Portland Trailblazers

A couple months ago Spencer felt the urge to buy some Blazer tickets and found a great deal online for a few games.  He bought tickets so he could see the Miami Heat, Oklahoma City Thunder, and the Utah Jazz all play against Portland.  The first game, Portland vs. Miami, Spencer took Austin with him because they really wanted to see Lebron James play.  I got a date out of game #2; Oklahoma City vs. Portland.  Spencer took me shopping at the Lloyd Center, dinner at Applebees, and then to the Rose Garden for the game.  Game #3 is next week when we play against Utah and I am looking forward to it.  I have to admit, I could get used to this life of going to games frequently.  Basketball games are so exciting.  Maybe someday when we strike it rich we'll be able to buy season tickets for our family.  That would be awesome!

Just as a side note, when Spencer & Austin walked in to the Rose Garden, a man approached them and asked Austin if he would like to participate in the half time show.  They were looking for 3 kids who were willing to dress in over-sized b-ball shorts and a jersey and then the first one to make a basket would win a free happy meal once a week, for an entire year.  Austin graciously declined.  He is not a performer.  Now if Cameron had been there, I guarantee he would have been all over it!

     

Make a Wish

In the blink of an eye, Cameron has turned 7!  Where does the time go?

HAPPY BIRTHDAY my sweet boy!!



My Incredibly Talented Husband!

I have to take a few minutes to brag about Spencer.  That man has such a hidden talent of art and creativity.  He never ceases to amaze me.  This year's theme for Austin's Cub Scout 'Blue & Gold Banquet' was a Mexican Fiesta.  The kids were asked to bring a cake with some kind of Spanish flare to it.  I let Spencer take the reigns on this one because I know he is pretty creative and that he would help Austin come up with something fun.  He certainly did.  I was asked to bake 2 sheets of brownies and the rest they would take care of.  I had absolutely no idea what Spencer had in mind and he wanted it to be a surprise so I couldn't see till it was done.  When they finally finished, this is what I saw ...

 A totally awesome Iguana!!  They used some of my cardstock to create the fins on the back and the tongue.  I was blown away!  It was too cool, and not only that, it tasted amazing!  I seriously wonder how Spencer came up with the idea?  The bottom line is, he has so much talent in him, I am seriously amazed!

Athletic Award

I am so proud of Austin, who was given the Athletic Award at school.  He loves P.E., and we always get great reports on him from his P.E. teacher.  He's a great team player and has a positive, can-do-anything attitude.  Way to go, Austin! 

5 Random Things I Love

I am often times the Queen of random thoughts and this post here proves it.  As I was tinkering around today I found myself saying, "I Love That" quite often.  So I decided to write down those thoughts and I am calling it, 5 Random Things I Love:

1.  Peanut Butter and Honey on a slice of Wheat Bread!  Oh boy!  If I am craving chocolate or other junk food this is my go to snack.  It satisfies all cravings for me.  The key is to toast the bread so that the peanut butter begins to melt.  So, so good!

2.  My Electric Heat Pad!  Just about every night I go to bed with my heat pad wrapped around my feet.  Gradually, it works it's way up to my chest, and by then I am so comfortably warm that I'm able to fall fast asleep.  I love my heat pad!

3.  My Exercise Club!  Call me crazy, but I love to pump iron.  Bring on the heavy weights, I say!  And if lifting isn't intense enough, then spin class definitely nails it.  When it comes to exercise, I love to be pushed to my max.  It makes me realize that I am capable of far more then what I think I am.  I usually leave the gym feeling strong both physically and mentally.

4.  My Laptop!  How great it is to be sitting here on my couch, snuggled in a blanket, and yet, be online!  Not all of the time spent sitting on my couch online is wasted, or for fun, but admittedly, some is.  However, it's nice not being tied down to a single space when I need to use the computer.  I love how portable a laptop is.  I can take it to the gym when I do daycare.  I can carry it into my bathroom and listen to music when I get ready.  I just love portable computers! 

5.  Good Books!  In talking with friends today at lunch we discussed some of my favorite books.  The thing that I love about good authors is the way they can paint a picture so vividly in your mind yet at the same time books allow you to use your own imagination.  I love how a story can touch all emotions, whether it's outright laughter, or shedding tears. Some people prefer watching a movie as opposed to reading the book, but I say they are missing out on so much more to the story.  I guess it all comes down to the fact that I just love reading!

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!