Wordless Wednesday - Sprinkler Fun

Okay...Wordless Wednesday is going back to July...but with the cold weather approaching, I thought this might help us to remember those miserably hot days! : )

We took the kids over to the neighbor's house for some good old sprinkler fun!

Thanksgiving & Weekend Update

I had every intention of having a Thanksgiving post for Thanksgiving day...then both kids were sick (figures right?).  So here you go, a few days late!

Thanksgiving is always a fun time for us filled with family and the start of the Christmas celebrations.  Troy & I always put up the Christmas tree on Wednesday evening while watching a Christmas movie (Elf now Polar Express).  Thursday morning we finish up the decorating, and head to my Aunt's house in the country (45 minutes away) for Thanksgiving lunch.  We leave there to head to Troy's parents house for Thanksgiving dinner.  We come home stuffed and happy and I plan out my shopping trip.  I head out early Friday morning, shop till I drop, and come home to finish the decorations.  The rest of the weekend is spent doing whatever we want.

This year, was different....

We put the tree up Tuesday night, finished Wednesday night.  Thursday morning Troy cut grass (2 yards) and I worked on the house, we went to his parents for lunch, and hung out the rest of the evening.  Troy & I headed to Toys R Us which opened at 9pm, saw the forever long line, and drove right by.  We took the kids home, everyone went to bed and I stayed up making my shopping plan.  I was at Kohls by 12:04am and went to Kohls & Target and was home before 3 am.  Troy worked Friday morning, and I braved the doctors office with two sick kids by myself.  The kids and I hit the grocery store and then came home and watched the Polar Express (again).  The rest of the weekend was spent hanging out as a family....oh, and I got a new phone...I FINALLY have a smart phone and can do more than just text message from my phone!

So, why didn't we get together with my family?  We were all together the weekend before for my brother's wedding...but I would have rather we had just gotten together again.  It just didn't feel like Thanksgiving without all the running around and seeing both families.

I did not take lots of pics, since it seemed like just a normal day.....so here are the kiddos today after church.  They rocked their Thanksgiving outfits again...one last time!

So, what am I thankful for?  Pretty much everything, my wonderful husband, my two kiddos, my family, Troy's family, my job...as Owen would say "everything in my world".  I'm so lucky to have such a great family and friends.  I see and hear lots of horror stories about in laws and family members...and while we joke around with and about some of ours, we are truly lucky not to have any real "crazys" in our family and circle.

I hope everyone else had a great Thanksgiving!

Giveaways...

Hey guys...I promise and updated post...but I'm taking two kids to the doctor right next door to Toys R Us, Best Buy, & The mall on Black Friday....this should be fun!!

But on better news....Melissa over at the Mommyhood Chronicles is hosting a huge give away....go HERE to  check it out.


Hope everyone had a fantastic Thanksgiving!

Wordless Wednesday - Pebbles

This is what happens when Mama has an extra 5 minutes in the morning...

Still here...

Sorry I've been MIA...we've had a crazy week/weekend.  My brother got married this past weekend (post to come soon) and we are just starting to recover from our 7 hr drive...but I promise I won't be gone long!!

I have a new review coming up either at the end of this week, or beginning of next week.....it's gonna be a fun one!!

I've been scoping out the black friday deals...and I"m not going to lie....I don't see anything that really excites me.  We don't need any electronics (we we could use them...but don't "need" them) and O and B are so random with their toy wants.

Anyone see anything that I just can't miss?  I'm very upset about this...I LOVE Black Friday shopping...I'm normally at the stores by 4am, and at work by 8am with all my shopping done...not looking so good this time.  I will say, I'm not sure that I'm happy about all these stores opening up at midnight...it messes with my tradition.

