Ingall's Christmas

Christmas is a crazy busy time of year and I'm thankful that my Dad and Dianne have us up every year either a couple days prior to Christmas or the day after.  This year because we were in Escalon for Cousin's Christmas we made Christmas with my Dad that evening.  Grandpa and Grandma Ingalls are always down for Oregon and it was fun to see them again after visiting their place this summer. 

 

Dad made one of my favorite meals that he would make when I was a kid, goulash!  It was as yummy has I remember.  He thinks we need a crab leg tradition, but I think the pasta route is much better!  George and Syenna joined us too, always fun for the kids to play.  Presents galore from Grandpa and Grandma and the boys enjoy every bit of their Christmas and time with their Grandparents. 

 

Cousins Christmas

After a year off, Cousins Christmas is back!!! We get together with the Hall's side of the family for a dinner and the kids exchange gifts.  It was a fun afternoon and is always so fun to see all the cousins, makes me sad that we don't get together more often.  Gannon got a chain saw, that he tried to use to cut around a tree on our way out! Garrett was in heaven with this Lego's!

 

Warriors Basketball

A new sport for Garrett to fall in love with...basketball.  Atwater FFA typically does a Sharks game, but because the NHL was out on strike they planned a basketball trip instead.  A bus ride, shopping at the mall, and basketball was a fun day for the boys.  Garrett loved the game, but had no idea how many points would be scored throughout the night.  After 5 seconds into the game, with 7 points to the other team, Garrett said, "Oh man their going to lose this game."  We explained that basketball scores lots of points and boy was he surprise when they scored over 100 points.  Gannon wasn't too into it, so he decided to take a nap in the stands!   

 

Christmas Program

Grandma and I went to watch Garrett's kindergarten Christmas program.  The kids were so cute and Garrett of course took every song very serious.  He scanned the audience until he found us and then you could see he was more relaxed.  They did five song that he practice at school and at home, including writing out the lyrics to every song at home on a piece of paper.  You have no idea how many times I heard the song so that he could write all the words out....a lot!  He continues to be so detailed and Mr. Serious! 

 

Skate Night

Garrett and I went to the first skate night alone a couple of month ago and this time decided to invite Daddy and Gannon.  We got there early and were sure to get the skates that have the wheels that allow to be tightened, much less of a workout for Mom!  Gannon was his little fire cracker self and was sure he could handle the skating on his own.  Garrett was much better and both boys were so brave.  I love skate night almost as much as the boys! I so fun to see them so excited. 

 

A night with Grandpa and Grandma

The boys and I went to visit Grandpa and Grandma for an overnight visit.  My dad was excited to start baking for the holiday and wanted the boys to help, but after thinking of all the ingredients Gannon could not get his hands into we decided they better just make hand molds and paint them.  Equally as fun for the boys!  We took them to a street in Modesto that has their Christmas lights to music and Gannon was totally in love with this and could have stayed walking the street all night, Garrett didn't agree!  Garrett and Gannon are so comfortable at Grandpa's house that after Garrett read the bedtime story they went right to sleep.  Dad, Dianne, and I then enjoyed making a few holiday treats, a glass of wine, and great conversation.  It was tons of fun!

 

California International Marathon

After a year of running and months of "marathon" training the weekend was here! After running 5K's, 10K's and a couple halves I felt the desire to challenge myself to a full marathon...26.2 miles!  With the amazing support of my husband I started a training program in August to get myself conditioned to run the full marathon distance.  Running 3 mornings/nights during the week and a long run on the weekends take lots of time.  Time away from Dave and the boys, mostly Dave.  Because getting up at 4:30-5 in the morning was not my favorite, most of my runs were at 7 at night, just as the boys were going to bed.  Saturday/Sunday morning runs ranged from 2-3:30 hours and Dave was great to take the boys to work or play during this time.  I literally felt like I was running all the time...because I was. 

 

The app I used to train would give you words of motivation along your run and one was, "don't give up during hard weather conditions, because will you on race day"  I had no idea what this little speech over months was getting me ready for!  As the race weekend approached the forecast projected rain...lots of it.  Not running at this point was definitely not an option, I trained too hard.  So I started reading on the Internet how to prepare to run in the rain, trash bag and lube! 

 

Shannon and Toni came to stay with the boys so we could head to Sacramento for the weekend events.  My dad and Dianne joining us for the pre-race meal on Saturday night and came to support me during the run.  On the morning of I put my split tattoos 4:45 goal.  After talking to the pace team at the expo they suggested I would be around the 4:45 pace.  Put my trash bag on and Dave dropped me off at the start.  Rain, rain, and more rain will not stop 8,000 crazy runners and their support teams.  I had requested they be at the 10 mile and 20 mile marks for motivation and I was surprised how much I really looked forward to see someone I knew at these points.  The first 20 miles were in the rain, some points downpours, and at some points in the road you had not other choice than to run straight though a puddle of water.  Dave, Dad, and Dianne would almost as wet as me from waiting in the rain for me to run by.  I love them all for suffering through this with me! 

 

Finishing with a 4:50 was slower than I'd hope for, but it was tons of fun and in the conditions - whatever!  I did stop to potty around mile 18, refill my water, have a shot of beer around 21 and another drink of beer around mile 23.  At that point I was thinking why not have some fun along the way! 

 

Eating right and limiting my alcohol intake was also part of the training so it was of no surprise that when it was over I ate a huge hamburger and had a tall beer!