Christmas Break: 7 days down, 5 to go

First half of Christmas week in a nutshell.

We decide to drive from Denver to Wichita on the Wednesday before Christmas. We think this is going to be fine because we are leaving at 4:30am and I am assuming that we will be beat the storm we are hearing is going to happen on Wednesday. Well, nobody it mentioned it was actually going to start snowing Tuesday night, so when we woke up to leave at 4:30 and stepped outside, I think the first thought through my head was "oh crap". There was a few inches of snow already. The roads don't get bad until we get outside of the Denver limits. Then here is what we looked at for the next 7 hours of our lives:

Literally our 7.5 hour drive took us about 10 hours. We saw several cars off the road and flipped over, we were going 30 mph at one point and had a few close calls ourself (one where I was for sure we were going off the road. no question about it). BUT once we hit Fort Hays, the roads were clear and it was almost 40 degrees, so too warm for ice and we flew to make up some time into Wichita. Tyson was very restless by the end of this journey.

At one point I look back at him and this is what I saw. He is sitting, facing the trunk with is head directly bent backwards staring at us like "are we there yet??" it was hilarious. He also spent the last hour "hot boxing" us in the car with his toots. He went #2 twice in the Moore's backyard. One of them was horrible... sorry Moores!

Quick dog story. So anyone who has met Tyson knows he is a high-energy dog. I always heard that Labs were the most hyper dogs. Well, Ty has played with two different lab pups (Franklin and Dax) and Tyson both times has been non-stop play, play, play and much more hyper than both of the other dogs. Well, we are over at the Mann's house with Phillip and his girlfriend Nikki on Satursday and get on the subject of dogs. I ask them if they have met Luna (Adam and Jamie Smith's dog). Nikki responds with this answer "She is really cute and really hyper, but she is no Tyson"......... so it is official, I have the most hyper dog. I will admit it and I am learning to deal with it.

Anyways, we get into Wichita, see the Moores house which is adorable and Tyson gets some of his energy out while playing with Franklin (so cute!). Then you all the know the rest..... Thursday comes with a massive storm, which means on Christmas Day when we drive to KC to see Adam's family, we drive another 3 hours in snow/ice- but not near as bad as it was on Wednesday through Western Kansas. Christmas night with the Griffin's was a blast and Kelly, Kenny, Adam and I stayed up late playing games and drinking. So fun!

Now it is Tuesday, we are going to be in KC until January 3rd because of the Swain/Robben festivities which I CANNOT WAIT FOR! So excited!

Oh! And lastly, the only thing I really wanted for Christmas from my parents was new ski gear and my mom did AMAZING! At least I will look the part now :) Here is the ski jacket she got Adam

Just kidding. This coat is one we found in Marshalls and thought was hiliarious! She did a great job, though and I can't wait to wear my gear down the mountain- lookin like a badass.

I'm on a Sleigh!

Just in case you all haven't seen this hilarious, very well done video by the Mikey Needleman Band, check it out!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H4PqzcjTP_M#watch-main-area

Hodge Podge, I want to make some Christmas fudge

- How do they come up with the words you have to type in for security purposes, like when you post a comment on blogger? Lora Yoakum swears she got "penis" once.

- Adam likes to molest Tyson. Please see pic below.

- I caught Tyson carrying around wrapped Christmas presents in his mouth this morning.

- In the words of Natalie Otto "Elf Yourself has made the Holidays so much more jolly!!!"

No kidding! If you want me to make one, I will. I am the Elf Yourself champ and have made probably 15 different ones since Monday.

- Can't wait for Christmas

- Tyson's hind legs won't heal!!! I have been playing doctor all week and have been trying to keep the stitches intact. Poor guy- but he won't stop licking them! With his cone on, he can still reach his hind legs. Ughh. His wee wee looks great, though, and is healing up very nicely.

- My husband is a really hard worker

- Jersey Shore is the best TV show on right now. Thursday nights at 8pm (Denver time)

- "How cute are these boots!" best GAP commercial ever

- I hate it when my big, big boss calls me. I get really nervous to talk to him sometimes

- This is what you call procrastination..... :)

Our Little Humble Abode

Here are a few quick pics from our house. Our living room, kitchen and office. I need to take pics of our bedroom because it is the cutest room in our house. But that will have to be another time.

This is our living room. There are a few eye sores (the cords off the TV) but we couldn't mount because we rent. Thanks to Greg for our awesome TV :) Oh! And we actually have an accent wall that is painted, but you can't see it in this pic.


View from the front door when you walk in. I took these last week, but now we have a new rug in the living room. This one has been moved to the office.



Office! This looks WAYY different now. So much better. We hate the white walls in this room, but there is not much we can do about it. :) My desk is on the right (which is the cute one if you saw it) and Adam's is on the left.

And Tyson... doing what he loves to do. Sit at my desk. Adam and I really have a theory that he thinks he is human. Too bad he can't do my work for me too.

