Christmas Day 2010

Who doesn't love Christmas morning?! Family, sleeping in, opening gifts, eating Santa's left over cookies, tree lit, music playing, staying in PJs until noon... just to name a few of the things at the Williams home. Oh, and let's not forget the annual "tree photo" with my brother. :)

Dylan likes to put every present on while opening them, as opposed to stacking his gifts in a pile. Which would explain the basketball shorts and Ugg slippers.

Dad had fun with the 3D glasses - mom buys new ones every year.

Dylan opened every present with a hunting knife this year.

The annual "tree picture"

This year's Christmas was a success, like always. We started the day at home and ended with a big gathering with Cliff's family at the "Mac Shack" (the McCallister home).

The hostess with the mostess!

The big meal - yes, that would be 4 long tables and every chair in the building.

After an evening of eating way too much tenderloin and pie, and opening "white elephant" gifts, we met up with old high school friends for a Christmas party...complete with Seasonal cocktails, games, and of course...a self-timed group photo.

Best Christmas Present Ever...(sarcasm)

I got my tonsils out! No more strep throat multiple times a year!

A BIG thank you to Dr. Singleton and his staff at Kell West. All I remember is being pampered with warm blankets all morning and waking up from my anesthetic to nurses singing Christmas carols and offering me a Popsicle.

Disclaimer: if you are over 12 years of age, I would highly recommend NOT getting your tonsils out because HOLY CRAP IT IS AWFUL! Sure, there's ice cream and jello, but I promise it gets old after three days of eating the same thing. In the event that you do have to get your tonsils out at an older age, do yourself a favor and ask for more pain medicine.

The Tyler Rushing Band

I have always been somewhat of a music junkie. No, I may not be able to tell you who sings what song and what year it was recorded...but I'd like to think that my wide range of taste and my ability to learn songs easily can place me in the category of a "junkie". So when a close family member can pick up a guitar and start playing some of my favorite country songs, I tend to get a little excited.

My cousin, Tyler, has been playing in front of live audiences for the past two years. It was not until recently that he started opening for some noteworthy names like HoneyBrowne, Charlie Robinson, Turnpike Troubadours, and Creedence Clearwater Revisted. I never would have guessed in my wildest dreams that Tyler would become a performer. He has always been quiet and reserved. But when he hops up on stage with his band (The Tyler Rushing Band), he becomes this whole new person...its like he immediately inherits this "alias" or something.

This past summer, he entered a "battle of the bands" competition at the annual Falls Fest weekend here in Wichita Falls and WON. His prize? Opening for Creedence Clearwater Revisited, which includes some of the original CCR members. This concert really increased awareness of the band around the Wichita Falls area.

I could not be more proud of him, especially when he is getting the crowd involved, telling funny stories, and singing his songs at the top of his lungs. It always makes me happy when he asks me to join him on stage for some Old Crow Medicine Show, Pearl Jam, and CCR. I would hope that at some point in the future we can learn more than just our token three songs. (I planned on posting a video of us singing together, but because my days get shorter and shorter with work and work outs, it might be a ways down the road from now.)

The Tyler Rushing Band consists of Tyler Rushing (lead vocals and acoustic guitar), Landon Studer (lead guitar), Kane Eavenson (bass, vocals, and banjo), Matt Rose (drums), and Josh Scarbrough (harmonica).

If you or anyone you know needs a band for an event (even if it's just a private party), give Tyler and the boys a call. Tell 'em I sent ya!

Listen to the Tyler Rushing Band here: http://www.reverbnation.com/thetylerrushingband

"Like" the Tyler Rushing Band on Facebook here: http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Tyler-Rushing-Band/128069730559278?sk=info

To book the TRB, call: (940) 867-3367

Shotzi's Show

I LOVE visiting my brother at school. When I lived in Dallas, I had so much fun driving down to see him and meet his friends. It had been a while since I had seen Dylan, so when I found out that the Tyler Rushing Band had a show in College Station, I jumped on board and decided to make the trip. I drove down with my aunt and Brittany, so the long drive wasn't too agonizing.

Tyler's show was in the Skyy Bar at Schotzi's on the main strip, North Gate. The venue was open to 18 and up, which helped the door numbers. I joined in for a few songs and had a blast dancing with Dylan's cross country team members. Brittany and I were also able to recruit some people from the downstairs bar to come up and support the Tyler Rushing Band, as well as buy a few koozies! The turnout was great and I think everyone thoroughly enjoyed themselves.

I can't forget the most memorable part about the trip: the flat tire. On our way home, the back right tire was completely annihilated! Brittany was able to get the spare down, while I called a worker from a nearby gas station ("Shaggy") to help us out with the rest. I personally think Brit should just become a mechanic...doesn't she look like a natural?!

Jake's First Christmas

I realize I talk about my dogs...a lot. Several have brought it to my attention, but I usually just disregard their comments. If you have ever checked out my Twitter feed, about 20% of my tweets are about animals and I would say 50% of my "Twit Pics" are my dogs. Sure it might be a little excessive and all I can say is, sorry I'm not sorry.

With this year being Jake's first Christmas, and him still having a baby face, I decided to send out a Christmas card (with his photo on it) to all of his furry friends (and family). I think the final list (after eliminating a few) came out to be somewhere along 42 recipients. Yes, Cliff's dog has quite a few friends!

I had several ideas for pictures, using props such as Christmas lights, a Rudolph nose, big bows, tinsel, and candy canes...but I settled with a simple holly wreath with bells and reindeer antlers.

Here is the finished product. What do you think?!

If you wish to recieve a card next Christmas, shoot me a message! :)

Man's Best Friend(s)

Those of you who are dog owners/lovers, will appreciate this...and those of you who are not, well...you might have a hard time understanding this post.

