Merry Christmas to ME!!!

So, I was VERY surprised this Christmas, when Mike presented me, with a brand new Dolce Elite road bike! He most definitely splurged this year and it felt great to be spoiled silly.

Mike knows this has been something that I've wanted for a very long time and to think I can now I can train on my own without having to borrow someone else's bike all the time. Plus, this is a woman's performance bike built for a women's body. It is much more specific to my needs and will make my riding sessions that much more enjoyable, beneficial and comfortable.

Thank you baby!!! Next purchase up, a Tri Bar, and then I'm set for my next triathlon!!!

The BIG 4-0! Happy Birthday my Love.....

I surprised the s*&% out of Mike for his 40th birthday by coming up with his dream gift. So get this....

A 4 day 3 night stay in Denver, Colorado to see Mike's beloved Denver Broncos play their rivals, the Oakland Raiders. I thought since I'd had the surprise under wraps for over 2 months that he'd get SOME idea, but no..... NOT A CLUE!

The night before we had some friends over for dinner and I made his favorite dinner which consisted of, sausage/beef lasagna, Greek salad, garlic bread and a rocky road ice cream cake. Following dinner I surprised him with his gift by presenting him with an itinerary of our stay in the city. My fabulously talented sister created the most amazing day-by-day itinerary full of where we would stay, dine, play and sin. ;) Thank you Lizzie!!!

Early the next morning, we departed for Denver where we checked into the Hyatt which was right in downtown and just off of the famous 16th street mall. It couldn't have been a more perfect location and it helped that I had done so much research. We saw movies, ate great food, shopped till we dropped, gained weight, walk a million miles and topped our weekend off with the highlight of our trip; that being watching the Broncos, AT Invesco Field @ Mile High, LIVE and IN PERSON! :) We took the infamous "Bronco Bus" to the stadium 2 hours before the game to soak it all in. Despite the fact that they lost by 1 point with 35 seconds to spare, did not take away from the incredible time that we had as a whole.

Yeah I know, I'm married to an old man, but what a HOT old man at that! :) A big thank you to my besty Tracy and her husband Mark. They selflessly watched our hellions for the LOOOOOOOONG weekend so that we could take advantage of our time away and live it up without balls attached to our chains. No, we really did miss them, but it would not have been the same to have had them there. I love you my dear kiddies, but this trip was just for your Mommy and Daddy. :) Driving by Mike's childhood home and visiting his old neighborhood where he grew up was awesome. I've heard so much about Denver from his mouth over the years, but to experience it with him, really was super special. (I hate that word, but it had to be used). :) Thanks baby, for being my eternal partner and for putting up with me these almost 16 years. That's a feat, in and of itself. :)

I love you Michael.....

XOXOXO

In closing, (since I'm falling behind on my blog posts), I am reminded of what a wonderful year 2009 was for our family and of all the incredible memories we had and shared together. California, New Mexico, the Caribbean, Hawaii, Colorado and Utah.. The wanderlust is sure to let up in 2010, but being the self-professed travel junkie that I am, it's going to be a difficult challenge. One of my resolutions for 2010, aside from limiting my sugar intake, is to feel more at home, in my own home. Heaven help me, that is going to be a huge feat!

Monet: "Oh Mom, do you REALLY have to stick your tongue down Daddy's throat in front of all our friends?"

Mike: "Check out the guns on my wife!?!"

Mike in front of his modest beginnings.....

Overlooking downtown Denver

The houses in one part of the city reminded me of both Beverly Hills & Williamsburg, Virginia. An odd, but beautiful juxtaposition.

Walking down Pearl Street in Boulder, Colorado where we spent one of our afternoons. If we had the $ and Mike had the job, we would move to that quaint and cozy mountain town in an instant.

Boulder, Co., prior to my orgasmic meal at "The Falafel King"

The Denver Art Museum who's design recalls the peaks of the Rocky Moutains. Gio Ponti (the architect) of the museum famously stated this: "Art us a treasure, and these thin but jealous walls defend it." I couldn't agree more.....

Mike deciding to play it safe with the cow sculpture outside of the museum.

I however, am not able to play it safe. For heavens safe, the cows tit was busting at the seams! As Mike always reminds me: "Here is the line.... and here is you, Alex, crossing that line...." :)

Being swept away..... What a conundrum!

Getting ready for our night out!

Dinner at "Earl's"

A few Ho's leaving "Coyote Ugly"

16th street Mall

Invesco Field @ Mile High

We had the most AMAZING SEATS!

