Hung out to Dry

I was unloading the washing machine today and found R2-D2 hanging out between the clothes. Clean as a whistle! It got me thinking about all the other things I have found in the washing machine.
Several times I have washed Marshall's cellphone. Various phones through the years. One phone twice! And everytime they worked after drying them out! His wallet has also been through more than a few times.
Of course the kids toys. Mainly in the warmer months the kids are culprits of pockets full of sand. Hence part of my distain for it.
My M.I.L.'s washing machine stopped working. She found a suggestion to open up the catch where the water drains. She found a whole pitcher full of coins and bullet casings. (My F.I.L. shoots trap and reloads his own shells.) She showed it to me. I couldn't believe it!
What's the most unusual/interesting thing you have found in your washing machine?

Math and Mayhem

For quite a long while now Trent has been working to pass his mixed math test. When we practice, he knows the answers, just not fast enough to write 50 of them in 2 minutes. I wasn't concerned, but was ready for him to move on. Friday was his day! He passed! The little stinker tried to trick me by saying he didn't pass, but I should "look to see which ones he missed." He's not a very good prankster. I wanted to make a big deal out of his accomplishment. We went to Stonefire Pizza to celebrate. Basically a glorified Chucky Cheese. Talk about chaos! We got in before the crowd, but there we people waiting in line to get in, then once they were in, waiting in line to get a table. I had been there once before and swore I'd never return, but I won a $25 gift card, so I figured now was the best time to use that up and swear it off once again! Of course the kids had a blast. Callie would go to one area, play there then say, "I'm ready to have some more fun."

Chasing Time, Year in Pictures - 2008

Some of my favorite memories from the past year.

Happy Birthday Gran!

We celebrated my Mom's birthday with a bowling party. I love bowling! When I was growing up we had a bowling alley with in walking distance. I was on a league for many years. Had my initials on my ball and everything. My Mom just recently gave that ball back to me. Of course she still had it. Those were the days of "Walk Like an Egyptian" on the juke box. I only really play about twice a year now, but I still bowled pretty well my first game. Callie beat me the second game. She had high score on our lane! (With a little help from the ball "slide"!)Trent went freestyle with his bowling, a running start for momentum! He does have a little bit of my natural talent. We'll need to cultivate that a little more.

Carol got a video of my Mom sitting on the Birthday Saddle at Texas Road House. Note to self: Get copy. I think she would kill me if I posted it. Sorry!

A Very Merry Christmas

This is my first Christmas post. Not quite sure how I want to handle this one. I like Christmas, but it's not my favorite holiday. (4th of July) We celebrate and enjoy ourselves, the kids love going to the get-together's at Gran's for Christmas Eve and Grandma's for Christmas Day. It's all pretty traditional. I think I would like to take this time to talk about what we did differently this year.
The biggest difference comes in the form of our celebration of Jesus' Birthday. The tradition would be to go to church 45 minutes early and fight for a spot with the "Christers" (Pronounced Kree-sters, Christmas and Easter church go-ers, I guess nowadays that describes me.) This year I suggested we go to a live nativity scene. After speaking with the Pastor and actually driving to the location to confirm it's existence, my Mom agreed to try it. I thought it was so perfect. A heated barn, hay bale seats, live animals and the story of Jesus's birth, complete with a real live baby. Callie made sure she got up close and personal. Prior to church we sang Christmas Carole's to the residents at Great Grandma's Nursery Rhyme(Nursing Home). I thought it would be cheesy, but it was actually really nice.
Usually Chrstmas Morning we go to my Mom's for breakfast. I decided it would be less rushing for my family if we had the breakfast here. I hope to continue this as a tradition. It worked out perfectly. And my sticky-buns turned out fabulous! It's a big responsibility to make those sticky-buns, high expectations from the crowd! Carol would be proud!
As far as Christmas' go, I would say I enjoyed this one the most out of recent Christmas's.
The rest of this week has been particularly relaxing. Not much of anything on the calendar, very little driving. Staying up late, sleeping in. Trent and Marshall have been busy building lego Star Wars ships. Trent got about 2000+ pieces for Christmas. I told him I had built my last lego ship. If he wanted all those lego toys, he was on his own. No problem. He and daddy have it under control. Two more ships to go and the floor will be free of pieces....for now! Callie has been enjoying her Dora Pegasus. The gift she totally wanted and I totally did not want to get for her. (They don't make toys like they used to.) She got a baby that responds to her holding it, or feeding it. That thing hasen't been far from her arms since the moment she opened it.
Thank you to everyone for all the gifts, meals and wonderful celebrations. My favorite thing about Christmas is enjoying time spent together. Whether we are honoring old traditions or starting new ones.

The BIG Game!

The highlight of my year happened this past weekend! Trent got to play hockey at the Admiral's Game. When Marshall and I used to go to games I would watch those kids out there and smile. I couldn't wait to have our kids doing that. When we got the invite I couldn't have been more excited. I spread the word. Trent had 15 cheering fans! Owen even brought his cow bell! He played for an hour before the game and then during the first break of the Admirals Game. We dressed in the lower level. The professional players were here and there. Trent is more excited about a high five from Uncle Luke than a professional hockey player, so that was no thing for him. For me it was fun to get the "backstage" experience. He also got his picture with the mascot Roscoe. The kids game before was the first time Trent played on a full sheet of ice and against a goalie. He had good stamina and even with the goalie scored a goal. When they played during the Admiral's game they sent all the kids on the ice, it was pretty much a free for all. It was only six minutes, so he didn't get to score in front of the whole stadium, but he still enjoyed his time in the spotlight. He took a victory lap around the rink waving to the people in the crowd and high-fiving all the coaches on the bench. I was so proud of him for his confidence. (Click the triangle to play the video.)

Thanks to everyone for sharing this memory with us. I know I will never forget it. Marshall's Grandma commented, the only other time she'd been at the Bradley Center was to watch Marshall play in college. Now she watched Trent. It came full circle. I feel the same way.

Like Mother....

Marshall was reminding the kids about behaving. He said, "You know what Santa brings the naughty kids." Callie answered, "Coal." Trent replies, "Yeah, but you can just smash it up and make a diamond!"
That's my little optimist!