My Family

Kelly's Korner is hosting Show us your Life: Family Edition today, so I thought this would be my first time to participate.  The concept is that you write about the topic for the week and then link it with other blogs.  Moving on to the important info: MY FAMILY (Excluding the hubby and the dogs)

My Mom

This is one of the very few pictures I have of my mom where she is actually smiling.  Usually she just has a weird stare on her face :)  Brad and I always make fun of her for her non-photogenic behavior.
My mom and and are best friends and I hate to admit it but the older I get the more I am starting to be like her!!! We spend a lot of time together and I have so many great memories growing up as she was the best mom that anyone could have asked for.  She even let me have 3 personal days when I was in school, I didn't have to fake sick I just said I need a personal day.  My mom raised me to be a strong, OPINIONATED adult and pushed me every step along the way to succeed in life.  I appreciate her love and her ability to always push me to be my best.  I am so glad that we live 2 minutes away from each other and am excited to share many more fun moments in life with the best mom ever!!!

Warren and Julie and Grandma

Warren and Julie are my in-laws.  Warren is Brad's Dad and Julie is his step mom.  They live in Boulder and we get to see them quit often.  Brad's Grandma is also included in this photo and is the cutest grandma any one could ask for.  She is so special and I always look forward to visits with her and she has so much knowledge and I love her stories.  Brad and his dad are very similar in many ways and it is funny to see the two of them together.  Julie is fun to be around and can always make us all laugh, the first time I met her she introduced herself and "step-monster".  I am glad to have great in-laws close by.

Bard and Bob

Barb and Bob are also my in-laws.  Barb is Brad's mom and Bob is Brad's Step Dad.  They also live very close to us and we enjoy seeing them when we can and always have great summer BBQ with them.  Barb is a great cook and always makes yummy food for special occasions and holidays.  Bob always blows up balloons for all birthdays and decorates the house with a Happy Birthday sign, it always makes me smile. We also hang out with them a lot for CU games as we both have season tickets and try to get together before of after games. Once again I am so glad to have all of our family so close. 

Tammy

I am so happy that Brad has one sibling, growing up as an only child was hard at times.  I now have a sister and it is fun to have someone to be close with and have secrets :)  Tammy is a couple years older then us and she also lives close.  We try to get together as much as we can and do fun different fun things.  I can't wait to share many more memories with her as there are always fun times when we are together, I am happy to have a Sister-in-law like Tam.

Well that is my inner circle when it comes to family.  Brad also has two step brothers Grant and Evan.  I do have a very big extended family with lots of Aunts, Uncles and Cousins.  They are all so special to me and I had the best time growing up with each and everyone of them.  I still see them often now and love them so much and even though I didn't have siblings I felt like I did with them around.  Being an only child at times is challenging as there really is no one but you.  Also I was the youngest of all the cousins so being the baby I still missed out on some things but always had such a great time with the Bethurum Family. The more I think about everyone so many fun memories come to mind and I just LOVE them so much.

I have learned one thing from the post that I have no pictures of us and our families.  This will be something I need to change this year.  We see everyone all the time but just don't have any photos.

I hope you enjoyed learning about my family!!

NOLA

Brad and I had a great trip in New Orleans for the Bass Master Classic.  It was a weekend to remember being our first time on Burbon Street, New Orleans and the whole state of Louisiana.

Brad and I with the coveted BASS Master Trophy

BASS MASTER CLASSIC
The adventure started with an early wake up to go watch the first day of the boat launch where all the events started.  Due to a fog delay Brad was able to meet many of the pros and get a lot of autographs before the festivities began.  It was so funny to see him with all of his sports idols, there were defiantly some moments where he was speechless.  After the launch we headed over to the first day of the fishing expo.  It was very large with many booths to walk around.  The highlight of the expo was all the FREE stuff that everyone got.  We had bags full of fun new fishing items that Brad couldn't wait to get home and sort through.  Also they have pros walking around and many demonstrations of all the latest fishing techniques and items.  After the expo was the main event at the Arena of the famous weigh in.  They bring in each one of the anglers  on their boat where they step up on the stage and weigh in the daily bass catch.  All the pros have fun music that they come into making the atmosphere very exciting.  They also were shooting all the footage for the ESPN coverage that will air this weekend.  Brad and I had excellent seats all three days and were able to see all of the action unfold.  Day 3 and the final way in was defiantly a moment to remember.  It is the super bowl of the BASS fishing world and so exciting.  Due to the large body of water (Louisiana Delta) that they were fishing on there were two choices the anglers had to make, take the 2 hour one way trip to Vinice or stay close by to allow more fishing time.  Normally they would be safe with either option but due to a fog delay each morning the "run" to Vinice really proved to determine the winners.  After the highest way in totals in BASS Master history KVD or Kevin Van Dam pulled off his fourth BASS Master Classic win.  He is the true Payton Manning of the fishing word and he didn't disappoint when on the last day he pulled out almost 30lbs of bass with two 8 lbs fish.  It was a very exciting moment.  To cap off the excitement after nervously waiting all weekend to get KVD to sign Brad's fishing cards Brad decided to wait by an exit door at the arena.  After KVD did all of his interviews he exiting the Arena right where Brad was and he was able to get his autograph, it really was the best moment for Brad.

