Super Bowl, super fun

Flat Jason's presence was requested at MU Extension 4-H State Teen Conference by some of the State 4-H Council members, but he didn't really mind. He got to meet Miss Missouri Lacey Fitzgerald. She didn't seem to mind either. Ha.

Later, we were invited over to the Costas for a Super Bowl party. Diana, Flat Jason and I had chips and salsa while we watched, umm...mostly talked through, the first half of the game. We also switched over to Puppy Bowl a few times. I was excited that the kitty halftime started several minutes before The Boss took the stage at the real halftime.

Jason C. grilled steak when he got home from work, and Diana made green beans and potatoes. I did nothing but enjoy a wonderful meal. After the game, I got to try out their Wii. It was so much fun! Now I just need to convince Flat Jason to buy me one.

A pleasant winter shower

With Jason coming home and our welcome home/wedding reception wingding just around the corner, a few family members were generous enough to throw us a wedding shower. Even more family members and friends were generous enough to attend and give or send gifts. It sure was nice to visit with everyone and we got to enjoy cake made by Kim and punch made by Aunt Ginny. The lovely flowers that adorned the table were from Jackie.

I had wanted to make Flat Jason come, but it was just as well that he didn't. No boys came; he would have felt awkward. So when I brought all the loot home, he took his time going through it. We got several nifty things that will make our married life better, including matching towels, matching bed clothes and Pyrex bowls. He had fun wearing the bows, but do you think he's going to pitch in with his share of the thank you notes? I don't think so...

Flat Jason's vacation funds

Can you see how excited Flat Jason is? That's because he now has a new piggy bank in which to save his vacation funds.







Our friends Mandi and Jason went on a Carribean cruise to celebrate Jason coming home from his tour in Afghanistan. While they were in the Cayman Islands, they picked up a small trinket for us. It's such a thoughtful gift because Jason and I are saving for our eventual honeymoon to France.

Ernie's on Saturday

When Jason and I started dating, he wanted to eat at Ernie's. I was opposed to unfamiliar eateries, but he insisted and Ernie's won me over.

It had been a while since I had eaten there so Flat Jason and I went to Ernie's on Saturday. I tried to get there early, but it seems I'm chronically late. There was quite a crowd a little after 8. We ended up chatting with a nice lady named Bernetta from Moberly. She was eating breakfast while her husband was in a meeting.

Breakfast was delicious, but in the end my eyes were bigger than my stomach. I couldn't finish my stack of pancakes, and Flat Jason wasn't much help.

Wait for a lane

Hmm...either bowling is getting more popular or the people of Columbia are going stir-crazy, which wouldn't be hard with this confusing summer-fall-winter weather we've been having lately.

We had to wait a few minutes for a lane this time, but that just gave us more time to talk. Even though the waiting took some time out of everything, we still fit in two games. I got a 102 and a 91.

Kiss me at midnight

Flat Jason sure had fun on New Year's Eve! We braved the cold to stop by the Magic Tree in the south part of Columbia. There was a lot more blue in it than I remember, but, as always, it was incredibly beautiful. There was a steady stream of cars filled with people who made their way through the neighborhood to see the Magic Tree. A nice young lady volunteered to take our photo.

Then, we drove to the Schad house. We watched a few movies and celebrated at midnight. Cheers and happy 2009!

Meneely Christmas

Meneely Christmas began with Flat Jason and I dusting off my bowling shoes at a different bowling alley, Fast Lane in Chillicothe. (I still say it should have been Chilli Bowl, Justin.) We bowled a couple games with some of the cousins, though not everyone made it to the bowling alley for the little pre-party fun.

Next, we joined the rest of the family at Uncle John and Aunt Marilyn's for dinner at 5. There were more people than usual and there was much discussion about the seating arrangement. At one point in the evening, Steve abandoned his wife and fetus to pretend to enjoy very odd stories from the family patriarch at the adult table. Another highlight was explaining to poor Casey, our family's newest addition via Marissa, what gooseberries are and daring him to eat gooseberry pie. Ah, what are holidays without a little family torture?

I presided over the white elephant gift exchange once again this year and was pleased to see several good steals, including John stealing a lava lamp from Lauren and Grandpa stealing a stuffed animal from his great-granddaughter. (He gave it back after it was over.) Perhaps the most disheartening steal of all was when Aunt Dorlene stole the African mask from Jason that he had stolen from Grandpa. He so had his heart set on it. I'm sorry, FJ.