The Big Game and Boxer Lab Thanksgiving

I should be packing since we are heading to Kansas tomorrow night after work, but I wanted to get caught up here before we leave. Luckily most of the laundry is done so there wont be much to do there tomorrow.

The 'Big Game' is something we look forward to every year and this year was no exception. With Stanford playing well the last few games things looked hopeful for a win. As usual, we helped Sarah and Jonathan head up the tailgate for the Grad Chem department.

Sarah and Me looking forward to a great day.
In our usual 'Flip Cup' challenges against the other team, we were undefeated and feeling pretty good. No Cal team would challenge us more than once after losing. There was only one close race, but we still ended up with a victory.

Moria was able to be on the team after passing pre-challenge try outs.

James and Kevin.
Here we are in the same spot we stand at at every game we've been to this year and some of last year until we were told that we couldn't be there anymore in the 3rd quarter. We were not happy with security and hopefully this wont be an issue in the future. I think people just get freaked out whenever Stanford and Cal go head to head.
During halftime we were pretty stoked since Stanford was ahead. Tiger Woods was there receiving an honorary award (he attended Stanford for a couple of years.)
Still looking hopeful before Stanford starting falling apart. The last 4th quarter was pretty intense and there was a moment there where we thought we were actually going to come back and win it. Unfortunately things didn't end up that way and we lost. It was such a let down and we were exhausted afterward. We headed home to lick our wounds and crashed early that night so we could get up early and get ready for Kevin's Lab to come over for a Thanksgiving pot luck.
I made pumpkin cookies and Kevin took care of the turkey. This was his best year yet. He brined it to perfection and it was fantastic.
It was a little stressful having 20 people over to our apartment, but everything went really well. At least now our place is clean so it wont be a mess when we get back from a week in Kansas.
We were able to borrow some chairs and a folding table which was the only way we had enough space for everyone.
I probably wont have another post until after we get back from Kansas, so I want to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving!!!!

SYTYCD Tour

Some of you may have seen the reality show 'So You Think You Can Dance'. I'm in love with this show. I love watching all of the dancers do so many amazing routines. I watched some a couple of summers ago, but last summer I skipped it since I was studying for my final and board exams. This summer though, I was able to get into it again. (Thanks to DVR!!!!) Moria and I were the instigators, but both Kevin and Brian watched with us and got pretty into it even if they wont admit it. The show has now moved to the fall, but last week was the top 10 tour from season 4 (this last summer). We were lucky enough to get AMAZING tickets in the front row.

The show was in San Jose so we grabbed dinner beforehand. Kevin and Brian agreed not to smile at all.

Moria and I weren't afraid to show our excitement.
We were very excited to see all these people that we got to know via the shows interviews and dances and it was so cool to see them up close and personal.

One of our favorite Bollywood routines started the show off with a bang.
An awesome group number!

Evan and Randi doing a cool number. Evan was fun to watch and one of the few Broadway style dancers on the show. This was a funky crazy routine and it is actually Kevin's favorite routine. Brandon and Jeanette killed it and we loved seeing their expressions so close. The dance was fantastic.

The 'Addiction' number gave us goosebumps again.The top 3 guys performed a cool piece that I really enjoyed.
Another 'Brandon and Jeanette routine'. We were all upset when Jeannette was voted out too early. (Kevin especially took it hard and to be honest she really should have been in the top 4. An emotional piece by another couple got her booted off the show too early.)
This dance was one of our favorites also. It is danced by Jason and Jeannie (The winner of season 4). It was actually choreographed by a former contestant which was really cool too.
The only thing we were bummed about was one person who we were excited to watch dance was apparently injured and only made brief appearances. We were disappointed to miss Phillip, but the show was fantastic and I'm so glad we were able to go and have such great seats.

Lots of Football

I've sort of been slacking in the blog world. I've had these pictures up for a few days now and I'm finally getting to the typing part on my break at work. I'll we quick so I can catch up on some other posts I need to make.

Flashback to 2 weeks ago.....

Stanford takes on the #7 Oregon Ducks. We enjoyed a nice roasted duck during tailgating in hopes of a win. Here is our duck...

A devastating 2-3 Flip Cup loss to annoying, rude, arrogant Oregon fans. It was a sad moment :(

A pre-game group shot (some of us).

Kevin picking on Pete for wearing his Oregon gear and sitting in the Stanford student section.
A cute couple :) We looked this happy after every touchdown that Stanford made. (and there were a lot!)
Rushing the field after an amazing win that got Stanford ranked 25 in one ranking and 27 in another. The game was AWESOME!!!!
Next day, Kevin's flag football team in their first play off game.
Halftime.
Kevin's team won!!!

