Happy Birthday to Me!

I had such a wonderful day today. It started with the kids decorating the main level of the house with balloons when I woke up this morning.

Then my mom surprised me with sending my favorite homeade breakfast home with Brian last night for me this morning. Yummy - biscuits and gravy. Thank you Mom!

I got to work and found that my office had been turned into a "Februamy Celebration". King Julian (my fav from Madigascar and the reason February has been turned into Februamy) was on my desk with jungle friends and about 50 balloons blown up added to the already decorated office (see Monday's blog). I had pancakes and a cherry coke on my desk (more favs) and cards and gifts. Thanks Ladies!

My friend Kelly brought me Starbucks (my very fav) and she and Johnna took me to yummy mexican lunch. Thanks Kelly and Johnna

After work, I came home to a decorated room compliments of Brady

and met up with family over at Rock Bottom Brewery for dinner and had a great evening. I received many wonderful wishes and gifts, my niece Emma made me such an awesome Birthday card and I got lots of kisses from my nephew, Sam.

I guess turning 37 wasn't so bad at all. Thank you to everyone for sharing my special day with me. I love you all.

My Birthday Week has started!

Thanks to the girls at work, my Birthday celebration has started. This is what I came into this morning... I had decorations, everything around me was saran-wrapped, and my chair had been kidnapped. I work with an awesome bunch of people and I am soooo lucky to have them in my life, especially during Birthday Week! Thank you Ladies!

Olympic Update - Part 2

Authored by Rachel:
Men's Hockey
Team USA - 2-0
Another one bites the dust! Team USA rolled past Norway in a 6-1 win. Phil Kessel, Chris Drury, and Patrick Kane notched the first goals giving us a safe cushion but Norway notched a short handed goal. Ryan Malone, Brian Rafalski notched the last three goals. This is a motivator going into Sunday's game against Canada.

I have no updates about Canada or Russia, they will hit the ice tonight.

Women's Hockey:
Team USA 3-0
I cannot comment much about the game, it was not televised, but they roled past Finland beating them 6-0. Canada and Russia did not play.

Team Canada 2-0
Maybe not so wonderous aftern all. It went into a shoot-out against Switzerland. Now they did pull it out with a Crosby goal. This has got to shake things up and be a great relief to the US Team to know that they have a great chance at beating Canada this Sunday.

Team Russia 1-1
OMG! What an upset Slovakia handed to Russia last night! WIth the superb goal-tending from Jaruslav Halak from the Montreal Canadians. Like the Canadian game, it went to a shoot-out. The game winning goals was scored by Pavol Demitra.

Seriously with the Olympics! I mean woo hoo, it's Olympic Time!

So the Olympics have taken over our house, it is making me crazy~ I love that the kids are so into it, but SERIOUSLY it is on all of the time. They are screaming and yelling and cheering on the athletes into the late hours of the evening. Last night I told them that I thought they should blog about the Olympics. When I got home tonight, Rachel and Brady had stories all written out for the blog. I have to type them in, but still I was impressed and they were really excited; Mason isn't into it yet, but maybe by tomorrow he will join in the fun. So the kids are going to be blogging about the happenings in the Olympics.

Brady:
Hi this is Brady for only my second time blogging so sorry if something is spelled wrong or something. Okay so everybody knows that I snowboard but what most of you probably don't know is that Shaun White is my hero (except for the red hair). Every Winter I bug my parents so much asking about Shaun White. So this Winter was like a dream come true for me because of the X-Games and the Winter Olympics! Shaun White won gold in 2006 and hopefully this year in Vancouver. Shaun White has a secret half pipe here in Colorado that Red Bull and himself created called The Red Bull Project X. You can only get there by helicopter or snowmobiles.

Rachel:
Hey everyone. Aim thought it would be a cool idea to blog about the Olympics since it will be the only thing on in our house for the next 2 weeks. So I agreed. I will be keeping you updated on hockey; men's and women's.

Team USA Women 2-0
We have dominated in our last two games beating China 12-1; Russia 13-0. Mark Johnson is their head coach. You might know him from the 1980 Olympic team. The girls are on a comeback tour to win the Gold. From the epic loss 4 years ago in Tarino which they medaled in bronze.

