The Knotwell Family Blog

I imagine it's only a matter of time before Mr. Will get's into the racing as well. While he didn't have a tutu this time, he sure did have that pink purse... way to make your daddy proud, son.

This race was really fun because Emily and Charlotte were able to participate as well. The Nutcracker has a 1/4 mile kids run (and they get to run indoors, instead of the 30 degree weather that mom got to run in!), but they still have to wear the appropriate attire - namely TUTUs.

Our dear Charlotte didn't do so well, she ran off the course very early crying. We think she was scared and overwhelmed by all the people cheering and yelling. We heard later that she finished "1st" in her age group... uh, yeah... she didn't finish!

What a cute gift for a teacher or friend. They come wrapped in a cute bag and its ready to give to that special someone. The price for this item is $10.

For FHE we made a tree and covered it with leaves with the things that we are grateful for.

Charlotte: Ranch, bankelie, "sumb" (thumb), bed, and I had to beg her to put William.
Emily: People, TV, Family, School, Food
William: Kitchen Utensils, Bankelie, Sucker (Binkie), Cars
Jill: My sweet husband, sweet children, health, warm home
Johnny: Sweet wife, good job, family and good parents

It was really fun to see what the kids would write and I think it was a good lesson for them too.

I will admit to being one of those naysayers who said as little as 5 months ago that we could kiss $2 per gallon gas goodbye... but I am happy to eat crow on this one. We filled up the mini van for under $40 tonight... because gas was down to $1.99.

HOLY SMOKES!

I only wish it was this low when we drove to Missouri this past April, $80 to fill up the tank... 6 times... do the math on that one!

Oil traded for $56 a barrel today, lowest in 21 months, Yippee, Skippy!

Today is Veteran's Day. However, it wasn't always called Veteran's Day. Woodrow Wilson proclaimed Armistice Day as November 12, 1919 to honor those that had served in World War I. In 1953, a Kansas Shoe Store named Al King lobbied his city council and then his local House Representative to pass legislation proclaiming this day as Veteran's Day - to honor all Veterans. President Dwight Eisenhower signed it into law in 1954.

Last Saturday Sarah Alvord, Heather Dalton, and I ran in the Sandy City Turkey Trot. It was really fun and the weather was awesome! John set my goal at 26 minutes and I ran it 28:31 and took 7th in my age division. Our next race in on Thanksgiving somewhere and I am going to beat my goal by 1 minute.
Thanks ladies for the good time and can't wait for the next one!

There is no need to call DCFS on me, this was not my fault. We were at a friends house helping her move, and my little man loves to climb up chairs. Yeah, yeah I know you know where this is going, but the chair fell over with William aboard and it split his eye open. He actually was fine and really not crying until the stitches. I ran Will over to Urgent Care and they were awesome! They wanted to numb his eye before they gave him his shot to really numb it. Well he was not about to do that and ripped right off of his face. We had to swaddle him with a blanket to hold his arms down while the mean doctor gave him shots. After going through this, I would rather give birth with no drugs. Will kept looking at me with those eyes asking "Why do you hate me so much?" It was honestly one of the hardest things I have had to do. Once he was done and completely sweatey from crying so hard, he got 2 suckers and a Capri Sun. He was so happy and I don't think he even remembered what had happened 5 minutes ago. He is such a tough little kid and I can't wait to see what will happen next.

This was probably the most fun of all the days of our trip. Seaworld is a blast, go there, you won't be disappointed. We've been as a family twice and I spent some awesome summers going to the park more than a few times when I was growing up. Really... go... don't be afraid, most of the stuff there can't even walk on dry land.



Seaworld is owned by the Anheuser-Busch company. They respect their place as stewards of the environment and as fortunate recipients of the blessings of liberty. During each of the last two Shamu shows we've been too, they ask every past and present member of the armed services to stand. The entire audience then stands and claps for their service. It's very emotional. This circle of flags has been here since I can remember. It's a Seaworld landmark.

The star of the whole park. Shamu performs only twice a day now (thankfully), but the show is spectacular. Orca's are amazing creatures.

My darling wife took this shot, this is priceless. I think Emily and Ed stood there for about 5 of the coasters to come down and splash them. They were wet most of the day.

My favorite shot from the day. Beluga's are my favorite animal at the park.

A polar bear... or, wait, is that Ed?

No, those are not Knotwell children, those are penguins.

William love playing with the starfish with his Momo.