Christmas 2009

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Isaiah 9:6

After our trip to North Carolina, Brandon and I were looking forward to a few days of respite at home. But then we learned of a giant storm (the one that plagued most of America Christmas week) rolling through the Midwest. We would need to leave that day or miss out on the holidays with our families. So we hit the road!

Most of our annual Christmas traditions were postponed due to illness and nasty winter driving. We began to refer to the storm as the Blizzard of 2009. We were snowed in for a few days and Christmas Eve candlelight service at my hometown church was canceled.

When the snow and ice let up a bit, we gathered together on Saturday at my grandparents’ home.

They make THE BEST soups every Christmas Eve. Clam chowder has become a family tradition and the hamburger soup is so yummy too. It’s hard to choose, so I usually have a few spoonfuls of both!

Then we convened in the living room and tore into our gifts. Here’s Brandon with my cousin, Elliot.

We were thrilled when my sister Aubrey and her fiance Josh arrived. Their wedding will take place in just ONE WEEK!

Here we are at mom and dad’s!

Emma sure enjoyed her Christmas present too! She wore her festive red holiday bandana to chew her new bone. I love how puppy-ish she looks here.

We also enjoyed two editions of “White Elephant Gift Exchange”, one at my grandma’s and one at Brandon’s mom’s house. The white elephant involves bringing small gifts that are homemade, found, and generally not very valuable. Then each participant chooses a gift in order. Brandon spent several days creating the white elephant trophy for the exchange at his mom’s since it was our first year. The result is a colorful circus-themed work of art. He is so creative!

The glass cylinder is filled will peanuts, the white elephant’s favorite snack. His sister Rhonda, also a creative artist, sculpted this cute clay mouse to guard the door of the tent.

Isn’t he cute? I love his little worried expression.

The gift exchange was wonderful. Here I am opening my first gift choice…some lovely arrowheads and deer “scent” (pee).

Luckily, my nephew Brandon wanted the collection of hunting goods, and I ended up with this adorable pipe cleaner flower made by my niece Liz. Yay! It’s so pretty.

Brandon also opened a bag of lego candy from grandma that he LOVED!

And Brandon made my Christmas even sweeter by stealing this snowgirl that Rhonda made. She is whimsical, glittery, and even has a tiny flower in her hat!

Rhonda’s husband Wade was the lucky one who ended up with the trophy, so he will wrap it up for Christmas 2010! And there’s Rhonda documenting the fun evening in photos. You can read all about Rhonda’s creative adventures in her blog: http://rhonda4kids.blogspot.com/

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year, everyone!

xoxo

Erika

P.S. Just a couple of photos from the gingerbread house competition at Grove Park Inn in Asheville! Thanks again for sharing with us, Chris and Rayna!

yeah, that’s a big house.

Brandon and I were lucky enough to make a visit to the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, North Carolina. We visited his sister, Rayna and her husband Chris at their home near Cameron the week before Christmas. It was a four hour drive from Cameron to Asheville and as usual, we filled the car time with Rayna’s stories of my husband as a kid (those are my favorites) and jokes.

Biltmore House is the fruition of George Vanderbilt’s state of the art dreams. Mr. Vanderbilt opened the doors to his mansion in 1895 for his lavish Christmas party. The interior space occupies 43 acres and boasts over 250 rooms. Many walls are covered in silk, silver, and gold. Today, Biltmore remains the largest privately-owned home in the United States and employs nearly 1,800 employees.

Touring the house at Christmas was a sight to behold. Here are some glimpses of the exterior (no photography allowed inside). I would have easily filled ten memory cards on each floor…

We walked around the grounds right before sunset and the giant greenhouse was a real treat! Each wing supports a unique climate for its plants.

I loved the patterns and textures. Brandon took the photos in the cactus section. Beautiful!

And the pineapple was so tempting!

There was even a large Koi pond in the center with Oriental plants all around.

Chris and Rayna enjoyed some time together in the courtyard as we sipped hot cocoa from one of the on-site shops.

That was some yummmmmmy hot cocoa.

Of course, Brandon called ahead to color coordinate with the vegetation : )

Not really sure what the funny face was all about.

Biltmore has several gift shops, each with their own specialty. This one had ornaments similar to those adorning the trees inside the mansion. These little flocked and feathered birds were so cute!

As we left, we enjoyed one last magical view of Biltmore’s majesty.

Peace and love,

Erika

Race Photos

Brandon just finished his first race of the “cross” season. Here are some photos I took of him competing, just a few minutes ago. Enjoy!
We’ll be back with results shortly…
-peegs

At the Races!

We just arrived at Brandon’s first race of the Cyclocross season. Photos and video coming soon!

American Gothic

Here’s a little excerpt from Labor Day weekend that we like to call, “American Gothic.” More photos from our quick trip to Nebraska coming soon!

Love you all,

nano & peegs

the big one

The first week of September causes us to pause for a moment…”Where the heck did summer go?!” Fortunately it still feels like summer here in Colorado. We finally got rid of the rainy days that plagued us in May, June and July.

