CamPort - 2008-December

CamPort > 2008 > 2008-December

Hope you had a Merry Chrismas!
2008-12-30 (Tuesday) 14:02 CST

Preparing for Christmas
2008-12-27 (Saturday) 20:15 CST

Cookie decorating with Sarah and Amelia!

Cameron's Christmas Program at Preschool!

Union Station Christmas Train Exhibit.

Sledding Fun
2008-12-25 (Thursday) 22:44 CST

I finally remembered to purchase sleds before the snow started falling again this winter. Last winter, I kept saying we would buy them before the next snowfall, but it never happened. This day we had just a light snowfall, but the weather was warm enough to go outside and enjoy sledding in our backyard for a brief time. There have been a couple of snowfalls since, but not the right consistancy for sledding, and it has been bitter cold. The boys really want to build a snowman this winter, but we haven't had the right conditions yet. We still have plenty of winter ahead of us, so let's not wish for a several inches of snow because it just might happen.

Celebrating the Arts
2008-12-24 (Wednesday) 16:28 CST

Cam and I enjoyed a night celebrating the performing arts. We attended a spectacular performance by a local Christian Youth Theater group performing "Joseph and the Amazing Thechnicolor Dreamcoat" with music by Andrew Lloyd Webber. We met some friends, pictured with Cam is Isabella and her cousin. Cameron knew the story of Joseph and followed along with the scenes. I could tell Cameron's little wheels were turning because he asked questions non-stop, even after the show, he continued asking about the characters and whether they were the "real Joseph" or not. He was so excited when Joseph got his coat back. I was kept entertained with the interesting music which took the audience through different genres for each scene. Cam and I will definetly be attending another musical performed by this theater group this spring.

Silver Dollar Holiday
2008-12-23 (Tuesday) 18:43 CST

When I was a kid, my parents took my sister's and I to Branson on at least once a year, usuallly in the summer. I have taken the boys a couple of times during the summer time to carry on this tradition. But I recall visiting Silver Dollar City during their Christmas Festival at least once during my childhood. Well, my parents treated us for weekend in Branson for the Holiday Festtival. The night we arrived, it was freezing, so we attended The Dixie Stampede, which had a special Christmas theme and incorporated a live Nativity and then other fun holiday performances with horse tricks. Prior to the main show, they had a preshow juggler that was the most amazing performer we had ever seen. Unfortunetly, we were unable to photograph during the shows, so the only shot at got was after the shows, the boys were able to stand near a performer and pet one of the horses.

The next day in Branson warmed up 30 degrees to the upper 40's and 50's, which was great for a day outside. The great thing about attending Silver Dollar City this late in year, was there were no long lines to any ride and you didn't have to fight large crowds. Below are some shots from our day.

The first thing Cameron wanted to venture to was the infamous "gun game" aka "The Mine". Cameron rode this ride that consisted of riding a boat through a canal with several figures to shoot at. There were several kiddie rides open that we all enjoyed, including Porter. The last ride of the day was "Fire in the Hole", which Cameron got me to ride, but continues to frighten me to this day. It is a pretty tame roller coaster, but I have never liked it being dark. Cameron, however, was much braver and went back for another ride, but not with me.

On our way South to Branson we had a short visit in Bolivar to visit Grandparents and and some little cousins that we have not seen about a year. It was really nice seeing everyone again, even for a short time.

Autumn Getaway to Weston
2008-12-21 (Sunday) 17:28 CST

On one of the last warm days in November, we took a short scenic drive to Weston, MO where we captured all the changing colors in the leaves. We had a picnic in the state park and took a stroll towards the river, and saw a train up close (which always thrills Porter).

After leaving the park, we headed into the small quaint town of Weston. Matt and I participated in wine tasting at Pirtle Winery and enjoyed a bottle of blackberry mead in their courtyard. The mead was very flavorful and more enjoyable than their grape wine selection. We were on our way home, when we noticed a sign pointing toward a brewery. Well, we never can pass up a chance to taste a unique ale or lager. Well this brewery was Irish, which made it all the more interesting, the bar was down in a cold cellar-type room with an Irish musician playing. My sister, Rachel, and my parents would love it. I told them after our trip, we will definetly go back to Weston next fall and take them with us. I am so thankful we made the trip on one of most beautiful days.

The Christmas Story
2008-12-16 (Tuesday) 22:42 CST

Grandma B, Cameron, and I were sitting at the table today to reenact the Nativity with Cameron's playmobil Nativity characters. We were setting up the characters, when Cameron looked at his gingerbread house we had made yesterday which was sitting on the table as well and said, "hey this could be where Jesus was born". I told him, no, remember, Jesus was born in a stable in Bethlehem, maybe it could be the house they traveled from from Jerusalem. Cameron said, "No, this can be the inn that had no room for them and they had to stay the night in the stable with the cattle". Then Cameron proceeded to tell the story of the night Jesus was born. Grandma and I just looked in amazement at how well he recalled the story of Jesus's birth.

Elite runners all around
2008-12-06 (Saturday) 10:55 CST

Just two weeks after the Columbia half-marathon, Sarah competed in the 2008 Waddell & Reed Kansas City Half Marathon. I like this picture I took early in the morning at the beginning of the race; it conveys a sense of her extreme speed.

She posted a great time of 1:31:15 in this very challenging race, good enough for 10th place out of 2059 female finishers. That means she finished in the top one-half of one percent (0.5%) -- talk about elite!

In addition, Sarah's relative Nick drove down from Wisconsin to run in the full marathon. Nick is another elite distance runner, with several marathons under his belt. He posted an awe-inspiring personal-best time of 2:41:54, good enough for 8th place out of 781 male finishers. What a performance! Just like Sarah, he keeps getting better with every race.

I think I speak for our entire family when I say we are extremely proud of our top 10 finishers!

Victorious!
2008-12-06 (Saturday) 9:55 CST

This post is rather late, but Sarah's extensive training over the summer months paid off on 5 October when she WON the 2008 Wilson's Half Marathon Challenge (in Columbia) in a lighting-fast time of 1:31:18!

She didn't just win her age group, she won the ENTIRE RACE. It was her first race victory. Yay, Sarah!

The finish line was on the Mizzou campus just north of the Quad, near the new Reynolds Journalism Institute, which had its grand opening just a few weeks before the race. As you may know, I was involved in the design of this facility, so it was neat to take the family on a quick tour while we waited for Sarah's awards ceremony.

Sarah's prize was a certificate for a new pair of running shoes at The Starting Block .

Last modified: 2009-02-04 (Wednesday) 16:43 CST