MBU Preseason Clinic

Three years ago when I started at MoBap I decided to try and host a preseason clinic. I thought this would be a good fundraiser to do to get the name of the school out in the area and provide an opportunity for high school students to prepare for their upcoming season. Each year the clinic has grown and has been quite a success. I am pretty proud of this vision I had. This year I struggled a lot with finding a date only to hear that two other local colleges were holding clinics. I was quite disappointed. However, I quickly learned the disappointment was unnecessary. I had approximately 130 girls between the two clinics. It was an exhausting day, as always, but still a great fundraiser and promoter for the MBU women's lacrosse team.

Teaching some skills to the new players

Some of the girls at the clinic

Shuttle Lines

Why is it that none of them look like they are paying attention? Ha. Regardless, it was a great day!

My Ever So Strong Little Man

Ever since I can remember my little man, Trey, has always been a rough person to sleep with. He snores, he kicks, he hits, he even cries out in his sleep. I love the little guy dearly but it has always been pretty annoying to have him over for a slumber party. Amy and Darnel decided to get him checked out to see if there was anything they get could get done to help with his deep breathing and snoring. After many tests they determined that he needed to get his tonsils and adnoids removed. This past Wednesday morning he had surgery. I was finally able to see him at 8 pm. I was so impressed with how strong the little guy was. I am so incredibly proud of him. Check out a few pictures below of my little cutie in the hospital bed.

So proud of your strength, Trey! Hope you are going to be all better soon!

Photo Fun

I recently downloaded a program for my mac called Pixelmator. It is supposed to be similar to photoshop. I have never used photo shop, but I have always been envious of people who take great photos and make them better using the computer. I took this picture of Claire at the end of her second birthday party. Her feet are filthy from running around barefoot. She also ditched her shirt by the time she got to her second party. She looks hysterical. I thought the first shot was cute, but after some fun on Pixelmator I love the second shot. Too photo shopped, or is it cute?

I am hoping to do more with this program and future photos I take. Thoughts?

A Beautiful Saturday

This past Saturday was the end of the ice age started. It was over fifty degrees, sunny, and all of the ice from the past two weeks started to melt. I had a lot to get done for my niece's birthday party, but did not want to miss the opportunity to enjoy the weather for a couple of hours. Tom, Lara, Paul, and I made chocolate chip pancakes in the morning then met up with Alex to head to Castlewood State Park. This is the best in local hiking. We decided to try the bluff trail despite the ice and snow still on the ground. At times it was pretty slippery but the weather was beautiful and the trail was doable. I think I was the only one who went down :) Here are some pics from our fun afternoon.

Tom and I at the top of the bluff

Trying to watch and make sure Tom smiled for the pic

Old Frozen Muddy Missouri River

Lara and I at the top of the bluff

Paul, Tom, and Alex...Buddies since grade school

They love each other more than most guys do.

This first hill was a tough climb.

What a great warmer January afternoon. Can't wait for spring!!!

Blog Post Numero 200

This is my 200th blog posting. What a huge celebration! Ha. I kid. But really.



A little update on my chaotic 2011:



1. The American Apparel Diet... also known as Katie on a clothes buying fast... is going well. We are approximately 42 days into the year and I have not bought one item of clothing. In fact, I have not even been tempted. Hopefully it continues to go so well. Summer clothes are so much cuter, so it may get more difficult.



2. Internships. I am interning at Kirkwood High School's counseling department and at Christian Family Services counseling agency. Both are awesome. I love the counselors I work with and the job that I do. It is a little scary that I am starting to think I could actually be a counselor someday...



3. Bikram. I just became a Karma Cleaner at the Bikram studio. This is the hot yoga that causes you to sweat like you never even knew possible. It is really expensive so I haven't been able to afford it. However, if you clean there one night a week for an hour ish you can go whenever you want for free. Saves me about 170 bucks a month. I am excited to start going as much as a can... and even more once my crazy semester is over.



4. Lacrosse. Two weeks until the first game. The girls are doing alright. They are all great so that is good, but it will be interesting to see how we stack up against our competition.



I think those are all my updates for now. I am uber excited February is almost over. I can't wait for outdoor lacrosse season.

Between a Rock and a Hard Place

This past summer I went down to Flagstaff, Arizona to visit one of my very best friends and enjoy one of the greatest vacations ever. We ate, drank, shopped, relaxed, and camped/hiked. The highlight for me was a trip to Utah with Megan and her boyfriend. It was a truly incredible experience. The views were amazing and we were in an extremely remote part of the country.

When I saw previews for the movie 127 Hours I knew I had to see it. The pictures caught my eye because it looked so similar to the place I had hiked this past summer. I went to see the movie shortly after it came out in St. Louis and I loved it. If you aren't familiar, it is the story of the man who got trapped by a boulder in a Utah canyon and proceeded to cut off his arm in order to live.

I was so obsessed with the movie that I then read the book Between a Rock and a Hard Place. This is Aron Ralston's own account of his time in the canyon. Both the movie and the story have been on my mind. I find the story captivating and inspiring. I would encourage anyone to see the movie AND read the book.

Below are some pics I took in the canyon. Again: it was incredible. The pictures do not do it justice.

Simple and Adorable Super Bowl Treat

As if I need another hobby I recently decided I really enjoy baking. I feel like I actually may be kind of good at it as well. I've gone through my phases of cake balls, cookies, and candies and have several ideas to try in the future. This idea was stolen from another blog, but turned out great. These are my oreo truffles as footballs.

Step 1: Completely smash a box of oreos (I actually did all but 7). I used a zip lock bag and a rolling pin to get them pretty much crushed.

Step 2: Mix the oreos with one block of cream cheese. I used reduced fat and they were still delicious.

Step 3: Shape the mixture into small footballs.
Step 4: Melt chocolate almond bark and dip the footballs in the almond bark. Let dry on waxed paper.

Step 5: Melt white chocolate almond bark and pour into a sandwich bag. Cut a small hole in the corner and use to make laces on the football.
These treats were a hit. They were both delicious and adorable. Fun treat to keep in mind for football games next fall!

Mouse Races

My sister, Kara, invited Tom and I to the mouse races at their parish last Saturday night. I have heard her talking about this event for years so I figured I should give it a try. It was something else...to say the least. Let me tell you what I did. I ate consistently for four hours, drank a little, and felt bad for spending my money on "gambling". Sure it was gambling all in the name of the church...weird huh?... but I felt bad regardless. To clarify, I didn't feel bad for the actual gambling, I just absolutely HATE to spend my money and not see anything for it. Spending money on things like tickets, taxes, and, well, gambling just really irks me :) Regardless, it was a fun time. There were ten rounds of mouse races and Tom and I bet on five or six. I won once and got like 6 bucks back, but I was still pumped.

the race track

the mice fighting for release

Ashley, Tom, and I

The boy will never take a normal picture!

Look at those speedy mice

All the people behind Tom are watching the race and cheering for their mouse to win.

This was a fun event and we will probably go again...Just don't call PETA.