Thanksgiving, Christmas, January, and Others

Where to begin? I really need to do this more often. The last few months have been a whirlwind. Some exciting news. I found my camera so here are some random pictures:
Labor Day Campout

Elaina's 1st day of Kindergarten

September Swimming


Thanksgiving was really nice this year. We got together with my mom's side of the family. It was so fun to see all, well most, of my cousins with their families. We had planned to have Thanksgiving outside, one of the perks of living in Vegas is Thanksgiving weather, but due to rain (go figure) we reserved the church building and I think it ended up working out really well. Dan's parents were able to join us and thanks to Jim I took some pictures, although I didn't get pictures of everybody. We were about 80+ in all. Warning: I am a terrible photographer, but I would rather have bad pictures than none at all. I know that it is not difficult for the majority of the human race to hold the camera still, but perhaps, as you will see, I am not human after all.

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Christmas went by so fast. We stayed in Henderson for the before Christmas festivities and only had only a few hiccups with the seasonal flu and my ever present procrastination. The day after Christmas we took a vacation to Utah to be with Dan's family. It was COLD and FUN. I do not normally use those words in the same sentence unless I am saying the cold is NOT fun, but I was pleasantly surprised. Dan's parents are more than accommodating and work hard to help us feel welcome and entertained. We are spoiled, lucky, and extremely grateful. While there we went skiing, ice skating, sledding, running, bowling, played games- Rockband and Speed Scrabble (my new favorite), and just took it easy. Dan and I spent some much desired one on one time, and we got to visit with some friends and family. The time always seems to fly by so much faster than we would like so next time we hope to catch up with a few more friends. I still did not have my camera so it is again thanks to Jim, Dan's dad, that I have any photos.

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Tommy's fifth birthday was the next order of business. He is such a fun and happy little guy, I mean big boy. It is hard for me to believe that he is five years old. When I think about it I get teary. It really caught me by surprise. While in the thick of the toddler years time just seemed to drag on forever and now that we are finishing up with them completely, it seems like a dream and I don't feel ready to wakeup. Tommy loves Transformers and infomercials. He is always telling me about the latest craze. Recently, he wanted me to buy the bendaroos and when I told him I didn't have the money, he said, "Just use your credit card, MOM!" Everything is just so simple when you put it that way.
Transformer Cake
Birthday Breakfast
In January, I ran my first half-marathon. I was hog-tied by my pride and gently persuaded by my Gibson sisters. We started training just before Thanksgiving and I thought I was going to die. Now that I am all done, I have decided this kind of venture is similar to pregnancy and childbirth. The training just bites. It takes forever, and it is painful. However, after the rush of the race and some recovery, you find yourself thinking, "Hey that wasn't so bad, I'd like to do that again." While your husband is thinking,"Really???? Do you know what you are like while you are training?"
In all seriousness, it was well worth it. I couldn't have asked for better training partners and it was a perfect first race experience for me. Even though it desecrated any slight desire or aspiration of mine to run a marathon. 13.1 miles is far enough for me. I have been thinking a triathalon might be fun....well, if I could swim, had a bike and had three great partners to train with...What do you think ladies???