The French cake log

I baked "Buche De Noel" (Cake that looks like a log- in French) two nights ago. We went the Whole Foods to grab lunch and they had samples of this stuff out. I had never tasted it before, and thought it was the best thing I had ever put in my mouth. I took 4 trips to the sample station (luckily no one was around). ANYWAYS, when I grabbed the package to buy and looked at the price, I almost had a heart attack at how expensive it was. So, I bought all the ingrediants and baked one myself. It was very challenging, but turned out pretty good. I know what "tweaks" I would do next time around. But let's just say this recipe included, beating yoaks to pale and thick, beating the egg whites to stiff peaks. I had BOTH of my mixers out and the kitchen was a disaster by the time I was done. Here are a few pics from my endeaver.

This was one of those recipes where you bake the cake part, flip it out of the pan onto a towel, roll the towel up and let cool. It was pretty exciting, not going to lie. Here is my little log, cooling away on the counter
Finished product: I used a little too much whip cream (I did a vanilla one instead of chocolate because I forgot to buy the cocoa powder) but will adjust next time. Overall, a success!

Talk to the moose

This is the current commercial that 1) is my favorite right now 2) that I can't get out of my head for the few hours after I watch it. Adam and I will be going to bed and one of us will start singing "how cute are these boots, how cute are these boots!" Anyways, these little girls are just so stinking cute.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ffRlqiIE4J4&NR=1

Gets me every time!

Merry Christmas from our family to yours!
http://elfyourself.jibjab.com/view/1L5orl0q6bjJVinl

Please teach me how to be cool

So badly I want to be cool when I am skiing. I try really hard to be, but I know I am not. First of all, my snow pants that I bought sr. year of college are too small- therefore, they do not snap at the top and I get nervous my pants are going to unzip and fall down while I am skiing. Secondly, I have orange skis. Like, REALLY orange skis. My apparel does not match them at all and I have no money to buy new stuff with. Fashion is huge on the mountain and I cannot compete.

I literally cannot walk in ski boots. I absolutely HATE walking in them. They hurt and are way too heavy on my feet. So, when I have to go down steps... I stick out like a sore thumb because I am the girl holding onto the railing, while trying not to fall and not to drop my skis. Speaking of carrying skis, I guess there is a certain way to carry your skis. Well, nobody told me. I carry them however I feel like carrying them. Today, Adam and I went and put our stuff in the car before walking to a bar to grab a beer. Well, everyone was leaving the slopes and a local literally walked by people and yelled at them "LEARN HOW TO CARRY YOUR SKIS". Seriously??? I am so happy he didn't see me with mine because I literally speared a lady with my skis today because I was carrying them wrong. I am sorry, but they are heavy and I don't like putting them on my shoulder like everyone else.

Skiing down the mountain.... today, I felt like I was getting better, feeling more confident, etc. Until the group of 5 year olds in ski school pass me and they all look like badasses. Seriously, I still "pie" the whole way down and I have a hard time stopping. Other give aways that I am a novice: I don't have a helmet yet (like everyone else wears), I don't have goggles because I lost mine, and if you stand at the bottom of the mountain I am the girl that isn't wearing a helmet, does not match, is flailing around, and has GETTO poles (but they were free!). I am sure I am the entertainment for people watching the skiers while eating their lunch.

A cute story to end the week with

"A very tired-looking dog wandered into my yard. I could tell from his collar and the fact that he was well-fed that he had a home and was well taken care of. He calmly came over to me, I gave him a few pats on his head; he then followed me into my house, slowly walked down the hall, curled up in the corner and fell asleep. An hour later, he went to the door, and I let him out. The next day he was back, greeted me in my yard, walked inside and resumed his spot in the hall and again slept for about an hour. This continued off and on for several weeks. Curious I pinned a note to his collar: 'I would like to find out who the owner of this wonderful sweet dog is and ask if you are aware that almost every afternoon your dog comes to my house for a nap.' The next day he arrived for his nap, with a different note pinned to his collar: 'He lives in a home with 6 children, 2 under the age of 3 - he's trying to catch up on his sleep. Can I come with him tomorrow?" - C.S.

Today is the day...

What up hommie?

Today is the day that Tyson is getting his surgery. Yes we took him into "Planned Pethood" this morning. I just crack up everytime I think about the name of this vet, so thought I would share with you :)

So Proud

You wanna smoke a joint with me? (check out the toungue)


Stop taking pics of me and give me that dang treat in your hand

How many tries does it take for us to unclog our bathroom sink?

Our bathroom sink has been a "slow drain" for a long time and has gotten worse... so what we thought was an easy task, ended up being an extravaganza.

