walks a few steps before grabbing onto the furniture or sitting down. Beckham is too funny. He has this tough boy, teasing personality but, truly he is a mommas boy. Anyway, it has been fun to see him learn new things and watch his eyes light up when he walks.

I thought these were funny pictures. Beckham was trying to get into the Halloween candy and every time he would reach into the bowl he would expose his behind.

Trip to the Mediterranean

So many of you have been hassling me to post about my trip, so here it finally is.

Jason and I were so excited to go on our cruise to the Mediterranean and the trip didn't disappoint. we flew into Venice, Italy, spent a day there and then got on our cruise ship that night. Venice was everything I had imagined it to be. The water streets and buildings were so cool. We took a water taxi and were able to see many of the sites. Venice is truly a city for the romantic and it was my favorite stop on our trip. Our first port on our cruise was Debrovnik, Croatia. We loved this port, it was beautiful. Croatia was once formally part of the Republic of Yugoslavia and in 1991 the country claimed their independence. Many of the historical buildings displayed evidence from the war. It was amazing to see the city rebuilt. Debrovinik is becoming a very popular tourist attraction in the summer months and our tour guide told us that Tom Cruise spent time there last summer. Our next stop was in Kusadasi, Turkey. We began the day with a tour of The House of Virgin Mary and then Ephesus. Ephesus was really interesting. It was cool to see the most ancient city in the world and the site of Christian Shrine. St. Paul once preached and wrote Ephesians at Ephesus. We spent the rest of the day shopping. Kusadasi is known for Carpets (rugs) and cheap shopping. We found the Turkish people to be a little pushy and kind of rude, so we didn't do much purchasing. Our next port of call was Santorini, Greece. The city of Santorini sits upon rock from an old volcanoe. As we approached the docking area I thought that there was snow upon the mountain but, then realized it was white houses spread across the mountain top. The lost city of Atlantis was once said to be swallowed by the sea at this site. We took boats into the island and then we had a choice to either climb 580 steps or ride Donkeys to the top. I chose to ride a Donkey and Jason of course chose to climb. I was seriously questioning my decision after about 10 seconds on the donkey. I feared for my life. There was no organization, it was all about getting as many people to the top as fast as possible. PETA would reprimand these donkey herders (or whatever you call them) for methods of disciplining donkeys. Each time they would whip my donkey, it would take off on a galloping sprint (my childhood memories of the farm and getting bucked off the horse were very vivid). Once we got to the top we rented ATV's and explored the city of Santorini. This was by far one of my favorite days. Our last port was Corfu Greece. This site was pretty as well and we wished we had more time to explore more of this city. We had such as great time with great friends. This was an experience I will never forget. We missed our kids a lot and we were so grateful for all the help with our kids.

Halloween

Here are a few photos of the kids on Halloween. Mckay and Beckham were Derek Jeter and Mckinley was a witch. I was sad that I didn't get to be with our kids on Halloween but, they seemed to have fun with both Grandparent's. They had parties at school and then went to Utah and Trick or Treated with their cousins Andrew and Brooklyn. They had a ball. Thanks, Grandma Pat, Grandma Marilynn, Becky, and Jamie for helping with our kids while we were gone.

Go Rockies, Congrats Mckay, and Mckinley the Rock Star

This past week we have loved watching the playoff games. We really enjoyed watching the Rockies clinch the National League Title. Our kids have gotten into the action and even Beckham sits and watches the games for a little while! Hopefully the Rockies will keep playing flawless and win the World Series!

This last week Mckay was awarded the outstanding first grader award for the month of October. For his prize he got to eat pizza with the principal and assistant principle and was given a certificate with a Shelledy Bobcat pin. His teacher wrote a really nice note and he was so excited. Congrats Mckay!!!


Ever since High School Musical, Mckinley's new past time is singing. I caught her jamming out with a microphone and her new wig she got for Halloween and I had to take a few pictures. We never know what Mckinley is going to come up with?

Tagged

So my good friend Tiffany Tagged me. I figure if she can take the time to answer these questions, I surely can. So I will give it a try.

1. Best thing you cooked last week? Chili and homemade bread sticks. We had my sister Becky's family over for dinner and the Colorado Rockies game!!! I told Jason I was a little rusty with the Kitchen Aid-- I don't think I have used it since Dental School. I have gotten extremely lazy with my cooking, It is easier to buy everything premade from Sam's Club.

