Christmas a little early

We celebrated Christmas a little early this year.  Stephen has to work all day Wednesday and Wednesday night, so we decided to open presents today!

What a great way to kick off our holiday.  The boys were so excited to open presents.  I told them to no expect much because we have been trying to save money.

However; we did get them each 7 great presents.  Each boy got an iPad and a cover!  That might have been their favorite gift of all!

I got Stephen a thousand little presents for biking, running, and swimming.  Here's hoping he will join me in a triathlon!

Stephen got me water proof headphones for the pool! I can't wait to try them out. My dad got me the most amazing gift, a NEW BIKE!!!!! It is AMAZING! Specialized Roubaix!

After we opened presents, Stephen and I went on a 10 mile run as we are trying to train for a marathon!  It was a tough run and I actually had to stop to use the bathroom.  I said to Stephen while we were running, "I wish there was a port-o-potty out here!" Then I had to dash into the bushes.  As we started running again, not even 100 meters down the trail was a PORT-O-POTTY!!! We laughed and laughed.  We have 4 more weeks until the marathon and MANY many miles to run, but I am so excited to be doing this with my sweet running partner and husband. I am so lucky.

I am so glad my parents are still here.  I will be so sad when they leave.  I have loved having them so close.  It has been amazing.  They watched the boys while we ran and took Edward to art class.  While Edward was at art class I taught a piano and voice lesson, then packed up the car and drove straight to the stake center.  I was in charge of the primary nativity at the ward Christmas party!

My dad spent the last three weeks building the stable for the back drop of the nativity.  It was incredible!! The kids did awesome.  Edward was the narrator and Nolen was a wise man.  I was so proud of all the kids!

After the nativity, I ran home to practice a duet I am singing in church tomorrow.  Wow! What a fun Christmas filled day.  We also spent the evening packing up for our trip to Tennessee! 

I absolutely love this time of year.

Mountain Biking for the WIN!

Yesterday, we went mountain biking with the cub scouts.  It was my first time ever mountain biking.  I actually think it was the first time for everyone in my family.  Even my Dad came along.  We drove around to the back side of the Sandia's where the trail was supposed to be easy.  It was more difficult than I expected.  Nolen and I slipped around in the mud for the whole two miles, but we laughed and laughed when we finally caught up to the older boys.  

I lucked out and found a great mountain bike on Craigslist for $100!  I took it to the bike shop right after I bought it and had them put new tubes in the tires.  The bike shop discovered that chain wasn't working right, so I had to replace the chain, too.  That was $74.  So in total, I spent $174 on a fun new mountain bike.  I can't wait to take it riding again.

 The boys got a little board after school so we played a few games.

 Stephen and I decided to take a HUGE leap and try for a marathon! We went on our first long run today.  I nearly died and it was only 8 miles. 

Oh December, December, let us remember December!

December has started off a bit busier than I expected, but we are back on track and found some extra time for the things we love. 

Here are just a few of the things we have been doing around our home school.

Cub Scouts is ending in January, so each boy got to cross over the bridge at the last meeting.

 For fun, the leaders did a toilet papering of the boys.  We laughed!

 We are sticking to our schedule as best we can by visiting the library once a month and checking out new books.

 Even though we didn't make it to Nationals this year, Nolen and I have been running with cougar track to help support the team as they train for the big race.

 These two boys just crack me up. 

 We finally set up the Christmas tree yesterday and decorated our house for the holidays!

 Nolen has always wanted to do the dinosaur run with the XC team and he finally got a chance.  He had to stop and take a photo to commemorate the occasion!