Thanksgiving Weekend in San Diego.....

Thanksgiving in Sunny Arizona!

Our 2nd Annual Gray/Badger Family Thanksgiving Feast!

Me & my "Rock On" symbol - I'm such a dork!

Boy, could we both benefit from a professional teeth whitening or what? At least my braces give me half of an excuse, but Mikey, what's yours? HA! :)

Sorry Tracy, even though you're going to KILL ME over posting this pic, it really was the most hilarious moment of the day!

Alex pulling a "Mike Tyson"

Ronan, get used to this position. Unfortunately for you, girls will be jerking you around like this for years to come! ;)

Thanks Mama for making my backyard SO gorgeous!

The Elders stopped over (this is their 2nd home), to hang with our families.

This is how we ALL felt by the end of the day!!!

Happy Birthday Sugar!

My Dearest Dimpled Beauty,

Wow, what can I say that even does justice for the love that I have for you?

As your mother, I really just want you to know this.....

Nothing will ever break the bond that you and I share and our special connection is really just that, special. You have captured my heart and have become the connective thread of our family. The concern that you show towards others, the sensitivity that you possess and the love x10 that you shower on your brothers is what makes you, uniquely amazing. What I wouldn't give to have a dozen of you! :)

Thank you for blessing our family with your arrival 3 years ago and for being the daughter that I always dreamed I would one day have. You have exceeded my expectations in that area and completely changed my thinking when I had originally only wished for boys. Boy, I couldn't have been more wrong. As much as I would like to be your #1, I clearly realize that I am a close 2nd to your Daddy! :) He loves you more than life itself and finds such joy in your amazing abilities. You really are the perfect compliment to our little family and were placed into our lives at the most perfect time. I often think of you as that piece of the puzzle that finally finds it's place amidst the others, which as a result, completes the picture.

Thank you for being you, my sweet and adoring Monet.....

I love you now and forever,

-Mama

Fair-o-holics!

Yet another year down, and another State Fair under our belts. This has been a tradition since the Gray family's inception and has become one of our favorite days of the year. While walkin' in this deep-fried wonderland, I came to the conclusion that there are 2 kinds of people in this world; those with count down the days till the next State Fair, and those who abhor the mere utterance of the word. Come on people! Think about it. It's the only time of year you can flirt with death on rides merely held together by rusty nails, stand shoulder-to-shoulder and hobnob with the infamous carnies, devour funnel cakes, deep fried cookie dough and turkey legs the size of human heads. Where else can you enjoy all of that fat-soaked fattened fat?

OK, so what if the middle finger is extended to our already clogged and hardened American hearts whilst eating all that junk. Who of you can resist spending a day walking around in what smells like the inside of a pancake???

Try it out sometime - I promise you won't leave unsatisfied. Fatter? Yes, but OH-SO-WORTH-IT! We left as a family 10 pounds heavier and 100 percent more satisfied than the year before.

Seriously, what more could you ask for???

Can't wait to see you in 2010!!!

All Hallows' Eve

The psychotic clown trying to score with Cleopatra. Yeah, right! :)

Ronan's 1st Grade class at Pima Butte Elementary

My absolute favorite Storm Trooper!

Rylan's Kinder class at Pathway Preparatory Academy

These brothers should just stay in these costumes all year long. They fit their personalities to the "T"

Our beloved neighbor Bill with his favorite girl, Monet.....

(Princess Ariel)

Is Mike creepy or WHAT?!?

Tracy & I at "Trunk or Treat". With all those treats that night, my junk was definitely in my trunk, if you know what I mean! ;)

Fall Break at Zion National Park

P!NKALICIOUS.....

OH MY! You are such an amazing musical wonder and my hope of seeing you live FINALLY came true! My hubby was able to score us VIP floor seats which made my dream of seeing you up close and personal that much more real! You are absolutely astounding live and spot-on delivered the show I always knew you were capable of. Thanks for living up to my expectations and even surpassing them; for that I owe you a MILLION thanks!!!

You'd think I was a lesbian in the making by all these gushy words in adoration for P!NK, but that couldn't be further from the truth. No, that my friends was what made up 99% percent of the rest of her fan base. As I stood there being surrounded by so many "friendly" women, I couldn't help but think they must not have received the memo about P!NK's marriage to one of the hottest MEN out there!

Whatever, it didn't make a difference to me because after vigorously shaking my booty and screaming out your lyrics, I came hope with a thrashed voice and a 3 lb. loss of water weight. ;)

ROCK ON P!NK!!!