Waste Not, Want Not

Now, I know that Bossier City isn't the most "Green" friendly city in our country (we don't have curb recycling) but we at the Otis household try to do our part to not just waste our natural resources. So here comes the suprise. I had ordered 2 small, speciality laundry detergent bottles from an online company and this is the box they came in.

My first thought was...Did I order something else and forget about it. Nope!
So they had put my two small bottles in a smaller box and THEN for reasons unknown to me put the small box in this HUGE box. It was ridiculous.

Just to show how much extra space there was. It's a good thing I didn't pay shipping on what type of box they used.

Duathalon in balmy NW Lousiana

The happy couple glad this particular race is over. With our crazy Christmas trip and staying longer then played in Seattle we didn't get a lot of outdoor training done over the holidays. Not to mention there was a temperature difference of about 40 degrees from Seattle to Louisiana. The plus side is while is was foggy and muggy it didn't rain. I hate riding bikes in the rain. The roads were pretty slick though and the 4 corners we had to take were a bit scary.
Anyone who knows Chris KNOWS that these kinds of pictures are often what I get. If I could beat him I would but I think there's something in his genetic make-up that makes him ruin the picture. He is feasting on spaghetti after the race. I can't eat afterwards or else it'd be right back up. Chris and I were able to stay together for the first run, he smoked me on the bike (his quads produce so much more torque/power then mine), and I would of made up the difference on the 2nd run if it had been a bit longer. As it was his 1 minute lead got down to 11 seconds. I wanted to catch him so bad.

I have never run after doing the bike. It wasn't a terribly enjoyable experience. I don't think my legs have ever felt so much jell-o before. I am going to say it was the 7:45 minute pace though. That makes me feel less like a wimp. If only you could have heard my breathing. I sounded like a freigh train. My HR monitor watch had died but I'm pretty sure it was pegged at about 190bpm. No worries though. We plan on doing something like this again. We never learn do we?!

I HATE science projects!!!!

So this is somewhat what the final project looks like. How is it possible it took SO long to do this? Wait, I know the answer, because a 9 year old is doing it. AHHHHH!!!! I am not a patient individual and this project just about did me under. In addition to the project which HAS to be put in the science fair they had to write a 2 page research paper (which they've NEVER studied how to do. I wonder who is helping them with THAT one), and single page abstract (this ones not too bad) and a tri fold display board which has strict guidelines.
Using the staple gun. Nate did a lot of his own work which is why it took so long.

Using the drill. Good grief who is letting this boy use power tools. Oh yea, his DAD!

At least it's not a chain saw.

The boys go skiing

Grandpa and Nate hanging out on the ski lift
Time for the "big" hill. Nathan had a spectacular fall his last time down. He has no fear and went barreling down the mountain hit a jump and all you see if Nathan going up, up, up and then speedily going back down. I wouldn't have walked away from such a fall. Good thing I wen to the spa instead. A massage is much more fun.

Practicing his "plow". Too bad he never wanted to use it. All speed for this boy.

Father and son spending quality time up on Stevens Pass. Amazing skiing. The sun actually came out for them.

The monkey is still climbing. We got two runs/person.
Doesn't this picture convey so many things. My look is priceless. Nate's lovin' it.

At least he had to concentrate a little bit. He was like batman climbing those walls.

Nate

Rock Climbing

"We're going where exactly?"
Why do I talk myself into these things?

A little monkey. He did go good. No fear.

Show off

I am deathly afraid of heights. I mean not just nervous but HATE heights. This doesn't bode well when you love to rock climb. As part of my self inflicted therapy we all went rock climbing at the REI flagship store in downtown Seattle. AWESOME!!! If you don't count the entire body shaking with adrenaline and my forearms being sore. Ah, the muscles you don't use on a regular basis.

More Pictures

Space Needle. Chris loves to play with the camera. He figured out he could make the pictures black and white.
The shooting gallery. Can you see the water shooting out of the canon? This was too funny. That water too us unexpectly and Aunt Steph got hit right in the eye while Nicole I believe got it in her hair. I was laughing so hard since I was out of the line of fire.

Ahh yes, Aunt Nicole getting shot by water.

More bumper cars. It was an Otis family free for all

Aunt Nicole, Grandpa, Chris

Our Ghetto Amusement Park

First thing you have to realize is it's freezing cold outside so what do you do w/a 9 year old? We did some research on the internet and found this indoor amusement park. WOW, someone earned their money in making this place look better in pictures then in real life. At this point you just have to re-evaluate your idea of fun. I think bumper cars was the overall winner.

Grandpa and Aunt Steph getting ready to "school" Nate.
Can you see the blood lust in their eyes. This is serious business.

A definite good time.

Miniature golfing. This course was pathetic but oh well. It was something to do. Like I said, you make your own fun.

Mom's big swing. I beat Nathan and Chris.

The faces of Washington

This is Aunt Stephanie. I hope she appreciates the picture when she checks the blog.

Grandpa trying to keep the boy entertained. Nathan got lots of games for Christmas this year. While I schooled the boy in checkers he wasted me at Chess.

Nathan and his cousin Emma.

So what do you do with a child who is stuck inside for 3 days? You run them on the treadmill of course. We did this twice in one day.

Let the Fun Begin

Are you kidding me. This much snow in Seattle. So this is our winter wonderland that caused us so many headaches trying to get INTO Seattle. Actually, we had maintance issues on the first plane. We left about 3 hours late out of Shreveport which means we missed our connection in Houston. We were told not to expect to get out of Houston until the 26th (2days later) because every flight was overbooked. We went to Houston with the decision that if we couldn't get to Seattle we'd rent a car and get a hotel and drive to the beach. We were so lucky. We were on standby as we're waiting, waiting, waiting. Names after names are being called and people are getting on the plane. Just as they are getting ready to close they doors they call our name. We got the last 3 seats on the plane. YAHOO!!! Our own little Christmas miracle. Poor Nathan was devestated that we might not get to Seattle before Christmas. Because of these problems Continental extended our trip by 2 days w/no fees. Rock on!!!!
I have don't believe Chris' parents have EVER gotten this much snow at their house. Everything came to a stand still. No mail, newspaper, garbage, UPS, etc...

Nate was so excited for snow. He went outside 4x the first day and 3x times the second day. By Saturday he was "done" with the snow and wanting to get outside.

Snow ball fight!!!