My baby kicks ass!!

Saturday was Tyler's second Muay Thai fight. We traveled to Waterloo, IA for the Iowa Challenge Kickfest. Team RoundKick took 5 fighters. It was a big show with a big crowd and we won 3, lost 2 (one of which was debatable). Tyler won unanimously.  

My boy did awesome. He came in under weight, paced himself well and kicked/kneed/punched the hell outta his opponent. We saw his opponent later in the hall with an already black eye, limping a bit. I was really, really proud of him. Also, for those who like small details... he entered to "Bad Boys," the Cops theme song and yes, he wore the too short shorts! He still needs a fight name though.

The day after the fight Tyler was a bit tight and the tops of his feet hurt but he's already back in training and rarin' to go!

I had a blast as one of the team's corners and was able to see all the behind-the-scenes prep and sit at the cagedoor to shoot photos. It was super awesome.

My dad, brothers Bean, Ty, Richard & Stevie, plus 'brothers' Chris & Nate traveled all the way up to Waterloo to support Tyler. We even met Beanie's new girlfriend, who we hope doesn't think we're white trash since she had to meet Bean's family at a fight. haha. Mom & the girls watched our furboys and we're very thankful they were there to spoil & care for them. And Tucker is sorry for keeping his Auntie Bri awake all night...

See pictures of Tyler & Team RoundKick!

Pink boxing gloves & a gun

This is a much delayed Christmas post!

Christmas is definitely my favorite holiday. I love the baking, family gatherings and giving gifts to others. Of the gives we gave, my fave was the hardbound book I made of Tatey's senior pictures. I hope she'll have it for a long time and know how much we love her.

Tyler did such a good job with Christmas gifts this year! He gave me pink boxing gloves & workout gear for the hi intensity training I started Jan. 5. He also gave me a tiny handgun and signed me up for classes to get my permit to carry and an hour of personalized help. I'd been wanting this - figure I should be more knowledgeable and comfortable since I have guns around me. He gave me wonderful framed sayings that I've hung in our entryway. They're encouraging and tastefully designed. WTG babe!

Our families totally spoiled us!!  We got so many lovely things - sweatshirts, scarves, jewelry, art, books, etc. And it was delightful to spend time around the table just talking and sharing. It's always fun to get Christmas cards too and see/hear what everyone's up to. I do love photos in cards - the Daniel's & Agan's were definitely some of my faves this year! I still have all the cards up on our wall. :)

Now to wait til next Christmas....

Southwest vacation in review!

What a week!!  Tyler & Brandon (my lil bro) & I took a whirlwind vacation to Vegas, Utah & Arizona Nov. 14-22. 

Vegas - This was Brandon's first over-21 trip to Vegas. It was fun to hang out with him and show him the city. He'll say it's cheesy but I know I'm really lucky to have him for a friend now that we're grown. We didn't always get along as kid but now that he's grown he's a good guy. :)  

We had actually gone to Vegas to see UFC 91 - a HUGE fight for the heavyweight belt. A legend in the sport (and one of my personal faves) Randy Couture was fighting. It was cool to be there for the fight - seemed the whole city was in on a giant inside joke. MMA brand shirts/hats EVERYWHERE. One of Tyler's friends from the gym was out there for the fights too and thanks to his friend, he was invited to Couture's pre-fight workout. Because he's a super swell guy he got us in too!!!  We got to see him, his gym, shake his hand (haven't washed hands since!) and Tyler & Mark got their photo with him. While we were there we saw Randy's wife, also a famous fighter, and the Tapout guys (a popular MMA brand led by a crazy team of guys who also have a TV show). Also, Mark found the address for the Warrior (another popular MMA brand) gym and we set out in search for it. Finally arriving, we walked in and the guy gave us a tour. On the tour we happen to notice that Tyler's favorite fighter, Forrest Griffin, is working out there!  As if that isn't cool enough, Mark decides he & I are going to stalk Forrest and get a photo with him. But Forrest heads into the bathroom at that moment and we end up loitering outside the mens' room. (I could only drink from the water fountain for so long!!!)  Dunno what he was doing in there but he finally emerged after a LOOOONG wait and by that time Mark had forgotten what we were doing and didn't say a thing when Forrest walked by!  This entire time, Tyler is so embarrassed he is standing by the gym's front door pretending he doesn't know us. hahaha.  

Anyway, UFC 91 was really fun to see even if Couture lost. The Iowa boy Jeremy Stephens won which was fun to see. The next day while wandering MGM Tyler saw another famous fighter walkin down the hall and he says "Look!! It's Thiago Alves!! *pause* It's Thiago Alves picking his nose!!!"  Then he promptly ran up to him and slapped him on the back (A few paces back I cringed as I imagined the automatic response to randomly slapping a UFC fighter!!!).  He didn't get punched, he did however shake Thiago's boogery hand and get a photo with him. Good times.  

