A girl can never have enough shoes!

I was happy to fill munchkin's Christmas requests this year... cowgirl boots, cowgirl hat and running shoes!

I think those are a step in the right direction. Now go out and conquer the world!

Not So Scary Santa

Turns out Bass Pro Shop is an excellent place for a Christmas outing, who knew?!

 

Santa 5k

Worked The Harris YMCA's Reindeer Romp in the morning then head to the White Water Center for the We Believe - Santa 5k Trail Run. I cannot recall if I signed up before or after my unplanned surgery but this was going to certainly be a test of how much I lost from the forced down time. Turns out I STILL GO IT! It was more of a family fun event but still came in first in my age group/second female overall and on an amazing gorgeous day! Woohoo - a nice mental boost to end the year with. Eye officially on Boston 2016!

Wish you could see my fun knee socks... red and white stripes with fur on the top edge!
It was nothing compared to the amount of people who ran in full Santa suits though - notice one behind us.

Mini Reindeer Romper

 

Recital Time

My little girl put on another great dance performance. The Winter Recital is the smaller show but she is just as serious about it. I love how much she enjoys dancing. I don't think a day goes by in our house that doesn't include some twirling and whirling around the family room. The fact that her class is full of all her best buddies is just an added bonus!

Don't worry, daddy kept Elsa safe during the performance.

New Ride

Getting a new car was not on our family's radar but after learning more then we cared to about Lemon Laws, Jim gave up his beloved (and sporty) Subaru for this hybrid. The 40 miles per gallon and insurance break is fantastic though! Only disappointment was with the mouse pictured below who had requested the car be red.

My Flower Girl

Someone was quite proud of her performance and so was I especially because it was absolutely freezing! Luckily we had a white sweater to throw on her shoulders. #functionoverfashion

Pickydust away!

With the craze that is Frozen, I would have gone with any costume idea that was NOT Elsa but when she asked to be Izzy from Jake and The Neverland Pirates I was immediately all for it. I love the non-stereotypical princess costume but really love that she wasn't doing what everyone else was doing. {Addie, may you always have the confidence to make decisions for YOU and not be swayed by the masses.}

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Racing into 39

I am a crazy runner and Jim is crazy about good bourbon so when those things lined up with his birthday, off we headed to Louisville, KY and the Urban Bourbon Half Marathon. It was a longer drive then had first realized but it was so nice to getaway and just enjoy a weekend together. 

We stayed at the official hotel for the race, The Galt House, which was located right in the middle of Historic Whiskey Row, on the Ohio River and just a block from both the start and finish line. It was the perfect location... we parked the car in the garage when we got there on Friday morning and didn't get it again until we headed home on Sunday. Friday, we walked to a local brewery for lunch then to Slugger Field for packet pickup which was more of a mini Expo! It had merchandise and a bourbon tasting area! Participants were to only have 1 taste each but the bartender heard me call Jim, "Birthday Boy" and poured each of us all 3 options plus an extra chocolate bourbon ball.

Then we headed to Evan Williams for the official distillery tour which ended with its own tasting (3 more pours and another bourbon ball). This is nowhere near my normal race prep but we had a great time.

It seemed to work for Jim though. The race was a new recent PR for him (1:56) while I on the other hand was slower then had hoped (1:39). Yes there was a small event this April called The Boston Marathon but this was my first actual "race" of the year and was hoping to feel somewhat back to normal.

We continued to enjoy our carefree weekend. We hung at the post race listening to the band instead of heading off to Jim Beam. We were so unexpectedly impressed with Evan Williams that didn't feel the need to get another tour. We ended up going bowling for no other reason then we could. Then we wandered into a big candy store for a treat which we took to go to walk around the city and along the water. Our picks?! Fudge for Jim and a caramel apple for me.

We had packed plenty in for one day so decided to go back to the room for a while and prop up our feet. Before we fell asleep for the entire night we made ourselves venture back out for dinner. We stayed on Historic Whiskey Row and ended up at Doc Crow's before officially throwing in the towel - GOODNIGHT!

Happy Birthday Jim! We love you!
 

Roller Girl

While we headed up to New York for one of my college buddy's wedding, both of the "kids" got to spend the weekend with Honey & Mo. {Time with grandparents = a good spoil session!} Teva got lots of walks and Addie got her birthday present early! If you look closely, yes they are Frozen roller skates. :-)

First day of TK

TK stands for Transitional Kindergarten which is only one small step away from actual Kindergarten! Oh my goodness, real school! Time to really stress about school assignments but for this moment I just want to bask in her cute face and excitement, (because I am excited for her to be in Ms. Meaghan's class too!)

National Holiday

Happy National Dog Day to the BEST & MOST PATIENT pooch out there! We love our Teva and she certainly deserves to be honored after all she endures from her big sister.

Homer!

I got free tickets to the Charlotte Knights game so I wrapped up work as quickly as possible and Addie & I headed uptown to the new stadium. The Knights lost and we even got rained on for a bit but the highlight was by far getting to see Homer (the unofficial mascot) and making grand strides with Addie's fear of characters. After watching him from a very safe distance and seeing her friend high five him, she slowly worked up the courage to walk near him which later was a fist bump and eventually a full on hug! Our trip to Disney World in November may just include characters after all!

Fridge Art

My collections of miniature Addies is growing! I just love these adorable (overpriced) things! It is wild to look at them side by side and see how much she has grown.

Like Mother, Like Daughter

She has started to request some of my personal go-to's and even gone as far as to say "I want to look like you mommy". Headbands and running clothes. Her new favorite piece of attire being a running skort!

Junior Bowler

This summer started off HOT right from the beginning so was excited to learn about a fun air conditioned activity. We have only gone twice but are really enjoying Kids Bowl Free!

First trip to the bowling alley and she bowled a 65 and then a 106! Yes there are bumpers but I would say she got the hang of it. She even racked up strikes and spares! That 106 score beat everyone in our big group, including a 6 year old and two 10 year olds.

Going with just the two kids kept their attention better between turns. Maybe next week just she and I will go and I can bowl as well.

Junior Chef Camp

This was a special one day, all day camp and so far has been one of my favorites. They visited and got to pick from the Harris YMCA Organic Garden, they made their snacks, lunch and dessert for the day and how cute are the coordinating crafts?!

It's Camp Time Again

Squirt Camp

(Q: Are you ready for camp? A: Check, Double Check!)

 

Ballerina Camp

Preschool Camp - Pajama Day