Please tune in this weekend on ESPN2 to watch all of the footage of the Classic.  Also Brad and I have a sneaky suspession we may show up on the show at least once :)

NOLA  (Aka New Orleans)
What a great location to host such a fun event.  Brad and I decided to experience the area there was no better place to stay then Burbon Street.  Before leaving I heard so many stories of what Burbon was like and honestly I just couldn't get a good picture in my head.  WOW it was definatley an experience.  Brad and I mostly took in the amazing food including the beignets, gumbo and LOTS of oysters.  The experience of walking, shopping and samling all the food was amazing.  Then the fun kicks in at night was a CRAZY walk down Burbon Street.  Brad and I decided to do the Burbon "experience" on Saturday night and boy was it a night to remember.  We started off at a great panio bar with excellent drinks and music.  From there we visited 3 other bars ranging in Blues music to Karioke.  We ended the night in try NOLA fashion by throwing beads off a balcony to all the walker-bys.  It was so much fun and you really lost since of time as you get suck up into the electrifing atmosphere.  The last day we also enjoyed a Swamp Tour in Honey Bay.  The sceenary was breathtaking.  I really was surprised by the great food and couldn't get enough of all the different flavors we don't get to enjoy here in Colorado.

Brad and I really hope to go back to the NOLA soon and we really had a great time in such a different exciting city.  We will for sure be back in Louisianna next year for the BASS Master Classic which will be held in Shreive Port.

The Story of Us

In the spirit of Valentine's Day I thought I would write about the story of how Brad and I meet.  Many of you have heard the story that started many years ago but I wanted to go back and write it for all the rest of you that have not heard our "love" story.

Bard and I in 6th Grade 

Part 1
It all started the first day of 6th grade while waiting for the bus with my best friend Michelle.  We were at the bus stop after a very fun/exacting first day at middle school when I saw Brad hanging out with friends at the other end of the sidewalk.  Being the boy crazy 6th grader I was I said to my friend Michelle, "who is that boy, he is soooo cute!!"  She laughed at me and said, "oh that is just Brad".  After begging her to talk to him for me she finally gave in and went over to him and told him I thought he was very cute and wanted to get to know him.  When he looked over to see me I was hiding in a bush as I was embarrassed to say hello. After seeing each other every day waiting for the bus we talked more and more and he invited me over to his house to watch a movie.  The next Saturday I went to his house (only 5 blocks) from my house and we watched Mighty Ducks and ate popcorn.  We dated for about 6 month before I broke up with him.  It was sad but we remained good friends.  He was really one of my best friends all through middle school and we were inseparable.  We even took Racqutte ball classes together after school.  We both went to Centaurus our freshman year of high school, but in true high school fashion we had different groups of friends and joined different clicks and lost touch.  My sophomore year I went to a different school and we didn't see each other again.

Our Senior Photos

Senior Prom

Part 2
After dating many guys in high school I still always thought about my first love Brad.  He was always so kind and we both got along so great.  For some reason I just always felt such a huge connection to him and how I felt when I was with him.  One week before my senior prom I was in the dumps as I was boyfriend less and didn't have a date to the prom.  I really didn't let it bother me as I was ready to move onto the next step of my life and go off to Montana for college.  I had to work the early shift at my job at the mall and was slammed with costumers when I happened to look up and see Brad walking by with a friend.  It had been so long since we had talked I was so excited to see him.  I was nervous which isn't like me and was scared to say "hi" but in the back of my mind I knew that by seeing and reconnecting with him it would change my life forever (boy was I right!!) .  I went up to Brad and tapped him on the shoulder to say hi.  Instantly we couldn't stop talking and it was so good to see him again.  I had to get back to my job so I quickly gave him my number and had to run back to work.  The rest of the day I couldn't stop thinking about our chance meeting.  He called me that night and we talked on the phone for 2 hours and had a blast.  He invited me to prom and that is where we both really fell in love with each other.  We spent every second together that summer before college and were heartbroken to think that with me going away to Montana for college that we wouldn't be together.  After many long talks Brad decided it was best for him to come to Montana and go to college and start a life with me there.  He asked me to merry him before we left for college in August of 2001 (Blog to come soon).  We both knew that we wanted a longer engagement since we were both young but we also knew that we were so in love.

