Sunday, December 30, 2012

Our holiday recap


 Everything is packed up and stored for next year....and most of the frosting is gone.  The Saturday before Christmas, we hosted 30 of our closets kid friends for our Annual Gingerbread Party.  We started this back in 2009 when we moved here as a way to meet others and slowly it has grown as our PA friends have become our second family.

I think Ryan will cap it at this though...we had over 60 people and while it was so much fun it is also a TON of work.  I build the houses and then the kids come and decorate them and play, we have dinner, drinks, and lots of sugar!


Christmas was rather low key...I was not feeling super and the kids had been on the go for quite some time.  We hosted Ryans parents who were a ton of help and provided the kids with some great gifts and fun times. We decided against technology this year and opted for bikes instead...Jackson thought that was a great idea.


We continue to be blessed and are looking forward to 2013!!!


Saturday, December 29, 2012

Coming out from the holidays....

Today was our first "real" snow of the season and the excitement went on all day.  I will recap our holidays tomorrow but I am ready to move forward to 2013!!!  A great time of year but utterly exhausting when your kids are little.  Boy did we have tons of fun though.

The snow did not disappoint!  We played for several hours came back in and then went out for some night sledding!







Thursday, December 20, 2012

It's COMING

 
 
This weekend is our Annual Gingerbread Party....and the biggest one yet....the houses are built and we are excited to celebrate the season with our friends and family.
 
 
 
 

Monday, December 17, 2012

The Longest Day....

This morning I wanted to rewind the clock.  Normally I look forward to Mondays.  We have a routine, everyone goes to preschool and school and I spend the morning with Jackson.  Today, I wished it was Sunday and we could stay in our pjs and watch movies all day.  I dreaded the drop off; I did not want to send my first grader to school.

We lived in CT for 10 years...it is a place I will always refer to as our first home.  We have friends that were deeply impacted by the events on Friday and my heart is breaking for them.  School is supposed to be fun, exciting and rewarding...and today it was scary even for me.

As I headed out to complete our preschool drop off routine, I wondered how many other parents were feeling the same way.  We told Aly in the shortest and most toned down version we could possibly think of...but we wanted her to hear it from us and to ask the questions in the safety of our house.  I held her on Friday night as she calmly listed all of our family friends in CT and asked if they were okay.  We cried for the families that were affected, the lives that are forever changed, and the children that will not be home for the holidays.

After I had dropped off Aly and headed to the high school, I drove past her school.  There was a police officer in front of the building.  As I pulled up to the high school, there were three  officers right out front..  I could not help feeling sad, that I was secretly glad they were there and the comfort that they provided.  Why?  Why has it come to needing police officers at our schools for a sense of security. As I dropped the last child off, I sat in the parking lot and cried.

Normally, I cherish the this time to get stuff done and to rejuvenate from my parenting duties.. but I find myself longing for them to be home with me.  As I headed to physical therapy, I exchanged texts with a dear college friend who is a teacher.  The were on lock down, in the corner with all of her students, awaiting news that their building was safe....and a police officer finally unlocked the classroom.  When does this end?

I want my kids to embrace going to school, to love learning, and to believe that there are lots of good people.  I hope that we can heal and grow and embrace the joys of the holidays...but right now I will wait for the familiar sound of the school bus coming up the hill.




Monday, December 10, 2012

NYC and Cookies!!!

On Friday, We headed to NYC for the day to catch the Christmas Spectacular and catch up with some friends.  Aly, was so excited to see this show.  We picked up my mom from the airport and we headed into the city.  It was nice, not too cold and the weather seemed to keep the crowds from being crazy.

A great show...highly recommend it.  My mom saw it about 50 years ago, so it was fun to go back with her. We met up for lunch at this great place that is Alices Teacup.  My good friend Sabrina, lives in the city and picked it out.  We had tea and sandwiches and caught up since it had been a while.

We headed over to the show....it was beautiful inside.



The city is magical during the holiday season.  We were able to get to the tree and the girls were troopers with all  the walking we did.


Saturday morning Ryan left for Vegas...and we started some holiday baking...TOO much holiday baking.  The kids had a blast making some cookies and really eating all of the great treats that Gram made for them.

My mom cooked so much food for us for the winter...she is insisting I go out and buy a small freezer...no joke..we are good for the winter.





Wednesday, December 5, 2012

the happiest time of year


Bullet point because we have been busy!
  • The Christmas spirit is alive and well here.we have been busy baking and planning and enjoying the season of giving.



