Time for Some Catch-up!

I can't believe I haven't blogged since New Year's Day - and four months into the year, it's not even "new" anymore. Here's what's been going on...

January

My sweet daughter and cutie pie grandson

- My oldest daughter Whitney and her little family came up from Texas for a week-long visit. Since they couldn't make it for Christmas, we had a second Christmas with them, opening gifts and enjoying a another huge Christmas dinner.  We also had some friends over so they would get a chance to see them. Had a great time, and it was hard to say good-bye!

- My 15yo son started public school for the first time, after being homeschooled all his life. He loves it, has made a ton of new friends, and is doing great. He's making straight A's so far - and I've threatened him that he better keep it up!

- Found out I am going to be a grandma - again! Whitney and John are expecting a new little one in October.

- We have two January birthdays in our family - Andy and Whitney, so we celebrated!

Yep, the candles say "44"! Old man!

February

- Pittsburgh went to the Superbowl - how many times is that now? We wore big ugly Steelers jerseys to church, but apparently that didn't bring them good luck since they didn't win.

- Celebrated my husband's promotion to Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force at a special promotion ceremony in San Antonio. Whitney flew in again so she could stay with the younger kids for us, while Andy & I flew down to Texas.

It took me 45 minutes to curl my hair for that evening! 45 minutes!!!!!

- We found out we will be transferred to Tacoma/Seattle area of Washington State in July. I've never even visited the Pacific Northwest, so it will be an experience.

- I got sick the morning of the ceremony! Sore throat, cough, aches, terrible chest congestion, and fever. I drugged myself up and attended the ceremony; as soon as it was over I went straight to my hotel room, swigged down a dose of Nyquil and went to bed. The plane ride home the next day was horrid. And then...

EVERYONE got sick! Yes, our entire family, including poor, pregnant Whitney. Not only that, but morning sickness kicked in - all-day sickness in her case. She was in no shape to fly home. We made some phone calls and extended her stay, changing her plane ticket home to April 1, with the hopes that morning sickness would be gone by then. The illness hit me the hardest - I was unable to run because of my chest congestion and cough for several weeks.

March

- My 12 year old turned 13. I now have TWO teenagers in the same house. Lord, help me!

That's my Sky-Baby with a Texas Sheet Cake - the yummiest and easiest cake ever!

- Finally started to get well toward the end of the month. This illness really put me behind on my training. I officially changed my registration for the Pittsburgh marathon to the half-marathon, since I missed about 6 weeks of running. Getting back out there at the end of March was almost like starting over. It was terrible and is still a challenge.

April

- Whitney made it back safe and sound to Texas. Her morning sickness is much better now, but she did have a difficult month in March. I'm glad we were able to be here for her, and it was great having River here for so long! He loved the attention from his doting grandparents and aunts and uncle! Hopefully, we didn't spoil him too much. :)

Pretty boy!!

- Finally, I'm back to running and training! It's taking some hard work to get back in shape. I've gained a few pounds and it's depressing. But, I'm glad my cough is almost completely gone, and I'm able to run again. The weather is getting nicer too! I actually ran in short sleeves yesterday!

- And that said, I hope to be back to blogging again.

HAPPY 2011 TO YOU!

Last night, we celebrated the last hours of 2010 as a family.  First we went out to eat at TGIF. I had the Sizzling Chicken and Shrimp, and oh my gosh, it was soooo good.

 
I nearly cleared my plate, and I don't even want to think about how many calories I consumed!! At least I had skipped lunch...my oh-so-clever game plan for eating dinner out. After coming home, the girls and I made chocolate chip cookies - only instead of just chocolate chips, we also added chopped up Reese's peanut butter cups, Hershey's bars, and M&M's.

 And some chopped pecans for added protein, of course.

 Hey, if I'm going to make high-calorie, butter-laden baked goods, I'm going all out. These were the best cookies ever.

Then we set up the basement (our "Texas Room") with the essential snack foods for celebrating.

 We got our party supplies ready...

We spent the evening playing games with the kids...

watching Times Square on TV by the fire...

playing with laptops...(I think the kids were actually chatting w/each other online...probably saying things they didn't want us to hear...)