Our room at MGM Signature was AWESOME. The MGM buffet for breakfast was AMAZING. We HAVE to find out how to make pancake casserole. mmmmmmm.  Oh yeah & we saw some SWEEEET cars:

Utah - After Vegas, we toolied off in our rented Equinox (side note: Alamo staff in Vegas = SUPER rude. would not recommend) to Kanab, Utah to visit my grandparents. They live in a tiny town surrounded by mountains. BEAUTIFUL scenery. We had a lovely visit with them. Brandon & I really enjoyed cooking with Grandma and spending quality time together in the kitchen. We played many games of 'mexican train' dominos (I even won one night) and took a trip up the Kaibab mountain to place a ham radio repeater. It really is a gorgeous country we live in. We also went out for ice cream one night - ice cream runs in our blood so it's always a good time for a cone. I do so love my grandparents and hated to leave. 

The only downside to this visit would by my grandparents' silly poodle with a broken leg. He has not been fixed and he thought Tyler's leg was attractive...  heee hee.  

Arizona - After Utah we headed south to Phoenix, dropped off the rental car and went to see Tyler's parents in Surprise, AZ. They always spoil us and dote on us and have our lil guest house ready for a stay. The first night Tyler's mom cooked up a storm and we had Thanksgiving dinner. DELISH!!!!  It's so relaxing (& warm and sunny!!) there. We toured model homes and went shopping (scored sweet shoes!) and had a blast catching up on everything. 

The 2nd night we went to Scottsdale to visit my aunt/uncle/cousins and Uncle Rick whipped up a delightful Mexican dinner. We love visiting there. Tyler felt comfortable with them from the first time he met them because my aunt is SOO like my mom, it's like being at my parents' house!  

The third night in AZ we went to Ruth's Chris Steakhouse to celebrate Tyler's birthday with a meal Tyler's been anticipating since last year's birthday dinner there. The steaks melt in the mouth and even the spinach is yummy. Brandon is doing experiments at home now to recreate the Ruth's steak deliciousness!

It was sad to leave, the time in Arizona felt short but Tom & Wanda will be back in Iowa in a few short weeks for Christmas.

LOTS of trip photos here!

Random things I learned this trip: 

Don't CHEW Jolly Ranchers. Even if they're cinnamon. They will break your teeth!

I don't like being without my dogs. It's not only that I miss them and want to hug them and get slobbery kisses. It's that a dog-free day makes me sad!!   We saw about 1 dog other than my grandparents' dog and my aunt & uncle's dogs. 

I'm allergic to desert air just like Iowa air!

*sigh of relief*

Wow. After hours at the gym + pounds of veggies & cooked chicken + LOTS of hardwork + sheer determination my best friend (ie. my husband Tyler) got in the ring Saturday for his Muay Thai debut. And let me tell ya - it was quite the show. He kicked and punched his opponent around the ring while we screamed & shouted. And he came out uninjured ('cept for a nice black eye) which I'm truly thankful for.

I'm married to one exceptional man who makes me proud on a regular basis and this was no exception. When my man sets his mind to something there is NO dissuading him. And so once he decided to train in MMA fighting, he adopted a strict diet, dropped weight and worked his tail off in the gym. I doubt many in the audience would have guessed he'd only been training in Muay Thai about 3 months.  I've only gotten to see pieces and bits of his moves and skills (usually when he's practicing holds on me or hitting pads I'm holding) so it was really fun for me to see him put it all together. Plus, he looked exceptionally hot despite those ugly green shorts!  :)

Judging from how many in the audience cheering for him, we have both been blessed with wonderful family & fiends. Thanks to all who have been so supportive!

I'm having trouble loading more pics into this blog so check out more here!

Some cool finds on Etsy

I love, love, love Etsy and buying awesome handcrafted items directly from the artists. If you don't know about Etsy, check it out!

These are my fave earrings on AlwaysAmy:

Studs:

fudgesicles

squirrels (see pic!)

Dangly:

awesome ornaments

I just bought this from Elaphannie for the 'toy room' at the end of the hall upstairs. SO excited to put it up!!

Details on the big fight!

So....my favorite person ever is going to make his public debut as a fighter on Nov. 8. A lot of people have said they'd like to be there for Tyler's fight so here's the details (You in NO way need to feel obligated to come but I'd love to have you cheering along with me.)

Nov. 8, beginning at 7:30 p.m., Val Air Ballroom. Tyler is the 4th fight. It's a Muay Thai* event - some pro bouts, some amateur. More details here.

Tickets on the ground floor cost $20, 30 or 40 apiece at a table for 10, if you buy in advance. We are planning to get a couple tables and group Tyler's fans together so let me know if you wanna go. We realize the tickets are pretty pricey and completely understand if you can't make it.

The event is put on by Tyler's coach Pete and his gym. It's an all-ages event. There will be food and drink available for sale.

* Muay Thai is a martial art from Thailand. It is not a fruity drink. (that's a Mai Tai!) A form of kickboxing, athletes use the hands, shins, elbows & knees for punching, kicking, kneeing and throwing elbows. MMA fighters (such as in the UFC) are often trained in Muay Thai for the standup portion of their sport. If you've watched 'The Contender" on Versus, you've seen Muay Thai.

I'm here, I'm here!

Ok, Tatey called me out - I've been neglecting our blog again. So, here I am with some photos I've been meaning to share...

First, some of my very favorite boys:

And here's some changes in our house - the kitchen light and art in the living room:

Get his fight on

The MMA scene is pretty big in Iowa. Here's where Tyler trains: RoundKick.

Here's an interview with the owner/muay thai coach at Roundkick:  http://vimeo.com/1782542