When we first got to the arena we could hear some of trucks starting up, and we missed the first 20 minutes or so due to a “cash only” snafu that had us kicked out of the parking lot and sent to the nearest ATM. That’s alright though, we parked and bought our tickets which were really close to the front and completely unobstructed. Score! We found our seats, enjoyed the last 15 minutes of the first half, and then the real fun began Lookie:

preparing the track for super jumps

"crusader" zooming around

"crusader" jumping

another awesome jump by "crusader"

you mess with the bull you deal with the horns! toro loco went all out!!

forget the name of this guy

monster truck classic "grave digger" getting ready to go

"grave digger" jumping

"grave digger" lost a wheel, still did a jump, and finally fell over

Did I mention that we forgot ear protection? And how LOUD it was? (stick a lawnmower in your ear, start it, and listen to the noise for 2 hours, that’s how loud it was). My ears paid the price for the rest of the evening but we had a super time together! It was so much fun to watch the trucks jump and bounce and boing all over the place, and of course I love the idea of crushing things so I got a kick out of all destructive maneuvers Maurice was surprised I liked it so much and says we’ll go back, so I hope so!! Next time: ear plugs, coca-cola, and nachos. Can’t wait!!

maurice (35 years old)

Damn you are still hott! hehehe… here’s to another super year, may it be your best one yet – Prost!!

Love you,
Nikki (and Hazeldog!)

Mig 1G with perfect root pass

Mig 1G first pass

Finished cap on Mig 1G

Finished TIG butt weld (end to end with a 1/8" gap)

Looks like he’s well on his way to straight A’s, just like last semester! But most importantly, he’s totally enjoying it which makes both of us happy

Last night when I got home, I realized I had everything needed, including the apples! What fate. So I whipped it up and hoooooly, it is my new favorite apple dessert! This is after being stuck on apple strudel for months and months. I’ll have to rotate between the two but this will definitely be my new quick go-to recipe if we’re having guests or I just have a sweet tooth

I’m enjoying a big chunk of it this morning with some hot coffee. Mmm!!

This is the mirror I’m going to make, from the Centsational Girl blog:

DIY paintstick mirror (photo courtesy of Centsational Girl)

So far I have an 8″ mirror ($4.99 at Hobby Lobby), an 8″ embroidery hoop ($1.19 at Hobby Lobby), liquid nails, a paintbrush, and paint (Folk Art’s “Metallic Sahara Gold” and “Metallic Champagne” – layered, should give the mirror depth and a bit of shine). Maurice is making me a custom picture hanger, and he managed to score 50 paint sticks from Sherwin Williams for free!! We searched for them high and low; Lowe’s will only give out 2 at a time?! At that rate we’d have to hit up every Lowe’s in Texas!!

I need to cut & sand the paint sticks tonight, and then I’ll start putting everything together The project should only cost roughly $25, including everything we had to buy more of (liquid nails, fresh Xacto blades, and paint) so I really can’t complain about the cost!! If it turns out well then I’ll proceed to redecorate the rest of my boxy office.

May you have the gift of faith, hope, and love this Christmas season and always.

With Love,
Nikki, Maurice, & Hazel Belleville

One thing I have always loved about my family is its diversity. We have people from a smorgasbord of culture, colors, & backgrounds. “Tradition” means “variety” in our family. We do Italian, we do German, we do Native American, we do Mexican, we do Ukrainian… there is a little bit of everything mixed in and I love it because I grew up learning about so many different cultures from the various characters in my own family! Maybe that helps to explain, in part, my love for travel? Hmm…

Anyway, it’s no secret that this is my favorite time of year. It’s a season of celebration, togetherness, dreams of snow, and drinking hot chocolate in my warm jammies. I look forward to it every year, and doubt I will ever grow too old to enjoy the simple joys of the season.

My dad used to teach us about his Jewish roots at this time of year, too. What is more fun for a kid than celebrating Christmas AND Hanukkah?! (Um, not much!!) Mom & Dad always made it fun for us; they’d hide a small gift for us on each of the 8 nights of Hanukkah and Dustin and I would dig through the house until we each found our gift. Then we’d light all get together at the fireplace and light a candle on the menorah. Afterwards Mom would make us a treat – hot chocolate, cider, a snack, something delicious! – and we’d all lounge around in our pajamas enjoying the glow of the Christmas tree (ne, Hanukkah bush!) and the menorah.

Today is the first day of Hanukkah for 2011. To my dad, who shared his traditions and opened our eyes to so many ways of life, to my Grandma B. who embodies the idea of “Jewish grandmother”, to my Uncles Greg & Guy, and of course my Jewish bestie – Shalom!

sick day at home

Sweet girl had to take medicine today to evict some freeloaders. Maurice is taking good care of her.

I wonder if she’ll share the bed tonight?

my favorite airplane, the boeing 787 dreamliner

I would love to fly on it someday, hint hint!!

Then he started sending me these pictures:

hmm, what to build next?

first things first.

these go on the top and bottom.

clamping them together in preparation for welding

What is it? Well, turns out Maurice really likes the windmill my parents have in their backyard, so he decided to build one for us! School credit + garden decor = score!

the first louver goes on

...then the rest

So at what point does the 787 Dreamliner come in?

any guesses as to what this is?

that's right, the tail fin from my fave 787 is going to be the tail fin on the windmill!

the tail fin being welded together

then the tail fin gets sanded and polished

I’ll be sure to share the rest as it comes together. Maurice sure is clever!