PhotoShop Fun

I am determined to learn PhotoShop. I see so many awesome pictures and all the cool effects that people use to edit them, and I want to be able to do it! So I've been looking up tutorials on-line and practicing. Yesterday I learned how to make pictures look antique, and I am pretty happy with my results! I took pictures from our various travels and I already have a place in mind where I am going to hang them up. Here are the befores and afters!

Oh Tannenbaum!

On Wednesday we went Tree Shopping! This is the first time I have ever had a real Christmas tree and I have to say Sam totally sold me on the whole experience. It was so much fun!

Although Sam seemed to be forgetting the size of our apartment and he kept drifting over to there trees.

I finally convinced him to get something a little smaller, and we both think it looks pretty awesome. Plus the smell in the house is delicious! I love Christmas!!!

In a Fowl Mood

Our Thanksgiving was awesome and wonderful in a lame kind of way. It was awesome because not only was Thursday Thanksgiving, but it was also my birthday. It was wonderful because my parents came to spend the holiday with Sam and I. It was fun playing games, watching movies, and enjoying our time together. It was great to get my birthday present from my parents...a really nice new set of cookware! It was good to have Sam home with a couple of days away from work and school. it was a good time to reflect on what is important and what I am really thankful for. It was lame because I spent the entire time with a sore throat, runny nose, bad cough, and curled up in a blanket on the couch trying not to be miserable. What a lousy way to spend the holiday, right? On the upside I didn't have to cook a single thing for Thanksgiving dinner. For some reason everyone didn't want me coughing all over everything in the kitchen. And I was more than willing to just sit back and eat the results of their hard work!

The proof is in the picture.

I still wouldn't mind a raise...

I found this video randomly and thought it was kind of cool! I didn't even know we had a commercial! This is where I work, and absolutely love my job by the way! It is such a fun place and I love all the people I work with and get to meet. Every day is a little different and there is always something exciting going on. Whether I am in charge of 800 junior high kids coming for a field trip, or watching World Champion skaters shoot a commercial for Panasonic, or just seeing a little kid in their first hockey or figure skating lesson...it is a great day at the Peaks! I know I am so lucky that I get to go to work every day and enjoy it.

GOOAAALLLL!

Over the years I have heard my dad called many different names and titles. Some have been given to him through his job, his service in our church, or even the silly little nicknames given to him by our family. But for as long as I can remember he has been called by one particular name:
Coach.

I have a great memory from when I was around 12 years old and we were at a soccer tournament and in between games we were scouting some of the other teams. I was trying to get my dad's attention so I said "Hey Dad!" but he didn't answer. So I tried again even louder, "Dad!" Still no response. A third time "DAD!" but he didn't turn. Finally on the fourth time
I said, "Coach!" and his head immediately whipped around. He was in the zone.

Two weeks after my parents were married he began coaching a soccer team in Kirtland New Mexico and has been coaching ever since for the last 29 years with different teams across the country, from little AYSO teams, to traveling club teams, and high school teams. He has coached teams that have traveled to Slovakia, England, Scotland, Australia, Costa Rica, and numerous tournaments across the United States.

Last weekend I was able to fly home to see him coach his last soccer game and watch as he led the Blue Ridge Jackets to a 4-0 win over Phoenix Country Day to become the 2009 State Champions. It was extra special because he didn't know I was coming and the tears in his eyes when I surprised him were priceless.

With his retirement from coaching he is leaving behind quite a reputation of success. Every year he has coached Blue Ridge soccer he has been nominated for Coach of the Year and while he has won several times, I know the only times he didn't win were because he declined so that someone else could be given the chance. He has won 12 Conference Championships, 1 State Championships with the girls team, and 6 State Championships with the boys team. 8 of his players have been named Player of the Year, two of them my own brothers. Several of his players have been awarded scholarships and gone on to play soccer after high school.
A Tradition of Champions.

But I know that as impressive as his winning record is what is even more important and what will be remembered most is the way he served his community and the life lessons he taught his players about hard work, dedication, unity, humility, and selflessness. He not only taught his players to be great athletes, but great people.

The Coach in action

Getting the ceremonial dunking

Celebrating with his best Assistant Coach, Stats Girl, Traveling Companion, Cheering Section, Snack Coordinator, quintessential Soccer Mom, and all around Number One Fan.


So proud of my dad!

There is only one thing left to say....good game Coach.

Sew what do you think?

Meet my new nemesis...I mean friend.


We're still getting to know each other and seeing if we'll be able to get along, but after a few hours of "Oops!" and "Dang it!" I was able to turn this:

Into this:


My bare curtain rod is just begging to be addressed next.

We'll be eating at Tucanos tonight

Look at this adorable little face!

Is it any wonder that he stole my heart?

Happy Birthday Sam! I love you so much and I am so thankful that I get to spend forever with you!

Sky High

We went out the other night with some friends to celebrate a birthday and had a lot of fun! We went to Teppanyaki, which is a lot like Benihanas, and enjoyed the show put on by the cooks! Plus, the food was really really good!

Sam's mouth was to full of fried rice to smile

Brandon and Camille (the birthday girl) and Rachel and Adam enjoying their water.

And I forgot to post these pictures, but when we drove from D.C. to home we stopped in Colorado and stayed with Sam's aunt and uncle and they took us to Mt. Evans. It was really cool! The mountain has the highest paved road in North America and it is in the top 25 highest mountains in the U.S. The views were amazing, you could see forever. Although after living at sea level for three months we could definitely feel the change in the 14,200 feet elevation. We both got pretty dizzy and nauseous from the lack of oxygen but after a few minutes we were fine and we could enjoy seeing hundred of miles in all directions!

Us with Uncle Brett and Aunt Tracie

On top of the world!

King of the World (well...my world at least!)