Parade of Lights, Mother Daughter Party, & Santa

Part of what I love about the holidays are the traditions. A few of those we never skip are the Light Parade Downtown,Mother Daughter Party and a visit to Santa. We try to keep the kids in the back of the truck...works pretty decently. This year the light sticks were a new distraction. G loved hers and took it for show and tell the next day. The highlight of course being Santa and Mrs Claus on the fire truck at the end of the parade. The floats were all decorated beautifully this time.

 

Mother Daughter Party. We switch off who hosts each year. This year I was the chosen one...good thing is....I won't have to do it for another 10 years!  Planning a party with toddlers is awesome! They mess up everything you are working on. Needless to say lots of late nights and last min things to be done before the party. Thanks Matt and Steph for watching the kids for a few hours. They came back just in time to have everyone meet Stella and take the group pic. Giada was excited to be invited to the party to play with her friend Gemma!

 

Through the years DVD. Compiled photos for over 10+ years we could find them for. Thanks for the help KR! Some people did not like the past photos. But a favorite was of course Sarah Jane's mid drift shirt!  Good times ladies! Making memories...right!?!?!

Clearly I was being hazed; that's why I felt so terrible SUNDAY!!!

Although excited for the party;

we got this stink eye most of the night! Almost 4 year old needed sleep BAD!

 KR by far was best dressed!

 Sum kept getting Giants ornaments. Which she LOVED....NOT!

 Gemma gave Giada a make up kit....don't they look beautiful!

I was glad to see that Hilder and Gemma enjoyed the head lamp as much as Giada does!

We went to see Santa this past weekend. Giada of course asked me if he was still here from the parade?? Of course!! Why else would he still be in town??  Gino loves mascots etc., so I was a little surprised to see his distaste for Santa. Nevertheless makes a funny photo!

Seve turns 4, Marathon, Dress up

Happy 4th Birthday Captain America! AKA Seve. The rain kept us indoors but the kids could have been none the wiser. GoGo's Playroom kept them busy! 

So lately Gino has been thinking it is a good idea to wake up 4-4:30 ish. I've been trying to get this problem under control but a few mornings I gave in!  Soon after the first pic he is wide awake diving over chairs! He's an active one!

Steph snagged this cute pic of the kids when she was watching them. Monkey See Monkey Do. 

Gino copies EVERYTHING she does...big or little!

Capes are not just for kids...didn't you know??

 Rainy day weather = fun for kids! 

Helping Nana decorate the tree!

 After 3 months + of training the day was here to run the CIM marathon. Wouldn't it be my luck the weather forecasters were calling for an Atmospheric River!! Whatever that is!  I felt like I had done the training the best I could. Drank a TON of water the week leading up but how do I prepare for this rain??  So after a week of debating what to do..... I put on a light raincoat Mike found which was awesome, and wore the headband over the hat to hold in my headphones and that was about it!  I was getting calls from the relay girls even that morning to see if I was still going for it. I think they were hoping I would bail so they could! What great friends they are- they ran in the crazy weather too.  Lindsay ran the 1st leg with me we had a lot of rain, wind and hills(which I had no idea about). Leg 2 was Trisha and we just laughed. It was coming down in sheets, what else could you do?? Funny thing is we would try to not step in puddles but quickly that was not an option. Leg 3 Mel and it was pretty rainy. If I hit a wall I would say it was leg 3; at one point I said to Mel "4 more miles" it seemed far.  Then before I knew it her leg was done, it was sunny and I was on the home stretch. KR ran the 4th leg, and Tricia wanted more miles under her belt so she joined in the fun.  It was beautiful for that last hour.  Don't be thinking KR didn't get wet! They were all soaked when they met me at each relay point. Mike was taking video and photos - check out this water!  I did feel like the training paid off. The miles were not a problem. I SO lucked out on no cramps, blisters etc. Good times, I'd do it again. But I have to say the relay made ALL the difference. Being able to chat with your girlfriends, versus running for hours with just music, made all the difference. Thank you again girls! xo. Thanks to Mom, Mickey, Bruce and Giada for surprising me on the course; to Mike and Jason for driving and supporting us; to Anna for the early morning car ride; to Linds for a delicious pre race meal; and Jeanne and Mom for watching the kids!

 

 Just a sprinkle. The one time the weather forecaster was correct!!

POST RACE BEERS!!

Big props to Dub AKA Christie Wells on her 1st Marathon and Trent Diehl too!! Great job!!

What??? Your child doesn't wear a headlamp to dinner? NO masks while vacuuming??

 Dress up and outfit changes ALL day long! "Mom, put this in my back like brave"

Who knew raking leaves was so much fun?

Stella Days! All 3 napping at the same time = miracle!