Try 1: Put Draino down the drain for 1 hour.
outcome: still a clogged drain

Try 2: Pour boiling water down the drain
outcome: still a clogged drain

Try 3: Baking soda and vinegar down the drain- followed by boiling water (this was really fun to do!!! Like a volcano in your own house. I highly suggest trying this next time you are bored)
outcome: still a clogged drain

Try 4: Trip to the hardware store. The guy who helped us said to buy this 3 dollar gadget called a "zip it"
outcome: still a clogged drain

Try 5: Unscrew the pipe behind the wall, and let the crap fall into a bucket
outcome: STILL a clogged drain (at this point we realize the clog is all the way in the wall somewhere)

Try 6: Back to the hardware store to buy an auger
outcome: A DRAIN THAT DRAINS!!!!

Toodles!

At about 5am

At about 5am the past few mornings we have heard the sound... the huuuuhhhhgggggg, hhhuuuuuuggghhh (AKA: Tyson's puking sound).

Our dog has an obsession with eating anything and everything. Including but not limited to:
Hair Ties
Rubber Bands
Raw Hide (not like most dogs, but like an entire 6 inch bone whole)
Wood Chips
Carpet
Coal
Condoms (yes... i know)
Paper
Matches
etc.
etc.
etc.

So, eating all of this means that he throws it up that night. It is always a surprise to see what is in there. Probably the most funny part of this is when we hear him gagging... Adam jumps up and tries to get him out of his kennel, so he will puke on the wood floor and not on his bed- for clean up reasons. So it is a race for time... so far, we have been in luck and Adam has dragged him out before the puke has come out.

(Side story: Tyson sleeps in his kennel, but randomly we will let him sleep with us. Well, one night when he was in our bed, I hear him start to gag. I literally throw him off the bed onto the floor so he won't throw up in bed. Luckily, he made it to the ground in time... I kind of felt bad, but not really).

Having a dog totally prepares you for kids... throw up clean up in the middle of the night, nights of not sleeping when you first get them, cleaning up their mess constantly.... Plus, Tyson is a cry baby/whiner. He is getting fixed on Thursday and getting his hind dew claws removed. Tyson has the craziest dew claws. Instead of like most dogs that have them (attached) Tyson's are hardly connected. The only thing holding them to his leg is a little piece on cartilage. Since he goes hiking and is outdoors, it is good to get them removed so they don't rip off. Please see exhibit A. I researched this online and there are a few types of dogs with these sort of dew claws- Great Pyrenees and some other large breeds.... so who knows what he is. :)

Exhibit A: The hind dew claw

Reasons to get married and buy a dog

Here are all my top reasons for loving the fact that I am married besides the obvious (living with your best friend, being in love, etc.... ).

1) I never have to do anything gross anymore. Here are a few examples:
- Taking out the trash
- Picking up the dog poo in the yard
- Cleaning up Tyson's puke
- Killing bugs
- Cleaning out moldy food in the fridge

2) No heavy lifting

3) Never being scared at night

4) Snuggling EVERY night of my life, even if it makes Adam claustrophobic

5) Having a permanent lawn guy


Top Reasons for buying a dog:

1) They are freaking cute

2) They LOVE you and boost your self esteem

3) They make you laugh

4)They keep you in some what of descent shape because you need to take them on walks

5) They make you keep your house clean because you can't have things laying around anymore that they can and will chew on

6) And what got me thinking about writing this post is I just spent my entire lunch break making Tyson sit on the couch and watch me do all my old classy cat routines. Adam won't let me do them when he is home and Tyson makes a GREAT audience. (He had this look on his face the whole time like "what are you doing you crazy person").

Another week in KC

Adam and I just finalized our Christmas plans and it looks like we will be in Wichita on Christmas Eve and Christmas day and then in KC until Jan. 3rd! What all this means to you? Well, we need New Years plans... so please feel free to drop me a note or invite us to a party :)

Thanks Everyone.

Need a pick me up?

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

Enjoy :)

**Tyson** Our one and only...

The other day I literally was thinking that I would be OK with my life if we just had Tyson be our only son and dressed him up in clothes and pretended like he was a human. That is how much I love him. I was even day dreaming about his first day at school when we show up and the teacher is like- that is a dog... and we are like, what are you talking about, this is our son!

I know, I am weird.

Here are a few updates:

-Tyson was really jealous of the Moore's dog, Franklin, so we had to get him a purple collar as well. He loves it.

-His new favorite past time is trying to eat the ornaments on our tree. So far he has gotten one of the gold snowflakes and broken the strand of pearls. I am was not too happy about that.

-He still thinks getting on top of the kitchen table is fun. Since I have gotten a new centerpiece for the Holiday season, I have caught him up on there twice chewing on the beads... head covered in sparkles.

-He is getting neutered this month, but please don't tell him this. He is getting so big! Weighed in this morning at 48.5lbs!

Dogs are so funny... how this is comfortable? I don't know...

Doesn't this make you want to go snuggle with him?

He is very handsome and he knows it.

