My Year of Running 2014

Here is a quick recap of my year of running, with thanks to Miss Zippy for the inspiration!

Best Race Experience

I didn't run very many races this year, but I had a lot of fun at the Sandpoint Scenic 5k, because my sister was there and ran the race too.   I enjoyed pushing myself by running as hard as I could at a shorter distance.  I am thinking about making 2015 the year of the 5k. =)  Or some other shorter distance maybe.

Best Run
I love my stroller runs with M.  It makes me so happy when he asks to go running.  I would be so happy if he developed a love for running too!  Now, I'm just going to need a double stroller for next summer, hopefully!

Best New Piece of Gear
My mom got me a running skirt for my birthday.  I love it.  It is really cute but completely functional too!  I lover wearing it on on all of our summer bike rides and other adventures too.

Best Piece of Running Advice Received
My husband is always telling me to run harder for shorter periods of time and to do fartlek-type workouts.  He's right.  When I do these types of runs, I can feel my easy run paces and long run paces getting faster.  It especially fun and challenging to do these types of runs while pushing the stroller too!

Most Inspirational Runner
I'm thinking Louis Zamperini.  I read Unbroken a couple of years ago and loved it.  America lost a good man when he died this summer.

If you could sum up your year in a couple of words, what would they be?
Fun and flexible.  I didn't hit all of my running goals for the year, so I re-calibrated my expectations.  As a result, I enjoyed the races that I did do, and relished all of my runs and time spent outside this year.  I'm lucky to be able to run and to have the time to exercise.  It is a gift, I don't take it for granted and I hope I can be an example to my sons of a positive lifestyle.

I'll be spending the next few days thinking about my fitness (and other) goals for 2015, and hope to share them with you soon!

Happy running in 2015!

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas from our family to yours!

May God bless you throughout 2015!

Christmas Questionnaire 2014

Hello there!  I found this fun questionnaire via L at Grace in My Heart.  I have been looking forward to doing this with M and I thought he might be old enough to give it a try this year, so we did while on our way to our friends' house blessing and house warming party.  D & I got a kick out of asking him these questions.

Here are his responses at age 2!

1. What is your favorite color? Blue

2. What is your favorite toy?  Big truck.  And then he said "beautiful red sunset" because we were riding in the car.

3. What is your favorite fruit?  Chocolate....raspberry

4. What is your favorite tv show?  Daniel Tiger

5. What is your favorite thing to eat for lunch? Peanut butter sandwich

6. What is your favorite outfit?  I like my jacket

7. What is your favorite game?  Play with Joey (we were on our way to Joey's house.)

8. What is your favorite snack?  Fruit snack

9. What is your favorite animal? Cow

10. What is your favorite song?  Glory to God in the Highest

11. What is your favorite book?  Dr. Suess ABCs, Stuart Little, The Ugly Duckling and Mickey's Christmas Carol (we love to read!)

12. Who is your best friend?  Joey & Orion

13. What is your favorite cereal?  Toast

14. What is your favorite thing to do outside?  Ball

15. What is your favorite drink?  Chocolate milk

16. What is your favorite holiday?  Halloween

17. What do you like to take to bed with you at night?  Hippo

18. What do you want for Christmas?  Anything (yes, he really did say this!)

20.  Were you a good boy this year?  Yes

Weekend Recap

Hey, y'all!

How was your weekend?  Ours was great!  D's parents are here visiting us from FL so we are soaking up all of the family time.

D celebrated a birthday last week!  M is spelling out the letters for him.

I went to a mini-retreat on Saturday morning hosted at our church.  It was a really nice time of reflection.  While I was there, M went to the fire station to see Santa.  Apparently, D asked M if he wanted to sit on Santa's lap and M said "no thank you" and he didn't cry!  So, an improvement over last year.  Pictures to come once I get them off of Grandma's iPad.

Saturday evening, we watched the Hayden City Lights Parade from the warmth of the car.  Let me tell you, that is the perfect parade!  Less than 30 minutes long, and we had front row seats from the car.  It doesn't get any easier than that!  And what's an Idaho parade without a decorated dump truck with its snow plow attachment?

 After the parade we had dinner at The Porch.  Our favorite restaurant!

 Sunday morning I got a nice run in and we played at home until time for evening Mass.

Have a great week!

Thanksgiving 2014

We had a lovely Thanksgiving with friends again this year.

Chopping pecans in the garage so the napping toddler doesn't wake up!

D rigged up our computer-as-a-TV setup this year so I could watch the parade.  I love the parade!  Did you see the Red Hot Mamas from Coeur d'Alene?  You go girls.  I might have to join them!

I was thrilled that M loved watching the parade with me.  He loved the marching bands the best, and Spiderman too.

Our Thankful leaves - we asked M what he was thankful for at dinner.

After the parade was over, we went for a little family jog.  It was warm enough for shorts by the end!  M wanted to get out of the stroller and race D home.

We stuffed ourselves with dinner and M loved sitting at the kids' table.  We're so thankful for our family, friends and this beautiful country that we live in.

Now, Advent is on!  And this year will be a very special Advent for us!