Christmas Break

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Justin and I have been enjoying our break and we hope that you have too. Our break has been busy since this is the only time until March that Justin does not have basketball responsibilities because the team is in NYC. I have taken full advantage of that.

Enjoying a bone!

Ashton totes Clifford around everywhere!

Helping with Christmas Dinner

We spent Christmas eve and day at my mom and dad's in Altamont. Spending time with Ashton and Cameron is always a treat! (as well as all my other relatives) Then we travelled up to Milwaukee to be with Justin's dad. We met our newest niece, Kylee and got to spend some extra one-on-one time with Addy when Krit and Josh went to a drs appointment. She is a doll and full of fun!

Kylee and Addy in matching PJs

Our first house project is complete - It was painting our bedroom. I love the colors and the way it makes our room feel warmer. We had friends come over last night and they said it looked like a jungle. It is green, I will give them that but, they were on their way to Cancun so I think they had jungle on the brain :) Take a look for yourself.

BEFORE

AFTER

Right now as I type this Justin is started on our second DIY project. We are installing hardware on our cabinets in the kitchen.

We've needed these pulls for a LONG time.

Thank you Columbus for Discovering this Day Off

Thanks to Columbus I got to enjoy an extended weekend!

The weekend started with a fun Friday night with Justin. We ordered a taco pizza and hung out on the sofa. The next morning we woke up and ran 6 miles with our dog. I am training for the Hot Chocolate Run which I am getting more and more excited for with everything I keep hearing about it. After that, we drove to Chatham. Justin and John played in a golf tournament while Emily and I looked after Ashton and Cameron. We went to the fire department for "touch a truck" it was fun to see Ashton sit in all the big trucks. He wasn't so much into it. He was getting over one and a half ear infections....I didn't know you could have a half ear infection... I always learn something new.

Justin and John got third place in the tournament while Emily and I got smeared with salsa and refried beans at the Mexcian restaurant!! Ashton got a little stir crazy in the booth :) We just laughed.

On Sunday after church Justin and I decided to check out the Mackinaw Valley Bike Trail. We went to Danvers and then to Carlock. In Carlock we stopped at White Oak Vineyards. The people who own the winery are so happy and nice. The deck was breezy and we were very content sipping our wine and enjoying the view. When it was all said and done we put in around 35 miles on the bikes. It was a great day!

I am LOVING the weather. Keep it coming Mother Nature!

Enjoying the Carlock countryside

This is what I look like on my bike.

I'm pretty fast.

Update from Normal

It has been quite some time since we updated our blog so I thought I would give a quick run-down of some of the events we have been enjoying.

Highlights from the past couple of months:

• We welcomed a new nephew (Cameron Parker) into the world on August 16th.
• We have the honor of serving as Cameron's Godparents and attended his baptism on September 4th.
• We started another school year, Sara at Oakland in her 6th year in District 87 and Justin in his 5th year at Illinois State and 3rd helping out at Illinois Wesleyan.
• We partied in North Liberty for the Iowa-Iowa State game. It still is, and will always be, a Hawkeye state.
• Callie caught her first squirrel while on a run. Thanks to the shock collar, she dropped it and the squirrel was able to get away with only a minor chunk of fur missing.
• Justin turned 30 and celebrated with a stock-the-bar party with family and friends. There was tons of food, beverages, and of course cake with homemade ice cream. We had a lot of fun and enjoyed entertaining around the new bar.

That's about it for news from our Normal lives. We will try to do better with updates, but can't make any promises.

RAGBRAI 2011

Justin hit the roads of Iowa again this year for RAGBRAI. He had a great time (I think that is a bit of an understatement). I joined him in the fun on Wednesday. We rode on Thursday and then I did a half day on Friday. It is always good to see our RAGBRAI friends!!

What we ate... this year was a poor showing of RAGBRAI staples, no corn or pork or ice cream :( we did however drink a lot. Lots of water ;)

These are the people we rode with on Friday. Josh, Ryan, Kevin, Me, and Justin. In the back are Cara and Brett. We had a great time!

This guy was showing off at a beer tent. He held on for quite some time.

Stanley made the trip too!!!

Justin and me at Brooklyn, IA. The nicest lady took our picture. She was GREAT.

New Orleans

Justin and I just got back from New Orleans. On Monday we went on a History of Drinking Tour and learned everything there is to know about the culture of New Orleans. The tour was very interesting and fun, because who doesn't love riding bikes while drinking. (check out the cup holders on the bike!!!) We partied on Burbon Street, ate, and Justin did a bit of work!

I even ran into Derek Hankins!!! Small world.

Boston - Wicked Good Time

On June 13th I traveled to Boston to see Zoe and Jonathan. Zoe was a fantastic hostess and we went all over the city and back again! The freedom trail was spectacular and I learned so much about colonial America! We went to Harvard and also took a trip to Fenway Park.

Throw in some good conversation, food, and drink...the trip was fantastic.

Come visit!

We are looking forward to entertaining in our new space!!!!

A little late on this post

We haven't posted for a while so I thought I'd throw some pictures that we've taken recently to update everyone on what we've been doing around the house.

Taking a break for the Masters.

The landscaping for the front has started.