Week 14 - If life hands you a lemon, name it Max

Welp.

Due to overwhelming peer pressure and an egotistical idea that others are interested in hearing about our exciting life as newlyweds and our ever encroaching journey into parenthood, we’ve decided to indulge both of our fans i.e. our parents and ourselves. Initially, this will most likely be the story of our lives told through my worldly, sophisticated, eh somewhat limited perspective.

Well let’s start this off like I used to teach lil boys how to swim. By throwing them kicking and screaming into the deep end, while telling them life jackets are for girls.

Early last week Kelci mentioned wanting to go to a wedding last Friday. Which normally is fine because Fridays usually consist of us watching TV in bed <- exciting. But this particular Friday we were heading home after work due to running a 5k with my sister Andrea early A.M. Saturday. So through the course of the week I was coerced into attending just the wedding. By Friday I was being pressured by both Kelci and her co-worker to stick around for the dinner and part of the dance. So I said we’d talk about it later. This is just another way of saying yes but with less of a “balls on a leash appearance”. So got off of work at 5 Friday and had an hour til I had to pick Kelci up to head to the downtown nuptials. 20 min before I head out I took the dog outside, and while he normally just hangs around and plays some fetch he decided to make a run for freedom. So I tore off after him barefoot and finally caught him 10 min and 2 blocks later. And while I was happy to snag him, I’m sure the cars driving by were wondering why I was tackling a pooping dog.

By the time I got home it was 5 til 6 and I was sweating in just a pair of shorts. So 5 min later I was dressed, the dog was fed and I was out the door, unfortunately apparently my outfit choice was lacking. Since the first thing Kelci noticed when I picked her up was how my shirt and pants ensemble did not match my black shoes, belt and watch. But it was too late and off to downtown we headed with Kelci’s Partner in Crime Heather (seriously they sometimes steal stuff) and 2 hours, a delicious dinner, 3 beers oh and a wedding later we headed back home, got the dog and started the drive to GB.

Early sat am we were up and out the door heading to Hays, Kansas. Being in Great Bend meant no Quik Trip Cappuccino/hot choc morning brew for Kelci but she was able to hold out until 11:30 for a race day cup of Jo. The only time she really ever drinks coffee. Arrived in Hays, got registered and 20 min of basketball warm up later we lined up to race. Gun went off and 20:29 later I crossed the line in 4^th Place behind 3 old local guys. Surprisingly my BIL was only 1 min back in 5^th place in his first 5k in years. After finishing I headed back out on the course a half mile or so until I found Andi trucking right along. She was able to finish up in just over 30 min and then it was time to eat the free papa murphys and wait around for the awards. Of which I was awarded an official Hays Rec Center Certificate of Achievement for my under 40 age-group placement.

After that we headed to Kelcis uncle’s house for some visiting, and then to a high school JV volleyball tourney to visit with one of Kelcis best friends, then it was back to Andi’s for some burgers and brats. Then it was back to the bend.

No time to rest up as we had to unload all the crap heirlooms from my parents storage shed, but we were rewarded with some Blue Beach Mexican food for our efforts. Then my parents and I crashed out in front of the TV while Kelci headed to her parents in Hoisington.

Sunday came too early as my dad and I were up early to finish working on a garden project that’s been a few months in the making. We have a nice tiered garden framed in with 4x4s as well as a nice rock garden with fire pit and limestone benches. It was a lot of work but turned out extremely awesome. After that we watched the chiefs end their win streak and then I headed to Hoisington. After a delicious dinner we settled down for a serious game of Pollyanna. After a thorough trashing of Doug and Kelci, they just had to have a rematch to try for redemption and they barely pulled it off in a close 2^nd game

Monday was a holiday so we were able to stay in Ho-town for another night and were up early Monday to head to the local elementary school where the kindergarten classes were in need of a skilled Juggler, because they were learning about Jennie the Juggling Jaguar. So I got up there in front of 50 or so Kindergarteners and wowed them with my tricks. Aside from smacking a few kids with errant balls it turned out pretty well.

After that it was a round of golf with my father in law and Kelcis grandfather which was a pretty good time. We played on a little private club course in Claflin Kansas and were the only players there. Had a few birdies and a few pars but mostly +1’s and finished the day 19 over the par of 68…but It was with borrowed clubs so I’ll take it.

Later that evening it was off to Kelci’s youngest brother’s JV football game where we watched the team dominate and Bryce pick up a pretty sweet interception and run down a breakaway runner. Then it was back to the house to grab the dog and start the trek back to Wichita. And thank you Mr. Columbus for the long weekend but now it’s back to the grind.

Kelci here.

So as Kevin said we are starting a blog so that our family and friends can stay updated with our current happenings. Not that they will be the most intriguing but they are ours so they will be unique. And I'm sure they will be more exciting when our little avocado enters the world!

I have to start by saying that I don't know that Kevin's perspective will be all that different from mine but he feels that it will... so here is my take on the weekend.

Friday we went to a wedding of a new friend from work. I had been looking forward to it for some time and I guess I just assumed Kevin knew I had it planned? I guess we didn't coordinate schedules very well because he had us leaving for Great Bend right after work. By using our cooperating skills we decided that we would stay for the wedding only and then head out. Kevin decided, however, that using Budweiser to carb load would be a great idea and downed 3 beers and some champaign in 30 minutes. So we stayed a bit longer than planned and had fun with friends from work. Congrats to Kristin and Corey by the way! :)

Saturday morning we were up with the sun for our trip to Hays with the in-laws Bob and Darlene. We made great time and got to Sean and Andrea's house before schedule. We gave our niece, Lyla, her Halloween present (a baby Ipod... how cute huh?) and we continued our journey to Hays. The race was fun but geezo guys you could have made it last a bit longer! ;) Congrats to Kevin, Andi, and Sean for completing the 5K! After the race we went to see my baby cousin Taylon but he wasn't there so we talked to my Uncle Tyler instead... not that Taylon was our only reason for stopping or anything. (Kidding Uncle Ty) Then to see Sarah Sue and back to Andi's for a BBQ. We got to spend a ton of time with Lylabug and I got a new watch so the day was very enjoyable. Back to GB for supper and then on to Hoisington for the night.

Sunday was church with the fam then pizza and the Chiefs game. Then Dad and I vs Mom and Kevin in Pollyanna...only the best game in the world! It was a tie in the end - 1 to 1.

Monday we stayed in Hoisington since the CU was closed for the holiday. We went to Mom's school where Kevin juggled (it's amazing what kids will laugh at) and then the boys went golfing and I stayed and helped Mom in the classroom for the rest of the day. Monday night we went to Bryce's game! The first one I've got to see this year. :( But it was awesome and he made up for it by making a great tackle and an interception. After that is was goodbyes and back to Wichita. A long but very eventful weekend I would say! And now you've got to hear about it twice! Lucky you...