Day Eight: ALMOST a vacation day in the 400.

Because of all the new people coming in for just the 400hr, the ones that just went through the 300 only had to attend the morning session this Saturday, and then have the rest of the day off.

Nate and I were lucky enough to hit up the Farmers Market before class which was awesome, unless you count that we got a loaf of apple bread that was totally polished off within 24 hours. But it was delicious.

And we also fit in brunch with my lovely and awesome family (minus mom, but she's cool too ;-) ). The boys (Tim, dad, and Chris) were all going down to KC for the weekend to attend two of the Red Sox games and decided they missed me enough to come down a little early and feed us breakfast foods and hear all about it. After one long week with a long week ahead of me, being around people that I can be at complete ease with, was exactly what I needed. As was the few bites of Tim's pumpkin pancakes ;-)

Our one session of the day was Advanced Sequencing. I figured it would be teaching us how to sequence a class that we teach outside of Adamantine. Wrong. Not even close. Basically he described how he formatted Adamantine (balance within the limbs) and compared it to other ways you could format a class around, such as the meridian system or the chakras. He went through the Chakra system, which I actually thought was really cool. I was pretty fascinated in it, and I followed the concept well enough that I would love to teach a class following it sometime. Working through all the chakras within the class.

This was the same time that I wrote this less than upbeat and perky post....

And the rest of the day was full of rest and relaxation with some furry felines. 

Non Yoga (ok, mostly kitty) of the 300/400 Yoga Training Weeks

DPP 22: Taco Eating Father!

I'd be creeped out too by all the little dolls watching me eat my tacos....

DPP 19: GO AWAY SNOW!

Not even 10pm and tomorrow is totally ruined by the "Snowpocalypse". Stupid cancellations. Stupid snow. I am boycotting by refusing to post a picture of it! So here is Chloe, one of my parents cat's posing for their birthday gift a few weeks ago. 

DPP 3: Fly Away!

My parents left on their annual birthday trip. Peru's Machu Picchu. I'm hoping for a Llama souvenir! Not a stuffed one. Full sized. For Nessa to ride around on.

Happy Fathers Day!

My daddy took me to bagels every Thursday morning to help me study for my spelling tests. :-)

I have to work a men's basketball game tonight (just like every other night of the week it seems). Not super thrilled. I'll just hold out hope that the halftime act doesn't show up so my dad will race out mid court and perform his "talent" act.

Mr Napkin Head.

Yes, Mr Napkin Head is his talent, and he likes to perform this act at as many family meals as he can. Even in public. He also watches The Holiday at least once a month. Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome to the court, Mr Napkin Head.

(Above picture is not Mr Napkin Head, usually we're laughing too hard to take a picture)

Only boys...

DPP #24: Welcome to family Christmas. (Actual post to follow, but these kids exhaust me)

DPP #20: Even my Panther Purple kicks didn't help at tonight's game. But the boys cheered them on anyway!

DPP #4: Meals and Muppets!

DPP 4: My wunderbar parents got back from Germany late last night. They went for a week of Christmas Market hopping to celebrate both their birthdays.

We celebrated today with family meals and the Muppet movie (at his request).

Cupcakes fix failure.

Clearly I failed on my Yoga Challenge. Oh well, no one seemed to be paying too much attention as it was. So I shall just randomly insert some thoughts on it every once in awhile to scratch that itch and we will all call it good, cool?

In the mean time, I'll get back to the equally boring updates about everything else I do. Which pretty much equates to kitty cats, food, and travel. The trifecta of ClareAwesome.

Ok, this post already has too much ego, so let's leave you with some mouth watering pictures of the cupcakes my Daddy got me for my birthday a week and a half ago. He came into the office with a box of 12, to do with as I saw fit. Talk about handing a pyro some matches.....

Throwback Thursday: July 1991

It's been awhile since I posted a Throwback, but I am currently working on Meg's wedding pictures, so here's a rather self explanatory one for you. The ultimate best part is Dad's facial expression.

Wrapping up Colorado!

