OSU -vs- MICHIGAN

We wrapped up Thanksgiving weekend with a trip (our final trip as students) to "The Shoe" for a football game...and none other than an OSU-vs-Michigan game! We went with our loyal football-goin partners, the Williams! There's lots of pics, but I had to document it all :)

Brett & Dallin bundled up (for 30 degree weather), packed into the shuttle bus like sardines.

We ventured over to the RV lot for some free food and tailgating w/ a family friend of ours.

To make sure we made it back to the stadium on time (and for the crazy experience) we hired some funny dude on a bike hooked up to a sketchy homemade rickshaw to pull us back to the stadium! ha ha! We felt pretty lazy as we waited in our seats at the stop-lights w/ all the pedestrians!

That's our peddler in front of us....his thighs were huge! He definitely earned his money for this trip! Little did he know there were really 5 of us :) When we got on and he first started to pedal, he looked at Brett and said "Man, you didn't drink the light beer today did you?!" I was laughing the whole time!

The timing was perfect....we got to our seats and 2 minutes later we were cheering on TBDBITL! They really are amazing!

We were very bundled....and luckily the wind was coming from behind the side of the stadium where we sat, so we were perfectly warm as long as the sun was out!

Some fireworks during the 1/2 time show

The band travels throughout the stadium during the game to keep everyone pumped up...Dallin and Amanda were lovin' it :)

Once the sun went behind the stadium we warmed up with some yummy hot cocoa (which was WAAAY better than our last cocoa purchase at the Shoe)!

And yes, our Buckeyes won! What a great end to all the truly amazing college football-going experiences we've had here in Columbus! There's really nothing like it!

Thanksgiving...so last month!

We spent our 2nd Thanksgiving in a row at Fort Rapids with several friends. It's a hotel/indoor waterpark + Thanksgiving dinner! We had a great time!

Don't ask Emri to get out of the swing :)

The boys enjoyed lots of waterslides (minus most of the girls cuz 4 of 5 who went are prego)

...and basketball

The lazy river had some sort of tranquilizing effect on Emri....which was a welcome break from chasing her through the kiddie area and down the slide!

Thanks to Sherri for taking most of these pics...including this gem! Those eyes make me melt!

Emri had a face of pure joy EVERY time (at least 90) she sped down this water slide!

Shayne & Sherri (to prove Sherri was really there! :)

Our group at dinner: Clark fam, Anderton fam, Williams fam, Perry fam, Heaton fam

We are SO Thankful to have such wonderful friends we can call "family" to spend our holidays away from home with. Although....Columbus definitely feels like home to us now. It's really hard to grasp the idea that we are in our "last" phase of all things Ohio. I can't imagine life without these guys!

21 Months

It's quite hard to capture a shot of this busy body sitting still (or looking at the camera)!

I just had to get a pic of this napping arrangement.....poor Woody!! Emri CANNOT go to sleep without her lovie-bear (under left shoulder) or the cozy pink blanket my bestie, Angi, made her (around feet)! She usually also requests other friends be with her too...this particular day it was "big bear" (above head), bunny, and Woody. Quite the slumber party!

A few things we love about Emri at this age:

• her voluntary hugs/kisses accompanied by a "luff you mommy/daddy!"
• she now refers to anything small as "baby _____." ie: small pieces of hot dogs, peas, gyeenbeen (green beans), yeefs (small leaves), ANYTHING littler than the one next to it is the baby! ....and sadly, the big things are "mommy."
• she has a new found love for "yettus & kyunchees" (lettuce and crunchies/croutons) with caesar salad dressing on it!
• likes to tip her cereal bowl to drink her milk
• loves to watch Nemo, Toy Story, Ice Age, Madagascar 2, "cah-toons"and "FOOH-BALL" (daddy's favorite)!
• is very aware of noises in that background (that I seldom hear until she points it out). She puts her hand over her ear and says "Hea-uh (hear) "ha-peen" (airplane) or train or doggy, or bee-tyuck (big truck).
• loves to say "hi" to anything....cars on the road, the tv, big trucks, toys.

The Beginning of Something Beautiful....??

E: "So, if I casually put my hand on my leg, maybe he will get the hint??"

P: "This girl is crazy for me!"

E: "Parker, I really wanted you to hold my hand!"

P: "Yeah, it's called playing hard to get."
E: "ok, if I must...."
P: "Whoa....this girl doesn't waste any time!!" (and how could she not! what a cutie he is!)

My cousin's wedding reception in Utah was literally a few blocks from Parker's (and Melissa's) house.... there was no reason we couldn't not drop by on our way for a quick (seriously, 20 minute) chat...and kiss session!

Pie Pig Out

Obviously from the title...this night was not for dieters!! Our good friends hosted this a couple years back and we are planning to carry on the tradition. Thankfully Amanda was the host this year since it was the day after my return from Utah!

A feast dedicated to pie and desserts....it doesn't get any better than that!

I made Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup Pie (soooo easy)....

and these Pecan Tassies that my sister in law makes....little pecan pies. I posted the recipes HERE and HERE.

Dig in!!

Emri was too busy playing with her "fens" (friends) to enjoy pie!

All the ladies that came (it was a family event, but you know how guys are about pictures)!

top: Molly, Megan, Sherri, Rachel, Lacey, Raquel (& Mason), Candice

bottom: Katie, Amanda, Jami, Stephanie