Chili Cook Off!!

This Friday at work we had an in-service day. Our students had a day off of school and we had a day of meetings, professional development, and the first annual West Valley Junior High Chili Cook-off. Ten people competed in the cook-off. We all had to prepare and name our chili then bring it in to school under extreme secrecy. While we had our morning meetings the chili was heating/reheating/staying warm in the old Home Ec. room. Right before lunch a panel of judges came and tasted all of the chili. They had to give each chili a score from 1 to 10 on appearance, aroma, consistency, flavor, and aftertaste. After the judges were done with their tasting and scoring the rest of the staff came in and had a chance to sample as many of the chilies as they could and then vote for the people's choice award and best name. The competition was fierce and I must say that since I have never actually made chili I was kind of nervous. I made a chili recipe that I found online that sounded good and made a few minor changes. I made it for dinner for Nathan and I on Thursday night and I was totally unimpressed. I was actually very disappointed. I thought for sure that it was a total bust. I knew it needed a little something more but I wasn't sure what. I added some red pepper flakes and hoped that people wouldn't think it was gross. In the morning, Nathan tasted it and said that he thought that it tasted better than the night before. It made me hopeful that I might have a chance. I was very nervous during lunch but people seemed to be enjoying my chili so I thought that I would at least have a chance to maybe win the people's choice award. And the winner is...........................................

I know, I can't believe it either! I was so surprised when they announced that I won. Everyone loved my chili and it was the only one that was completely gone. I had so much fun making the chili and it was actually very tasty. I promise to post the super awesome award winning chili recipe as soon as I figure out exactly what I put in it :).

A New Look!

Nathan has a new look! Now that Nathan is out of the army he has decided to grow out his beard. So far he has been growing it out for a little over a month. It has been very interesting to watch his bead grow out. I really think Nathan has enjoyed not having to shave at all after having to be clean shaven for the last 4 years. He was also enjoying the fact that no one was telling him he needed a hair cut. Although its true no one was telling him he needed a hair cut, there might have been some strong suggesting going on. This weekend while at Fred Meyer we bought some clippers and Nathan let me cut his hair (something he never let me do when he was in the army). It was very scary to cut his hair but I think I did a decent job. Nathan said that he has paid for worse on post from a professional. I know it isn't perfect but ............... well you be the judge.

Good Bye 2010

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Wow, I can't believe that 2010 is already over. This year has been a crazy year. Nathan and I would like to thank everyone in our lives for being so supportive of our decisions and being so willing to help us make our dreams come true. Nathan and I are both so glad to be next family and friends. Don't get me wrong we had so much fun together in Texas, but lets be honest Texas doesn't hold a candle to Washington. Washington is home to 4 distinct seasons, awesome national and state parks, friends, and most importantly family. Nathan and I were able to enjoy all of these this past Christmas holiday ( well okay not all 4 seasons but winter). The week leading up to Christmas Nathan and I hung out with each other as well as our friends. On Christmas eve we went to the traditional Lambertson Christmas eve party and then spent a quiet Christmas day at home where Nathan and I cooked a scrumptious Christmas dinner for his parents, brother and family friends. Nathan and I then spent the next week up in Bellingham hanging out with my parents and enjoying the Pacific Northwest. We went to Vancouver, B.C., went snowshoeing by Mt. Baker, went walking down in historic Fairhaven, and even participated in the annual polar bear dip at Lake Padden on New Years Day. Needless to say I had an amazing fun filled winter break and I was not at all ready to go back to school on the 3rd of January. 2010 was one of the best years of my life, even though I had to spend 5 months of it separated from Nathan. Nathan and I are on our way to following our dreams and we can't be happier. I can't wait to see what 2011 has in store for us. Thanks for reading my rambling posts for the last year! Although, I am not promising they will be any shorter this year, I do promise to be better at writing about what is happening in our sometimes crazy lives.