That Emma's got some dance moves.

and eating too much junk food.

How do you like my pajama pants?

We counted down the last seconds wearing top hats, and when the 2011 arrived, we blew noise makers

and toasted each other with champagne.

I really need to buy some champagne flutes.

Yes, the kids had tiny little shot glasses with sips of champagne, because their mother forgot to buy sparkling grape juice for them.

"And I thought communion wine was nasty!"

 They did not like the champagne at all. But we did!

Then after lots of hugs and kisses, the kids went to bed, and Andy and I went outside to smoke our annual New Years cigar. My brothers started this tradition about 18 years ago, and even when we're unable to spend New Years together, we all still have our cigars.

I ended up chosing the Swisher Sweet. It's yucky but cigars are yuckier.

This morning we woke up and had a sausage-egg casserole for breakfast that I had prepared last night.

It's unbelievably warm today for Pittsburgh...I can't believe it's January and I actually have the windows open! Weirdness.

Well, there is supposed to be a cold front moving in later this evening, so I better enjoy the warmth while I can. Hubs and I are getting ready to go for our first run of 2011, and then I've got to fix our New Years Day dinner, which must include collard greens, black eyed peas, and cornbread. HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Christmas Recital 2010

Emma Rose and Sky before the recital. Do they look nervous? Naaaahhh.

 My younger three kids (ages 15, 12, and 9) have been taking piano lessons for four years now. My oldest, who is almost 23, started taking lessons when she was 6, and continued with lessons (adding to that voice and guitar in her middle school years) until she was 17. She now leads music and worship services with her husband (also a musician!) at churches in San Antonio.

Anyway, the kids had their annual Christmas recital today, and did great. We have been so lucky to find such wonderful music teachers wherever we have lived as a military family. Our kids have learned so much. My son missed out today because he was on a youth group retreat.

Oooh, sitting in their places. It's getting close!

Emma played "Carol of the Bells" and did an awesome job.

Then, the girls played "The Holly and the Ivy," a trio with their piano teacher. Originally they were supposed to play with their brother, but since he was playing hooky on a youth retreat, Mr. O'Dell took his place...

Sky played three pieces: a jazzed up version of "Go Tell it On the Mountain," then "We Wish You a Merry Christmas," and finally, "Cascades" written and arranged by Scott Joplin. She was FANTASTIC!!!

A group photo

One of the "projects" my son was busy with while his sisters were performing at the recital...so glad to know he was working so hard!

Jingle Bell Run Recap!

Well, the Jingle Bell 5K 2010 is history now, and the girls both did great! I was Sky's running partner, and Hubs was Emma's. Sky ran the entire way with an official time of 33:12 (and no side stitches!!), and Emma ran the first 2 miles without walking, walked for about 60  seconds, and then ran the rest. Her official time was 37:01.

Peanut butter on toast makes a good pre-run breakfast!

They look sleepy but it really wasn't that early. We left the house at 8:00.

Luke was watching everything and knew we were getting ready to leave him. There were some dogs at the race, but Luke would have stopped running after a mile. Lazy boy!

The girls got a chance to practice a little piano before leaving for the race. Their Christmas recital was today (Sunday). Pictures to follow soon!

They look pretty cold, don't they?

Warming up in McFaddens

Costume contest. I have no idea who won because it was too noisy!

Enjoying some free hot chocolate before running.

Waiting to start. Funny, Santa was there to announce the start, but no one at the front of the line could hear him. It was announced several times. We in the middle were yelling, "GO GO GO!!!" and finally the people at the front heard and crossed the starting line. I've never seen that at a race before. Not that I have much experience! I've never attended a small race before.

Almost ready to start!

The Running Sky!

Pittsburgh, the city of bridges!

Post-race drinks and snacks at McFaddens!  Classic "we did it!" faces.

I am so proud of the girls!! They trained and worked hard to run their longest race ever, so far. Sky said she is ready to train for a half-marathon. I told her, let's take it easy and go for a few more 5K's, maybe a 10K first. Emma was a little disappointed that she had to stop running to walk for a while, but I think she's okay with it now.  How many 9-year-olds can run nonstop for over 30 minutes anyway?