BBQ Cookoff

Since moving down here to San Antonio, there is one thing I have learned to look forward to each and every January. It not only symbolises the beginning of a new year, but also a way to celebrate the great state of TX BBQ.

It really is the best BBQ in the world.

Over 200 entries competed in this years Cookoff. Basically whomever wants to enter can, and all day Saturday you cook BBQ. At certain times throughout the day you enter your meat (i.e. brisket is the last to be turned in because it takes the longest to cook). So, for those of us NOT cooking, we get to enjoy. Enjoy the smell (you better like it because it does NOT leave you for the next 2 days...no matter how many showers you take!), the taste of the BBQ (usually FREE from different tents), and the people; the TEXAS people.

Everything really is bigger in Texas. I'm going to let the pictures do the talking. Enjoy!

p.s. if you ever want to really enjoy a TRUE Texas tradition, come on down for the cookoff! And even though it is in Jan, it was 60-something and gorgeous outside.

This was Kyle's work set-up. Can you tell they do scaffolding?

His work "crew" is called the Performance Cookers. I designed their T-Shirts for them this year. Like?

Kyle and I on our third annual BBQ Cookoff!

They play "rodeo games" every year- like tug of war, relay, etc. Like the background?? That's Sea World!  

This man was the head cook. Or BBQ Master. Whatever you call him. Either way, he has THE BEST ribs I have EVER tasted. EVER. He placed 6th overall. In Texas? That is MAJOR bragging rights.

So much deliciousness on one table. Sausage, brisket, ribs, YUM

Kyle is enjoying the 6th place ribs. SO YUMMY.

Some people really make this stuff a hobby. A BBQ pit that looks like a gun!

And an American Flag. I am honestly quite shocked it's not a Texas flag!

 In the end it was a great event. As always, I am thankful PCI is such a generous company. And I am thankful for this ribs. They really are life-changing!

Still Here

I know it's been a while. We haven't been up to much. Two weeks ago (the last time I posted) Kyle was sick with THE cold that has been making it's way around to all 2 million residents of San Antonio. Then after a week of making him tea and sending him to bed at 8, I got the much dreaded cold. So the last two weeks have been low key, hot tea, and lots of needed sleep.

Over the weekend, as I was finally feeling more like myself, we made the short 11 minute drive up to our friends new house. (Way better than the old 45 minute drive!) We saw their new place, helped do a little painting and raking, and even helped them enjoy their first meal in the house...Pizza Hut! It was a gorgeous weekend hanging out in the 60/70 degree weather. So nice in fact that our [crazy] friend Dan jumped into the pool at our friends house. (I swear he was a fish in another life.) To give you an idea...pools are not heated down here. They rely soley on the sun. BUT, compared to up north, it was about the temperature of the lakes in the early fall. So it wasn't super cold, but chilly enough. Oh Dan.

We documented it.

Action shot...CANON BALL! January 21, 2012

Sunday before the football games we did some much needed yard work in shorts and a t-shirt. It felt more like Spring than the dead of Winter this weekend...but I'm not complaning!

Is everyone happy with the Super Bowl teams? We had one very upset friend that the 49ers choked in overtime, but overall they were some pretty good games!

Hope everyone is happy, healthy, and enjoying their winter as much as we are here :)

Pheasant Hunting

While we were home for Christmas break, Kyle and his brothers and my dad went pheasant hunting. They went on a game farm near Litchfield, MN. Tucker and Trigger (Adam's dog) were the dogs that went with, and they had a workout! The day ended up being windy so it wasn't prime conditions, but it was still worth it!

This was Tucker's first time pheasant hunting (he's been dove hunting before). He did EXCELLENT conisdering. He chased up birds for everyone to shoot at, and only chased up 1 too far ahead of the guys to shoot.

I think they had a great time and got a few birds while they were at it as well!

Kyle and Tucker

The brothers, dogs, and birds!

Kyle, my dad, and Tucker! Such a proud pup ;)

Taking Over Texas

On Saturday Kyles and my Alma Matter played in Frisco, TX for the FCS Championship football game vs. Sam Houstin State, TX.

NDSU vs TEXAS. How fitting!?

Kyle and I, and our friend living down here from Bisonland, roadtripped it up to Frisco (just north of Dallas, roughly a 5 hour drive) so we could go to the game. And tailgait. And see BISON people again!

It was so worth it.

We arrived late Friday night so we could enjoy the pre-game fesitivies on Saturday. Which were so much fun. I ran into some old co-workers from Bobcat. Saw some old friends and Kyle saw a bunch of old classmates (some living in TX now too!) Anyway, it was a great time. We ended up locating 3 tickets to go to the game so we enjoyed being at a Bison game again, too. I think its been 3+ years since I've been to a game!

After the game we celebrated as Champions (SHS 6, Bison 17) and before I knew it I had crashed while the boys stayed out a few more hours. It was a rough drive home, not nearly as fun as the drive there, but all in all it was a SUPER FUN Bison-filled weekend.

PROUD TO BE A BISON!!!!!!!!

KamiJo! An old friend that came down for the game.

No idea who these people are, but they were super nice and had a ton of school spirit!

SO NICE to see a flag OTHER than the Texas flag fly with the American flag!

 There were a TON of creative & fun signs & t-shirts people made. Some of them quite hilarious!



The three of us watching the game! Dan, Kyle and me



Fans storming the field after we won. It was so much fun!

NDSU Bison CHAMPS

Happy Holidays

Hope everyone enjoyed their Christmas and New Years.

Kyle and I did the return trip to MN for the holidays, the 20 hour drive there and back. 20 hours in a car at one time is not the most desirable thing in the entire world, but it is totally worth it to be able to spend time with friends and family (with our dog, too!)

Christmas Eve was spent with Kyles family and Christmas Day was spent with my family. It is always fun to get everyone together (drinks included or not) and laugh, play, have fun, and enjoy each others company.

Here are a few holiday photos- many more were taken, but you get the idea from these :)

The Bruns Family on Christmas Eve

Blake's First Christmas!

Do I have to claim the one on the right? ;)

The Kiecker Family on Christmas Day

Sisters!

Happy Holidays, 2011! Now onto to 2012. Can't wait to see what the new year brings...many exciting plans are already in the making!