Thankful Thanksgiving

 We had a pretty low key Thanksgiving this year.  We woke up early and went to our annual turkey trot that we missed for two years.  We ran our hearts out.  Edward rode is bike around because the bike race was not an organized event.

After the race, we made some turkey and ate with my parents.  Nice easy day.

A Thankful Turkey Trot

This Thanksgiving, the boys and I traveled to Arizona to spend the holidays with my family.  After our regional meet in El Paso, we quickly packed up the car and drove to Arizona.  We made one stop in Flagstaff to meet up with Stephen's cousin and take their family pictures.  It was so beautiful.  Surprisingly, it was not cold at all!

Tuesday, we slept in and went grocery shopping.  The boys played with their cousins and had a blast! Wednesday, I met up with Jared and Sandy to take their family photos in the mountains by my parents home.  I just love this time of year.  I used to hate it.  I admit.  I had a very dark soul when I was younger and the thought of everyone so cheerful just chapped my hide! Now, I love it.  I mean, I really love it.  I love decorating the tree and putting up Christmas lights.  I love singing all the Christmas songs and bringing cheer to everyone I meet. 

We ran a lot while we were in Kingman.  We even recruited Logan to run with us. We also taught the boys how to play Ticket to Ride.  Sprints, run, and play games!

Thursday was our annual turkery trot.  We ran in Kingman this year and it was so fun to have lots of family and friends run with us and cheer us on.  The boys ran the full 5k and had a blast.  I ran the fastest time I have EVER ran in my entire life.  I made a goal this year to run a sub 30 minute 5k.  I am so grateful I was able to run with cougar track to help me reach and accomplish this goal. I ran the race in 26 minutes and 53 seconds! An average of 8 minutes and 38 seconds per mile.  I placed 5th in my age group and 32nd overall.  I have never once placed even in the top 100 in a race before.  The boys ran a 31 minute 5k and Edward placed 3rd and Nolen placed 4th in their age group.  

We ate thanksgiving dinner at Jared and Sandy's home.  Everything went smoothly!  Friday, Sandy had set up 3 photo shoots for me, so I was out all day snapping peoples photos.  It was really fun.  I truly enjoy connecting with people on the other side of the camera.  Saturday, we woke up early and helped clean the church for our thankful service then we packed up our stuff and drove home so that we could have a day here in Albuquerque to get ready for the week ahead. 

This time of year always makes me so grateful to have my family.  I love them.   

Turkey Trek 2016

This years Turkey Trek was a complete success!!  The boys ran a 1k in less than 3 minutes!  They were so fast.  They were so excited to start the race and fun.  It was a bit cold this year, but not as cold as it was last year.  

My friend Marialena came to watch the boys while I ran with Laurel.  We killed it this year!  Last year our time was just over 36 minutes and this year we ran the 5K in 33 minutes!  So much faster than last year!  

I am so grateful to know two great women who sacrifice their Thanksgiving morning for me! They are truly the best!

Afterward, I took the boys to have a doughnut!  They are simply amazing.

We spent the rest of the morning at home just lounging around while Stephen was at work.  When he returned home, we headed to our very dear friends house, the Landaker's.  They made the most delicious BBQ turkey!  I have been off sugar for more than six months and it was delicious to have Andrea's sweet apple pie.  After dinner; however, Nolen decided to barf. HA!  It was so embarrassing.  I felt so bad for the little guy.  It was the most barf I have ever seen!   We got him cleaned up (and the carpet) (and the tile) (and the bathroom) and headed home. 

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Thanksgiving!

We started our day off at a turkey trek! I have always wanted to have a family tradition of running on thanksgiving. The last time I ran on thanksgiving was 2007 with Todd Waters. We ran 8 miles that morning. If I remember correctly, we ran just under 10 minute miles. Fast forward 8 years and 2 kids and I finally ran again. I convinced Stephen and the boys to run with me this cold November day. The boys ran so fast at their 1k! Edward actually kept up with all the big kids! He was awesome. I ran the 1k with them to keep Nolen going.

Stephen and I ran next. Stephen's time was 29.33 for the 5k! He never runs! I run three times a week. My time was just under 35 minutes. A 12 minute mile. 

After our early morning running, we cooked our turkey and had thanksgiving with just the four of us. It was heavenly. 

The boys set the table, Stephen cooked and carved the turkey, while I made everything else. We went around the table and said what we are thankful for this year. Nolen is thankful for minecraft. Edward is thankful for his iPad and geckos. Stephen is thankful for money and his wife. I am thankful for my family spending the morning with me running. 

Happy thanksgiving!