Hot Chocolate Run

I don't like to run.  I never have and I'm beginning to think I never will.  I have no idea what possessed me to sign up for a 5k.  I take that back.  I thought if I signed up for a 5k, I might learn to love to run.  People who run really seem to love it, so naturally I thought I would learn to love it….not so much.  

I was doing really good on my training until right after the first of the new year.  I don't know what happened but my back decided that running didn't agree with me and then throw in a little sciatica and you've got a recipe for disaster.  My training pretty much stopped after that.  Up until the week of the run, I wasn't sure if I'd even be able to do it, but I did and let me tell you, it was not fun.  No sugarcoating happening here. :)  

We had to be in Seattle on Sunday at 5:45, which meant that we had to leave our house just before 5…on a Sunday.  Tom was super happy to be up so early on his one day off.  I kept reminding him that he didn't have to do it, but he insisted. :)  As we were getting ready to head out of the house, Tom and I noticed that it was hailing.  Hailing!  Thankfully, as we got closer to Seattle it cleared up and it really did turn out to be a beautiful morning.  Cold, but beautiful!  

I was sure this meant I couldn't participate…No Walkers! Yay me!

We all started out great and it was just after mile 1 that it started to go downhill, for me.  Running on a treadmill is very different then running on concrete and my back let me know that.  Whine, whine, whine…I didn't  finish the run as fast as I wanted, but I finished it and that's all that mattered to me at the time. :)  It didn't hurt that we got a big cup of hot chocolate and our own "fondue" pot with all sorts of yummy goodies.  It was probably the highlight of the run. 

Despite my whining, if the Hot Chocolate run comes back to Seattle next year, I'm fairly certain I'd do it again.  Call me crazy.  

The old man of the house...

Tom turned 37 this year and it was rather uneventful.  We can't really do much of anything spectacular during tax season.  Poor guy.  We tried to make it as special as we could.  Emerson and I took him coffee and donuts at work where Emerson insisted that he wear her birthday button.

Judy and Kevin brought dinner up, which meant I was off the hook for a fancy birthday dinner.  :)   It was a win-win for everyone but mostly for me.

The girls picked out their presents for Tom.  I laughed when Emerson insisted on buying him underwear.  I wish so badly that I had video of him opening his present from her.  I have never heard her giggle like that.  Ever.  It was THE funniest thing.  She thought she was so super funny for picking out underwear.  At least I have this picture that will forever remind me of that moment.  SO funny!  And yes, her outfit of choice for his birthday dinner was her pajamas.  :)

Happy birthday sweetie.  I hope 2013 holds nothing but wonderful things for you.  I love you!!

Hannah is Special

The last week in February was Hannah's special week at school.  Her amazing teacher has each of the students write about what makes Hannah special to them.  Before they start writing they have a brainstorming session to think of different ways to describe the special person.  It warmed my heart when I walked into the room to see all those wonderful words about my daughter. 

During their special week, the kids get to pick a few kids to eat lunch in the room with them.  Emmie and I joined her on Monday and I was surprised to see so many kids in the classroom with her, but 5 of them were eating with Mrs. Moe for having a great week the week before. :)

Aunt Becca joined Hannah on Tuesday since I was working in Redmond.  :)

At the end of the week, I took the girls to Conto's for dinner.  Tom had to work late so we called it a special occasion and went out for a special dinner.

I'm certain that Hannah had a great week with all of the extra love.  I think her exact words were "this was the best week!".  Sometimes, it's nice to be told just how special you are.  We love you Hannah and think you're one heck of a special girl!!

President's weekend

For President's weekend, I took the girls to the beach without Tom.  It was a strange experience to say the least.  It was weird to be there with Tom's family, without him.  The girls and I managed ok and had a good time.  With no school on Friday, we headed out after lunch and hoped to beat the holiday traffic.  It wasn't great but it wasn't too terrible…however, it did take us 4.5 hours to make the trek.  As we left Hoquiam and headed toward Ocean Shores, we lost our beautiful sunshine and headed into fog.  Thankfully, it wasn't bad and it cleared up so that we could do some star gazing before heading to bed. 

Saturday morning we bundled the kids up and headed to Damon Point.  It might be one of my most favorite beaches to explore.  It's definitely our heart shaped rock beach and we're guaranteed to find at least one if not more.  

Emerson is quite the character…

Alex had fun exploring…he's getting so big.  I can't believe he's almost 3.  Crazy!

As we were beach combing, I looked down and saw this heart.  When I got home, Tom asked me if I had placed it on the other rock.  This is exactly how I found it.  I brought both of them home for my collection.  I'm thinking I should glue them together.  

Grandpa Kevin bought some rockets for the kids.  My girls weren't very excited at first, but they quickly discovered how much fun they were.

Emerson's turn to flip the switch. Seriously she is such a nut!

We had the wind in our favor and the parachutes came right back to us.  The kids all had fun chasing them.  

We were back at Damon Point on Sunday.  This time my mission was to find an Agate before Kevin.  He is the king of finding Agates…but not on this trip!  I was so super happy to find not one, but two!  Watch out Kevin…

Hannah and I were laughing so hard.  We looked over and Emerson was staring off into the water, having her own little zen moment.  She's a strange one that little one of ours.

Sunday afternoon the girls and I headed up to Seabrook to visit the Henry's.  On our way to the beach we decided to do a Letterbox and look for a few faries.

Hannah found the letterbox.

We made it down to the beach and had fun exploring.  Uncle Rob wanted a picture of the kids and Sam on the log.  This picture makes me laugh.  I was fully expecting Sam to be the one to run away. 

On the way back up to Beck & Rob's cottage, we came up a path that was lined with fairy houses. Emerson was in fairy heaven.  They were pretty cute.  I think if we ever go back, we might need to make one and leave it there.

And, just like that, our long weekend was over.  We were packed up and on the road by 11 on Monday so that we could get home in time for dinner with Daddy.  We were all very excited to see Tom.  "Vacationing" without him just isn't the same.