Sharing

This December was all about sharing. Here's how the month went:

First 2 weeks: Start getting ready for Christmas and shopping for gifts to share.

Week 3: I get the stomach flu, which I immediately share with Randy. Luckily Kennedy was spared, and we owe my mom a huge thanks for taking care of her when we were both too pathetic to do it ourselves. Unfortunately, we shared our sickness with our sister in law, Rachel, who then shared it with my sister Katie.

Week 4: Rush to finish Christmas stuff, share fun Christmas celebrations with Randy's family and my family (minus Katie who was too busy enjoying the stomach flu).

Week 5: I get a nasty cold, which I shared with Randy and Kennedy who have been suffering with it this week while I finally feel better again. They have been like dueling banjos in the middle of the night with their coughing fits. The other night Randy dominated from 2-3 a.m., but Kennedy had quite the response from 3-4 a.m. I am not sure who won the competition, but either way, their sharing resulted in me losing a lot of sleep! Here's to a healthier 2011!!

Thanks!

We had a great Thanksgiving in Sacramento last week. This is why:

Visiting the Kool Family; eating at JACK'S; walking next door to Jack's for a pumpkin smash Jamba Juice; shopping at IKEA; bowling; Kennedy playing with her cousins; catching up with 2 college roommates; touring the JELLY BELLY FACTORY; Randy's first trip to In-n-Out; Randy and Troy making an awesome turkey; Going to the NIMBUS FISH HATCHERY (a Sac-town T-day Tradition); Eating an awesome Thanksgiving meal (thanks to Mary's hard work and planning); playing Just Dance on the Wii; making cutie oreo turkeys; getting away for a week.

The amount of calories eaten was certainly worth it, but I could have done without the plane rides (although I realize they were a key element in making our Thanksgiving possible).

A big thanks goes out to both of my sisters- one who got to host us, and the other who got to stay at our house and keep Marley company. Thanks for making our Thanksgiving something to be thankful for!


I heart Ikea


Meeting up with Renee!


In line for our Jelly Belly Tour (did you know the company started in Belleville?!)


Stacie and I!


Funny picture per Stacie's request


Kennedy feeding fish with help from her cousin


Kennedy as a fish egg




Randy and Troy with the Turkey (meaning the bird, not the baby)


The Walkers and the Kools, aka the "Kool Walker Peeps"

Indy

Last weekend I ran a half-marathon in the Indianapolis Monumental Marathon. It was a quick and fun girl's weekend with my sister Katie and friend Kathy. We all highly recommend this race! We were able to stay at a hotel one block from the starting line and 2 blocks from the finish. The course was flat, the weather was cool, and Indianapolis had lots of good sights to see. I was happy with my race time, but more importantly, I felt good after the run (unlike this spring in Louisville, where I was ready to pass out). Monumental marathon= Monumental success (so cheesy, but so true).


Carb loading the night before the race at Iaria's Italian Restaurant


Post-race Photo: Happy to be finished!

Family Pictures

We were able to get some really nice family pictures this year, courtesy of our friend, and very talented photographer, Mikol. Here are just a few:

A Scary Halloween Story

Halloween was fun this year (as it pretty much is every year)! First, we enjoyed our church's trunk-or-treat on Saturday. Kennedy was a ladybug, thanks mostly to our friend Keara who made her awesome tutu. Randy and I couldn't decide what to be until the last minute, but we came up with some good "punny" costumes. Randy was a leaf-blower, and I was pumpkin pie (featured also are Aunt Katie, aka Flo, David the monkey, and Aunt Rachel the Zoo Keeper).




On Sunday we enjoyed soup in a pumpkin, made by Katie. It was delicious. Kennedy enjoyed handing candy to Nonnie.



We got back home in time for a few trick-or-treaters to stop by. One group was memorable. Three girls, all around 10 years old came to the door. I was able to guess two of their costumes pretty easily, a Bumblebee and Spiderman. The third girl's outfit looked familiar, and after a minute I said "Oh, you are Rainbow Bright!" She looked at me confused and said, "No, I am Rainbow Cutie." Her friend then rolled her eyes and said, "It's the same thing. Rainbow Bright is what it was called in the olden days." I didn't know that I grew up in the "olden days." Apparently, I did. Now that is Scary!!

Happy Birthday

Happy Birthday Randy! Randy baked his own cakes this year (Mr. Efficency at his best), and they were great. A big thanks to his mom, for saving the awesome cake pan for so many years, and thanks to our friend Jennifer, who helped decorate them.


Kennedy loved the cake (of course!)

10-10-10

10-10-10 is coming! Not only is this day Randy's Birthday, but he is turning 30! How often does one's birthday add up to one's exact age? I am thinking that it must be pretty unique! We don't eat out on Sundays, but Randy found this Houlihan's ad that is great. I am glad that they are giving out props for such a cool day. Numbers 2 and 8 are our favorites.