At Home in the Mountains

Maddy playing with her buddies. We spent the first part of our Christmas vacation with Aaron's family on the Western Slope of Colorado. Maddy had a great time playing at Grams house, making sugar cookies with Grandma Kim, eating ice cream with Papa and Nana, visiting some horses and cows with Papa, playing with her cousins, and opening tons and tons of Christmas presents.  Maddy got really really spoiled in the present department this year. She was funny because she had to pause and play with each present after opening it. We'd finally have to prod her to go on to the next one. On Christmas Eve when we headed over to Grand Junction the serpentine belt broke on our Isuzu. We couldn't believe we were having car problems AGAIN. Fortunately our brother-in-law Travis is a great mechanic and he fixed the belt and a couple of other problems in time for us to head over the mountain the day after Christmas. Christmas Day and Christmas Eve were filled with games, fantastic food, a

Maddy learning about the joy's of Playdough Gram's came down to visit us for a week before we headed back to Colorful Colorado for Christmas break. We had a great, fun, and busy time with her. It was fun for her to get to be around Maddy for a longer extent of time and she got to be there for my graduation. Grams reading to Maddy Worn out Channeling Belatrix LeStrange's hair. Maddy, Tricia, and Tammy at DBU for lunch Tour of Cowboy Stadium Maddy looking over the field Gram's in the Cowboy locker room Down on the field Maddy posing on the helmet in the endzone Mice Gram's arrived on Saturday. On Sunday we went to church and then had Dr. Griffith over for dinner that night so she could meet Grams. Aaron made some venison fajitas that just melted in our mouths. They were so good along with refried beans, mexican rice, and a superb tossed salad Dr. Griffith brought. On Monday we did various things and topped off the day by goi

Graduation was great! Okay the actual ceremony was pretty boring, but all the events surrounding it were fantastic. It was super special to have Aaron get to be so close to the stage as faculty as I walked across and got my diploma. DBU does not skimp on the diplomas by the way. Those things are nice! Maddy, Tammy, Grams, and Mema all got to be at the ceremony and my wonderful friend Sandra made it as well. Talk about a dedicated friend! :) Aaron planned a great party for me and lots of friends stopped by to give their congratulations. People have overwhelmed me with cards and gifts to celebrate me being done with my degree, BUT I have a lot of people to thank because I definitely didn't do this by myself, so here goes: First I have to thank my wonderful husband , Aaron . He negotiated a contract with DBU when he got hired that said that I could get my masters for free. Normally DBU does not give discounts for graduate level classes even if you are related to someone working

Sunday, December 5th was the big day. I actually completed the greater portion of a new year's goal by running the Dallas White Rock Half Marathon. My goal for 2010 was to run 3 half marathons, and to run on in 2 hrs or under. I did not quite complete my goal. I had a PR of 2:02:18 for the race. I was on track for under two for the first 7 miles. I ran them in 56 minutes but my lack of training started showing up after mile 7 when I got a cramp in my thigh and couldn't get it to go away until after mile 9. It was awful but I pushed through and finished the race. Aaron is a stud. He PR'd as well for his marathon. His time was 3:27:15!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Our wonderful friends, the Hortons, from church let Maddy hang out with their family for most of the day so that Aaron and I could both run. A big thanks to them. Thanks to everyone who ran for Maddy and to TSRHC! Itwas a great day and I can't wait to do it again next year!

Seriously this stuff is great! I have been using it for several weeks now and I haven't come across a stain it hasn't gotten out great yet. Maddy is so messy when she eats and the stain remover I was using just wasn't cutting it. I ended up trying Zout because it uses enzymes to get out different types of stains and I thought "This is something my science nerd husband will appreciate". It is around $3 a bottle at Wal-Mart and totally worth the price. I'm sold so I'm passing it on.

It all started the Saturday before Thanksgiving when Aaron roasted a deer shoulder. Matt, Brittany, Rachel, and Dr. Griffith joined us for dinner and we had birthday cake for Rachel. Aaron announced at the meal that this was the official beginning to six weeks of gorging ourselves and sadly, I think he was right. We had a great time that evening and it was good to get to spend some time with Matt and Brittany before they head out to California. Maddy joined right in the gorging along with everyone else. This is not on the same night if anyone was concerned. Maddy loves!!!! ice cream. Monday before T-day Aaron and I went to the Russell Perry dinner, a fund-raiser for DBU. We are normally too poor to go to this but we've been invited to a table that someone else has paid for every year. Aaron loves going to this dinner. It is very dressy and yes I wore the bridesmaids dress from Ethan and Jenna's wedding. I love that it is a dress you can actually use for something besides being