Monday, December 24, 2012

Sequestering the Grinch















Turkey Trot 2012

This year my sister in law and her family joined us for Thanksgiving. As a large percentage of us are runners, we entered in our local Turkey Trot 5k run. Being a distance runner I don't train much for a 5k, and have no idea how fast I can run one in, I did know I could do at least an 8:45. My sister in law, who runs 5ks ensured me I could do better, so I stuck with her for the race. In the end we crossed the line with a time of 25:30 which puts us just under a 8:19 pace! That's my fastest 5k ever!!!
Here is the picture of the whole trotting crew!

Christmas Eve's Eve

In keeping with this year's theme of "sequester the Grinch" I offered (with B's suggestion) to host Christmas with my dad. The two youngest brothers, Nik and Alix, have been working out of state/town and miraculously they were both home on the eve of Christmas Eve.

Pulling from the decorations already placed around the house and a great clearance table cloth from Target, I very inexpensively created a festive table. Madison cut snowflakes and made place cards with them.

For dinner I made pork loin which was brined over night then stuffed and rubbed with a garlic rosemary paste and baked in a bath of white wine. It turned out devine! For sides we had sage sweet potatoes and pan roasted Brussels with bacon and pine nuts, and rolls. I had made the sauce for my favorite green beans the night before and completely forgot about that dish. For dessert we had applesauce spice cake and cheese cake. I think it is safe to say no one left hungry.

After waiting very patiently through dinner and the after dinner conversation Maddox prompted us to move on to gifts. Machelle gave Madison a plethora of scarves- which she loved! Maddox got a razor 360 bike that he had been asking for, and Megan and Nik got the kids this great puzzle game that we have been playing with all night and this morning.

We all enjoyed watching Maddox ride his new bike in the frigid night just to show off the sparks it emits when he pulled the emergency brake.

Alix and his wife ended up not coming- revealing I have a double standard, and causing me to reevaluate my own attitude of Christmas and the "required" visits. Giving me all the more reason to continue my quest to "sequester the Grinch".

So here's to the beginning of a very merry Christmas- spent with FAMILY.










Monday, December 17, 2012

Thankful November

I love that for the month of November (at least in non-presidential election years) fb fills with posts of gratitude.  this year I decided to partake in the challenge of finding the things that I am thankful for.  Here is what actually ended up on my fb page for *most* of the month...


Day 1: Thankful for beautiful weather that allows us to run in tanks and shorts though it's November in Colorado.

Day 2: Nov. 2: Today I'm thankful that I have the right to vote and for the short lines at early voting!

Day 3: I am thankful for amazing news!!! Just received news that my good friend from Denver is moving back!

Day 4: Today I'm thankful for the whole extra hour of uninterrupted reading time due to Day Light Savings!

Day 5: I am thankful for my friend Allison, who has demonstrated what it is to trust God, and inspires me regularly to do so myself.

Day 6: I am thankful for the individual time I got to spend with each of my kids today. It never seems to happen often enough, so I cherish the spare hour every once in a while.

Day 7: Today I am thankful for the Word of God, that give peace and births faith.

Day 8: I am thankful for family dinners. Even if Maddox wiggles so much the bolts on his chair are loose and Madison dominates the conversation with middle school drama though insisting she's not in the drama scene. I love that we are all together, talking and sharing our day.

Day 9: Today I am thankful for an amazing teaching partner. We work so well together and have SO much fun traveling to conferences all over the country! Next up our own backyard, Denver!!! Hope you have a fabulous birthday riding the rim in your tutu!!!

Day 10: I'm thankful alone time during retail therapy today.

Day 11: I am thankful to have an amazing partner in this journey called parenthood. My husband is an excellent example to both of our children of what a man/husband/father should be- hard working provider, protective, and selfless to name a few. I pray that Maddox will grow to be a great man like his dad, and Madison will find one of his caliber to share her life with.

Day 12: I am so thankful for my friend Anne! She encourages me in my life with prayer and scripture. She can tell me things that are difficult to hear and know we will both be better for it. She is the best running partner (one that is completely ok with skipping a run when life gets crazy OR because we would rather pop open a bottle of wine and start cooking together). Thank you Anne for your amazing friendship.

Day 13(only 5hours late): I am thankful to have made it to Denver safely, for the hysterical laughter in the way over, an incredible view of the city from or 31st floor room, 5 days of conference attending, 5 nights if city life, and 120+ hours of no responsibilities. (Man I'm going to miss my family by weeks end.)

Day 14: I am thankful for good company to debrief the massive amounts in information we received today, all over French Martinis.

Day 16: I am thankful for the birth of a beautiful new life, Oslin Sandoval, came in to the world today, becoming Vycci and Danny’s 4th child and another Sandoval life that I have the honor of being a part of.

Day 17: I'm thankful for a lovely girls night out with my sister in law. She picked me up in her new car ;) and took me to dinner and desserts that were so delicious she got caught licking the plate! Love you and I'm so thankful for our great conversation, love you Krick!

Day 18: I'm thankful that my husband endures live sporting events for me. (B forgot a hat, so he's thankful for the rally towels they were handing out at the gates.) I think I'll spare him further embarrassment and go buy him a new hat...

Day 19: I am blessed beyond measure, abundantly thankful, and blissfully happy to have Brian as my husband. Happy birthday to my my best friend, and favorite person to live life with. I love you!

Day 20: I'm thankful for modern conveniences, especially a heated home, and running hot water. Think I'll go take advantage of it with a nice soak and book.

Day 21: I am thankful for a house full of family, children laughing, running, and playing, and most of all that we get to share the day together.  Happy Thanksgiving 2012.