This post is “the big one” because we need to recap some of our fun summer 2009 activities. We did so much. Let’s begin with Brandon’s new cyclocross bike!

The newest addition to our “wall of bikes” (photos of that later) is Brandon’s brand new Scott cross bike with Sram Red, Ritchey wet black seat post, stem, and handlebars; and Easton wheels. Brandon began choosing the components for this bike when he worked at Treads. He had to make some adjustments along the way. (When he found out his Cannondale frame was not coming, he found this sweet pearly white Scott aluminum frame in his size at the Pros Closet on eBay.) He also has this wheel set. They are at Boulder Cycle Sport now, where they are gluing on the tires. Boulder Cycle Sport is the shop-based team that Brandon joined this summer.

Here’s what the schnazzy team jersey looks like. He practices with the BCS team and several other area teams every Wednesday morning. It’s going to be a great cyclocross season! If you don’t know what cyclocross is, here’s a taste…

A little cold, wet, heart-pounding, and loud, wouldn’t you say?

Here are some close-ups of the beauty:

“Cross” season starts this month and goes all winter long!

Brandon took a trip to Nebraska last month for Jared Carlson’s 30th birthday. He stopped in Kearney and Gibbon along the way, and look who he saw!

…and since our camera case is just so manly…Luke Garringer and Brandon show pinkies up!

Here’s a photo of Jared’s awesome bike cake, made by his wife Hope:

Then it was back to Colorado. We were excited to receive this email one quiet weekday afternoon…

Hello Erika,

I wanted to send you a quick thank you from Qdoba Mexican Grill for your continued patronage. As of recent you have been one of our top 10 Loyalty Card carrying customers. We greatly appreciate your loyal business and would like to buy your next lunch or dinner at Qdoba. You will find a free entrée on your loyalty card which can be redeemed at any Qdoba Mexican Grill location. Feel free to check your loyalty card balance at www.iloveqdoba.com.  I hope this email finds you well, enjoy your next meal on us!

Enjoy,

Lindsey Jensen

Regional Marketing Specialist

Qdoba Restaurant Corporation

4865 Ward Road; Suite 500

Wheat Ridge, CO 80033

So perhaps our Qdoba addiction is a teensy bit out of control.

And since we had already earned another free entree, here was our total bill:

$3.00! For total Qdoba yumminess! Sweet*

*Note: If you think it’s odd that we get so excited about Qdoba, you’ve evidently never had Qdoba : )

Then we headed to Sherman County Reservoir for a couple days of fun with the Minnesota Ihdes, Matt and his kids, Josh, Rhonda and Wade and family, and mom! (photos courtesy of Ron & Carrie)

Rhonda and Christyn on the beach

Uncle Ron, Wade, and Elizabeth enjoying supper.

Daniece and Christyn by the water

Rachael and Aunt Carrie

Uncle Ron and a monster fish : )

Uncle Ron and Brandon

Rhonda, Minnie, Erika, and Daniece

Brandon on the tube!

Erika on the tube!

our first tent!

Josh and his girlfriend, Racy

the whole gang!

Thanks for the fun, everyone!

Next, we made our way to Branch Oak Lake near Lincoln for XTERRA B.O.L.T. This was Nebraska’s first XTERRA, organized by Jared Carlson. It was a muddy course, but tons of fun. Greg, Elaina, Daniece, Rhonda, Brandon, Liz, and Rachael were also in attendance!

Cute spectators

Jared on the mic

Jared held lots of competitions after the event. Guess who won the “welt contest”?

Of course, there was lots of eating. This was the peanut butter cracker-eating contest : )

And here’s an awesome race collage that Rhonda created!

Paddle boarding wasn’t one of the triathlon events…just another post-race activity.

Brandon suffered the loss of a spoke on the bike when his mud-covered chain slipped into the rear wheel. He finished 8th. It was a really great day with family and friends.

That afternoon, we rolled into Omaha to visit Greg and Kami!

Brandon and Greg at dinner

Kami and Erika

Greg and Kami took us to their new home in the Shadow Lake neighborhood in Papillion. They will move in this fall!

Then Riley got to go swimming. This lake is just a short walk from their front door. Lucky dog! : )

Here are some photos of the home’s interior:

Greg and Brandon snuggling

Then, back to Gibbon and Pintail Point. You’ll probably recognize that giant cottonwood tree : ) Look at those little gnomes that mom and I found. One of them seems to be signaling to us.

G Ma schooled Brandon at an odd walnut tossing contest we invented.

Emma, in her natural habitat

Mom and G Ma took me to the new Gibbon school. I got to visit the canvas painting that I created for the elementary library!

We think that’s it for now. Expect another post soon. We had lots of company in August and we’re headed to Nebraska this weekend for Dad’s birthday and Labor Day.

Love you all!

nano & peegs

movin’ on up! to the west side!