2. If money, time and babysitting were no object, where would you go and with who? I would go to a spa with Jason for a week, where I could receive unlimited massages, mud bath's, facials, pedicures (oh my feet could use it), and all the delicious food I could eat. Does this place exist or am I wishing for Heaven? Can you tell my mussels are still a little sore from my marathon?

3. When was the last time you cried? Last Week. You know just one of those days when life seemed impossible to figure out. A good cry always seems to solve everything.

4. 5 things you were doing this month 10 years ago. Going to BYU, watching Jason play baseball at UVSC, Working at Nebo Financial (my mom and dad's loan company), a newlywed living in my mom and dad's basement while we struggled through school, eating out every weekend and going to movies with Jason (definitely before children).

5. 5 things on your to do list today: Clean my house, wax my eyebrow's and update my blog, take Mckinley to Kinder Music, Get Mckay and Beckham's haircut, run Mckay and Mckinley to Soccer practice (some days I feel like I live in the car).

6. 5 favorite snacks: Dorito's ( I am eating them as I write), Peanut Butter M&M's, Werther's Original Chewy Carmel, cheese and crackers, and of course Diet Coke.

7. 5 bad habits: I tend to think I can remember everything in my head instead of writing things down (most of the time this method fails), I always try to fit in more than can be managed and tend to Multitask everything including my husband and children, I am a people pleaser and have a hard time saying "NO", I talk a lot and freely share everything about myself, I drink way too much Diet Coke ( I do not deny that I am an addict).

8. 5 favorite foods: Steak from Outback, The rolls and sweet potato at Texas Roadhouse, Chipotle Burritos, Cafe Rio Pork salad, and anything Italian.

9. 5 places I've been: New York City, Maui, Playa Del Carmen-Mexico, Boston (to run the Boston Marathon), and soon a Mediterranean Cruise.

10. 5 favorite memories: Dental School and friends in Columbus-Ohio, the birth of our three children in three different states (Utah, Ohio, and Colorado) , taking our kids to Disneyland two times and Mexico, newlywed years with Jason (going to school, being poor and watching him play baseball), running the St. George marathon and training with Jason (we talk a lot and support each other in accomplishing our goals).

Wow that was Therapeutic! Now it is four other's turn and then they can tag four more.

You've been tagged: Suzie, Cheryl, Michelle, Aly

10 Year Club, Personal Record's, and Boston Bound

The St. George Marathon was special for Jason and I this year. This was my tenth St. George and I was inducted into the infamous 10 year club. It is weird to think that I started running this race a year out of high school and have ran it every year except for two (the birth of Mckinley and Beckham). I guess by the tenth time I should have it mastered and I had a personal best, with a time of 3hr 8min. Jason also had a personal best, with a time of 3hr 6min. Jason finally qualified for the Boston Marathon and he was so surprised. I have qualified for many years (the girls qualifying time is much slower, 3 hr 40 min) but, Jason's qualifying time is so much faster (3hr 10min) that we always thought it was out of reach. We were all shocked that we surpassed that time. All the 22-24 mile long runs, hill repeats up the Colorado Monument, and tempo runs paid off. Now Jason is determined to run the Boston Marathon this spring, so it looks like we are Boston Bound.

It was such a great weekend. It was fun to be with old and new friends. I have truly enjoyed training this year due to the great friendships I have formed with my training partners. Every morning I look forward to our "Girly" conversations (as Jason would call them)and the energy release. It was neat to see all of us accomplish our goals.

Mckay's Last Baseball Game

Here are a few cute pictures I took of Mckay in his last fall baseball game. The team ended the season strong with 11 wins and 1 loss. We had fun watching the kids play. Beckham would stand at the fence and yell for Mckay when he would get up to bat, he can hardly wait for his turn.

I Can't Walk But, I Can Open The Door

So, many of you know that my Big Beckham is not walking. I am starting to think it is a control issue and he refuses to give in. However, he has mastered opening the doors.

Beckham loves to open the bathroom door, once inside he loves to swirl his hands in the toilet and give it a few flushes (gross I know).

He is attempting to exit the house.

I finally got the door open.

Swing the door open!

I am off, before my mom catches me!


"Who Me, I am not a little mess"!!