2nd Christmas in MO

On Christmas Eve we all got a set of new pajamas, so I thought "what a great opportunity for a family picture". Unfortunately, we didn't have someone else to take it, which made it that much harder to get the kids to look into the camera and smile. Then there is Reili always trying to make a funny face, so when everyone else looked 1/2 decent she was contorting her face some way. These were a couple of the more successful tries.


Amberly was the first one up on Christmas morning. She is our early bird most of the time. She had to go wake Reili up and remind her it was Christmas and to come see the stockings and the presents.




Reili had been wanting this Go Diego Go book with the spy glass for a couple months. She was surprised and happy to get it from Santa.


Amberly was happy to get the Disney Princess Dance DVD. She has really enjoyed dancing around the living room in her dress ups lately to any music she can get us to put on.



Wesley didn't even know what to do with his gift on this, his first Christmas. He ended up really liking the bow the best (as you can see). Tasty!!! Who needs a gift anyway?



We had a great Christmas even though we were away from both families again. We missed them a lot, but it is fun to try to figure out some of our own traditions.

Procrastinator Extraordinare!

I joined the throngs at Walmart today to start/finish my Christmas shopping. Every year I make the resolution to do my Christmas shopping earlier, but I always think Christmas is so far away (even in December) and I don't know what to get people anyway (even my kids)....so why not put it off. Plus, in truth, I really don't enjoy shopping that much (although it can be more fun without kids in tow). In both Tom's and my family we pick names and I did get that done earlier (thankfully) this month. So today I started my shopping for our girls and finished it with a nice wait in a long Merry-Christmas-at-Walmart line at the register. What would Christmas Eve be without it? I'll never know.

Merry Christmas Everyone!

Wesley's Wild West Wanderings

Last week Tom had a conference in San Antonio, TX, on Traumatic Brain Injuries and how they manifest in the eye. Wesley and I were able to go with him (only we got to play instead of attend the conference). The weather was warm (just to my liking...70+) and there were places to see and a Mall (something we don't have at home). We had a wonderful time together. Here is some proof of Wesley's wanderings in the wild, wild west.

Happy Birthday Tom

Tom would rather forget his birthday, but I wanted everyone to know that on December 2nd he turned 31. He always tells me that I am old, so I have to get him back. Here is a picture of him celebrating. He requested that I make him my apple pie instead of a cake. I love you Tom!

Memphis Half Marathon

I achieved a personal goal last Saturday when I finished my very first half marathon in Memphis, TN. It hasn't been a goal of mine for very long. I have been a short distance jogger (3-4 miles at least 4 times a week) for quite a few years now and have always enjoyed it. Frankly, it really never crossed my mind to run farther until a friend of mine in Alabama (Tessa Watson), with whom I used to run, mentioned that she had trained for and run a half marathon before she had kids. At that point I didn't really feel like it was something I could do. Then last year my friend Rachel Westhoff talked about doing the one in Memphis, but we both ended up not being able to do it (I can't run for most of my pregnancies). So we made it a goal this year after the baby was born, to train for it and run it together. Another friend (Kari Young) joined us as well and the three of us ran it together. Unfortunately, we forgot to take our camera to Memphis, and Tom didn't get there in time to see us finish and take pictures with our friends' cameras...so the only proof I have to show is my medal and number. We finished the 13.1 miles in 2 hours and 8 minutes (a 9 min and 50 sec. average mile). Tom and I are already both signed up to run another one on May 3 in Indianapolis.