We have officially been Coloradans for one year! Those 365 days have really flown by, but no matter how long we habitate here, you’ll be happy to know that some things will never change. For example…

• We still love a good hamburger. Oh yes, those “Meat Is Murder” bumper stickers haven’t converted us yet.
• We still like our fruits and veggies to be pumped full of more hormones than the California governor.
• We still have both of our “clunkers.”
• Erika still shaves her armpits and Brandon still shaves his legs. Take that, hippies!

Last month, we completed a happy year at our first apartment on East Colfax and began the search for our new pad. After we (Erika) nearly gave up on Craigslist altogether, we (Brandon) found a really cute prospect in Lakewood. To make a long story short, we got a great deal on a quaint one bedroom apartment near the mountains! We are just minutes away from great hiking, biking, fishing, camping, rock climbing, kayaking, (not to mention incredible food), so please come visit!

Our list of 2008-09 visitors included Chris & Rayna, Brian Gangwish & his posse, Jared Carlson, Luke & Amanda Garringer, Greg, Aubrey & Josh, and Greg (gold star for two visits) & Kami. Don’t you want to join the list?

Here are some moving photos!

Chaos at the old apartment

Give us that deposit back!!

Nano refuses to deflate or leave the exercise ball behind!

The calm before the storm.

…”Did someone order a pizza…?” –Allen Tornado

This doesn't look like the pepperoni we ordered.

We should have known the pizza would be horrible when we pulled up.

Why would we choose such a dump, you say? Well, when Greg and Kami visited for their anniversary, we had a “favorite pizza” discussion. Greg just couldn’t quit singing the praises of Domino’s. Betraying our stuffed crust Meat Lover desires at “the Hut,” we took a walk on the wild side.

…Greg, you owe us $14.55 + gas for traveling to this palace of pizza doom.

Please leave us a comment and tell us what your favorite pizza place is.

And here’s our new address!

Brandon & Erika Jessop | 435 South Wright Street #207 | Lakewood, CO 80228

You’ll be happy (or annoyed) to know that the blog is back, so expect more frequent updates.

Love you all,

nano & peegs

pHunk Band

So this whole blog thing just came to Erika and I the other day, so we don’t have a whole lot to post about January.  But one story that definitely makes the blog is the pHunk Band.  You’ll notice that “punk” is spelled with a “pH”; that is a triple play there boys and girls.  First: “punk.”  Second: “(F)unk.”  Third: pH levels.  -That’s the trifecta.  

January 28, 2009:  Erika’s cousin, Brian is one of seven members in a punk band, Bombs Blast traveling to California for a recording gig, and making a tour along the way.  Lucky us!  Denver is on the tour.  Over a 40+ sushi gorge (celebrating my 30th birthday), Erika and I received a text from Brian saying his band was playing at the Climax here in Denver.  After a game of Farkle we “decided” to go.  Well, just as we arrived we received a text saying they just got off stage.  …something about some cat with a 22 pistol that closed down the joint early, I don’t know.  Climax: Real classy place.

Being the hospitable saints we are, Erika and I invited the band to say with us in our sub 600 sq ft apartment.  Did I mention there were SEVEN of them?  So late that night they piled in with black skinnies, safety pins, and the funk is still in our area rug after several treatments of countless aerosols.  I don’t have words to describe the odor, but these guys had more FUNK than George Clinton.  ”We welcomed everyone to a shower (should have made it mandatory) and anything is fair game.”  One of the seven wonders busted out with a can of odor eater spray and said, “Shower?  No need.  I just took mine.” as he proceeded to dance amongst the mist.  I finally know how cockroaches feel when there is that big tent over someone’s house as they are being fumigated to death.  -Those of you in California know what I’m talking about.  They all lined up like sardines, spooning one another in a perfect row, and crashed for the night.  Erika and I retreated to our bedroom for safety and air.

The next morning I opened the bedroom door only to experiance that Grand Funk Railroad derailed in our living room.  It was worse than before.  It must have marinated over night.  We ran to the store to retrieve 3 gallons of milk and two bags of Sam’s Club Malt-O-Meal cereal, and a couple lungs of fresh air.  They really are a good bunch of kids.  Each one personally thanked Erika and I for everything.  After a quick photoshoot, they set forth to Grand Junction, Colorado.

Bombs Blast and Brandon Jessop.  I’m the one to the far right.

 

The tree of life

Greetings family!

We would like to introduce to you the nano & peegs blog.  You might be asking yourself, “What is a peegs?”  Long story short: Nano and Peegs are our terms of endearment for each other.  They have both evolved over time from one variation to the next; and no, nano has nothing to do with size.

We’re turning over a new leaf with this blog.  Rooted to our family tree, we are branching out to inform everyone of our lives, and how we are growing together.  

Psalm 89:29: “His seed also will I make to endure for ever…”  Family is the one investment that we will reap the benefits for not only in this life, but in the life after.

Now you’re caught up with the Jessops, although you’re one lap behind.

-Brandon

hello world!

Our blog is coming soon!

Love,

nano & peegs