Chicago Blackhawks stretching out

Chris Chelios

Players warming up

Ty Conklin is originally from Anchorage, Alaska

Jared and most of his team were lucky enough to be able to sit in the penalty boxes during warm-ups. Only 14 of the 19 players that were with them could do it, so they drew names. Jared made it.

He said he touched Chelios! =)

Carpet in the locker-room

They also got to go into the Detroit Redwings locker-room after the game! How cool was that. Here Jared got a couple of the guys lockers. All the players were working out in the weight room. I guess they told the boys, they have a game in a few days, and they were already warmed up from just playing, so it was the best time to work out! Way cool!

Tournament Champions!!

Jared front row, first one on the left.

Champions!

Jared's Allstar U16A team is in Detroit at the Honeybaked Christmas Tourney.

Today was the last day.

Here are their games:

vs. Honeybaked Lost 3-0

vs. Orchard Lake Won 4-2

vs. Lansing Capitals Won 5-0

vs. Canton Crush Won 5-0

Semi-final game vs. Victory Honda Won 4-2

Championship vs. Honeybaked Won 3-2

Yeah, they are the champs!

Jared had 2 goals (1 in the semi and 1 in the championship) and 2 assists in the earlier games.

This picture is not from the tourney, but I am not there to take any. =(

Tomorrow they were suppose to get a rematch scrimmage with Detroit Lil' Ceasars (who they beat earlier this season), but that fell through.

They are going to the Detroit Redwings vs. the Chicago Blackhawks NHL game tomorrow, then flying home early on the 31st. Just in time to take in the New Year!

Common thread?

Peace out!

Christmas Night

My dad with his Sarah Palin calendar
Jenna and her cat

Matt (Just flew in from work from up North) and his girlfriend Terryn.

Maggie and Carson getting ready to eat dinner.

The family sitting down to eat. (Jared was in Anchorage getting ready to go to Detroit with his hockey team, and Derek was at work, almost off....he eats Prime rib at work, so he wasn't left hungry).

Christmas Morning 08' at our house...

Derek opening his gift.
Jared's turn...

Nice shirt Carson...

(boys up at 4:30am)

Remember that Pattycakes shirt I wanted?

more Christmas Eve...

Jared got to open his gifts from his Aunts, Uncles and Grandparents early, as he is leaving for Detroit on Christmas day with his hockey team at 3pm, and will miss out on Christmas dinner and the gift exchange of real gifts. Here he opens up a rip stick.
Nice A&F shirt Uncle Steve picked out for him. Good job Steve!

Carson with Macy!

Maggie and Macy

Macy's first Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve Fun...

So we have this tradition with the family, where we do a 'White Elephant' gift exchange on Christmas Eve. It is a mix of new stuff, old stuff that you no longer want, gag gifts etc.

We draw numbers, #1 goes first, picks a gift, #2 can either steal the gift or pick a new one, and so on. Here Jared picked his gift.....a fuzzy love poster, and a American Doll book...Just what every 15 year old teen wants! haha

Whew!! Cousin Maggie stole from him!

Indiana Jones movie...thats better!

I stole this idea from Carson friend Jason....for their hockey gift exchange, Jason made a shirt of himself as a joke, and it went over really well. So I made a shirt up of each family member, maybe not looking their absolute best, or looking funny. Jenna ended up with it...(along with a gift card)....maybe the shirt will be back next year, who knows. We had a picture of my Dad wearing Elf Shorts with bells and all, that got passed at the party every year, and suddenly it stopped coming....I think my Dad was the last one to get it....go figure.

Here Uncle Mike is goofing around with a head scratcher.

Christmas Eve 08

Almost the whole Alaska gang.....(missing is Matt)
Us...

My brother Steve and Family

My Mom and Dad looking good...

Jared and Carson

When I was going over to my parents house, I saw this sky, and took a picture. I thought it was really pretty.
The boys at dinner last night at Two Rivers Lodge.

FOR TODAY December 15, 2008

Outside my window...Getting dark fast...shortest day of the year is almost here.

I am thinking...Im hungry.

I am thankful for...my parents getting back safely from their cruise!

From the kitchen...I smell homemade cookies and muffins that Derek made today.

I am wearing...black long sleeved shirt, jeans and slippers.

I am creating...I just made Holiday gifts for my kinder students.

I am going...out to dinner tonight with the family. (why do most people think it is weird that we bring the kids?? We have 30+ years to spend alone when the kids are gone, I just don't get that?)

I am reading...this terribly boring book called Tunnels.

I am hoping...that my brother Mike and his wife have a nice anniversary on Wednesday! #24!

I am hearing...Judge Judy in the background on the TV.

Around the house...It needs to be cleaned. Wrapping and Christmas stuff laying around, along with paint and things.

One of my favorite things...Carson telling me about his day after school. (which he is doing right now!)

A few plans for the rest of the week: I need to finish Christmas shopping!

Here is picture thought I am sharing...

Here is how I spent part of Saturday and Sunday. making santa out of plain brown paintbrushes for my kindergarten kids. I will hand them out this week.

While I was driving to work on Friday, I spotted this moon, and thought it looked really nice.
Carson sitting with Santa at his hockey organization Christmas party.

The Nativity scene that is set up outside in my yard. I bought it at a garage sale 2 summers ago for $50 bucks.

My friend Bill forwarded this photo to me this morning. I passed it along to my friend Gayle, who thought maybe that it was taken in Anchorage. It looks like it could be Anchorage to me as well. It is a cool shot regardless, and I wanted to share it.

Friday Favorite picture of the past...

Tis the season...