Our Wedding Day

Part 3 
We were married May 24, 2003 in a beautiful outdoor wedding at the Hover mansion in Longmont.  It was so great that after so many years in each others lives we were finally going to start our lives together.  Fast forward 8 years and we are still as happy as we were the day we meet in 6th grade, the day we reconnected in High School and the day we got married.  I truly know that from the second Brad and I meet we were meant to be together forever.  I couldn't ask for a better husband and a better best friend.  I love you Brad and am so happy to be sharing our life journey with one another, you are my sole mate and I will love you forever.

Special Picture in front of the Model A

My New Best Friend

This is me in true bliss.  After 3+ years in waiting for Verizon to finally get the iPhone my dream finally came true.  I LOVE my new iPhone and all that it does.  Today is day #2 with the phone and I can't believe all it does and how inefficient I was on the old phone.  In true Sill family fashion Brad and I got up at 5:00am got ready and headed to Boulder to be one of the first people in the line to get in the Mac store to get my new phone.  The doors opened at 7:00am and the workers made everyone standing out in the cold feel like a celebrity.  It was so much fun.  Brad is ubber jealous as he is not eligible for a new update until June.  Ha, Ha I get it all to my self.  So one more Mac to add to the family of 2 iPods (Black and Purple), 1 iTouch, 1 Macbook and 1 iMac, WOW you think we are addicted.

If any of you have any good iPhone tips please send them my way.

My Husband-The Questionnaire

I saw this idea on another blog that I follow and thought it was a cute way for everyone to get to know my husband.  He is very special to me and I thought it would be fun to answer some questions.  If you want to add anything about Brad please do.  Enjoy the Husband questionnaire... 

1. Who is your man? 

Bradley Warren Sill

Birthday: November 24th, 1982.  He was born the day before Thanksgiving but every 3-4 years depending on leap year his birthday is on Thanksgiving. 

2. How long have you been together? 

We have known each other since we were 12, dated off and on and then have officially been together for 9.5 years.


3. How long did you date? 

We "dated" in 6th grade for about 4 months and then starting dating again our senior year of high school.  Our first official grown up date was our senior prom.


4. How old is your man? 

He is 28.  He likes to joke that I am a younger woman, I think it is funny given I am 4 months younger.


5. Who eats more? 

Brad for sure can pack down the food and not gain a pound, NOT FAIR.  He once ate a WHOLE pan of lasagna all by himself.  He gets super cranky when he is hungry so you better make sure the boy eats if you want to have a happy husband.


6. Who said "I love you" first? 

Um... this is hard to remember.  I think we both said it at the same time.  Sorry it was a long time ago, my memory is failing.  


7. Who sleeps on the right side of the bed? 

Brad does.  Whenever we go on vacation I always have to ask him "which side do I sleep on again".  He always laughs and says LEFT.



8. Who drives when you are together? 

Brad is my chauffeur.  He gets mad when I drive as he always comments, "I can't believe you took drivers ed and drive like you do."  For the record I am a very good driver but I think he likes to be in control in the car, he can choose which way he likes to go.  He is a very good, safe driver and calms me down in traffic and snow.   


9. Who kissed who first? 

He kissed me in 6th grade.  The funny thing is we were each others first kiss :)


10. Who asked who out? 

The first day of 6th grade I spotted him at the bus stop and said to my best friend Michelle, "who is that cutie?".  She was like oh that is just "Brad".  I made her go talk to him for me and we starting hanging out then.  Our first official date was at his house where we watched Mighty Ducks and ate popcorn.  In high school when we meet back up he was the one that asked me to the prom.  We are even 1 and 1.


11. Who proposed? 

Brad of coarse.  He carved "will you merry me" in a special tree that we used to meet at when we were dating in 6th grade.  He blind folded me and surprised me at the tree with the carving and a beautiful ring.  Our tree is still standing, it is behind Pioneer Elementary in Lafayette.  Go check it out!! 


