Christmas Running Party

Islands Running Club after what I hope will become an annual running party! Pictured above are the party attendees after our yummy breakfast. Top row: Karen and Lindy (we let them stand on the fireplace so they could be in the back row of a picture for once.) Front row: Cynthia, Barb and Lisa.

Saturday morning Lindy and Karen started bright and early, so they could have 18 miles by the time we got to breakfast, I joined them 6 miles in for a total of 12 and we picked up Lisa with 10 to go. Lisa was very disappointed when she realized she could have taken an even shorter option to breakfast but we needed her every step of the way! I had mapped 10 miles from my house in what took us in a Z pattern, Lisa of course complained every time we weren't heading directly to the restaurant. :) Barb chose the biking option today and parked at the restaurant and biked for two hours so she would be equally sweaty while eating with us.

The run was great as always. We took a new canal and I really liked it, nice and smooth (no speed bumps to trip on), and it was fun to run through Freestone Park, with lots of runners out and about. We went to Joe's Farm Grill and all got delicious breakfasts. We need to talk to them about adding hot cocoa to the menu though, that was a disappointment. Next time we will have to bring packets and get hot water there.


After breakfast we had a running gift exchange. It was so fun! We had all chosen a running related gift valued in the $10 - $15 dollar range and then we played the 'stealing' game. Karen was first and kept getting stolen from but we all ended up with really nice stuff! Its fun to get and give new gear!


I had left a car at the restaurant the night before so I drove everyone home and hated for it to end. I had looked forward to this run for weeks and felt just as excited for it as I do for races, etc. I hope we can do it every year and I hope more people will be able to make it in years to come, but I'm so glad we had our core group there this time.


Here is an idea of the fun gifts: ininji toe socks, balga socks, blinky light, long sleeve tech shirt, fuzzy socks, aluminum water bottle, ragnar jewelry. Everything was popular, but everyone ended up with the right gift for them. Merry Christmas! I can't wait for next years running party!

Really?

The kids went to see Dr. Johnson today for their dental cleanings. This is what Logan chose for his prize.  It sort of scared me when I looked at him as I was driving along.  I think he wears it well!

Sticker Fever

Another Two Races Down

I ran the Long Beach Marathon three weeks ago with a time of about 4:34ish. (Pace 10:25)

I ran the Women's Half Marathon in Tempe today with a time of 2:06ish. (Pace 9:35)

I'm super happy with both those times.  The marathon was 23 minutes faster than my previous one and my half was about 6 minutes faster. I think I may have maxed out on increasing my speed, but I'm still having fun.

Today's race was fun, especially since almost everyone I was with got PR's so we were all super happy. Now I just wish Lisa would run some more races with me :). Come on Lisa!!! I need you!

Have a great week.

Halloween Present

Here they are! Lyndsee was a beatiful Christmas Present. She got sooooo many compliments and extra candy! The costume was her idea and she was so proud of it. Logan is a crazy man in a straightjacket. I'm not sure this is a costume...I'm definitely keeping the straightjacket around in case of emergencies. :)  Brianna is a nerd, complete with duck tape suspenders and goofy glasses. It was a nice Halloween. Scott and I really enjoyed trick or treating with the kids. We kept it a family affair and we all enjoyed a nice night out together.

Happy Fall!

I also had to add this picture of me and my girls from our church party. Can you see how thrilled they are to be with me.  I guess they didn't like my costume...By the way, yes, that is a live goldfish Lyndsee is holding. We came home with three!  They are still swimming despite thier names. Logan named his Dead. Brianna named hers Turd and I think Lyndsee's is Sunshine - thank goodness for little girls.

Halloweens Past

I don't want to buy my kids Halloween costumes this year. We have so many, they are really expensive and I am really hoping to encourage them to come up with something creative. Unfortunately creative sometimes means less money, more time, which is short. I thought I would post some past Halloween pictures for your viewing pleasure.  I do love Halloween.

Sweet Snow White (4)

Bad Spider (2)

Garden Fairy (5) Pirate (3)

Tink (1) Army Man (4)

Mermaid (6)

Chefs!

Hermione (7) - with Colten stock as Harry :)

Snaggle tooth Pirate (5)

Pooh (2)

Love this pic! Spider Man (6) Snow Fairy (8) Butterfly (3)

Butterfly (3)

Pirate (following in her brother's footsteps) (4)

Troy Bolten (7)

Gothic Fairy (10)

My all time favorite costume - made by Grandma Baxter - Lyndsee is so sad to have outgrown it! (5) 

Egyptian (11), Wearwolf (8), Bumblebee (6)

Witch (7)

Penny (12) and Bolt

Too Much Candy (10)

Trampoline

Lyndsee has been doing this for at least an hour.  I wish I could work out that hard and just think it is fun!  I'm so glad we got a trampoline, even though it takes up a lot of the yard the kids love it.