Colorado

Brandon and I spent last week skiing in Colorado with Brandon's father and his wife and his brother, Bryce. We left on Sunday and flew into Denver, where we met Brandon's cousin Claire and her husband for lunch at Panera. It had been about two years since we had seen them, so it was good to catch up. After lunch, we headed to Beaver Creek where we stayed for the week.


We spent two days skiing in Vail and three days skiing in Beaver Creek. We got off to a rough start. Brandon hurt his ankle on his first fall and I, who had slipped and fallen on ice a week earlier and bruised my tailbone, of course immediately fell right on it the first day. OUCH! We eventually got the hang of it and had a blast on the greens and blues. By the last day, Brandon and Bryce even tried out a few black diamonds!

Lunch at one of the lodges on top of the mountain

You may be wondering why Brandon had this monkey on his back...or why there is this picture of him. Well, Brandon and I bought him for the purpose of taking him on all of our vacations and photographing him in various places. Here he is at the bottom of the ski lift in Vail.

On Thursday, we went snowmobiling! It was the most incredible experience. Pictures just don't do it justice, it was absolutely breathtaking. We rode up to a mountain peak that was 13,000 feet high, which felt like we were standing on the moon. Just. Beautiful!

Bryce driving behind us

Brandon and I riding together

Bill and Laurie

Dinner at Vin48

Brothers

Brothers: Brandon's uncle Jim and dad Bill

Bill and Laurie

Colorado is one of the most beautiful places I've ever been. Brandon and I had an amazing time and already want to go back!

Out with the Old, in with the New

This weekend we had to break down and buy Bailey a new bed. She loves her bed so much and had just worn it out. Last weekend I washed it, and when I pulled it out of the dryer, the zipper had completely broken causing the lining to hang out. I couldn't stand the way it looked. On top of all that, she had outgrown it, and when she stretched out, she would hang off the sides. We really wanted to wait until we moved to get her a new bed, but after the zipper broke, it couldn't wait. I have included some before pictures of her old bed and an after picture. Beware the after picture is ugly! Also a few pictures of her trying out her new bed for the first time. I think she likes it!!

Sometimes I wish she would be that small again.....then I remember how much work it was!

She still sleeps like that!

Plenty of room to stretch out!

The Next Step

This past month has been busy! Between Brandon's being away the majority of December for interviews and all the craziness that the holidays bring, I look back at it and wonder if December ever even happened. Just in this last month Brandon interviewed in South Carolina, Orlando, Tampa, Virginia, Alabama, and Tennessee. He had his twelth and final interview last week. We are so happy that this step in the process is over! Now the next step is to rank the programs. The rank list is due towards the middle of February and then it will be a waiting game until Match Day comes on March 18.

Nashville Christmas

This year Brandon and I were able to spend the holidays with our families in Nashville. We left Memphis on December 23rd and stayed through January 2nd. It was a much needed break from our life back in Memphis, especially after the month of interviews Brandon had been doing. It was good to see him an entire week straight! We spent Christmas Eve with my mom's side of the family, Christmas Day with Brandon's mom and brothers, Saturday with my dad's side, and Sunday with Brandon's dad's side. Talk about four Christmases!! We had wonderful time visiting, talking, eating good food, and playing games with everyone!

Our Christmas Tree

Before I left Memphis, I gave the boys their Christmas presents.

Isn't he precious?

Remote Control Car!!!!!!!!

My cousins

I love this picture!

Before I go any further, I have to explain the next few pictures. The Saturday after Christmas we were at my dad's house, and he told us to all come outside. As we walked to the door an SUV drove up with this Harley on the back. He had bought a Harley Davidson a few days before and it was just now being delivered to him. We were all in shock! It has been a dream of his since I was a baby. He just recently got his motorcycle license, so I assumed it was coming, but to actually see it happen is crazy! Dad, I am happy for you! Just. be. careful!!

Bryce and Brandon testing out their ski gear.

I love my new purse!

Merry Christmas 2009!

Elf on the Shelf

Have you ever heard of Elf on the Shelf? I was introduced to it about two weeks ago and think it's such a fun tradition for families to have around Christmastime with their young children. The family I work for started it this year and Carter just seems to love it! The idea is to put the elf in a different place every morning and when the children wake up they go and find him. The elf is Santa's helper and he watches the children every day and then at night he will report back to Santa how the children were that day. The children can name him and talk to him, but cannot touch him. Carter has named his elf Bill. We have no clue where that name came from! We've also noticed better behavior in Carter because he knows Bill will go tell Santa how he is behaving. Just seeing how much fun Carter has had with it already, I know this is a fun little tradition I would like to begin in my own family one day!

St. Jude 5K and Half Marathon Weekend

Last weekend Brandon and I had some friends come in town and visit. A few months ago we talked them into coming in town and running with me in the 5K and, for those more ambitious, the half marathon with Brandon. All the girls and Ryan did the 5K, while Brandon and Owen ran the half marathon. Brandon ran his personal best in just under two hours! It was a very early and cold morning, but we had a blast!

Before the race

After the race with our medals

After Brandon finished

Owen and Brandon

Love ya!

That night we all got together for a Tacky Sweater Christmas Party! We had Central Barbecue for dinner, played games, and Dirty Santa. We also got to spend time with baby Rylan!

Brunch at Brother Juniper's

I am so glad you girls were able to come in town for the weekend! Love ya!