More College Football

I'm afraid I got a little carried away with OU and forgot to mention in our last blog that the Michigan vs. Ohio State game was also on Saturday! Needless to say it didn't go as well for the Wolverines as it did for the Sooners. HOWEVER, Ted was able to go to the game in Columbus and had a marvelous time! (He even got to travel by "private jet"!) Here are some of the pictures he took from last Saturday. Okay, I think that's all the football updates for now!

Boomer Sooner!!!

WOW! What a game on Saturday night against Texas Tech. This was actually the first time I had seen an OU game on tv from start to finish this season (and oh what a thrill!) I would more or less say we dominated the Red Raiders and while I certainly hoped for the outcome that happened...I didn't necessarily think it would be such a blow out. (The very NON competitive side of me was even pulling for the Red Raiders just a tad-NOT TO WIN-but just to score a few more points). I have attached a picture of my soon to be sister-in-law Lindee and I from a couple of years ago at an OU/OSU baseball game. She too, is a Sooner (one of many reasons why I love her!) and I just want her to know that I will be wishing she were here with me to cheer on the Sooners this coming Saturday(for those who don't know...we are both married/almost married to OSU Cowboys). We don't get much support from the guys as far as OU is concerned... So we girls stick together during these bedlam battles!

California Dreamin'

I have been singing that Mamas and the Papas song "California Dreamin'" the past 2 days, wishing I were with Ted in San Diego :) He is on a business trip right now and couldn't have picked a better time to go...it is FREEZING here!!(What a surprise!) Despite the fact that they accidentally sent his luggage to Seattle instead of San Diego (oooops), he's having a great time meeting new people and also enjoying some good Mexican food (sorry Michigan...it's just not the same up north, ha!) Come home safely honey, and bring some of those warm temperatures back with you PLEASE. P.S. Ted's luggage did arrive at the hotel Tuesday night around 10:30pm so fortunately he did not have to sleep in his dress clothes.

Coldness & Sadness

Well...Saturday was the last home Michigan Football Game. You guys, it could not have been anymore cold or sad :( It rained and snowed the entire day and the only reason we have smiles on our faces is b/c we just got out of the car. I actually came back and sat in the car the 4th quarter (I know...I wimped out!) We lost to Northwestern, which allows Ted and I to be here for another Michigan Football "first" (UM has never lost 8 games in a single season until this year). Last year of course we lost to Appalachian State (the first time ever of losing to a division I-AA team). We also lost to Toledo this year which is a MAC team (I guess that's never happened either!) Despite a rough season, it is so much fun going to the games, and things will get better at the Big House! Anyways, back to coldness and sadness...that is what we felt until we got home that afternoon and changed into dry clothes :)

Fancy Friday

Friday night, Ted and I attended the Ann Arbor Business Review "Deals of the Year" Awards Banquet. This is an annual event that honors local businesses, non-profit organizations, and city projects and the work they do to help the city of Ann Arbor. The University of Michigan Stadium Project was nominated for an award and so Ted was asked to attend the event and represent the Athletic Dept (and I, being the wife, got to tag along!) It was quite Fancy-- Tuxedos and formals, cocktails and mysterious appetizers, delicious dinner & dessert, awards & speeches, and there was even an after party with a jazz band, more chocolate and a martini & cigar lounge. Here are a few pictures from our fancy evening :)

Football & First Snow of the Year!

I just wanted to let everyone know that Ted is doing very well...despite his Oklahoma State Cowboy's loss to the unconscious Texas Tech Red Raiders, he still was able to give a thumbs up at the end of the night:) (Michigan and OU won, so the day wasn't all bad!)

Well, the first snow fall of the year came today...Sunday, November 9th. Here is a picture of how I felt about it :( It's kind of hard to tell, but trust me, there was definitely white stuff falling out of the sky! Oh boy, here we go again!!!

Happy Birthday Debbie!

Today is my Mom's Birthday! She is 29+? years old :) Happy Birthday Mom, we love you and hope you enjoy your day!

Happy Halloween!!!

Last night, my sweet and thoughtful husband surprised me by bringing home 2 huge pumpkins and a pumpkin carving set! We have always talked about how much fun it would be to carve a pumpkin for Halloween (and by the time we think to do it...we already have our Christmas stuff out!) So this year, the tradition has started and Ted and I made our pumpkin carving debut (let's just say you wouldn't want either of us to be your surgeon!) Here are our finished products :) (We even baked the pumpkin seeds....yummmm!)

Weekend Update

Hello Ledbetter Blog Readers! Hope this finds you well...sorry it's been awhile since we've last posted. Here are a few pictures from this past weekend. Saturday, we went to the Michigan vs. Michigan State game. It was cold and unfortunately we lost :( BUT...the tailgate food was excellent as always (thank you Tom!) I also turned a year younger :) The big 27! Sunday was our church's annual "Trunk or Treat". We served food (hotdogs, chili, apples & caramel) and the kids get to play games, decorate pumpkins, go for a hay ride, and then at the very end of the night, all the adults open the trunks of their cars and pass out candy in the parking lot. Ted and I went as...Ted and Anne :) Although he did wear a black cape for awhile. (I was in charge of helping with the food and Ted helped with clean up and passing out candy). It was a fun weekend! P.S. I'd also just like to say that we have turned on the heat in our apt (our goal was to make it to November, oh well!) and I have officially starting wearing my winter coat!

Bonfire!

Last night, we went to the annual Mattocks Bonfire! Jim and Geri Mattocks, some dear friends from church, invite the youth group and anyone else (that would be us!) over to their house each year in October for food, games, and a devotional around a HUGE Bonfire. We were blessed to have the singing group "Autumn" from Rochester College lead our worship-wonderful singing!!! Geri made delicious chili, hotdogs, and hot chocolate which kept us plenty warm until Jim started burning things :) Here are a few pictures from the evening.

