Ultimate Frisbee - Axis of Evel

Now that spring has come our ultimate frisbee league has begun again. Our team, Axis of Evel, has a lot of great players and we have a great time getting together. Here are some pics that Lizzy took from our most recent game. We ended up losing the game 13-12, but it was a tough fought game, and our opponents had a lot of talent on their team.

Lizzy catches me coming out for a break

I'm pretty sure this one got over me, but great picture Lizzy!

Scotty P marching out orders

Another great picture by Lizzy. Okay, it was a great catch as well.

Getting rid of the disc with cone head on me

Changing out: Palmer in for Nelson

Going deep!

Trying to find the open man

First Batch of Scones!!!

The other day, I was thinking about how much I love my Momma's scones and how much I would love to have some. My parents used to make us scones on special occasions. I remember my Mom and Dad letting me invite all my friends over on my B-Day to have scones. They would make a huge pile of dough, get a pot of grease, and go to town. Well, Lizzy and I didn't make our own dough, but we did make scones. Our friends told us you could make them with Rhodes Roll dough, so we bought some, defrosted them, and gave it a try. Just the smell of the oil heating up brought great memories back for me. It took a few to get it right. The first few I allowed the oil to get too hot, so we cooled it down. The next few I made too big and they didn't cook all the way through. Then I remembered my ma and pa stretching them out thin in the middle and a little thicker on the edges. I also cut the dough down to one ball per scone. Once we got it right, they were delicious! We are thinking about creating a monthly Sunday tradition where we invite our friends to come over and have scones with us, we'll see if it takes place. Here are some pics from our first attempt at making scones!

Lizzy making her first scone...

Mike cooking up some mean scones! After a few demo runs...

Mmmmm! The delicious taste of scones!

Second Batch of Scones.... MARCH 30

Friday night we had the Palmers over to see if the scones could pass the friends test...I think the Palmers enjoyed them, I sure did! We have eaten other things over the last week besides scones.

Scott and Katie P enjoying the scones...

Quirky Country Music Song Titles Day...

Today is Quirky Country Music Song Titles Day. In honor of that I have selected a handful of my favorite quirky country music song titles.

Mikes Favorite Quirky Country Music Song Titles
1) She Thinks My Tractor's Sexy
2) Tight Fittin' Jeans
3) Don't Know Whether To Kill Myself Or Go Bowling
4) Her Teeth Was Stained, But Her Heart Was Pure
5) I Changed Her Oil, She Changed My Life
6) I'm So Miserable Without You, It's Like Having You Here
7) I Still Miss You, Baby, But My Aim's Gettin' Better
8) I Wouldn't Take You To A Dog Fight Even If I Thought You Could Win
9) If You Can't Live Without Me, Why Aren't You Dead?
10) If You Got the Money, Honey, I Got the Time
11) There Ain't Enough Room in my Fruit Of The Looms to Hold All My Lovin' For You
12) You're The Hangnail In My Life, And I Can't Bite You Off
13) How Come Your Dog Don't Bite Nobody But Me?
14) I Fell In A Pile Of You And Got Love All Over Me
15) If My Nose Was Running Money, Honey, I'd Blow It Al On You
16) You're The Reason Our Kids Are So Ugly

I found these titles at this website: http://www.bored.com/countrysongtitles/index.htm

Lizzy and Mike's Celebrity Look-alikes

I found this fun website that allows you to figure out what celebrities you look most like. Here is Lizzy's celebrity look-alike profile:

http://www.myheritage.com

http://www.myheritage.com

Here is Mike's celebrity look-alike: (Mine aren't as flattering, but I have Jennifer Love Hewitt!)

http://www.myheritage.com

http://www.myheritage.com

New Found Hobby...

For Christmas, Lizzy and I got road bikes. As the weather warms in the District, we have been spending lots of time on the road. We bought our bikes at the end of the year clearance sale at Capitol Bikes, and we both got screaming deals. Lizzy got a Scott Contessa, and I got a sweet Cannondale. Here is a picture of me getting ready to head out on a ride.

Me and my sexy new bike!

National Champions The Florida Gators at the White House

Every year the President invites the NCAA football champions to come to the White House for a ceremony. I was lucky enough to get invited this year. It was awesome! When I arrived there were already about 150 people in line so I figured I would have awful seats. As I was walking to get in line a security agent said to me "This is a new line, you want in?" So I was one of the first into the event and had front row seats for the guests! (Family and School officials were still in front of me.) I ran into Bernie Machen and his wife Chris, the former President at the University of Utah who is now the President at the University of Florida. It was great seeing him. Here are some pictures from the event.

Here I am on the White House Lawn with the Florida Gators behind me

President Bush and the Florida Gators

The Legend Urban Meyer

President Bush taking a handoff from Chris Leak

President Bush and former Utah President, now Florida President, Bernie Machen

Tim Tebow signing autographs

Mike with Andre Caldwell, and all star wide receiver for Florida. Check out that ring!

The celebrity Chris Leak

Urban Meyer - Former Ute

Bragging about my Nephew Colton...

My cute sister Julie sent me some new pictures of their growing family! They are adorable so I thought I'd share the pictures.

Baby Colton and his big beautiful eyes!

Julie, Pat and baby Colton on the day of Colton's baby blessing.

Richards Brothers!

One big happy Richards family!

Happy Birthday Mike --- Big 25 Years Old!

Mike turned 25 this week! (Isn't that right?) To kick things off, my sweet Lizzy threw me a surprise party Saturday night at Tortilla Coast that took me by total surprise. We have great friends and it was fun to have an excuse to get together with everyone. My birthday was on Tuesday, March 13th, and to celebrate I worked all day. Lizzy baked me some delicious cupcakes Monday night that I could take into work and give to people. It was like going back to grade school! Lizzy spoils me! I have to say I don't love the attention, and it sort of embarrasses me, but I love the fact that I get to talk to all of my family and friends. After work, Lizzy took me to Heritage India, one of my favorite restaurants in DC, with Kimberly K, and Mike and Elaine. We had a great time and the food was delicious! Here are some pictures from the day.

Birthday balloons that my friends at work got me!

I played basketball Monday night with some friends and got some wicked blisters!

Lizzy and I at Heritage India

Mike and Elaine getting ready to eat our delicious food! Mike had just ordered several delicious meat dishes.

mmmm...delicious food. Q isn't always that excited, the food was just really good!

The whole gang after our meal.

After dinner it was present time. Lizzy spoiled me with some new biking gear, and a great beanie that she knit. It was a great birthday! Thank you everyone!

Mike Meets Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger

Last week I had the opportunity to meet my life long hero...Arnold Schwarzenegger. Okay, maybe it's not my life long hero, but it was still a great moment. The highlight of meeting the Terminator was when the Governor introduced me to one of his staff members who happens to have alopecia as well. As we shook hands, I saw him glance at my head and say "Carl, get over here and meet your son." Everyone erupted into laughter, it was a classic moment. If you look carefully at the picture, you can see the gentleman behind Schwarzenegger. Eileen Conover, the wonderful lady who works in our office was there to meet him as well. She worked with the Governor when he was on the President's Fitness Council. The Governator was at our office working with Secretary Leavitt to fine tune his state health care plan.

Eileen and I meeting the Governator. Look closely in the background for my "bald" father.

Happy Birthday Nana!

My dear Mother celebrated her Birthday last week on March 2. Happy Birthday Momma! Lizzy and I had a great video chat with my family yesterday during which Mark sent us this picture of my Momma with all of her grandchildren. The family continues to grow. Quite a funny picture!

Nana with L to R: Claire, Preston, Ava, Colton, and Ellie