Stanford Cardinal update: Last week Stanford took on USC in their territory and slaughtered them. Taking away USC's chances of a Rose Bowl on their own field was extremely satisfying. Tomorrow Stanford takes on Cal at home in the "Big Game". We are hoping for another big win! While the stars have to align just right with losses from several teams, the chance still exists for Stanford to make it to the Rose Bowl! We'll just have to wait and see!!!

Halloween in Kansas

There were so many pictures to choose from that it was hard to decide which to post. These are pictures I have loaded already and since I'm at work and have the time to write I'll just stick with what I have. (It is Sunday and we are slow...don't worry everything is done :) ) I'm having trouble moving some of the pictures so they may not be in any sort of order...oh well.

Being home was wonderful. I was still recovering from a nasty cold on the way there and I was grateful that on both legs of my flight the plane was not crowded. Having a coughing fit with nobody sitting close to you is much better than the alternative.

I was there by the time the Hailie and Seth were getting off the school bus. I loved seeing them run and then give me great big hugs. We had a blast playing together and I enjoyed being able to help them with homework.


We decorated for Halloween with some of the goodies I brought. Between Halloween costumes, decorations, and all the DVD sets I brought for my Dad to watch during his upcoming surgery, my suitcase was pretty packed. On the way home I was able to fit my smaller suitcase into my big one because of all the stuff I'd unloaded.

We did manage to find some time to make Halloween cupcakes. You can see our handiwork in a later picture.

Mom and I went to Farley school to watch Hailie and Seth in their school parade and then help with the class parties. Seth was Luigi and Hailie was a bride.

Gotta love the mustache and the pretty dress.
Kisses!
Hanging out with the fam.

We bought a cd that had songs like 'Monster Mash', 'Purple People Eater', 'Jump in the Line', etc. and had somewhat of a little dance party. I can't really even begin to describe how much fun that was. We had a little strobe light and everything...awesome.
Dad got in on the dance party too. Pretty good moves for an old guy:)
Here are our cupcakes...they were very tasty.

I was able to see Grandad, Grandmom, Aunt Laura, Aunt Julie, and Greg while I was back. It was fun spending a little time with them. It will be nice to see even more family when Kevin and I are both back over Thanksgiving. We haven't been home for Thanksgiving since we've moved to California and while we've enjoyed our new traditions it will be wonderful to spend this one in Kansas.
A couple of years ago Kevin and I were both vampires for Halloween. I decided to recycle our stuff and so Dad and I got dressed up. We didn't want Hailie to get her white princess dress dirty so she morphed into a vampire too. She wouldn't really let me tweak her makeup much and the teeth were too big for her mouth. I think she looks more like a little Zombie....but a cute one at that.

As I said before...these picture are out of order. Here we are before heading to the airport last Sunday after church.

Mom was looking cute to pass out candy while the rest of us went trick or treating. I hadn't had time to do my makeup before trick or treating so I put on a mask that I had brought along with my vampire teeth. Our neighbor came over and took a group picture of all of us...but Kevin later told me a looked REALLY stupid in it so I've opted not to put it on here. I may add it later after I crop myself out of it. This picture cracks me up. Seth's face is priceless.
Leaving was hard as usual, but it was easier knowing that we'll be back very soon. I can't believe a week has already passed since I was there.

Since Kevin was here over Halloween I don't have any pictures. He did go to a costume party up in S.F. The costume he was originally working wasn't taking shape like he planned so he had to get creative. He bought overalls, a blue long sleeved shirt, a blue hat and put a 'K' on the hat. He gave himself a mustache and when people asked who he was he said in an Italian accent... "I'm a Kevin" He was playing the third Mario brother who couldn't get into the game because he couldn't jump high enough. I'm laughing as a type about it. Hopefully someone at the party took pictures and I can round one up at some point.

Pumpkin Carving and Football

Before I post about my trip back to Kansas over Halloween, I have a little catching up to do.

The last Stanford home game brought a victory not only to the Cardinal, but to our Flip Cup Team. Take that ASU Frat boys. Here is some of our winning team.

Kevin and I had been fighting off illness the week before so we didn't stay long into the actual game. We had to get rest for our Pumpkin Carving Party the next day.

Crock pot chili, cornbread muffins, pumpkin cookies, roasted pumpkin seeds, and pumpkin ale. Made for a wonderful fall evening.

Here are all of our pumpkins. Kevin's is the third from the left (it is Lupin), and mine is the cute little goblin second from the right. The castle pumpkin was Jonathan's. His first ever pumpkin. Pretty good for a rookie!
We had our neighbors over to look at our pumpkins. (They are from Ethiopia and aren't that familiar with the tradition.) Ethiopia (that is her name too) had just come back from visiting and she brought us back these hand stitched shirts. We were blown away that she thought of us while she was there. She said it was difficult finding one that she thought would fit Kevin because people just are built much differently over there. It fit perfectly though!! The craftsman ship was incredible and they are very soft and comfy.