Three-peat XC League Champion

Brooke ran a great race yesterday at Cross Country League finals and won with the time of 17:07. Amazing!

Here is Brooke at the 1st mile marker, holding off her challenger, Karlie, a freshman from Oakmont.

After the next loop, they are running side by side but Brooke looks relaxed and confident...and like a giant next to Karlie, who is so teeny tiny! I never thought that I would ever describe little Brookie as a giant but seriously, next to Karlie, she looks huge. Pretty funny!

Then at the two mile marker, Brooke made her move and took off on one of the downhill slopes and never looked back. It was a great finish. Karlie had a great kick but Brooke held on and finished strong for the win. I think Brooke was surprised that she ran such a fast race. Her time was a minute faster than last year.

Each year, the league meet is always on Halloween or the day before, and the girls always say, "We should have made capes and dressed up as Super Grizzlies!" So this year Brooke and I bought neon green material and stuff to decorate 7 capes. I sewed the capes (I know, you are all impressed, but trust me...that's about as creative as I get!) and the all of the girls came over to our house and decorated the back of their cape. They turned out pretty cute and they had fun warming up in them and wearing them on their cool down after the race. The girls were sure that they would intimidate the other teams by wearing the capes. I'm not sure about that but it sure made for some cute pictures!

Brooke on her "cool down" wearing her Super Grizzly cape.

The back view of the Grizzly cape!

The GBHS girl's varsity team running with their capes.

Brooke, showing off her cape. So cute.

The girl's running off on their cool down after the race.

The top 7 finishers in the league.

Proud parents with their league champion.

Brooke and her former track coach, Randy Sturgeon, who came to support her and cheer her on to victory.

Brooke and Coach Pozzi

Uncle Scott and Uncle Bruce came to watch her race.

It was "Just Like a Circus" at Dr. Holt's Office~minus Britney Spears!

Every year Dad and his staff dress up for Halloween for a couple of days at the office. The kids love it and so does the staff! Each year the staff comes up with a different theme. Last year, they dressed up as pirates and Mark was Jack Sparrow from Pirates of the Caribbean. I have to say, he looked quite a bit like Jack.

One year, they were Snow White and the 7 Dwarfs...that's right, Mark dressed up as Snow White and the staff were the dwarfs. It was a little awkward and embarrassing, but the kids thought it was fun and the staff got a kick out of it! Dad is a good sport.

Another time, Mark dressed up as a biker. He didn't shave for a couple of days so he looked scruffy and wore black leather chaps and a black vest, with a couple of fake tattoos and earrings. He looked so scary that the office next door called and asked if "everything was alright." They said that "they saw a scary guy go into Dr. Holt's office a couple of hours ago and he hasn't come out yet and were just checking." Seriously. That is a true story!

This year, the staff wanted the theme to be the circus. So Mark, of course, was the "Ringleader." His costume was great and he was excited to be able to carry around a whip all day!

At BJ's for lunch with the staff!

A Weekend in Utah

We had a wonderful weekend in Utah with the college kids, inspite of the BYU loss to TCU! We brought our friend, Annie Segale, with us and gave her a whirlwind tour of Park City, Provo/BYU and Salt Lake City. We always enjoy getting away and spending time together in Park City with the kids!

Ashley and Annie at the Utah Olympic Park. We watched the bobsledders competing that day. It was awesome!

Annie and I both screamed when the bobsledder came down the track. It's crazy to be that close and really see how fast they are going! I took a picture of this guy and then a few minutes later they announced, "Will all spectators, please refrain from using flash photography on the track!" Oops!

The trip to Main Street wouldn't be complete without a picture with the moose!

Hanging out on Main Street.

Annie and Brooke sitting next to the bear on Main Street.

GameDay was filmed that day at Provo in front of the LaVell Edwards stadium. So we went and checked it out the day before. Tons of BYU fans were camping out so they could be some of the fans on the show. It looked like a lot of fun!

Hanging out in front of the GameDay stage.

The kids enjoyed decorating the rental car with "Y" decals on the side of the car doors and "Y" flags hanging out the windows. Trying to show a little "Cougar Spirit"!

Getting ready to head down to Provo for the game.

Tyler getting off a good punt with Riley looking on.

