January 2019

This year I am trying to change a few things about myself and how I function on a normal basis. I want to make 2019 the year when I try to start getting my priorities aligned more how I would want them, which is God first, family, work, and then Kentucky sports. Sometimes I get these things out of order and I want to make a valiant effort to try and keep these in check this year. Our year started out with Jennifer at work for New Years Eve. So, for the first time in my life I didn't even stay up until midnight to watch the ball drop in New York City. I went to bed early so that I could get up and start the year on a fresh note.

We got a lot of new board games from family for Christmas so we had to break them out and play them over the Christmas break. Landon really studying the Clue board.

Our first game of Junior Ticket to Ride. Brinley is holding up her Golden Ticket that she got for being the winner.

This game, 5 Minute Marvel, was a huge hit with Landon. You get to play with all kinds of superheros and you fight against evil bad guys.

 I heard that Benny Snell, Jr. was going to be doing an autograph tour. I really wanted to go meet him and take the kids. It was insanely busy with over 400 groups of people waiting to meet Benny. Thankfully he stayed around to meet everyone, including us who had ticket number 326.

Brinley and Benny!

The kids and Benny. Landon really wanted to tell him "Snell Yeah", but it was so loud in the restaurant that there is no way he would have ever heard Landon say it.

So glad to meet the all-time leading rusher in UK Football history. So, glad that I got to see him do work up close this year with my role on the Committee of 101.

I was lucky enough to find this jersey the night before the signing. I was so distracted when it was our turn to meet Benny that I forgot to tell them that I wanted him to sign the front of the jersey. I wanted this because the back didn't have his name on it and I really wouldn't want to have it displayed if it just looked like a blue jersey that was signed. 

While I was in the mood of hanging up stuff I finally decided to hang up my signed UK basketball jerseys. I have Malik Monk, Jamal Murray, and Keven Knox. My UK sports memorabilia area has become a nice little collection.

 Landon has a summer birthday and was really upset last year when it rolled around to Brinley's birthday and she got to take treats to school. We decided to make it up to Landon by celebrating his half-birthday. He picked for us to bring donuts to school for him and all of his friends. He was so excited about being able to celebrate with all of his friends.

We stuck these little dinosaur heads that were filled with candy in the donuts. Landon got to pick out what kind of donut and he picked original glaze so that everyone would like them.

As much as I volunteer at the school I very rarely have ever stayed for lunch. Well, the first time that I stayed for lunch this year was on Landon's half birthday. He loved having me sit with him at a special table. I asked him if he wanted me to stay and eat lunch with Brinley after his class got done. He said no, so I left and went home before Brinley's class came into the cafeteria.

I am a huge advocate of blood donation. I get to see first hand at work what blood products are used for. That is why every 2 months I go in and give my donation to help save a life. It is relatively quick and painless in the long run. I of course was also excited about it being a competition between UK and the University of Florida for Big Blue Slam. They usually hold the event at Rupp Arena, but for some reason they didn't this year. Thankfully we were able to beat Florida in the blood drive and on the basketball court this year!

The kids are always asking to go and do fun stuff. So one afternoon I took the kids to Monkey Joe's so that they could run around and bounce until their little bodies couldn't take it any more. They had a blast. I hate just sitting and doing nothing so I walked laps around the inside of the building. The people working and people in there watching kids probably thought I was a crazy man, but it made me feel like it wasn't wasted time.

Jennifer and I took the kids down to Rupp Arena to see the gymnastics team compete against Arkansas at Excite Night. They got their faces painted (Brinley a dolphin and Landon a dinosaur claw) and then after we found our seats we ran into Scratch!

I was working the event as a member of the Committee of 101 but was able to find a little time to spend with these awesome little kids. They really enjoyed the Rupp Arena ice cream as well!

We weren't exactly sure what all we were seeing the whole time, but the crowd sure went wild every time one of the UK gymnasts landed a stunt. 

My little girl loved it! She said that she wanted to start taking gymnastics afterwards.

Look at that smile! Little girl lost her 3rd tooth and the first on the top.

She had to get her tooth holder so that the tooth fairy could come visit her. She was lucky enough to get $5 from the tooth fairy the next morning.

We have been doing some cleaning around the house and I found my old wallet. I asked Landon if he wanted it! You would have thought that I had given him a family heirloom. The kid was so excited and was even happy about all the old "credit cards" that I left in it for him. They were actually old discount cards and loyalty cards to some old businesses. The only thing that he kept asking me about was why he didn't have an ID. I did some research and found out that if you go down to the local DMV that you can get your child an ID. These kids patiently waited in line for about 20 minutes and then smiled so big when they were taking their picture. Definitely worth the 4 dollars that it cost!

I have been working all the home basketball games this year and haven't gotten to experience the thrill of siting in the stands and not having to worry about helping people find a seat or showing someone wear the nearest concession stand or bathroom were located.  I had even gotten new seats for my season tickets. I finally got to sit in them for the Kansas game.

My forever date. Happy to finally have a night out on the town with my favorite lady.

The kids and I went to see Rapunzel at the Lexington Children's Theatre. Brinley really enjoyed it and even wanted her picture made in the photo with props to make her look like Rapunzel. Landon wanted no part in it. Before the show they had where you could make encouragement signs for a local outreach group and their upcoming race. Landon was a little pouty because he wanted to make and keep a sign. I did help him make a sign and it said "Run like a Dinosaur is chasing you!". Too bad I didn't take a picture of it. 

Landon did however want to get a picture with the actress that played Rapunzel. This was a very unique intrepretation of Rapunzel and it was abstract at times. Only 3 characters told the entire story and there was very minimal use of props. I actually took a quick little nap during the middle of it! Turning more into my dad each and every day! When it was over both kids said that they really enjoyed it, so that was a win!

After out first cancelled day of school due to increased illness in the county, we finally got to celebrate the 100th day of school! Landon picked out the theme of his shirt and then Jennifer and I helped with the execution of the design. I think it turned out pretty awesome! Landon really loved it and he got lots of complements on it.

I decided to stay and have lunch with the kids again. All the kids wanted to come over and sit beside us, but the teacher told them that they weren't allowed. So, I just got to spend some one on one time with my little man.

A few minutes after Landon's lunch was over this wonderful little girl walked in with her class for lunch. She was so surprised because I hadn't mentioned anything about having lunch with her. I was so excited that I was able to surprise her. We had a great time talking about her day so far.

The kids also had their first snow days of the year and we got a little stir crazy in the house so we broke out one afternoon and headed to Chuck E. Cheese for a little fun. The kids played and so did Jennifer and I! Here is my favorite picture of the day because Jennifer usually hates this place and I think she actually had some fun this time. I kept feeding her coins and she got all of these tickets! Landon is looking on from behind and doesn't know what to think.

The kids loved this racing game and Brinley was so pumped that she came in first place. The game even took her picture which I thought was pretty hilarious. 

This January was a great start to the year. We had a lot of fun over the last month. We can't wait to see what this year has in store for us, like starting my new job in a couple of months. The kids are growing up so fast and we want to enjoy every moment possible with these two wonderful children. May 2019 be an amazing and happy year for you and your family! Can't wait to see what other fun things happen this year. Thanks for reading and God bless!