Back to the grind

Yesterday the 5 am brutal alarm clock rang. I awoke and had no idea what it was because it's been so long. Now we are back to the grind which is good but it reminded me that I hadn't posted Caroline's school Christmas party pictures which are just too adorable not to post. These are Caroline's classmates, including Wyatt, who their teachers say is her boyfriend. Basos! Basos!

Happy Everything

Although my 2009 Christmas wish is to be singing Feliz Navidad with an eggnog margarita on the coast of somewhere, we had a wonderful 2008 Christmas and are so thankful that we spent it with the amazing people that we are able to call family. Now it's on to the year 2009...the new year always makes me a little sad and sentimental, makes me think of our friends that we haven't seen in a while, and makes me wonder what's in store for the next 12 months. I look forward to taking on the new year just like Caroline takes on every new day -- to the fullest!

Tis the Season to Celebrate!

Daddy's girl

Everyone says Caroline looks like Chris. Hmmm?

2:06:03

The race has been run! 13.1 miles in 2 hrs 6 minutes. I am super pleased with my time especially since I shaved 11 minutes off my 2006 finish time. Running is a funny thing; you train solo for weeks or months and then all of a sudden you show up with 14,000 others and run the exact same course.

Pre-race breakfast...


A big thanks for my fan club who cheered me on at Mile 6 and at the Finish Line. Although it looks more like nobody doing anything in this picture this is right after the Mile 6 marker.


Kudos to my running buddies -- First Time Halfer Brittany Clark and future Half Ironmaner Ginger Holland. Thanks for holding me accountable over the last 3 months! What's next?

Visions of vacation dance in their heads

If it could only have been Thanksgiving vacation forever! We had an extended break that was so nice! We had some adventures too... like Caroline's first four-wheeler ride, first time on a horse, dragging Chris up the side of Hot Springs mountain... ah, good times. But it's been back to the grind this week leaving us to dream about Christmas vacation. Two weeks off for me, two days off for Chris.

Highlights from the trip:

Caroline requesting her turkey and dressing!

Somehow I convinced Chris to hike to the top of Hot Springs Mountain. Only about 3 more miles to go here...


The view from the top!

Curious Caroline's own Mt. Everest.

3 days away!

I am fasting from sweet tea for Saturday.



(Chocolate isn't outlawed though.)