Thanksgiving Frivolity!

I arrived in Pendleton for my Thanksgiving holiday on November 20th. I was so excited because my whole family was going to present, the likes of which has been difficult to achieve since we have all dispersed ourselves across the U.S. "trying to make better lives for our posterity" or something. To back up a little bit - a few weeks before the trip I had bought myself a gray valour sweatsuit. Feeling a little bit like a grandma, I hesitantly purchased the sweatsuit because it was affordable, soft, and what can I say COMFORTABLE! After wearing said sweatsuit I discovered IT WAS SO WORTH IT and immediately decided that all the women in my family needed one. I took it upon myself to supply them with this valour sweatsuit of dreams knowing that during our Thanksgiving binge-fest it would be all too important for us to have comfortable lounging equipment. I bought one for Heather, Melanie (brother's wife) and my Momma! Shortly after saying my hellos and getting slightly settled at my parents house I couldn't resist distributing the merchandise. They were, of course, a hit and a ridiculous picture taking fest ensued. Please enjoy the following photos as I briefly paraphrase the verbiage that was exchanged. Beware, they are numerous and not for the young and innocent! Nonetheless the hilarity cannot go unshared. The world must know.

We will start out the "gray valour sweatsuit of dreams photo shoot" with what we can call a "normal" pose.
*please note that I am leaving out 10-15 pictures that show the complete progression of ridiculosity (yes, I just made that word up) - however, what is shown here is entirely sufficient*

At this point, I think it was something to this extent "What should we do next, huh?! huh?! huh?!" "I know, we could sit on laps!" "yeah!!" Meanwhile, Spencer (Heather's husband) does his best to repel the cheesiness whilst remaining an excellent photographer.

"Vogue". Need I say more?




And then, the moment that altered the course of the entire Thanksgiving Holiday. The dreaded Pyramid. Yes folks, you've guessed it. We decided that a pyramid would be all too appropriate for the mood of our "gray valour sweatsuit of dreams photo shoot". Melanie and I suggested that Heather be on top since she is the smallest. Heather was concerned about hurting us since she has "boney" knees. But Melanie and I insisted that we were tough enough and it would be okay. So Heather did what she had to do - she climbed on.

It didn't stop there though, her concern persisted and she tried to put it into words. Being of Wendler descent it was difficult for Heather to express herself. So she just blurted out what she was trying to say........and out came: "Am I boning you?"

Watch and enjoy as the laughter progresses for about 5 minutes. All were with tears in theirs eyes except Spencer, who just kept taking pictures. What follows are the best captured pictures of the most gut-wrenching laughter I have personally experienced in a long time.

Here I think Heather was "trying to explain herself" while continuing to laugh. It's okay Heather - we all know what you really meant...

Yes, after all that, we attempted the pyramid AGAIN!!!! I would say a success, but not for Spencer who was "in for the kill". The photographer in him had been released and he started barking out orders!! "Heather, move your head to the right. More. More. Now, down a little. Okay, hold it right there."

And here we have it. The animal, who was styling it up in a "gray valour sweat-suit of dreams", that Spencer fiercely pierced in the head with an arrow! SUCCESS!! (on SO many levels!)

My running Pal, Kathryn!

When I traveled to Oregon for Thanksgiving, I stopped in Portland to reunite with my old running buddy who has long since deserted me - leaving me in Houston to brave the runs alone! We went on a great rain run along the Columbia River in Portland. It was cold, wet, rainy, painful, and delightful! We ran somewhere between 9 and 10 miles. I will call it 10! Ha! I really miss Oregon and it was so great to see so much of Portland - even if it was gray and rainy! We took this picture at the end of the run. I am pretty sure Kathryn hates it but I think we look victorious! I sure miss you Kathyrn! It was awesome to see you again and get in a good hearty run! Wish we could have spent more time together! Maybe someday John and I will kidnap all of our friends and family and keep them on our property deep in the mountains - somewhere nobody will find them! MUAHAHAHAHA!!!!

Pedernales Falls State Park

A long while ago, around the beginning of November John and I went to Austin with some friends. We had planned to hike at a state park just west of Austin and then go to a comedy theatre in the city that night. Well, the term "planned" can be used loosely. John planned the event. I was not aware that it was going to happen until the day before! There was a ton of junk that I needed to tend to and I was leaving for a long Thanksgiving break shortly after this. Plus, our car had been in and out of the shop and was late on its state inspection. John's scooter was broken - AGAIN and I am sure some other things went wrong. I started out as a party pooper for this reason. I am always asking John to plan things but then when he does I am a poop about it! Something I need to work on! Anyway, we had a rough morning before we left and still couldn't pass the inpsection. John and I were both grumpy and the thought of a three hour ride with three people crammed in the front of this red truck shown below was not exciting. We left Houston WAY later than we had planned, but we were determined!

In this picture we were trying to take an angry picture in hopes of doing a "before/after" thing. You know, angry before the hike and chipper after. Anyway, we had this guy who "crashed" at his friends house the night before take this picture for us. Awkward to begin with but we were all trying to look mad and were laughing. We got a couple of good angry ones, which as it turns out aren't as cool now that I have this story......the best part about this photo session was the friendly stranger who, after taking 5-6 pictures, politely informed us that we weren't smiling! Ha!

At the park prior to the hike. Another clencher to the great mood was that amidst trying to get the heck out of the house and load John's scooter in the truck I asked John to grab the dog leashes when he went to lock up the house. He either didn't hear me, or forgot amidst the rush of getting to Austin ASAP. As you notice in this picture I am using a primitive rope that is wrapped around my hand 15 times. It did the trick!


Me, Aaron, and Walter. Two of John's friends from medical school. Walter is in his residency in San Antonio and he drove up to meet us for the day/evening.

In the element. One with nature...

Little Chester. Also one with nature.

The bluffs. Charlie is trying to get up to me. He gets very concerned when I climb things. Rightfully so, I suppose!


The turn around point. So pretty, even in the fall! I imagine it is very lush in the spring and summer.

SUCCESS! So much fun! Thanks to John for planning it!