Bring it On

Yah, bring on the holiday weight. Picked up my Tofurkey and Silk Nog today and darn the cashier who told me I HAD to try the chocolate dipped peanut brittle. I'm blaming those pounds on him!! Later in the week we are headed to Asheville for Thanksgiving and I'm getting excited. First Tofurkey, then Black Friday shopping! (Oh, and I found a radio station that is already offically playing Christmas music, thank you 104.7)

New Moon

This poster doesn't do him justice... as to not gross out my kids, I picked a poster where Jacob's shirt was on (you know, the THOUGHT of mom thinking a shirtless man is attractive- yucko)
Me & Jaime with our Five Guys soda & popcorn in hand

Jill, Melissa, Me & Jaime

Yes I am one of "those" people. A "Twerd", a "Twi-hard" whatever you want to call it. The books were fabulous and whenever you read a good book you just have to see it portrayed on the big screen. I think I am getting better though...this year I saw New Moon at 7pm the night after it came out instead of the first midnight showing possible like I did with Twilight. Five Guys first then the movie. Great night with the gals!

Treats for Troops

Arielle in front of some of the finished boxes
Jim & Arielle read thank you letters from soldiers who received packages from the school last year

Just had to include this one 'cause of the look on Toby's face :)

The empty boxes we had to start with, so satisfying to see them get filled throughout the night

Toby & Arielle filling bags to be shipped to soldiers (no Toby's not picking his nose...he's just thinking really hard about what to send his soldier)

All the stuff being sent- snacks, gum, over the counter meds, hats, toothbrushes/ paste, other toiletry items, blank cards & stationary, pens, flashlights, batteries, thank you notes from students, etc, etc

packaging them up and putting address labels on

Nothing kicks off the Christmas season like giving some service! I'm grateful to Arielle's school for organizing this tradition. For the past month families, students and a local church donated items like toiletry items, snacks, stationery, etc, etc (see longer list under one of the pictures above). Then parents and students were invited to meet at school and package up the items to be sent to soldiers over seas. We decided to participate in this as our Family Night for this week. It was neat to be part of something like this. The boxes were quickly filled in a matter of minutes 'cause as you know- many hands make light work. I think the final count was 112 boxes filled. Hopefully that will brighten the day for some soldiers living in chaotic conditions this Christmas season. It was one small way we could say thank you for all that they do for our freedom. Amazing how when a community comes together such good can be accomplished.

Arielle's Going Far!

Arielle with finisher medal after 5k
Arielle at finish

What a wonderful & BIG event! So great to see the community get together and celebrate healthy kids :)

Arielle & me at start

Arielle and her friend Anna who is in our ward and same school class as Arielle

Arielle, Me, my friend Jill and her daughter Anna

This fall Arielle participated in the "Go Far" program

at school. The goal of the program is to promote healthy habits in kids like exercise, good nutrition, goal setting abilities, self esteem, good character, etc. It was founded in NC and is now in a few other states as well. Every Monday for 10 weeks Arielle would meet with other 4th & 5th graders and they would have a lesson then they would run/walk. Slowly they built up to being able to run 3 miles. The grand finale was a 5k for all the kids in Forsyth county school district who participated in the Go Far program. I signed up to run the 5k with Arielle. We had a GREAT time! She was the pace setter. I was just along for the ride. She was amazing! She ran the entire time except for stopping to get a drink at an aid station half way. She finished in 39 minutes, had a really good time and was so proud of herself. Arielle is really GOING FAR!

This Picture Has a Story Behind It

Christmas morning 2005 at my parents' house in Heber. If you look close you can see the snow and mountains in the background (along with a ridiculous amount of presents!) We did have all the family together (does that make it any better?!)

So now you are tagged!! Erin, Melissa C., Michelle F., and anyone else who wants to play!!

Go to the oldest picture file on your computer, post the 10th picture and give us the background :)

(and I must confess, I cheated...this was not my 10th picture, but it was in the correct file. The 10th pic was a candid shot at a Christmas party and didn't have anyone I knew in it?! Why I store all these things on my computers for years, I'll never know!)

Arrrgggghh!

At Outer Banks Half Marathon finish

Outer Banks Weekend

Cape Hatteras Lighthouse

Crab leg !

This picture is for Jim...he stayed here on a surf trip during his bachelor days

House in Rodanthe where Nights at Rodanthe was filmed

After the half marathon

Band at finish of half marathon (downtown Manteo)

catching tons of little frogs at the lighthouse

Oh my! What a fabulous weekend!! Headed to Outer Banks for the Half Marathon. I had registered for this race this past summer when we were still in Utah. I figured it would give us a good excuse to drive the 5 hrs. to the Outer Banks. We stayed at Nags Head Beach Hotel (AKA Travelodge ha ha) It was actually a great place to stay. Very short walk to beach, friendly hotel staff, breakfast included and good location to start of race. Also right next to Jockey's Ridge and Wright Bros. Museum.

We only had 2 days and had a hard time choosing what to do. You could easily spend a few days there even in off season! We decided to head to Cape Hatteras Lighthouse. Hour drive each way from our hotel, but wonderfully scenic drive!! The lighthouse is closed for climbing this time of year but we were able to go into the base. There were tons of baby frogs in the grass surrounding the lighthouse and catching frogs is probably what the kids remember most about the lighthouse...LOL.

Right next to the lighthouse is an incredible beach where we spent half the day. Its breathtaking with a jetty, surfers, fisherman, sea spray and view of the lighthouse. Kids loved playing around the jetty and getting sprayed by incoming waves. Lunch at Angelo's (gosh, already forgot name but I think that's it) Great little pizza place right by lighthouse- diner theme and arcade for the kids, decent food too.

Then back to hotel for R & R. Toby & I ventured to the race expo to pick up my packet while Jim & Arielle took another walk on the beach. Expo was OK, smaller than St. George and not as many freebies. The race organizers did give out a cool pirate themed swag bag though. Saturday night out to dinner at an artsy little vegetarian friendly place (Rundown Cafe). Well- veggie stuff for Jim & I, kids opted for crab & calamari!

Next day was the Outer Banks Half Marathon. Could not have asked for better weather. I absolutely LOVED this race. Out of the 35+ races I have run, this was one of the top 5 for sure. Course was a gorgeous variety of coastline, marina, golf course, neighborhoods, highway and bridge. Mostly flat course except for big bridge at mile 10. Could not have ordered better weather! Mid 50s & sunny- PERFECT for racing. The finish line party was super fun in cute little downtown Manteo. They gave out nice perks at finish too like an ice cold towel and free visor. Would love to do this race again. Hopefully the race site will publisher pictures soon. I think they got a funny one with me & one of the "pirates".

Great little family weekend away. We LOVE the Outer Banks!