  • I am enjoying some down time...not getting up before 5 and having more time to get things done around the house.  I am swimming with the high school team at times during the week and that really makes me feel OLD.
  • We are taking the girls to NYC on Friday to see the Christmas Spectacular and I am pretty sure I am more excited than they are especially because my mom is flying down to meet us.
  • We had our first snow - of course it is gone since it was mid 60s this week but it was fun for the short time it was here.  We are going to try to take the kids skiing over the holidays.

 

  • Ryan has been super busy at work...which has left him unable to come home the last couple of weeks and I am really looking forward to resuming that normal schedule ;)
  • I love the magic of Christmas with these ages...it is so fun.  They talk about being good for Santa and it just makes me smile..they have written lots of notes and letters over the past few days.



Thursday, November 29, 2012

Tons of fun

 As November comes to an end...I am reminded how lucky we are.  We spent a great few days in NH for the Thanksgiving holiday.  We played with cousins and relaxed with family.  We did our annual Thanksgiving day hike and I am proud that all of our kids made it up North Pack Monadnock...which is a long way for a little guy (he had a little stroller help).

 
Of course the annual Thanksgiving driveway run happened and we caught some on camera..namely on bigger individual who wanted to remain the driveway king..I am pretty sure he ran last year as well.  Apparently when NYC marathon got cancelled he thought this would be a good opportunity to show his training.
 
 




 
We came back to PA and winter was upon us.  Time for jackets and mittens!

Wednesday, November 21, 2012

Fun Thanksgiving Week

We arrived in NH after a long day of traveling yesterday.  We left early hoping to avoid the masses traveling today and really we just humg out with 4000 more friends that made that same decision.
 
Jackson joined me this morning for my post marathon pedicure.  He was pretty interested for the first few minutes and then he terrorized the birds in the salon.
 
 
Busy helping grandpa with mashed potatoes
 
 
Brianna had her Thanksgiving feast at school...she loved wearing the pilgrim hat.
 
 
We are looking forward to a cousin filled Thanksgiving in NH.
 

Sunday, November 18, 2012

Bucks County Marathon!

Before the race report...I need to talk about my rockstar husband!  He came out of a 4 hour exam yesterday and encountered the crazy wife who was running today.  It was one of those weekends where everything needed to go right.  Ryan had his exam on Sat and and he was shot when he got home.  He went to bed in the afternoon so that he could be ready to corral the masses for Sun.  Getting three kids out the door for marathon spectating is not easy!

Okay...so the race did not start until 9 and my friend George was nice enough to drive the four of us down to the start.  It is an out and back course and there were wave starts.    I started with my running buddy Joe and tried to keep a conservative pace.  It was hard, I felt good but I knew the day was long.  We kept the first half around 8:45 and headed back.   At this point I lost Joe, he was not feeling great..it was nice to have company for the first half. 

 
Ryan thought they might make the half point but he was not sure.  I did not see them but it was a little out of the way of any parking so I carried on.  I was not feeling super but I think the hardest miles are the last 10.  I hit the 18 mile mark and my pace had slowed...I was running through a water stop and I ran right by the kids...it was not until I passed that it hit me that they were there.  I instantly felt bad...bummer I should have gone back.  I carried on thinking I would see them at the finish. 
 
 
Backing up a bit...this week Jen and I had a great conversation about family, balance and running a marathon.  I struggled this fall trying to figure out what pace I should shoot for.  I went back and forth and never really settled on a "set" pace.  This week...she said she wanted to take the pressure off this fall and allow me to enjoy the training before I need to focus for IMLP.  She recognizes to importance of my family and kids and 5-10 min in a marathon really deos not matter.
 
 
Ok...onward so I come to the 20 mile mark and low and behold...there they are again...HOW AWESOME..so I stopped and I slapped their hands and told them how HAPPY I was that they were there.  It was great...and then I ran through the park which was a loop and saw them again at mile 21...oh they were so excited.
 
 
I knew at this point..I was still on target to go under 4 hours which was my original goal...so I carried on with the biggest smile!  How awesome...and then they were there at mile 22 and mile 24...and if you have kids you know in and out of the car with car seats every 20 mins is no easy task.  They followed the towpath..honking and waving..it was so much fun.  My pace slowed, my legs hurt and i was ready to be done but I made sure I waved and high fived them when I saw them.  Jen was so right..this was what makes training so worth it!
 