The Holidays are here

Adam and I had pretty much the perfect/productive day. I LOVE Christmas and our tree is absolutely beautiful!! I decided to go with the "classy" look- silver and gold tree... and I am obsessed. We put up our Christmas lights outside and decorated/cleaned the house. Wine, Christmas music, and filling out my expense report for work ($1343.66- no wonder my credit card bill was so high this month!).

Merry Christmas!

We have transportation!!!!

Yes, we got a new car last Friday when we were in KC... so exciting to not have to worry if we are going to make it from point A to B anymore.

Not excited about the car payment we will now have, but it is completely worth it and I think we can get it paid off pretty quick with my new raise! yeah! :)

Oh Married Life

So I have been a total slacker in the blogging world. Whenever I travel, our days consist of waking up early, working all day and having late night dinner/drinks... so with the past two weeks spent in San Antonio and Atlantic City- I have had no extra time to do anything else. I actually just checked my gmail for the first time this morning in about a week and a half!

We are back in KC for Thanksgiving... we are very excited that we are FINALLY spending some quality time here and not rushing out of town like usual. It is a bit of a challenge to try and split our time up equally between families, but both have been pretty understanding that we have two families now. Last night, was the first time we stayed at Adam's parents house and the first time since we have been MARRIED that we have stayed here... so new experience for me. Last night Adam wanted to go say hi to some friends down on the plaza. All guys, and so I opted to stay at the house and hang out with his parents and sister... completely fine. I get a call close to 11pm when I am going to bed - it is Adam asking if he can stay out with the guys and spend the night with them on the plaza. At first, I have no problem with this... but the more I get thinking about it, I REALLY don't want to sleep there alone. So, I tell him this- I can tell he is slightly frustrated but says he will be home soon.

I wake up at 1am. Adam is not home. I call him about 5 times- he does not answer any of them. My thought process goes something like this "what a jerk!.... I think I am mad.... I am going to stay mad at him all tomorrow..... oh my gosh, what if he got a DUI driving back because I told him to come home and he is in jail.... what if he got in a wreck, etc. " isn't is crazy how our minds start thinking the worst? Well, about 30 mins later, I call him and he answers and is about 30 seconds away from the house. I am relieved, and now just annoyed but thankful he is home.

I am not sure if I was in line with the other wives on not wanting to stay here alone- or if I was just being uptight. I am open for comments.
:)

Pi Phi Control!

Have you ever been out with your friends (usually drinks involved) and you think to yourself "this is the most fun moment of my life!" Well, I think this thought passed through my brain at least a dozen times this weekend.

You know that feeling, when you drive into Manhattan, the so excited, nostalgic- longing for college feeling? Well, this feeling lasted the whole 3 days I was there. This was my first time back for a game this year and I definitely can't describe to you all how happy I was to be back, with all my best friends and acting like we were in college again. So all of this got me thinking...

Why do we still think it is so cool/funny to come up with the most funny dance moves we can think of on the dance floor? Especially since these moves would probably be embarrassing if we were in a normal state of mind?

Why did we go to bed at 3am and wake up at 7am to start tailgating?

Why did I leave my whole wallet at Ale House on Saturday night?

Why do we scream the words to pussy control at the top of our lungs- so that my voice hurts the next day?

Why is it still cool to make our friend take a shot out of a complete strangers lap?

Why was it that when Adam and I woke up on Sunday- my wallet was gone, his ID was gone and we had lost the key to my sister's house?

Why did my husband stop talking English by midnight on Saturday and just decide to bark like a dog instead of speak actual words for the rest of the night?

The list could go on and on... but the point of this is how does one town make us all act like we are freshmen in college again? I love Manhattan. What a great bachelorette party for Vanessa!

I am too old for this

The weekend in Manhattan hasn't even started yet and I am already worn down. I drove to Manhattan last night with the intentions of getting a lof of work done today! Well, I wasn't really considering where I was staying and the circumstances.

Kayley picks me up last night off of I-70. We get back to her house and unload. It is almost 11pm and I am soooo tired and ready for bed. Kayley has homework, takes a shower, decides to clean the kitchen (which her room is connected to). Long story short.... college people DON'T go to bed early. By the time she comes to bed, it is way after 12. Her boyfriend calls when the bars close for a ride home at two...so she is up and about again. Tyson decides he wants to cry all night and eventually gets to sleep in the bed with us. I maybe got 2-3 hours of rest before my alarm went off for WORK this morning. Meanwhile, Kayley doesn't have to be anywhere until 11:30am.

So, now it is almost 3pm, I have a headache, am tired and need a nap!!!!! College people- DON'T EVER GRADUATE!!!!!!!!

