Merry Christmas Nate!

Ready for a Christmas morning run! Gotta have his new running glasses, sweatshirt and Road ID bracelet!
I was spoiled....Love you.

favorite Christams morning expressions....

For grandma and grandpa

Thank you grandma and grandpa! You had 4 very happy and thankful grandkids this morning! We love you!

seriously, who gets so excited over an Office Max gift card.....

The calm before the storm...

Twas the night before Christmas

Tonight was spent with a few of our family here at our home. Great night, great food and great company! The kids had fun with their little cousins! There was a little bit of piano playing, puzzle making and wii gaming. We missed those that we not here! Sleep well everyone, hopefully sugar plums will dance in your heads. I know they will in mine, I am exhausted!!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

me and my sis
uncle Nate and Addie under the tree

Aubs wasn't too thrilled about the matching pj's.....
All ready for bed!

The week BEFORE christmas...

We had a great week getting ready for Christmas! It entailed a few trips to the mall, a really neat night in "Bethlehem", dinner at Titos, followed by the temple lights, followed by dessert at Diddy Reese (both activities with our dear friends the Zeediks, gotta love them and their dang cute kids) and to top it off we made sugar cookies! I think we got everything in before the big day, bring on Christmas!

Afternoon nap time

Apparently our new table is good for more than just eating at...........

Just the place I would curl up for a nap.

Mmm mmm, leftovers!

Is there anything better than Thanksgiving leftovers on a Sunday afternoon?Check out those legs!

A day of Thanksgiving.....

What I am most thankful for TODAY....

*a new kitchen table to set

*a husband who does ALL the cooking.......everyone should try barbque turkey, best ever
*the bright idea we had to rent a jump house to keep all the cousins busy, was worth every cent

*all these people
*a sick, sweet Avery who had to stay upstairs ALL day while his cousins played away because he was sick.....he didn't complain once but wished everyone a Happy Thanksgiving from the top of the stairs. He even asked if the food was yummy. Broke my heart.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Avery and his pre-Thanksgiving feast.

Enjoy your day!

I did it!

Today was an absolutley BEAUTIFUL day to run my first 1/2 marathon. I mean if you are going to run one it is nice if it can be 67 degrees and right on the beach! All three of us that went succeeded. It was long and I have to admit there were a couple of times I wanted to cry. At the end when I saw Nate and my kids I got a little teary and considered stopping right there. But no, I had to finish! With a time of 2 hours and 4 min I was very proud. Better than I expected since there were a few unexpected hills. All in all I am glad is it over! I have sore feet and legs and a sunburned face. What an experience! Will I do it again??? You bet!

Me and my running BFF's
The stats!! (click to enlarge)

My supporters.....HUGE to have them there!

By the way, Santa Barbara DOES have cheesey hotels....

Off to the RACES........I mean race.

Well, I am off to Santa Barbara to run my first 1/2 marathon! Yikes! I have been training for a few months and the day has finally arrived. I am excited but also nervous. I certainly picked a beautiful place to run 13 miles, it is right along the beach! Tonight myself and two friends that are also running are staying at a cheesy hotel ( how bad can it be if it is in SB???) We are going to do some shopping and have a carb filled dinner. Anyway, wish me luck! I will post tomorrow and let you know how it all turned out! http://www.newspress.com/halfmarathon/

Halloween dinner!! How could we not go here......

9:45 pm and Halloween at our home is official OVER! I am beat and now trying to figure out a way to get secretly get rid of ALL this candy!! We had fun taking the girls to In-N-Out for dinner. The workers there really got a kick out of them! We had them clear tables and hand out stickers to other customers. Very fun! Avery wore his Ironman mask and was hot in this unusually warm California Halloween night! Aubs had fun going out with friends and the 14 year old of the house has decided Halloween is not all it is cracked up to be! Goodbye Halloween, we will anticipate your arrival next year.......well, at least the kids will.
The separating of the candy....didn't we all do this???

Halloween Eve

Today has been filled with TOO MANY Halloween activities! The day started off with the school parade, next the school carnival and then off to the ward Trunk or Treat.....I am Halloweened(sp?) out!! Oh yeah, let's not forget the YM /YW Halloween party earlier this week. When will this madness end??? Here is a preview of this years Halloween costumes! Notice the 14 year old of the house is missing.........so sad.Seriously, could they be any cuter??
I can see the future now.....

Pretty little witch
Ironman at the school carnival

Happy Day for Me!

Today was my bday and I had such a great day! Nate and I did lunch with my parents and then did a little shopping...got some cute new boots! Also I have been dying for new bedding in my room! Finally I got it! Next we were off to dinner with the kids and then home for a yummy cake! Thanks to my hubby and everyone else for all the kind notes and calls! It really was a special day!

Before (yuck)
After (better, but not complete!)