12. Who has more siblings?

Brad does, he has a sister Tammy and two step brothers.  I am an only child.

13. He is sitting in front of the TV, what is he watching? 

Fishing, Fishing and FISHING.  Football, Baseball, ESPN  and Glee, it is his guilty pleasure.

14. You are out to eat, what kind of dressing does he get on his salad? 

Cesar or Italian.  He LOVES the salad at the Olive Garden and will eat it like it is his last meal. 

15. Whats one food he doesn’t like? 

He really likes most food.  The only thing he is picky about is any thing that is white and creamy, he gets grossed out.  Items include.. yogurt, mayo, milk, cottage cheese, sour cream etc.

16.You go out to a bar, what does he order? 

He really doesn't drink but I guess his favorite's are beer, margarita's and Redbull and vodka

17. If he were to collect anything, what would it be? 

If.. are you kidding he does collect fishing items.  He has tons of polls, rods and fishing tackle.  It is to the point we need to insure all of his stuff as it is all worth a lot of money.  Fishing is not a cheap sport.

18. What would he eat every day if he could? 

Mexican Food and BBQ.  This is all we eat all the time, good thing we both like it so much.  We plan vacations around our favorite restaurants that we have found in certain cities.  For example San Antonio and Austin have the best of both worlds while Missouri has amazing BBQ.  We know our stuff if you need recommendations let me know. 

19. What would he never wear? 

He is very picky when it comes to clothes.  Also he goes into what I like to call "tizzy fits" when we go shopping, he just can't handle the mall.  He will not wear corduroy pants and he HATES blue jeans.  He only will ware them when I bribe him with treats (he is like a big kid).  His bottom half will only consist of shorts or pants that are "khaki". 

20. What is his favorite sports team? 

He LOVES the Denver Bronco's, he self proclaims him self as having a "bro-mance" for Tim Tebow.  He also loves baseball and the Colorado Rockies.  We do to as many games as we can in the summer.  College football is a favorite for him as well and he likes the Montana Grizzley's (we went to our first year of college in Missoula), Arkansas Razorbacks, Oregon Ducks, and the South Carolina Gamecocks.  

21. How many states has he lived in? 

Two, Colorado and Montana.

22. What is his favorite state?

His favorite state is where the bass fishing is best.  But over all I would have to say Texas.  We both love to go there and usually will take at least 2+ Texas trips a year.  We enjoy the  people, the food and the scenery it is so great.  "Everything in Texas is bigger and better."

23. Who is his best friend? 

John, they have been friends for a long time and have a lot in common.  John was his best man at our wedding we both have known him and his family for years.  

24.What is his heritage? 

Hmm... I should know this right, we have only been married for almost 8 years.  I always forget but I believe he is English and Viking.  

25.You bake him a cake for his birthday, what kind of cake is it? 

He doesn't like cake or dessert for that matter.  Occasionally he will want a berry pie but usually he will forgo dessert all together.

26. What could he spend hours doing? 

He can eat, breath and sleep fishing.  OMG don't get him started because he wont stop, once you start asking about the different techniques he uses you will never hear the end.  

Old Video and B.A.S.S. Master Classic

Brad and I are gearing up to go to the B.A.S.S. Master Classic in New Orleans.  We are excited to explore a new City and State that we haven't been to.  For those of you that don't know the Classic is the super bowl of the fishing world.  We will be there for 5 days enjoying the fishing expo, boat launch and fish weigh in.  I am very excited to go as we have wanted to go for many years but it has been in different city's that are expensive to fly to from Denver.  If any of you have any recommendations for any thing in New Orleans please let me know.

The below video is from our first trip to Amistad.  Amistad lake is the #1 Bass fishing lake in the US comparing to the Pebble Beach of the golf world.  It is in Del Rio Texas right on the boarder between Texas and Mexico.  It is truly a beautiful lake that I love to visit any time we can.We were able to connect with an absolutely amazing pro named Keith Combs.  He has guided us on  2 trips and we always have such a great time going out with him.  One of the pictures in the video is Brad's "famous" photo as he has won different photo contests with it.  He spent a lot of time putting the video together, I forgot how cute it was.  Also a side note, I am actually holding some of the fish which is a rare thing for me!!!  We will get to see Keith in New Orleans as he qualified for the Classic so it will be fun to see him in action.  After the Classic Brad will be chomping at the bit to get out on the lake!!!

Fishing Video