So...feel free, leave a comment, what are you shopping (or not shopping) for this crazy weekend?  Also, I'm trying to compile a "Best/Easy Christmas Gifts" blog post if anyone has any suggestions.  Would love some product reviews or giveaways for this blog post!!  Just comment, or email me at TheLacksBOAT@hotmail.com

Wordless Wednesday - Marathon Babies

One of the advantages to running a full or 1/2 marathon....fun toys for the kids:

Bumbo Boy!

I did it!



Amy Squared - 1/2 Marathoners!

 I am officially a 1/2 marathoner....and I like it!!  I did everything I wanted to do on Saturday, I finished under 2 hours & 45 minutes - 2 hours and 40 minutes to be exact and I ran the ENTIRE 13.1 miles (except for the water stations...but you can't run through those anyways).  I was hoping to be closer to the 2 hour and 30 minute mark, but oh well...baby steps.



FREEZING

It was a frigid cold morning...it was 30 some degrees when we started and not too much warmer when we finished.  Amy & I decided to wear pants, short sleeve shirts, our training tank, and arm sleeves.  We were freezing up until the start ( we did have sweatshirts at this point) but once we got going we were okay. 

Troy & I Pre-Race

The first 3 miles were slow...just because it takes me that long before my body relaxes and gets into long distance mode.  Miles 3-9 were great...Miles 9-11 were pretty painful, slow, and boring (no offense Amy...this had nothing to do with you).  Mile 12 was exciting...we got passed by the Marathon winner....and I tried to run along the line to get a picture of me & him side by side...but it didn't work! ; )  Mile 13 is pure adrenaline.



Amy & I in line for our massage

Amy & I were able to chill & relax after our run, while waiting for the boys to finish, so we took advantage of the free massages & heat in the James Center.  I would highly recommend a post race massage to everyone.  My muscles were in pain and cramping at completion....after my massage, I might have been able to run some more (notice I said might).

Troy finishing - PR

The boys kicked butt and knocked almost 40 minutes off their time from last year.  Miguel (Amy's husband) finished in 4 hours 30 seconds, and Troy finished in 4 hours 2 minutes....which totally made me feel like our time was even slower (thanks boys!).

Me, Coach Ray, & Amy

I wish there were more music/crowds along our route - there were areas that were vacant, and it would have been nice to have that little push.  We did do the training team, and it was nice to have coaches throughout the route cheering us on.  I would highly recommend the training team - it was well worth it!

Miguel, Amy, Troy, & Me - Post Races

So, I was totally gung ho to sign up to do a marathon after the race...until I got home, and I realized how bad Troy felt after running.  I'm not sure I want to do that to myself, and miss out on time with my babies & family.  I hated that we missed a weekend with the kids. So for now, I think I'll stick with 5Ks, 10Ks and 1/2 marathons for a while.

I did treat myself to my first ever Five Guys Burger & Fries experience...

And it was pretty good....I think I would have enjoyed it better had I waited until Sunday...but it didn't stop me from eating every last drop!  I got a little bacon cheeseburger...w/ lettuce, tomato, pickles, mushrooms, mayo, ketchup, & mustard and Troy & I split some fries.

So...famous question....would you do it again?  Definately....I mean how else am I going to beat that time?

I do have a few runs coming up - a 5K 12/3 (this is the race I did last year on B's 2 month birthday) - totally hope to be at or under 30 minutes, and a 1/2 marathon in DISNEY on 1/7 hoping to be closer to the 2hr 30 minute mark.  I also think I'm going to do a 1/2 marathon in March...but I haven't signed up yet....I wanted to make sure I survived this one first!

To Troy....thank you for making me realize that this is something I can do....and even though I was mad at you for pushing me out of bed every morning to go run, I appreciate it.  I never would have thought about it again had you not had such a passion for running (or at least pretending like you liked it!)

Amy - thanks for agreeing to do this with me, and sticking through with it.  I'm not sure I could have done it without you.

Miguel - Thanks for helping me FINALLY talk your wife into running....