Craziest Story EVER! (at least in my world)

Wednesday nights we have "supper group" with our church. Our group is made up of young people that live in the area married and single. Anyways, Adam and I haven't been every week- so tonight we met a new couple, Kim and Taylor. They are super cute, 25 and have just been married over a year. We got on the topic of dogs duirng dinner. Adam and I were talking about Tyson and they mentioned that they got two dogs this year and now it is really hard to go out of town now. Long story short.... after several questions (how old are your dogs, what type, etc.) we figure out that they have Tyson's brother and sister!!!!!! Same litter and everything. So crazy! I remember the lady that had Tyson even talking about the cute couple that couldn't decide, so they took two and boy and a girl.... anyways, I am still in shock about this and so excited! 1) Tyson has his first play date set up with his brother and sister next week 2) The couple was awesome and totally in the running for Adam and I's new couple besties :) 3) this could solve a lot stress when we go out of town if we watch their dogs and they watch Tyson. We haven't gotten that far in the relationship yet, but Adam and I are definitely going to work on it.

WHAT A SMALL WORLD! Their two puppies are Olive and Nash. Nash looks very similar to Tyson and Olive is brown (looks much more like a shepherd). Anyways, I can't wait for Tyson to meet them! I just love happy endings :)

Cars give me headaches and make me cry

enough said....

By the time we are finished reparing my car $3000 down the drain.... FML

Our pride and joy!

Since Tyson chewed my cord that uploads my pics from my camera... these are just from my phone. Ali Moore said I hadn't posted any pics of Tyson recently, so I decided today was the day I should grace you all with pictures of our little, naughty, so cute son. I have lots of good ones on my camera, but have not had a chance to purchase the new cord yet, so more to come!

Before you look at the pics, I would like to share with you some of Tyson's new habits:

1) Carrying around my bras. He LOVES them. He will get into a pile of my clothes, but only grab my bras out.
2) Standing on top of my desk. When I let him in the house from outside, he tries to beat me back to my chair to jump up on it and get up on the desk (he likes to lick my coffee cup and grab my pens off the desk)
3) Anything he can get his mouth on (that he thinks he is not supposed to have) he likes to carry them around to see if we are going to chase after him with it - his most favorite/annoying new game
4)He constantly has his paws on the counter tops to see what he can eat/lick/grab off the top of the counter. We really can't leave any type of food up there anymore.

Seriously, he is such a terror. He is very feisty and always up to trouble, but on the other hand, he is the biggest snuggle monster. He will just lay in what ever position you want him to and get as close to you as possible. He really thinks he rules our house... in a way he does, but we are working on manners slowly but surely. He is definitely in the terrible two's.

Sleeping next to me while I work.



My favorite passenger.


So funny! Tyson got into a cob web and it was wrapped around his snout when he came in from outside. Disregard the pile of laundry in the background please :)

Tyson was a skunk for Halloween, he actually enjoyed wearing the costume, not so much the head piece.

Just one of Tyson many sleeping positions.

The Micro Pig

Have you heard about this new phenomenon? I guess in Europe these are the new craze. Tiny pigs that were bread to get approx. 10-15 lbs. full grown. Not that many people in the US have heard of them yet (at least I haven't) but I am very excited because my youngest sister Natalie is on the waiting list for one currently- her Christmas present from Greg. There is some breeder in Michigan, I guess... so I will keep you posted as the details become more clear. I am just hoping she gets it by Christmas so I can play with it for a few days! I mean, look how cute they are!!!!! So, so, so excited.

Random thought of the day

Does any one else think it is really weird/stupid when married, engaged or dating couples have an actual conversation on each other's facebook wall- with each other? I think sending an email or calling would be much faster, easier.

Toodles

On my mind

Thoughts on this for anyone who might read this post:

Saturday night Adam and I were leaving the club in LA and there is a guy standing outside of it with roses. He says "a rose for the lady?" to Adam. Adam just looks at him and says "dude, we are married and when you get to that point, we are over the roses"

Excuse me??? WRONG. I think this is something we might have to discuss. My comment back to Adam was actually something along the line of "Roses get you sex" Sorry for any mothers who happen to read this... but seriously? Men- Women love little gifts no matter what. Can someone relay that to Adam please?

Other quick updates:
-Going on week 2 without a car. Should have it back by Friday. Probably one the most frustrating feelings. I got onto Adam last night about figuring out his car situation since it has been sitting in our garage for almost 6months.
-Tyson has week 2 of obedience class tonight. I will be walking 2.5 miles there and back (5miles round trip) because we don't have a car. But I love class!! It is sooooo cute and he did a really good job last week. (he acts like a perfect angel for the instructor... she even commented to me "wow- does he already know this stuff?") Ummm... NO, not at all and he does not act this good at home.

Anyways, Happy Tuesday!

The Fabulous Life of Adam and Emily

This weekend was our much anticipated trip to LA to visit Elizabeth and her boyfriend Evan. I was completely bummed when I found out this was homecomeing weekend (missed the pi phi's this weekend), but I have to say it was quite a weekend. We did pretty much two things the entire three days we were there... drink and eat.

