Introducing CAPTAIN SHIELD

Have you ever hastily volunteered for something and a moment later thought "wow - this could potentially be the most embarrassing thing I've ever done"? Well this happened to me. A few weeks ago, one of the relationship managers I work for was telling me about U.S. Bank night at the Races. You see U.S. Bank is a major corporate sponsor of Capitol Racing, the local horse race company, and every year the Bank has a night that they encourage all employees and their family to attend. It just so happened that U.S. Bank night at the Races coincided with Mascot Night. We're not just talking Mascots that walk around and high five little kids - nope these Mascots get out on the track and run a race against each other! Well, it just so happens that U.S. Bank has a brand new mascot and its never been to Boise. But on this special night it would be here. So as Kathy explains to me how the Idaho Powerball, Humphrey the Hawk and many others will be running I quickly exclaim "OH I WOULD SO DO THAT!". And that's how it happened. I had just volunteered myself to suit up as none other than CAPTAIN SHIELD for a night!

I can honestly say it was a blast! I got to mingle with all the famous mascots - and let me tell you they are famous. The Idaho Powerball got screams and hollers - it was amazing. Really I just think people thought they could somehow get money if only they could meet the Powerball. Whatever. Here are some of the Mascots preparing to make our entrance into the grandstands:

After the initial introduction we were quickly escorted out (Mascots aren't allowed in the area of the track during a race. Seems the horses are a wee bit scared of the color red and as you could tell there's LOTS of red Mascots!) We were given a little break - it was only in the 70's but those costumes were HOT. I even had a cooling vest on with ice packs in it and I was a sweaty mess. After a few more horse races, it was our turn to take to the track. There were 3 heats and we really did line up in the horse shoots! The power ball had to be squished and pushed in - I'm still not sure how he fit - I had to stand sideways and someone had to push me out as well. Soon enough the gates flew open and we were off. I soon discovered Captain Shield is not a runner. His "Shield" is a little shifty and there are wood beams all over that can nail a persons nose pretty good if the Captain runs to fast - and with the arms sticking straight out the front there's really nothing to hold onto to steady the"Shield".
Well, I didn't come in first and I didn't come in last, but it was still a blast and we all got to stand in the winners circle just the same!

Hole in one! Sort of....

Many of you might not know my new hobby - GOLFING! I've wanted to learn for years and lucky for me I married someone who likes it! Adam bought me a set of golf clubs for my birthday, and although it was just this last weekend, he couldn't stand it and gave them to me back in April. Since then we've gone out several times to the driving range and did 9 holes a few weeks back with my grandparents which was a blast!

Well this weekend, we traveled to central Oregon to see my parents and took the clubs along. Saturday morning we went to a putting course with my mom and dad. The course is fun its like mini-golf but with real grass, hills, sand, water hazards etc. Its a great place to practice putting! Well I did awful. Later that day Adam and I headed to another course to practice hitting at the driving range. As our balls dwindled down Adam suggested I try aiming for a flag about 70 yards out. So with my last handful of balls that's what I did. Rather than trying to whack the heck out of the ball, I had to lay back and try to figure out how hard to hit it. Most of the balls were not even close but as I got to the last few I got closer and closer and then with the last ball I made it in the hole! We saw and heard the ball hit the flag pole and then drop down into the hole. It was awesome! I just stood there and laughed and Adam was in shock. I know it wasn't a hole-in-one on a real course, but still it was awesome!


This is the cute set Adam bought me! Its blue and purple with flowers on it. Adam's been a great teacher - very patient with me and doesn't make too much fun of me when I stink!

I'm an Aunt!

I am so excited I'm an Aunt! Little Brycen was born on Monday, May 19th in Arizona- sadly we aren't there to welcome him but we send bunches of love and plan to visit him real soon! I wish I had some pictures to share, but the only ones we have are on Adam's phone and he's is California. But he's pretty much the cutest thing I've ever seen!

Now I can't wait for my first Niece to arrive in a couple months!

Moms

I know its a few days late, but I just wanted to say a little bit about my (our) moms. How grateful I am for both of them. My mom is great - shes supported me in everything I have ever wanted to do. She's been a great example in so many ways. One of the greatest thing I have learned from her is that you have to find time do things that are important to you- to take time for yourself. From her example I've learned that the best way to be happy in your relationships with others, is to be happy yourself.

I've just become a part of Adam's family, but how grateful I am for his wonderful mom as well. I am so thankful for her for raising Adam and helping turn him into the wonderful man he is. I know it must have been a lot of hard work to make him what he is! Additionally, I can't imagine a better mother-in-law (and entire family I might add). I felt immediately welcomed into the family and right at home with them from the moment Adam and I were engaged.


I am so lucky to have two great moms and am so excited for the many more years we have to further grow our relationships. I LOVE YOU MOM!

STOP!! BACK AWAY FROM THE SMALL KITCHEN APPLIANCE!

Do you ever have those times where about 30 seconds after an event has occurred you wish you would have taken a picture? This morning the Vitamix and I had a moment. And it was a very brief moment. Since Adam has been gone this week, I have had to make my own breakfast smoothies; and I thought I was getting the hang of it.... I think I was very wrong.

Let me describe what happened. I cleaned my carrots, cut the peel off my oranges and kiwis, cleaned the grapes and hucked it all in the machine along with a handful of spinach and some frozen berries. I started the machine on low and slowly raised the speed until it was nice and smooth... and here's were things went very wrong. I turned the machine off. Bad idea. I proceeded to grab the milk and a handful of ice cubes which I put in through the whole in the top of the machine. I switched the Vitamix back on - I put it on low again, but then I tried to speed it back up and that's when it happened BRIGHT RED SMOOTHIE went EVERYWHERE! And how did I react? I laughed so hard. You know when you have those moments to choose whether to get upset or just laugh? Well I didn't even think about being mad, I just laughed and laughed and laughed. There was smoothie everywhere - on the wall, the counter, the window blinds, the floor, the Kitchenaid, in the Kitchenaid bowl.. By this point I realize I am going to be very late for work. I have no choice, I have to clean the mess because if I don't do it now it will be much harder after work. But I laughed the whole time. And then laughed the whole way to work. And then laughed as I recounted the whole event to my coworkers. And then laughed 4 hours later when I realized it was all over my shirt - why I didn't look before, I don't even know.

After I cleaned, I wished I would have taken a picture, but as funny as it was I didn't want to recreate the event a second time. I'm pretty glad that Adam wasn't here to witness it happen, he'd probably ban me from all future use. I think I'll wait till he reads this to fess up....who knows I may even get away with it......