If anyone is thinking about doing a long distance run...you can totally do it...just take some time and train for it.  If I can do it...you can too.  I used to DESPISE running....so it can be done! ; )

Tomorrow is here!

Tomorrow, tomorrow...keeps running through my head.  I've been working towards tomorrow for 12-13 weeks now...and have been thinking about it for 11 months.  I signed up for tomorrow on 12/31/10 and now, tomorrow is here.

Tomorrow I will be running my first 1/2 marathon....13.1 miles....at one time.  Am I crazy...yes...am I excited..yes, am I nervous...yes.




Amy & I (Pink & White shirts) early in the training


Years ago I said I wanted to run a full marathon (26.2 miles) but never followed through with it.  I always wanted to...but I always wanted to do other things too.  Troy signed up for a 1/2 marathon...then a full, then another full...and the bug started. 

I would go out to all of his races and cheer him on and watch the other runners...who were in no less shape than myself, some in worse shape (or at least they looked like it).  Standing there watching the runners actually kinda depressed me.  I'm in athlete and very competitive...so watching others compete was tough, when I knew I could do it too.  At his last marathon, last November I pretty much decided that I was going to do it.  If all these other thousands of people could do it...why couldn't I?  Of course at this time, Brynnleigh was a month old, so I knew I needed some training time. So...

I signed up to run a 5K a month later on 12/4/11 - Brynnleigh was 2 months old....and I did it.  I struggled at times, but I did it and it felt good.  I then signed up for the Monument 10K in March & the training team....Troy caught on...and took advantage of my initiative.  On 12/31/10 - the day before the price increase, Troy talked me into signing up for the 1/2 marathon in Richmond on 11/12/11 AND the 1/2 Marathon in Disney on 1/7/12.  Luckily, we were able to also talk my friend Amy into doing it as well.  We talked Amy into doing the 10K & 1/2 marathon....and she's never ran a 5K!



Amy & I (bright yellow & pink) running in the freezing rain...literally


So...back in August...Amy & I started our venture to run 13.1 miles...both only having run a distance of 6 miles.  We tried to keep up with runs from March-August (10K-training team start) so we were not starting from scratch....and here we are....waiting for tomorrow...to run 13.1.  Neither of us have run this far before (training team only did up to 12) but...both of us can run this far, hands down.  We have run through a hurricane, and a cold freezing rainy day, and pretty much anything else....so I think we can handle a sunny 35-50 degree run!



Amy & I running through Hurricane Irene (we are in pink)


So tomorrow, I start a new venture, with an old friend and I can't wait!!

My goals for tomorrow:
To finish
To RUN the entire race (minus stops for water, gummy bears etc)
To have fun

My hopes for tomorrow:
To finish under 2hours and 45 minutes - I would love to be close to 2 hours and 30 minutes

My reward for tomorrow:
Five Guys - I've never been there before so I'm excited!

Fall Festival & Reunion

I just couldn't leave these photos out.  Every year we go to my Nana's church for their fall festival.  They have a mini pumpkin patch, free games & snacks for the kiddos, & a bake sale.  Unfortunately it was a crazy day...soccer for O, Nana's church, & my 10 year college reunion...so  I didn't get to get tons of pics...nor did I have time to be selective.

O was soo excited to play the games, we couldn't get him away....so he's not in any pictures...sorry O...but you have a few years of pics ahead on your sister! : )

I got B's dress at a consignment sale for $5.00...it was too cute not to pass up!

Love my blue eyed babies!

Afterwards, we ran by my reunion...and I met up w/some friends who I hadn't seen or talked to in forever.  It was great catching up & I hope we do a better job of staying in touch now....than we have in the past!

O wanted a picture (FINALLY) and my friends Jenn & Travis jumped in w/him!



Wordless Wednesday - Who say's Halloween is just for kids?

Obviously not me and my friends....fyi...I'm pretty sure we are all sober...in ALL of these pics!  I think these pictures pretty much explain themselves...no need for captions!