I would love to post pics from this weekend, but as I have mentioned previously, Tyson thought that my cord was his chew toy and therefore don't know how to post them. I need Adam to help me later. Friday night - we went out in Manhattan Beach. We went to a super casual, hole-in-the-wall type place that served Fanta Shots! Yep, these are their popular shots that everyone goes there to take. Combination of Fanta and Vodka- yum! Genious! These shots were approx. the same size (maybe a little smaller) than o-bombs, so needless to say, it was a fun night. The total amount of Fanta Shot cups we counted on our table when we left was over 50. Us four did not take all 50, but still.... a lot. Elizabeth apparently was blacked out and decided she wanted to dance in her underwear that night when we got home and run around outside and knock on her neighboor's door. It was hilarious, because she is NOT like that EVER and didn't have any recollection of that 15 mins of her life the next morning.

Saturday. Hollywood night. Evan (Elizabeth's Boyfriend) is best friends with JC Chasez from N Sync. Anyone who knew me in Jr. High and High School knows I am one of the hugest NSync fans alive. I know every lyric to every song and literally used to cry at their concerts. So when I found out the plan was to stay at his house (amazing) in the Hollywood hills that night, I almost had a heart attack!!!!!!! So, this is where we spent the majority of Saturday night pre-drinking and then coming back to after the club. JC was actually really sick, so he didn't come out with us and I didn't get to see him as much as I would have liked, but I was in heaven the whole time and consistantly having to remind myself to "play it cool".

I was a little bummed, I didn't get "found" while I was there, but there is always next time! I was very excited we got to meet up with the Kelly twins on Saturday. I never get to see them and Courtney was in Denver last week and Ashley is coming for Halloween, so it was awesome saying bye to them and being like "see you in a few days!".

XOXO. Good to catch up on blogging!

I love American Airlines

Not really. Last Wednesday was such a cluster of a day, it still annoys me to think about it. You all know my car situation, so last week's work trip was slightly difficult to pull off at 4am.

Summary of the day:
-Wake up at 4am, put on a suit for the day
-Blizzard in Denver
-Have to take a cab (since I don't have a car) to the airport... cab is late picking me up
-Cab fair -$75
-The slowest cab driver EVER on the face of the planet when it comes to paying with a credit card
-3-5 mins past the American Airlines 45 minutes cut off for checking bags.
-Plead my case (I cannot carry on because have packed for almost a week worth of travels)
-The rude lady will not let me check my bag and insists it will have to go on a later flight
-Land at DFW airport- get rental car and go to work all day
-Finish work, drive BACK up to DFW to get bag
-(Have a mentioned yet that I haven't even eaten yet today? It is approx. 5pm by now- seriously, not one thing yet)
-I am starving, annoyed and sooooooo tired
-It has been pouring down rain in Ft. Worth all day
-Finally get to hotel, order a whole pizza for myself
-Internet and cable won't work because they have dish network and since it is horrible weather, can't find the satellite.
-Sit there... waiting... for the pizza.... nothing to do at this point
-Pizza comes... eat two pieces... find a hair on it.... and throw the rest away.

What a day!

Ummm...

So many posts to come, so little time. I know I have been a blogging slacker, but hold your horses folks,  because I've got some good ones coming. 

Yes, I am drunk right now, but let me just say that I have been trying to find internet access since wednesday and this is the first time I have found it. Keep posted... 

1) My partnership with American Airlines

2) Devil Dog or Angel? 

When times get tough....

For those of you who read my last post, I wrote about some car trouble Adam and I have been having....

When we moved to Denver, Adam's car was not doing too great. We took it to the shop and they quoted 1500 dollars for repair. It isn't worth that much (1995 Ford Explorer) so we decided to hold off because since I work from home, we don't necessarily need two cars. So for the last few months, we have been using my car and it has been working out OK with just the one. We have been meaning to sell Adam's car, but just haven't gotten to it yet :)

Well, last week when my parents were here, we drove my car up to the mountains (30 min drive) and it was running so sluggish (literally, I was petal to the floor and it would only go 55 ish up hill). I was getting passed by semis! So Adam and I decided to schedule a time to take it in. So this Wednesday, we tried to take my car into the shop. We go out in the morning it won't start... this is the first time this happened. When we finally get it going and up to the shop, I end up spending $1000 on repairs. You think that 1 thousand dollars will get you through for the next 6 months or so... well, not my car. The NEXT day it won't start.... long story short is it is not working what- so- ever at all. Larry Duncan and Becky Hodnefield were here this weekend and we couldn't even make it up to the mountains. We had to turn around and come back in the middle of the drive. Now it is back in the shop and I need two catalytic converters... price quote is $2700. Shoot me in the head.

