Rock Paper Scissors is no laughing matter

What you probably see as a silly game of chance my family takes very seriously.  Once a year that is. We started 5 years ago the Austin Annual Holiday RPS Tourney.  We have it at Thanksgiving or Christmas, whichever holiday has more family.  Yes, we really do this and yes, we really do take it seriously.  Please don't ask how this idea got started.  We were probably all sitting around asking: ok how can we make something completely harmless a REALLY BIG DEAL?

Our Tournament starts with the playing of the National Anthem (this year Beyonce did the honors).  We do a round-robin (everyone plays everyone) and then based on our record get seated for the double elimination bracket.  We stretch, practice our throws, and psychologically intimidate our opponents.  The stakes are high, bragging rights throughout the entire years AND a plaque with your name on it.  We really spend money on a legitimate wood plaque with brass plates and engraving because in my family bragging rights over a good competition is priceless.      

If you are lucky enough to attend a holiday with us then you are invited (and maybe pushed) to join in the competition.  Shout out to our guest athletes: Michaela Shoemake,  Danny Shoemake, Dennis Macintosh, and Akeem Robinson.

So here are some pictures documenting the years:

Christmas 2007 

This round must have required two referees.  Nice shirt Josh. 

Akeem interviewing the Champion athlete of the year.  

The podium 

Christmas 2008

My cousin Jeff Brown won this year and I didn't even make the podium so I guess it wasn't that memorable to me...

Christmas 2009 

My brother-in-law Russell won by PHONE from Hawaii.  After getting our tails kicked by someone thousands of miles away we decided that we would not allow any long distance athletes again.  We were all left sulky and sad without even someone to rub their win in our face.  very unrewarding. 

Christmas 2010 

My mom's infamous "RPS face."  I only see this face once a year and honestly that's more than I would like.   

The National Anthem- please note my dad dishonoring our country by texting.  

Margaret's intensity paid off earning her 3rd place. 

And Finally: Christmas 2011 

The National Anthem 

My dad's eyes reflect the intensity of the competition. 

Pure joy. 

I couldn't remake this face if I wanted to.  It only comes after sweet victory. Oh and yes I am wearing onesie Dr.Suess PJ's.  

and you can guess what this face is for. failure. 

Congrats Aunt Kim and Mom but I'm coming for you next year!  

Thanks Josh for always heading it up and thinking of this idea.  We missed you this year!  

Christmas Cheer

"The best way to spread cheer is to singing loud for all to hear." OR if you want to be awkward and still make people laugh you can sing real loud with your ipod in and dance around in public with a tacky christmas sweater on.

Stay tune for my own version of this video hopefully starring my brother Josh....Josh what do you think?  

Parties, Parties, and MORE Parties!

      So I am officially 21 as of November 27, 2011, and I feel like it's the land of no return. The only thing I can't do is rent a car, get a room on a cruise ship in my name...ok so I definitely have some landmarks to look forward to.  If you know my family at all you know that cruises are a BIG deal to us.  Eating for 7 days while floating in turquoise water---bliss.

     My family celebrated my b-day on Saturday and I was pleasantly awoken by my niece's loud sweet little voice saying, "Aunt B!  It's your Birthday!  We get to play birthday games!"  I just assumed that she would think this was her birthday and I was fine with that. I mean she's three people.  But I caught a little glimpse of her beautiful heart when she made it clear that it was my birthday and not hers.  The heart of a child is so precious.  We celebrated all day until we ate ourselves sick with the BEST birthday cake I've ever had made by my sister Keri.  My mom slaved over an awesome b-day dinner of my choosing.  Let's just face it. Birthdays are great.  I LOVE birthdays. Not just mine...that would be self-centered, but everyones.  It is such a great opportunity to reflect on how far God has brought our broken, beautiful lives.  My life is such a story of His redemption.  

Anyway, So after traveling back from New York on my real birthday with a bunch of USC students (Barf) I came home to an AWESOME surprise.    

Not only was my room covered with balloons and streamers, there were about 15 balloons floating on the ceiling containing "secret messages" AKA scripture.  My lovely roommates helped an anonymous person pull this off before I got home and my roommate video recorded my reaction which contained a lot of frolicking in the mass of balloons.  Oh come on, you would do it too.  right?  Never mind I don't care, I'm secure in my dorkiness.  

Thank you roommates and patron of this birthday surprise! It was honestly the best part of my long...delayed flight...day of traveling.  God has blessed me with such great friends!  


In other party news Campus Outreach hosted a stellar Christmas party.  Of course being the good white people that we are we turned it into an ugly sweater party.

The awkward hand shelf oh and I apologize for my crazy friend Logan in the background.  

As if two celebrations wasn't enough I just finished an awesome night of christmas cookie making (in ugly sweaters of course) with my Bible study group.  I love them so much.  I'm not ready to leave Clemson for Christmas break.  I'm going to miss all of this too much.

My LMing rebuttal

       So my very creative brother realized "planking's" genius but also that it's a fad that faded out like yesterday's sunset.  So he has brought us something new...like a refreshing cup of cold water after a long run, so is Josh's new phenomenon "LMing" to your sense of humor. Please go here to read Josh's definition before watching the video.  

So my entire family is taking up Josh's challenge of LMing.  Go here if you really want to laugh and see some quality LMing from some of my family members.  

Here's to you Josh. I can't wait to see you in January!