My family

Monday, December 22, 2014

Christmas Tree Farm & Santa

Time to find our Christmas Tree!

This year we decided to cut down a Christmas tree. The girls were excited to travel to the farm and select a special tree. Isabella & Sophia enjoyed checking out the trees in the field and watching Daddy cut ours down. They also thought it was pretty neat that the tree was tied to the roof of our car.

Searching for a tree....

We found out tree!

Time to Trim the Tree!
Once we got home, the kids were excited to decorate the tree. Isabella and Sophia wanted to place the star on the top of the tree. Thanks to modern times, our start topper has lights, which is a two step process. The girls decided the best deal was for Sophia to place the star on the tree and then Isabella would climb up and plug in the star. Perfect!

Lucy gets into the center of the action

Trimming the tree

Merry KISSmass

Sophia spots our Elf on the shelf in the tree

Sophia adds the final touch, our star.

Isabella plugging in the star

Ornaments in PJs

Santa and Rudolph going for a ride

Time to visit Santa!
With the tree up, our house was looking festive and full of holiday cheer. A trip to visit Santa was next on our list. We had to wait 90 minutes to see Santa this year but it was worth it for the great photo below.
Isabella asked Santa for American Girl Dolls, AG doll accessories and Legos. Sophia asked Santa for piano.

Waiting for Santa

Frosty on ICE

At the end of November, we kick started our Chirstmas season with a trip to the Ice show at the Gaylord National Hotel. Frosty the Snowman was a perfect theme especially with the below freezing temps inside. Isabella's favorite part was going down the ice slide (me too!). Sophia was cold and just wanted to snuggle Daddy. We also enjoyed seeing PopPop and Grandmom race down the slide. That evening we had the pleasure to enjoy a yummy dinner, indoor snowfall, a kids train ride and DC cupcakes! I loved getting to spend time with family and catch up with my cousin Ronnie (and his cute family). It was a fun filled day for all!

Sophia happy to hold Daddy's hand

Isabella is excited to check out the ice!

Chase & Sophia

Cousins: Chloe, Lane, Chase, Isabella & Sophia

Awesome ice slide!

Bella ice slidin'

Isabella loved the ice slide!

Group photo...Sophia was NOT happy!

Eddie & I are enjoying the ice sculptures

Cold Family Photo

Hot Coco time!

Kids Train

Chloe, Sophia and Isabella on the train

Tuesday, December 9, 2014

Thanksgiving Day 2014

We spent Thanksgiving in Maryland this year. It was a treat to be able to see most of our family during our stay. The girls were excited to spend time with their grandparents and enjoy a thanksgiving feast. Isabella said she was thankful that we were all together. Here are a few photos from Thanksgiving Day...

Grandmere and Isabella

Sophia ready to dine

Sister Snuggles

Sophia and Daddy

Isabella and her godfather Dave

Friday, November 21, 2014

We Are Marshall

The last weekend in October I ran a marathon at Marshall University in West Virginia. Now some of you might not know how many miles are in a marathon? People assume a half marathon is the same....nope that is only 13.1 miles. A marathon is 26.2 miles, if all goes right. Well would you believe that 3 running coaches got lost....we made the wrong turn somewhere around mile 17 and added half a mile onto our race...so my marathon was 26.83 miles. The start of the race was bitter cold. Miles 1-5 were cold. Miles 6-15 easy, relaxed and in the flow. Things started to get tough physically after we had to back track from getting off course. Eventually, my calf had a charlie horse which challenged me to finish. As I approached the finish line with a football in one arm, the elation that I felt was beyond words. I am thankful to run.

Three running coaches giving thumbs up at Marshall expo!

Marathon Finishers

This past weekend I ran the Richmond Marathon as a coach. I logged 23 miles on the books and met Bart Yasso~ The opportunity to be a marathon coach was amazing. I shed a few tears seeing runners on my team cross the finish line. It was a very long day for the coaches on the course but absolutely worth it to help others achieve their goal to complete the marathon.

Monday, November 17, 2014

20 Questions With Sophia

Sophia's birthday was on a Monday this year and since it was a school day she took brownies to share with her class. She was surprised to get a birthday crown from her teacher. Sophia was excited to see me as secret reader in her class that day. To make the day even more special Will was able to meet us for lunch. Sophia is a delightful child and it was a treat to spend time together on her birthday. We ended the evening with snuggles, laughter and hugs.