Luckily, this guy is awesome (new shop). he is really nice and completely understanding. Apparently, everyone is "sold out" of their catalytic converters, so he had to go through Infiniti (which is the most expensive option). So right now, I am researching these things online and hoping to find some that will work. I will probably save around 1500 dollars if I can find some online and he is helping me research. But still.... Adam and I have no car for the time being and we have a crazy week.

Please let me know if any of you have an extra car laying around that you would like to "donate" to us.

PS- NEVER go to Pep Boys (I wrote a nasty review on them today) if anyone is interested in reading. Google Pep Boys Denver and look at the Broadway location. You mess with me, I mess with you (name that quote).

You know it's a good day when...

We had scheduled to take my car into the shop at 8am and when we tried to leave neither Adam's or my car would start this morning.... oh yes, you heard right. NEITHER car would start. (we got mine started- Adam's is still sitting in the same place it has been the past few months). I get back home and settled into my office and there is a freaking bee on the ceiling in my office. (PS- Bees love to sting me). So I finally took care of it- which I am very proud of myself about.

Pretty average morning and early afternoon, until the car place calls and it is going to cost $1000 to fix - lovely. Oh! and Tyson is tall enough to put his paws up on the counter and he just got the stick of butter off of it and finished it off. Yummy! (yesterday I walked into my office and he was standing on top of my desk licking my cup of coffee.)

I have hilarious pictures of Tyson from yesterday, but did I mention that he chewed through the cord that uploads my pictures to the computer?

XOXO

Ski season is here!

So, it was freezing in Denver this weekend so Adam and I finally took the $900 plung and bought our season ski passes. We are so excited and there are already 2 slopes open (A-Basin and Loveland) and so pretty much we could go up this weekend if we wanted. That is all great and everything, but I have like 1 ski outfit. So, I am in the process of finding good deals to build up my "collection" of awesome snow bunny attire. Tonight, we are driving to look at some skis I found on craigslist. This brings me to my point....


-Do you like to have fun?


-Do you like me?


-Do you like to ski?



If you answered yes to all of the questions, I think it is time for a visit! (If you don't like to ski, that is fine... you can still visit and we can have lots of fun in the city!)

Christmas Break 2006

The history of my relationship with bugs

I moved to Dallas, a naive girl. Growing up, yes, I saw some bugs in my parents house. A few spiders, ants, and silverfish in the summer. None large and I had this awesome male roommate (my father) that would take care of it within 2 minutes of noticing the nuisance.

I had lived in Dallas for about a year when me, Ashley Payson and Lauren Hensley decided to be roomies. We found an awesome condo and signed a lease. Me being the brat I can be, decide I really want the master and will pay $100 more a month for it. We move in... about 3 weeks to a month pass by when one of the most awful, life changing events of my life happens. It starts when I come home late and Hens and Payson are not home. I go into my bathroom to go pee, sit down and am doing my business when I look onto the floor to see the largest animal I have ever seen sitting there, looking at me. Ok, ok... it was not an actually animal... it resembled a cockroach, but was so massive, I wasn't sure if it was some mutilated creature coming to attack me, or possibly an alien. I freak OUT!!!! literally, freak out... there is no way to explain the emotions that were going through me. So... I run out of my bathroom and stare at it. I need a plan of action, but I am so scared of this "thing" that I am not sure what it will do. It was standing so tall... had legs similar to a frog and was humping my bathroom rug (I don't know if it was actually humping, but it was doing something on it). I call Adam, who at this time in our lives worked at 4:30am, so he was asleep and seriously not happy about me calling him. I FINALLY get up my nerve. I am going to flip the rug on him and stomp the living daylights out of it. I do it. I am slightly relieved and get the balls up to take a shower. I am in the shower, constantly staring at the rug.... wondering if I actually killed it. I get out and just to check, I tap the rug just to make sure... WELL, OF COURSE, it runs out, crippled but alive and now with a vengense (sp?). I grab Ashley's can of hairspray and spray the whole bottle on it... I probably blinded it, but it starts charging towards me full speed.... I am crying, sweating and still dripping wet. I call Adam, bawling to him on the phone. He finally agrees to come over, but is pissed. I sit there and watch the disgusting creature slowly die. Adam comes over, kills it, cleans it up, doesn't look at me or talk to me, grabs a blanket and goes to sleep the rest of his few hours on the couch. I try to explain the story to Ashley and Lauren and they probably think I am a crazy roommate at this point. But the situation is over and I can move on with my life.... so I think.
The rest of our year goes something like this. We find out these are basically giant cockroaches called waterbugs (why? Because they can swim, and fly). Other people call them Palmetto bugs and they live in the south in humid climates. So, the following Wednesday (episode #1 was a Wed.) I am getting ready for work in my closet, when another freaking waterbug RUNS into my closet full speed at me. I literally let out the loudest, blood curdling scream ever. Poor Josh Dent was staying over with Ash and jumped out of bed because he literally thought I was getting raped. Everyone runs into my room and I tell them that the devil is in my closet. We go in there, can't find it. So Ashley starts moving my clothes looking for it. I look down and the creature is creeping out of my closet. The Bad Ass roommates kill it and episode #2 concludes. The ONLY reason I was glad #2 happened is so my roomies could actually see what I saw. Well, the term "waterbug wednesday" becomes a theme in our house. Throughout the year these awesome visitors were constant guests. Mainly on Wednesdays and mainly when I was home alone, of course. We found them in the kitchen, hallway, Hensley's room, their bathroom, but mainly my bed/bathroom... at least a few a week. I bet you are asking yourself why didn't we call an exterminator. We did, in fact he came every few weeks and felt like he was our buddy by the end of the year.