So thanks Mom and Dad for a great week in Colorado. Full of fun, food, and family frenzy. From dad's "magic tricks" to mom's spoiling us with Daylight Donuts, it was worth the long drive there. Thanks for loving us and taking us with you, especially over your anniversary! And thanks for always making us laugh :-)

Throwback Thursday: Yee Haw!

I'll be honest, I have zero idea when or where this picture was taken, but let's pretend that its Colorado! Mainly because for the next week, that's where I will be. The glorious land where the air is crisp, clear, and not a thousand degrees heat index. There is really no dedicated plan other than relaxation, a day trip to Denver (Whole Foods and Lululemon!), relaxation, the Breckenridge Alpine slides (weeeeeee), a bit more relaxation, some birthday rock climb with the brobro, and perhaps even a relaxing picnic mountainside!

I cannot wait. We used to go to Colorado all the time when I was growing up. To me it felt like every summer, but I guess I really have no idea if we really did go that often, but it felt like it. Now adays we don't get away out west that often, in fact, I haven't been since before the wedding, and Tim has never been with the Nordyke clan. So its about time!
Everyone really needs to experience sandwiches and shared bags of chips mountainside, getting back in the car halfway through cause its too cold, too windy, or too buggy. But still fun. Less fun was the time that one of my hiking boots got left because it fell out during one of the described lunches, and wasn't noticed til hours later. Lost to the bears for good!

But this year, something tells me my mom won't have packed a box of books in the back for me. Babysitters Club, Thoroughbred Series, Sixteen Candles Club all kept me busy during the long hours in the car. My brother had a box of new toys (not exactly as much of a reader as I was). The catch was that we could only pick out of the box once a day. So once I finished my book, I was out of luck until the next day. This box of books was big enough as it was! Needless to say, I'm kind of a speed reader....

Have a great week people, stay inside, watch KathyLee & Hoda, and make some ice cream! Sounds good enough to me! :-)

Sangria is American, right?

We arrived back in the glorious USA just in time for Independence Day, and despite my absence in the days up to it, Tim decided to host a 4th of July party. Now, it does make sense, cause we have the best view intown for our measly version of fireworks. But they are fireworks nonetheless, and its a great reason to have people over, especially when Tim is willing to clean the whole house in preparation and me being gone. I mean, I COULD have done it the morning of, but I was so beat that really the only thing I got done besides baking was some of this action...
But really, who would give up a perfectly precious nap with three cuddling felines in order to clean their bathroom? Not me! And while I was in sweet slumber, he was busy prepping a delicious rack of ribs, slow roasted all afternoon, and then grilled to perfection! All I had to do was whip up some dessert. Brownies were the obvious choice (chocolate is always required), but such an American holiday needs something appley! Thus...
I mean, I think it turned out well. It kinda looks like yard mulch, but it sure doesn't taste like it. Appley almond raisin goodness all wrapped in flaky crust ;-)

Unfortunately, I was so zonked out by the time people got there that I totally slacked in the photo taking opportunities. i got like three all night. And they were all in the dark, unable to see anything that was going on. But it was a successful party, even in my zombie like state. 20+ people in our little baby backyard. Chillin, eatin ribs and watermelon, drinking Tim's homemade sangria, playing with sparklers until the fireworks went off. Anything past that was pretty much a haze. Most of the attendees were Tim's coworkers and friends, thankfully, cause I'm pretty sure I would have won most out of it hostess of the night. Although, Matt just thought I was drunk...oh well!

Next year will be bigger and better! Cause I sure won't be on the mend from another African adventure. Trust me.

As a sidenote, look at these pretty "Welcome Home/Thanks for not killing anyone/Good job not getting eaten by a hippo" flowers from Tim/Dad! They survived a long time, just dying a few days ago. They were big and open and beautiful!

Throwback Thursday: Breakfast in Bed Daddy!

Father's Day. 1987. Kind of a lame breakfast, but was a year and a half! I can only do so much! ;-)
I love my Daddy. But I like him a lot more when he has a shirt on.
Although, these days, he probably is just as skinny as when this picture was taken (although this picture has his face looking total Tom Cruise).

Throwback Thursday: Bug Blame

I blame my travel bug on them. I also thank them for it. It's one of those itches that's so good to scratch!