Team Canada 2-0
Likewise with Canada, the defending Gold medalist they have out shined their opponents Slovakia 18-0 and Switzerland 10-1.

Team Russia 0-2
Can't say the same for Russia. They have lost their last 2 games. Finland played them and beat them 5-1. The US team shut them out with the 13-0 loss.

MEN:
TEAM USA 1-0
Watch out this year we are serious contenders for a medal. Our goalie Ryan Miller is seriously GOOD. Our head coach Ron Willson who is no stranger to the Olympics, he was the head coach in 1994. He also led the US to the 1996 World Hockey Championship where they won. Go Hometown Hero and Colorado Avalanche Paul Stazny who was selected to play on the team (Go Get Them Boy). Also it has been 30 years since the Miracle on Ice. I think it's time we win another Gold.

PS - Gotta give a shout out to my man on the Swedish Team. Good Luck Peter Forsburg!

Team Canada
Crosby, Crosby, Crosby! Canada was on fire against Norway showing no mercy. Let me say this, if Canada does not medal I will be in awe. They are stacked with players such as Sydney Crosby, Danny Heatley, Joe Thornton, and arguably the best goalie (other than Patrick Roy) Roberto Luongo. Canada is looking good to defend their Gold.

Team Russia 1-0
Ovechkin ! What a beast! Russia like Canada opened up on their opponent beating Latvia 8-2. I do not know much more than other then I see them acquiring a medal.

Stay tuned...

Happy Valentine's Day!

I hope everyone has a wonderful Valentine's Day and spends it with the people you love. XXOO

I love, love, love February!

I have always wondered if February is my favorite month because of my Birthday. I have even asked people over the years if their Birthday month is their favorite. Some say yes, some say no, they love the month that a certain holiday is or because their favorite season starts, etc. So I have to say that my Birthday falling in February must not be the only reason I love it. I love that there is pink (fav color) everywhere you look, there is love and hearts and friendship at every corner.

I love that it is unique by just by the number of days that are in the month, and it changes depending on whether it's a leap year.

February was named after the Latin term februum, which means purification by way of the purification ritual Februa held on February 15 on the Roman calendar.

Because February only has 28 days, it is the only month that can pass without a single full moon the whole month.

So many events and holidays to celebrate in February, besides my Birthday (I know hard to believe)! Groundhog Day, Valentine's Day, President's Day, Leap Day, and it is Black History Month.

February's Flowers are the Viola and the Primrose; birthstone is Amethyst.

In honor of King Julian from Madagascar who celebrates "Julianuary", February will now be known as "FebruAmy". Cool, huh?

I will leave you with some February Quotes:

The February born will find Sincerity and peace of mind; Freedom from passion and from care, If they the Pearl (also green Amethyst) will wear.
-Author unknown

The February sunshine steeps your boughs and tints the buds and swells the leaves within.
- William Cullen Bryant

Come when the rains have glazed the snow and clothed the trees with ice, while the slant sun of February pours into the bowers a flood of light. Approach! The incrusted surface shall upbear thy steps and the broad arching portals of the grow welcome thy entering.
-William Cullent Bryant

Happy February!

My Personal Manicurist!

Whenever my niece Lilly comes over to my house, she always wants me to paint her nails, which I love to do. I have been painting her nails since she was tiny, I think she got her first pedicure from me when she was like 6 months old. Well she came over yesterday and of course went straight to the bathroom, under the sink where the "nail bucket" is kept and brought it to me. "TT paint my nails" - of course!

Well after her manicure and pedicure, yes she has to have her toes done too, she wanted to paint TT's nails. This is a first, but I agreed with no hesitation, (ok, I may have hesitated for a second, she is 2). Didn't she do a great job? I have about 6 different colors on my nails (and fingers). It was a lot of fun, I am definately making a page for her scrapbook with these pictures.

The finished product! I am especially fond of the lime green color. She did match the color palette well with lime green, hot pink, turquoise blue and then at the end (yes there is still more after this photo), I received a little metallic silver.