So I crossed the finish line in 3:55...35 minutes faster than my first marathon...after having three kids and I am proud of that!
 
So I owe thanks..to Ryan who thinks this is nuts but made sure my day was perfect!  XOXO.  Jen who has provided more balance, guidance and TONS of support...I am lucky to have you as a coach.  Myse and AnnMarie, at Fleet Feet, I am truly greatful that you have supported me through all of my athletic endeavors this year, 2013 will rock.  Kate who helped me with strength training to make this day possible and last but certainly not least...Heather who kept my hamstring and ITB at bay so I could run.
 
HAPPY OFF SEASON TO ME!
 
 


Wednesday, November 14, 2012

It's TAPER time!!

 
YES!  I am gearing up for a marathon this weekend and I am really excited!  I am feeling good and ready.  I decided against running Philly...since I have done that one and getting in and out of the city is a pain...plus it is huge and I have done so much training on my own that a smaller marathon appeals to me.
 
However, when NYC cancelled their race...my race filled immediately.  While it is still small - a field of 500 I think.  I was hoping it would be more like the 20 miler race that I ran a few weeks ago.  The course is almost all on trail and it is narrow.    The best thing is it is close to home and a bunch of friends are running it as well, which makes it fun! 
 
I wasn't sure how I was going to run this...but after some back and forth, I hammered out a good race plan with Jen this week.  The hard about running a race with friends is that your goals may be different...so we will just have to plan for the Poconos in May - right George! I am excited to start planning 2013...and throw in some fun stuff like swimming in a meet for the first time since high school.
 
And then it is time to play..get back in the pool seriously and find my bike which I am actually looking forward too.  We have our annual Gingerbread Holiday Party so we will spend the early part of the month baking and building for the holidays, I am capping it at 30 houses this year..too many make me crazy.  We are traveling for Thanksgiving but not for Christmas so it will be nice to be at home for the holidays...and maybe Jackson will leave the ornaments on the tree this year!
 
 
 

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Lots to be Thankful for!


Jackson could watch this all day long!  It is a good thing that our neighbor has an orange tractor...the storm cleanup continues.  We were lucky not to lose to many trees.  There are still many down from the storm.
 
 
 
How cool is this bowl?  Our neighbor Mr. Mike (with the orange tractor who is 85 I think) carved this out of a tree and brought it over after we had helped clean up from the storm.  Jackson LOVES Mr. Mike and he has proclaimed that this is his bowl...for chips of course!
 

 
Here are the lines of power trucks...still heading north as people do not have power.  It is amazing to see all of the help that is still coming in.


 
and with all of this...we created a jar full of Thanks for November...the kids are having a great time at dinner writing what they are thankful for.  We are truly blessed to have power, a warm house and healthy family.



Sunday, November 11, 2012

Brianna Birthday!

Guess which PARTY girl turned 5!!!! and she has certainly celebrated all week long.  She wanted everyone to know, everyone to sing to her and it was all about her birthday.  We were supposed to have her party on Friday but she was not feeling well at all! So Sunday it is!
 
 

She wanted a Tow Mater cake and I have never worked with Fondant...so it will be a work in progress but it was really fun to learn something new. 

The first cake did not make it....so the taste testers came in to see if it was going to make the cut.

This was the before...
 
and then the after....
 
 
 

Saturday, November 10, 2012

A little time away

Last weekend, I went to Atlanta to catch up with a couple of tri camp friends, my college friend, and meet some new ones too!

Ryan's mom was kind enough to fly out and help us for the weekend.  I was not sure that I was going to make it out given the storm and I was flying out of Atlantic City.  The stars aligned though and I was able to make it to Atlanta with no problems.

I caught up with my college friend, Tara,  for the first night and we hung out in Atlanta...crazy stuff I tell you..dinner and a quiet night.  I was just so excited though to have dinner that did not include the same conversation..please sit down, no you are not done, we don't feed the dog what we don't like...etc.

Then on Friday, I met up with Julia, Sarah, and Liz....we met up on a house in Lake Lanier, which is a huge lake in Georgia.  I tell you..it was such a nice nice weekend.  We ate, relaxed, read books, sat in the sun and watched movies.  There was no drama, no crazy workouts, and lots of laughs. 



This was a HUGE hill that we ran up to get out to the main road...it was a killer and I am glad that I do not live near it!
 

 
and Monday it was back to the regular schedule...CRAZY!