Riley and Tyler coming off the field after the warmups before the game.

Enjoying a GB3 reunion with Katy Lambourne, Debbie Merrill, and Courtney Bassett at halftime!

Courtney and Brooke are so happy to be together again! Just look at the smile on Brooke's face!

Me and Courtney! It was so good to see her. Love that girl...lots!

Brooke and Annie and Trent Merrill enjoyed the good seats with Brooke's recruit tickets.

Tyler and Sonya with Jason and his girlfriend, Annie after the game.

Tyler with some of his loyal fans!

Tyler and Ashley. Cute.

Ashley, Allie, Sonya and Trish outside the locker room after the game.

The girls at Temple Square.

Annie and Brooke in front of the statue of Christ in the Visitor's Center at Temple Square.

Out of Africa...and Home at Last!

Our dear friends, Brad and Karen Wilkes just returned last night, from their church mission in Africa. They have spent the last 18 months in Uganda and Ethiopia serving as senior missionaries (everytime I think of them as "senior" missionaries...it makes me giggle, because they are so young!) They are amazing and I am totally in awe of those two! Congratulations and welcome home, Elder & Sister Wilkes! We are so very proud of you!

Brooke, Ashley and I made signs to welcome them home!

Brooke and I sidewalk chalked their driveway...it's kind of a tradition that we started when Brad turned 50, and my girls insist on continuing this tradition to celebrate the milestones in Brad's life! And this was definitely a happy milestone!
The Bo Bice comment has something to do with a certain someone...Brad...who teased somebody...Brooke and Ash...about a certain American Idol contestant...Bo Bice...a few years ago...endlessly...really. So...the little girls take advantage of every opportunity to tease Brad back...even after 18 months of service in Africa...they still won't let him forget it!
The Wilkes kids and grandbaby, waiting at the airport!

Elder and Sister Wilkes with the family! This picture is priceless! Sister Wilkes and Deb back together again!

• On a side note, I just want you all to know that Karen and I were back walking (and talking) again the very next day! It was a brisk walk up and down Roseville Parkway, in an early morning rain shower! No biggie!! Mark and Brad, don't worry...we will definitely be ready for ski season!
  
  The large crowd that gathered at the airport to welcome Elder & Sister Wilkes home!

Allie's Research Presentation

We are so proud of Allie! She has spent the last year and a half collecting data and conducting her own research project, where she compared the birth outcomes of regular childbirth versus cesarean section modes of birth. Last week, she was asked to present her research in front of all the nursing students, faculty and staff at a nursing conference at BYU. Tyler & Sonya went to watch her presentation and said that she did a very good job! Way to go Allie!

• Picture taken by Sonya :)

Tyler turns 23!

Sonya and Allie threw a surprise party for Tyler last week to celebrate his birthday! Many of Tyler's friends, old roommates, missionary companions and kids from the ward came, and the best part was that Tyler was really surprised! Sonya made 2 yummy cakes but Allie said that she was so busy getting everything ready and that there were so many people that came that she forgot to take a picture of the cakes before they cut into them!

Tyler with his old rommates and their wives...Brian & Sam Kariya, Tyler & Sonya and Landon & Courtney Fowler.

Tyler and Sonya with Melina and Mariana Itinose, Tyler's Mission President's daughters.

Oklahoma Orthodontic Alumni Meeting in Key West

It's been 20 years since we graduated from the Oklahoma Orthodontic residency. I say "we" because Mark and I do everything together and finishing his graduate work at OU was definitely a team effort!

We decided to celebrate this milestone by attending the Oklahoma Ortho Alumni Convention in Key West, Florida with our good friends and fellow residents, Mary Ann and Bill Osborn. It was a week of fun which included:

• Eating (I think we ate Key Lime pie twice a day)
• Shopping (the biggest shops in the town of Amarillo, Texas, where the Osborn's live is a Gap and a Old Navy store so whenever we go anywhere with Mary Ann, shopping is a big priority)
• Site seeing...the Florida Keys has been on my list of places that I wanted to go and see for some time and I wasn't disappointed. The only drawback is it takes so long to get there from California.
• Chatting...Mary Ann has to be one of the most entertaining storytellers so I love to listen to her tell and retell the stories of our challenging days in Oklahoma when the boys were in school.
• And lots of laughter...Mary Ann is also one of the most friendly Texans I know. She makes friends with everyone and does some of the craziest things, which always makes me laugh. So fun!

