Impulsive Me

I was feeling a little impulsive, and so what did I do ... I dyed my hair dark brown.  It's kind of weird going into a salon really blonde and coming out dark brown, but kind of fun too!  I instantly loved it, but later that night I had regret.  What did I do, I thought!  It took me about 3 days before I started to like it again.  Now I love it!  Change is fun.  

2012 Rose Bowl (Oregon vs. Wisconsin)

When it comes to most sports, I have to admit that I don't always enjoy regular season games.  I don't find them consistently exciting.  Now I am referring to watching these games on TV.  If I am in a stadium watching then that's a whole new game.  There's just something about the excitement of the crowd that makes it so much more enjoyable.  I do very much enjoy post-season games though.  Probably because the teams are a little more parallel in talent with each other.  This year the Ducks had a great season and it took them to the Rose Bowl.  Ryan, (a former Duck) was in town for the game and so we went over to Jeff & Marie's house to watch.  All of the appetizers we ate were colored in either green or yellow in honor of the Ducks.  The game started out with a bang, and then another, each team scoring one right after the other.  It was exciting and so enjoyable to watch!  When Cameron saw the Donald Duck Mascot for Oregon doing push-ups each time they scored he dropped to the floor and hammered out push-ups too.  He's a monster when it comes to push-ups.  Finally, when the Ducks scored their 5th touchdown, I looked at Ryan and said, "Let's Do It!"  So there's Ryan, Cameron and myself trying to hammer out 35 push-ups.  Halfway through, Ryan asked what number we were on and I said, "17" and he said, "we're only halfway!?"  That got me laughing so hard I could hardly finish, but we did!  It was hilarious!  The game ended the way we all hoped and it really was an incredible game to watch.      

Evidence to the Contrary

They may say that they don't like each other, but this is how we find them each night.  I think they secretly do!

A Joint Celebration

This year a few of my friends put together a lunch in honor of my 33rd birthday.  The EXTRA fun part was that the day of the party just happened to be the Chinese New Year.  So of course, Chinese food was the perfect choice for lunch!  One of the first things I noticed when I walked into the room was double sided pictures of me hanging from Shannon's chandelier.  She called it "A Nicole Mobile".  It really made me realize how lame I am when it comes to ... well anything.  I never do such fun little things like that.  It was so cute & funny!  Jenn made us all brownies and we topped them off with cherries and whipped topping.  Everything was fabulous and I appreciate very much all of the birthday wishes (from all of my family & friends) who remembered me on my day.  Thank you!!  

Ringing in the New Year with a BANG!

Our idea of ringing in the New Year may not be typical, but we sure know how to blow stuff up and have a great time while doing it.  Shooting guns out at the Ridgeway's house is like going to a buffet restaurant for dinner.  Ryan brings out all kinds of different guns and ammunition and everyone gets a little sample of everything.  The best part is the exploding targets Ryan makes out of Tannerite.  Talk about exciting!  After we shot till our hearts content, we went over to Kelly & Aundrea's house for dinner.  Spencer made us a Shrimp Boil which always hits the spot with me.  The next 5 hours or so was spent playing a very loud game of Mexican Train.  Seriously, it's a wonder we ever get invited back, but I am glad that we do!  Right before the clock struck twelve Spencer and Ryan got a game of jump rope going inside the house.  It was pretty hysterical.  All of the kids managed to stay awake and watch the ball drop with much enthusiasm.  This last minute plan to get together turned out to be a really great time,  I'm just having a hard time believing it's really 2012!  And as a side note - the gun I am shooting in the above picture is a AR-15.  This gun has a pretty impressive flame that shoots out of the barrel each time you fire.  Now talk about feeling like a tough woman!!  I love it!