If at first you don't succeed...there are two options.

I shared my lament for lack of great family photo to share for Christmas, with my dear friend Norma and asked if she would brave a half hour with us and try to get a decent shot.

She happily acquiesced and the fun began.

She always wanted to try this next shot but the sun was so bright that we struggled to get our eyes open.  

We got some good shots I think.

We're using a different one in the cards but this is one of my favorites because it is in the woods.  

I love our woods.

I really like this one of the boys.  

They were being goofy...which NEVER happens.

sha.

So, Thank you my friend for putting up with us.

And thank you weather for not being in the 20's so we could go outside for a spell.

Also, I am feeling a bit of relief.  I finally gave up on a project that was taking a lot of time and kicking my trash.  Ugh.  I was making scripture totes for the girls and for whatever reason they resisted their creation.  I stopped the sewing machine mid stitch and logged onto deseretbook.com and picked out two that I didn't have to make.  It was also the last day for free shipping so I think it was an inspired throwing in of the towel.  

The fiends of tote sit in the corner of my room awaiting my very talented 

sisters gentle hand to save them or denounce them as the heap of malice I feel them to be.

Maybe we will use my dear friend Seam Ripper and create...

SCRAP.

Adieu.  

I am at peace.

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before I have to dash...

I did survive the half marathon.
I knew you were worried 'cause I hadn't checked in since I ran it.
But I'm alive and well and haven't run an inch since I finished the run last Saturday.

I don't have a picture.  I forgot to take a camera, but Brian wouldn't have been able to jet to the car.  I mean maybe he could have, but he came back to find us and then tried to run with us the rest of the way in but found his legs just didn't want to run again.  So we kept on trucking and he sauntered in a bit afterward.

Even though I didn't get pictures I am thinking this is pretty much how we looked the whole time:

You know...just happy and smiling.  It was pretty cold, but no biggie.  And we didn't even frown a little when it started raining at mile 7.  Or when my legs didn't want to go another step at mile 12 1/2 and good old Norma pulled ahead of me 6 seconds worth and kept yelling back encouraging words to which I finally responded for her to "hush up" and just go.  With a smile of course.

We finished in 2 hours 11 minutes and 51 seconds.

I am really pleased with our hard work and that we actually ran pretty much the whole thing.  We went into it initially thinking we'd maybe run half and walk on and off.  Nope!  We just kept on going.  Well, we did stop for water because I can't move when I drink water or I will choke.  And we walked for 1 minute at mile ten which was a wrong move.  It's really hard to get your legs going again once they've stopped.  Ask Brian.

So, that's my 1/2 marathon.  Done.  Check.  Accomplished.


In further news:
I am listening to books on cd while I sew some projects for Christmas.  I'm enjoying it.  The one I am listening to now is read by a woman with a Scottish or Irish accent.  Love it.
I find that when I think to myself I do so with an Isabelle Delhousey accent.  I can't replicate it very well when I try to talk to the children, but I think it VERY well.  Sometimes, occasionally, I think I might be a little Irish.  In my thoughts.  a little.

SO!  Merry Christmas!
Hope all is going just smoothly and no stress about getting blankets crocheted in time or getting a decent family picture taken for cards, has graced your days.

All the pictures taken with our whole family in them have not turned out very flattering on my side this year.  Well.  There is one where I actually sucked in my pooch and smiled all cute, but everyone else's eyes are closed.  I may just use that one because really, who needs to be cute?  Momma does.


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family and two projects

Ahhhh.  

Sure loved having my fabulous siblings visit.  And all who came with them!
My arms are just wanting to squeeze them all right now as I look as these pictures.

Every time my momma visits she takes the kids on a walk
to the gas station around the corner and lets them pick out a treat.
It's tradition.  And loads of fun...loads.  No really, loads.

We did a puzzle:

(pretend I rotated this picture for you.)

Just something on the table for people to sneak away for some contemplative quiet.

'Twas a fun Thanksgiving weekend.  

I was sad to see them all go.

But after they left I got busy and fulfilled one of my "When the kids are in school..." projects.

I sewed the curtain for my bathroom.  

I felt uncomfortable in there with no window covering even though it is just woods out side.  

But someone could be in the woods you know.  

I'm sure it happens.  

No worries!  Now I have a pretty curtain.

I'm looking for 2 pictures or prints to hang on the walls now. 

One behind the toilet and one in front.

I've been working on another "When the kids are in school..." project.

Tomorrow morning my buddy and I are running a half marathon!

You'll remember two years ago I walked this same half marathon with my man.
(He's running it too, but I'm not making him stick with me on this one.
He can book it.  With my blessing.)

This year we have been training and training and I'm planning on running the whole thing!

I've got my energy beans and am eating pasta like crazy.    

SO!  If I survive, which I'm sure I might...

I will see you back here soon with a time and maybe a picture.

Gotta love my family!

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