It was a great way to celebrate 20 wonderful years!

Miami and Key West with Mark

We arrived in Miami a couple of days before the OU reunion started and enjoyed a day at Miami Beach, which was gorgeous and colorful, and a day in Key West.

Dad, on the boardwalk, with our hotel in the background.

Our hotel had these incredible cabanas all around the pool. The cabanas are like outdoor family rooms with comfy couches, chairs, pillows and big flat screen TVs. I particulairly loved this one that was located on the second floor with an incredible view of the ocean. I'm sure that there have been plenty of exciting parties that have taken place in that cabana!

In the front lobby of our hotel, overlooking the pool.

The most southern point of the USA in Key West, Florida.

Climbing on the rocks at the southern most tip of the USA.

Dad at a State Park in Key West.

Mark and Deb

Key West with Bill and Mary Ann

Cowboy Bill's, a must take picture spot!

Bill demonstrating how to ride the bull outside the bar.

Mark and Bill together outside Cowboy Bill's.

Eating Key Lime Pie

The presentation was beautiful. We liked it so much that we took several...ever angle possible...probably over a dozen between the two of us.

The two of us with our delicious lunch plates in front of us...and our diet cokes! We look like we coordinated our outfits and we match the decor of the restaurant so I had to include this picture.

We took the boys back that night to try "The Best Ever Key Lime Pie" to see what they thought and they agreed that it, indeed, it truly was the best ever!

Glass Bottom Boat Sunset Cruise

After class one night, all the residents, alumni and faculty went on a Glassbottom Boat cruise and had a wonderful time together and then had dinner at one of the seafood restaurants on shore.

The dock at the end of our cruise.

Bill and Mary Ann on the boat.
Mark and Debbie ready to start our adventure.
Setting sail on the sea.
Our Captain, Dr. Currier manning the boat.
Mark looking down at the glassbottom to see the fish and the coral.
Me and Mary Ann. Can't have enough of those kind of pictures.
The OU Orthodontic classes of '89 and '90 were well represented with Bill Osborn, Mark Holt and Jay Fitzgerald.
Dad and me at sunset.
Mary Ann and me. Again.
Dad, looking good as usual.

The four of us again at sunset.

Dad, Dr. Klontz, Dr. Currier and Bill.

The sunset. Gorgeous!

Pulling into the dock, we passed the boardwalk by the Westin and waved to all the people on shore.

The sunsetting with the moon in the background as we are approaching the dock.

Key West Hotel
We had to take pictures outside our hotel in Key West in front of the dolphin fountain before we headed out for dinner one night. We had to get every combination...all four of us together, each couple, just the girls. We tried to get just the guys picture but by that time the boys we hungry and had had enough.

The four of us.

Mark and Deb

Mary Ann and Deb

Daddy Bones BBQ in Key West

Keeping with the Oklahoma theme, we had to stop at for some Barbeque at Daddy Bones BBQ. It was incredible and the decor was darling! "Come as a stranger, leave as a friend."

Mary Ann and I posing on the cute car/couch!
The adorable vanity.

Our gorgeous hotel in Miami Beach

Mary Ann and I taking a enjoying the lobby of our hotel. We got a kick out of the artwork on the wall.

Sporting our OU gear on the pool deck!
The incredible view of the ocean and the cabana outside the hotel lobby in Miami Beach.
Mary Ann and I putting our feet up and relaxing in one of the cabanas outside our hotel. We thought it was pretty nifty that we match the decor of the cabana!
One of the private rooms out on the pool deck. Awesome!

The OU/Miami Game

The boys in deep discussion heading for the stadium.

Outside the stadium enjoying the entertaining people that were tailgating.

The boys getting ready to head into the stadium.

Some views of the big teletron.

The Miami team taking the field.

Mary Ann and I during the game, trying to cheer our Sooners on to victory. Unfortunately, we weren't too successful. The Sooners lost by one point!

It was a wonderful week, inspite of the OU loss! Can't wait for our next reunion!