Nate the Great

Nathan, my preschooler, was part of a sweet "Singing Valentine" program at a retirement center the other day.  At the end of the musical part, the children wandered the room to give valentine gifts to the older members of the audience.

On the way home we talked about how nice it is to show others that we care for them even when they are strangers.

My comment: "Even if we don't know them we still love and care for them because we know they are Children of God."

Nathan's response:   "Ummm, you mean Grown-Ups of God."

My response:   Smile.

How could you not love this face

. . . and the cute personality that comes with it?!

What Did You Do For Christmas?

 . . . A little kayaking in the ocean . . .

 . . . A little hiking in the the tropical forest . . .

 . . . A little horse-back riding . . .

 . . . A little walking on Waikiki Beach at sunset . . .

 . . . And a whole lot of wearing shorts and T-shirts and sandals . . . oh, and swimsuits!

It is a little sad to come home from Hawaii to so much snow.

With the reality of a snow-covered town, I am beginning to wonder if Hawaii was just a dream.

(Maybe I should just climb into bed and dream until the snow melts!  But that may not happen until June!!)

 

"Mongo" Snow Fort

The kids' latest snow creation.  They call it the "Mongo" Snow Fort.

As one can see, we have had a bit of snow so far this December.  At least the kids know how to enjoy it!

 

(I must admit, though, that Rich & I have been out to help the kids with their fort and it was actually really fun.)

Scrooge

Spencer had the great opportunity to be in the Third Grade Play of The Christmas Carol. He was given the part of Jacob Marley, the chain-dragging ghost who was Ebeneezer Scrooge's late business partner.

Spencer did an awesome job.  He especially liked clinking his chains and moaning "Scroooooooge!"

Piano Recital

Spencer & Kate just performed in a Holiday Piano Recital showcasing my students.  These are the pictures we used in the program.  Nathan didn't want to be left out of the picture-taking.  

Done 'Til June

We are officially done with our family birthdays until June.  Fall hits us hard with Birthdays in the middle of all the Fall Holidays, so it is always nice once they are all past.  Spencer & Kate had a good time at their parties and so . . . Mission Accomplished!!

Halloween Haunts

Here's a glimpse of our Halloween . . .

The Birthday

Well, it came and went like most other days, but there were a few things that made the day stand out.  I was invited out to lunch by my friend Jen and we enjoyed Soup, Salad, & Breadsticks (& a Birthday Treat & Song) at the Olive Garden.  Later that evening, we had our neighbors, Karen & Mackay, come over for some Birthday Pie that Rich brought home as a surprise.  But the biggest surprise was a gift from Rich~~he bought airline tickets, made condo reservations, and made arrangements for the kids so that he & I could take a TRIP TO HAWAII for our 10-Year Anniversary.  What a guy . . . and what a surprise!  Can't wait 'til December. 

I should also mention that a couple days before my Birthday I was able to celebrate with my family who were in town for the weekend.  My parents, my youngest sister Melissa, and my sister Becca's family made it a memorable birthday.  I might add that it is usually memorable whenever we get together~~My Wonderful Wacky Family!! 

Fall Fun

I just needed to add some pictures of some of the things that we have been doing this Fall.  And since they say that a picture is worth a million words, I will let the pictures do the talking . . .

Ready, Set, Go?

My St. George Marathon Experience:

On Saturday, October 4th my alarm sounded at 4:29 a.m. and I turned it off.  I laid in bed with the thought that I would get up in just a couple minutes.  Next thing I knew I was opening my eyes again and my alarm was broadcasting the time of 6:47 a.m.  Oh no!  The last bus to the starting line left at 5:30 a.m.!  Not only did I miss the bus, but now I realized that my Marathon race had already started . . . and I missed it!  Deep disappointment had just set in . . .

. . . And then I woke up for real!  My alarm clock glowed the time of 4:21 and I felt a great rush of relief.  It was a bad dream, and I still had my race ahead of me!

After catching an early bus and going for a LONG ride, the realities of my race set in:

An untimely fever (the day before), a persistent rain shower, and a constant headwind made up my first Marathon experience, not to mention that 26.2 miles is a LONG, LONG way to run.  It was tough and my final time was not what I had hoped . . . but I finished the biggest run of my life . . . so far.

Of course, on the one hand, just completing a race of that distance is an accomplishment, but I had hoped that my training had made a reachable goal of qualifying for the Boston Marathon.  I was off my goal by over 20 minutes, but I'd like to think that my Friday fever and lousy Saturday weather had much to do with that.

I guess my next Marathon will tell just how much!  But that is a goal for a time in the future!

This picture was taken at the 25 mile mark and I was completely drenched . . . but I was almost to the Finish Line, where I would receive a "Marathon Finisher" medallion and the best ice cream sandwich I'd ever tasted!

Besides my own family, I should also mention that my parents and my youngest sister were there near the Finish to cheer me on.   My Dad's brilliant comment about Marathons after I finished running was, "Marathons really are not much of a spectator sport."  And you know, I would have to agree with him . . . but I appreciated their support in being there all the same.