A Fall Treat!

A dear former teacher of mine emailed me this recipe and I just had to share it...Thank you Ms. Connie :)

Pumpkin Nut Crunch

1 Large can pumpkin (& ingredients listed for pie filling)
1 Duncan Hines Butter Cake Mix
1 Cup melted butter or margarine
1 Cup chopped nuts

Mix the pumpkin pie filling as directed on can. Pour into cake pan which as been sprayed with PAM cooking spray. Sprinkle cake mix (dry) over pie filling. Sprinkle pecans on top of cake mix. Evenly pour melted butter on top. Bake for 55-60 minutes at 350 degrees F. Serve warm with cool whip. Enjoy!!!! Happy Fall!

Visitors!!!

Last Thursday morning, my Mom and Dad arrived in MI! (Mom was here briefly last summer and Dad was making his first trip to Ann Arbor). We had a blast...we explored downtown AA and a good portion of campus, ate at our favorite restaurant (The Prickly Pear-Mexican food), went to a cider mill and had fresh apple cider and homemade doughnuts (yummmm), and made it to a UM football game-which was great fun, despite the loss :( Here are some pictures from their visit. Thanks Jon and Deb for everything...we are so glad you came to visit!!!

What a come back!!!

Hey Everyone! Sorry I haven't blogged in awhile. All is well here, especially since Michigan BEAT Wisconsin on Saturday (YIPEEEE!) For those of you who didn't see the game or any of the high lights on tv, the first half was really bad...okay it was AWFUL! Michigan was down 19-0 and had a total of 21 yards. I'm not sure what coach Rodriguez said at half time, but it worked. Not only did we score 27 points, we didn't allow the other team to score at all. It turned out to be an excellent game (and I'm sure all of those upset fans who left in the first half were wishing they had stuck around!) Here are some pics from last Saturday. (Doesn't Ted look handsome in his sweater vest & Michigan tie?) :)

Creative Movement & Politics

This morning I taught a couple of classes at the dance studio (I was filling in for one of the teachers who was out of town). Before we begin class, I have my students sit in a circle "criss cross applesauce" (Indian style) so that I can take attendance, remind them about good dancer's manners, etc. All the children have sticker charts, and when they come to class they get a sticker at the very end. Well, as I was passing out stickers, one of my students (4 years old) said to me (and I quote) "Speaking of stickers Ms. Anne, after class, we're going to go get some bumper stickers for our car that say Vote for Obama". Everyone started to chuckle (parents especially). I just smiled and nodded my head...I almost told her that after class I was going to go and get my Vote for McCain bumper sticker, but I didn't :)

Ted's Road Trip to Notre Dame

Ted, along with two of his co-workers from the athletic dept, drove to Indiana last Saturday to cheer on the Wolverines (in the pouring rain) as they strived for their first road game victory of the season. Well...the Fighting Irish got the win, but I think the guys still had a great time. Here are some pictures Ted took while they were there. (FYI...The first picture is known as "Touch down Jesus").

The Pumpkin Spice Latte is back!!!

We love everything about fall...the cooler temperatures, colors, and smells. One of the things we are most excited about is that Starbucks has brought back the ever wonderful pumpkin spice latte. People, if you have not tried this yummy goodness, you need to get to Starbucks asap! Well, last night was pretty chilly(yes, already!), so Ted and I decided to make our way to downtown Ann Arbor and enjoy the first "PSL" of the season!

Ballet and Pilates

Fall classes are now in session and I am back teaching ballet at Dancer's Edge Studio "D", and also pilates at UM (through their UMove Fitness Program). Classes have been going well thus far...the beginning is always a little crazy, just getting everybody settled into their class. This year I'm teaching Creative Movement(3 year olds) all the way up to High School kids. I am enjoying being able to teach all different age groups and levels. The students are all wonderful. The little ones inparticular always seem to amaze me with their thoughts and questions. I'm sure I'll have more stories as the year goes on, but my favorite so far is from one of my precious little ballerinas who informed me that she prefers to go by Hannah Montana rather than her own name :)

Game 2...much better!

Saturday, the Michigan Wolverines took on Miami of OH at home. It was not the prettiest of wins, but hey...a win's a win and we were happy to get one! Here are a few pictures I took during and after the game.

Fantasy Football 101

Ted's brother, Grant, is returning for his 2nd year as League Manager of the Ledbetter Fantasy Football League. Several of his buddies- along with Ted and my brothers Carleton & Kevin- all participate in this crazy online event! At first I was hesitant to even get involved... but desperate times call for desperate measures (Ted had an athletic event last night, so guess who was left in charge??? Yours truly!) I was somehow able to log myself onto espn.com and with the help of my brothers, I managed to successfully participate in the 2008 online fantasy football draft :) I had fun selecting the players and even managed to snag Peyton Manning for QB. Now comes the hard part....keeping up with it all each week! (What have I gotten myself into??!!)

Labor Day Weekend!

Hope everyone had a great Labor Day Weekend! Last Friday, Ted's parents came into town (yay!!) We were so excited to see them. Saturday we all went to the football game in our UM attire, tailgated with some friends, and cheered hard for 4 hours! Unfortunately, we lost the game... but still had a great time. We went out for pizza afterwards (that helped ease our sadness, ha!) Sunday morning, we left for New Buffalo, MI. It's about a 2 1/2 hour drive just West of Ann Arbor. It's a charming little town right on Lake Michigan...which is absolutely gorgeous!!! It truly feels like you are at the ocean. So basically, we all tried to do as much "nothing" as possible :) We dined at some fun local restaurants and even went to see an independent film at a small theater in town. Here are a few pictures from our wonderful weekend....thank you Al and Dixie!!