My family has always had a dog around. I got my first Golden Retriever, Casey, in first grade. She created so many memories for our family. I thought she was unstoppable. When she passed away during my sophomore year of college I just knew mom would NOT allow us to get another dog (you have to understand that Casey was not exactly mom's favorite), but after almost a year, my parents agreed upon the fact that the house was just too lonely without a furry friend running around.

Insert Kaymen. Kaymen is nothing like Casey. He has a mind of his own and it is safe to say that he has doggy ADHD. My dad, brother, and I immediately started seeing a change in mom's feelings towards K9 friends. It was almost ridiculous to see how much she babied Kaymen. Well, about a year went by and mom came up with an unheard of idea in our house..."let's get a friend for Kaymen to play with, he's probably so lonely when we're at work"...at this time, I could have sworn pigs could fly.

Insert Solomon. Solomon came to us right before Christmas last year. He was raised in a shed and was needing a better environment. After talking to his old owners, we found out that Solomon was actually Kaymen's litter mate/brother!

These two boys have been inseparable since day one. They sleep together, they run together, they dig to China in the backyard together. I have never seen two dogs get along the way Kaymen and "Solly" do.

Three years ago, if you would have told me we'd have two "fur people" in the Williams house, I probably would have called you crazy...but now, I could not imagine our house without these two gentlemen! :)

This post is in memory of Casey "Gorman" Williams

11/10/93 - 10/10/07

T-Giving in T-Town

For as long as I can remember, we have always spent Thanksgiving with my dad's side of the family. Each year, we rotate locations. The Williams/Mitchell clan spreads from Texas to Kansas (yes, and that one state in between). We have family in Topeka and Hutchinson, Kansas and Tulsa, Oklahoma.

This year, we had Thanksgiving in Tulsa at my dad's brother's home. I think I can vouch for the rest of the family when I say that Tulsa is always the best place to go. You see, my uncle is an AMAZING chef! Any time Uncle Kent is in charge of a meal it A) is on time, and B) will cause your taste buds to say "give me more!"

It all starts with the day before Thanksgiving. We have a tradition of eating chili and finger foods. Uncle Kent, however, never fails to go above and beyond by making Williams White Chili. Mmm mmm good!

Of course, Thanksgiving Day is something to look forward to no matter where you spend it...because let's be honest, there is no other day of the year that you can legally stuff yourself until you fall into a food coma. (And if you're one of the crazies that DOES NOT do this, then how dare you.) It would take a lot of effort to describe to you the spread that Uncle Kent laid out for us this year, but I will say this...we actually, as a family, told Kent that we would pay him to "cater" Thanksgiving every year. :) The verdict is still out on whether or not he will take us up on the offer, but I know we are all keeping our fingers crossed!

PIE Partner Pumpkins!

Okay, so these little guys are bit random and totally out of place. But what would a blog be without a bit of spontaneity?!

Every year, right before Halloween, my students paint pumpkins for one of the banks in town. The bank is one of our school's "PIE Partners", or "Partners in Education". This year, we had some great products ranging from goons and goblins, to the Texas Rangers, to animals. As we were getting them counted and sorted for delivery, we realized we had 25 pumpkins with no faces! I volunteered to stick around in the art room and paint...which I LOVE to do! (The seven above are my masterpieces.)

Oh what I would give to be an art teacher!

Maroon Out

It's always nice to have connections. Whether it be the long lost family friend who gives you a place to stay when you are out of town and low on cash, the totally random stranger who knows your cousin and volunteers to road trip with you for a weekend (thanks Cliff), or that old classmate who landed an amazing job and invites you to the Super Bowl.

Okay, so the Super Bowl thing hasn't exactly played out yet, but we can all dream big, right?

Mom and I decided (on a whim) to take a trip down to College Station to see Dylan and meet some of his buddies. We had originally planned on just hanging around his apartment, doing laundry, and stocking the refrigerator. At the last minute, one of my good friends from high school asked if I would interested in two tickets to the A&M vs OU game that Saturday. Of course, mom and I could not decline! You see, this particular friend (Nolen) has provided tickets for me multiple times and since he works for the athletic department, the seats are always in a prime location. Our seats for this game were on the fourth row of the Aggie parents section on the 50 yard line! (check out the view)

The weekend was fun-filled and exactly what I needed...a resort from Wichita Falls, plus quality time with my bub. Oh, and might I add, the Aggies chalked up one more victory and the Sooners went home...well, losers.

We also checked out a great dog park, since we had Kaymen and Solomon with us!

My First 14er

If you want to get technical, mountaineering terminology in the United States defines a fourteener as a mountain that exceeds 14,000 feet above sea level. A rule commonly used by mountaineers in the contiguous United States is that a peak must have at least 300 feet of prominence to qualify. There are 546 fourteeners in the world. Most of the North American fourteeners reside in Colorado, where there are 53 (give or take 1).

Cliff and I, along with Greg and Sarah, decided a long hike up a fourteener would be a great way to wrap up the trip. Greg and Sarah had experienced several fourteeners in the past, but Cliff and I were new at this. We all agreed on climbing Quandary Peak, about 5 miles outside of Breckenridge. Quandary's elevation measures out to 14,265 feet. The main trail was a class 1 hike, and fairly easy...as long as you can handle the gusty winds, big rocks, and cold temperatures once you get out of the tree line!

We took plenty of photos along the trail, so that anyone thinking we went on a "nature hike" could easily be proven wrong. The complete hike (up and down) took us approximately 4.5 hours.

Interested in finding a fourteener for yourself? Check out http://14ers.com/.

Just the beginning...

One of many water/snack breaks...

I think this is what hell looks like...

It's official! We're on the list!

We made it!

WARNING: swollen hands might occur.