This story brings me to my point. I seriously researched if Denver had these.... they don't because it is too dry. Of course there are cock roaches everywhere, but not the waterbugs here. We are very lucky that we literally have not seen any bugs in our new house. I have seen A few really tiny ones, but none that give me a heart attack... that is, until tonight. I was cooking dinner, and I go to the sink and there is a large spider sitting in the counter. I was so shocked, that I at first had a freak out moment, but then got my self together and killed it. It is sitting there right now, I am waiting for ADam to come home and pick it up. I sprayed some windex on it too...
Anyways, I can handle spiders, I don't like them on the counter, but I am still so thankful it was not a waterbug. Waterbugs have contributed to an approximate 5-7 year loss off my lifespan. I might have some ulcers from it too. I can handle bugs, just not LARGE ones. Men in Black (the movie) must of had some sort of affect on me.

Anyways, here are a few pictures of some waterbugs (I am just putting the links) just so you can see what is the #1 thing I am afraid of. #2 is lightening if anyone was wondering.

http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.yesmag.ca/bugbeat/images/giant_water_bug.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.yesmag.ca/bugbeat/bugs.php%3Fid%3D3&usg=__RkJjrAZwmk8Ym5k-QkizWFvxeXs=&h=290&w=445&sz=72&hl=en&start=13&sig2=eUC1mCr2_5vLFtREhtqQJQ&um=1&tbnid=5joKeLLYIoh9EM:&tbnh=83&tbnw=127&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dwater%2Bbugs%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN%26um%3D1&ei=yFfFSorXDciYtgfXt5W5AQ

http://www.magicexterminating.com/UserFiles/Image/Water%20Bug.jpg

http://www.loupiote.com/photos_m/3222587870-giant-water-bugs-lethocerus-indicus-belostomatidae-edible-insects-laos.jpg

Short Stories...

**Picture time!!! All random events, none worth blogging about alone**

Short Story #1: Our landlord let us know he was sending someone over to trim up the yard... so I am home in my office, when this truck pulls up. He didn't think anyone was at the house, so I watched him walk to our backyard and pee outside on the fence.... pure greatness. He has not only 1 or 2 American flags in his truck bed, but 4!!! God Bless America!

Short Story #2: This is my favorite non-human friend. His name is Tyson. He is the first dog I have owned that will let me pick them up like a baby and carry them around. I am practicing for motherhood. Also, I make him lay on top of me too. So sweet :) Sad thing is, it is getting harder by the day to pick him up!

Short Story #3: After dropping Allison Day off at the airport a few weekends ago, I saw the most magnificent rainbow ever!!!! It was HUGE!!!! I was driving and these pics were taken through the window, so they don't do it justice. It went clear to the ground on both sides! Amazing! I tried to get the left, center and right side of it.

Short Story#4: As you all know, Adam is a little strange. I caught him doing this today... He was playing with Tyson and put Tyson's bone in him mouth.... disgusting. Tyson had been chewing on it all morning too. Yuck!

Colorful Colorado!

This weekend was the first of many annual fall foliage tours. This is been something Adam has been talking about since we moved here. He absolutely LOVES fall and our new camera (and pumpkin spice lattes) so Sunday was pretty much the perfect day for him. I have to admit, I was not too excited... i just didn't see how driving around for hours looking at trees was going to be fun, but much to my surprise- it was!!! Phil Mann came with us also and I am so glad he did because he knew the perfect routes to take to get some great views and he is always fun to hang out with.

Here is a piece of information that I learned... Aspens (these are the trees with the white trunks) only turn for 1-2 weeks before the leaves fall off. So you have to plan accordingly because you have a limited amount of time to see these gorgeous trees in color. First stop from Denver was Idaho Springs for a pumpkin spice latte from Starbucks and then we were off on our travels!

Here are some pictures taken by Adam this weekend. He really is becoming an amazing photographer! I was very impressed... to see the full album of photos, please visit his facebook page! PS- the yellow trees are the Aspens, which are usually green (duh)

Me and Phil... breath taking background. Look at the snow on the mountains!

Days like yesterday make me realize how blessed Adam and I truly are to live in such a beautiful place. God's creation never ceases to amaze me!