NEW YEARS EVE: PARTY LIKE IT'S 2013!

The kids were PUMPED for their New Years Eve party this year! Grambot told us that Cora walked up to her at one point this moring, hands on hips, and said "Are we going to party or what?!" Apparently she wasn't pleased to learn she had to wait until sundown for the party to start. We had the Kennedy's and Sanchez crew over again this year and it seemed like everyone had a good time. We grilled some chicken (and hot dogs for the kids), baked cupcakes, and put together a few sides, along with fresh coffee (to keep us up until midnight) and homemade Bailey's, wine and beer, and of course champagne. Sophie brought some Canadian favorites: caribou (a sweetened and spiced red wine spiked with whisky and served warm) and finger sandwiches, and Christina brought our favorites: Rotel dip and her famous chocolate chip cookies! We basically snacked all night long... Everyone lasted until a little after 9:30pm, at which point we put away the leftovers (we won't have to cook for a couple days!), put the kids in their jammies, and turned on a movie to relax until midnight (and yes, the kiddos were still wide awake when the Moon Pie dropped).

The biker gang was equipped with flashlights, lanterns, and headlamps so theyd be easier to track going up and down the driveway. (And up and down, and up and down, etc. They biked for hours.)

Watching the neighbors set off some fireworks before we started our own show:

Far less fears and tears for the fireworks show this year!

The 4 oldest kiddos with their sparklers, spread FAR apart, and with an adult nearby to supervise each kid (James was my charge, in the center). Just in case.

Early New Years toast (just in case the kids couldn't last):

We figured since we lined the kids up tallest to shortest (was that intentional or not? I forget) it would be funny to do the same for ourselves. There was definitely an argument between Alex, Christina, and myself as to who was tallest, but we let him win and blamed it on our boots.

James was trying to hide from my camera by this point. And that's Leo snuggling Jude, who is snuggling Manu's jacket.

It won't be long before Lauren joins the ranks of the truck obsessed.

Is it bad that I don't remember which kid movie we watched while we waited for midnight?...

That clock does not say midnight quite yet James...

There goes the giant Moon Pie, dropping in Mobile, AL at midnight. Cheers!

One last round of fireworks at midnight, then off to bed!

RUNNING YEAR IN REVIEW

 I started out 2013 with the goal of completing my first half marathon (RNR NOLA!) and loved it SO MUCH that I knew it wouldn't be my last. I took the plunge and registered for a full marathon (Mississippi Blues is now less than 2 weeks away - EEK! I'm SO READY and SO EXCITED!), and knew my training would take me through a lot of miles and at least one more half marathon this year. I actually ended up running two: one as a trail race in August and one as a PR-goal race in November. There were other races, including a trail 20-miler, a trail 10-miler, a 10K, a 5-miler, an obstacle race, and a 5K (all different distances, so I suppose I like switching things up rather than going for PRs within the same year... other than for half marathons, anyway). That's 9 races in 12 months (plus a couple unofficial races here at work, the Essayons Challenge and Turkey Trot), so I'd say I was a busy runner in 2013. And man, did I ever enjoy those races! The motivation of training going into the races, the excitement of race day, and the thrill of accomplishing my goals are really what keep me running 3-4 days per week. I am so fortunate to be healthy enough to run the miles, to be able to afford the registration fees and experience the races, and to have an awesome husband who allows me to spend hours getting to know my friends of all ages better and better while I pound the pavement (and occasionally the dirt) and claim a bit of "me time" a few days/week.

 

I have no idea what 2014 will look like as far as exact races (other than The Blues), but I'm pretty sure I'll run a 50K, a few half marathons, a few trail races, and a few local 5Ks and/or 10Ks. I had a loose goal of running 1000 miles in 2013 and I almost made it! (I hit 1000 total miles this morning after my usual 5am 6-miler with the crew, but 20 of those miles were from walks/hikes, swimming, and the elliptical). Maybe next year I'll aim to do the same, running the full 1000 miles. Maybe I'll try for more. Maybe it will be less. All I know is that, for me, running is now a significant part of my lifestyle, a fun and addicting hobby, and something that I feel proud of (no matter how far I run or what my pace is - the point is that I'm out there doing it and it's making me happy).

Kinda crazy to see some of those numbers... I spent over 220 hours exercising this year (I didn't always record my time - for some runs you just don't care), burning the equivalent of 808 donuts! (Don't worry, I promise I ate nowhere near 808 donuts in 2013. Maybe 50...)

Specifically, the past 20 weeks (official marathon training) make me smile. Other than my recent week off to heal my IT band/hamstring issue, I ran 20-30+ miles per week. That makes me feel dedicated, and honestly, kinda badass. I know there are plenty of runners out there who regularly run 30-60 mile weeks, but for me, this is a big deal. I never went higher than 21 miles per week during RNR NOLA training, so to have so many weeks above that for 20 weeks in a row for Blues training makes me feel really good. It's been a great training cycle and I'm definitely looking forward to 2014 to see what the new running year brings me! (Though I do not plan to run on the New Year. I'm sure I'll be sleeping in and sleeping off the champagne!)

SUNDAY FUN

Sunday started off with another (rain-free) run, followed by a lot of food, some rest, and an adventure.

First we visited Riverfront Park with Will and Christina, where James rode his bike for the 2nd time and got comfortable enough (and brave enough) to follow Will and Cora down the grassy hills, learned to make tight turns, perfected his braking skills, and had his first fall (which was no big deal to anyone, thankfully).

 Our little monkeys...

 Will and Cora had a blast playing together on the playground while James kept making circles with his bike. Will even taught Cora how to use the fireman's pole.

After all that biking, James told us he was SO TIRED that he melted into a puddle and didn't have any energy to buckle himself into his car seat...

 Once we scraped him off the floor of the van, we headed over the river for daiquiris (mom's first ever drive-thru daiquiri - how is that even possible when we lived in Lafayette for 2.5 years and we've been here in Vicksburg almost 7 years?) and a trip into the lotto ticket liquor store. It had to be done. (Liquor stores are not open in Mississippi on Sundays, hence the excuse to go over the river.)

RAINY DAY ACTIVITIES

I had my last double digit run this morning. Since it started to sprinkle when I was halfway to our meeting point, I wasn't optimistic about getting ANY miles in, but we ended up making it through 9.5 miles before the rain really hit. It was a very cold last couple of miles back to the cars...

Since it was forecast to rain ALL DAY (and mom was exhausted from traveling and still recovering from bronchitis and sinus/ear infections), we had plans of doing zip, zilch, zero. Cora pilfered the gingerbread houses some more. All while singing "I love candy! I love candy! Oh how I love you candy!"

 Once we put a stop to the sugar inhalation, she asked for broccoli. Then proceeded to eat 2 bunches without sharing a single bite...

 There were games of Scrabble, Dominoes, and Battle Scrabble. And some fancy holiday beverages...

 Cheers!

PROUD LITTLE LEGO-ER

It only took James two days to build his plane. Daddy opened the packages, fished out the correct pieces as they went through the instructions, and supervised. James placed each piece according to the directions and we were so impressed with his patience and care. He is beyond proud of it, and is moving on to the airport vehicles and fuel stations and buildings next - big project!

MY FAVORITE

It's my favorite when Cora is sleeping. Naptime, bedtime, in the car, whenever. She is precious when she sleeps. And quiet... I enjoyed a lovely nap with her and Jude this afternoon. That's what vacation is all about!

 (That TinkerBell costume was NOT coming off for anything, not even naptime. She loves it Gramma!)