Merry Christmas

In all our rush, we almost missed Santa Claus. We didn't have time to visit him in Va so we went on Christmas Eve in Fl, and almost missed him then, too. I would have felt horrible if Landon missed him. Landon told him all that he wanted and... Santa delivered! Landon received his own personal computer.

I'm sure many of you have seen the movie " A Christmas Story" Well, we had our very own this Christmas. Landon's Grandpa thought it would be great if Landon had a Red Ryder ( I had nothing to do with this!). You know, the BB gun that Ralphie thought Santa should bring him! It's the real deal, the boys played with it later in the afternoon. This gift may have to stay in FL for some time. The age suggestion was 10+, I think we have time to grow into it!

Landon was quite a natural holding it.

Later, we played with Miller (Brian & Debbie's dog).

We played with Kinley, Chance, & Uncle Sean.

Then, it was off to bed. Landon had make sure to give "love" to Chance before they headed off to sleep.

We had a wonderful Christmas and hope you all did too!

Truth be told...

...the marathon was a bust.



All the training was done, all that was left to do was run the marathon. Believe me, the thought of running 26.2 miles by myself was intimidating, but I was excited to do it! The longest run completed, while training, was 20. 6 more miles, I can do that!



Friday we packed up and headed south for Jacksonville. We got in later than usual, Landon had some sort of bug and threw up 4 times on the way down and we hit the usual traffic in Georgia.



Saturday, Landon spent recuperating and I went out for a short run to stretch the legs out from the drive. Mom made a wonderful spaghetti dinner in preparation for the big day. Soon after eating, my stomach started bothering me. Andrew thought, "maybe its nerves." I agreed, but the ache got worse and I new it wasn't nerves! I had some sort of stomach bug. The kind where your body feels fine but your stomach just aches and aches. I decided to head to bed, in hope that the ache would go away, but of course it didn't. I spent most of the night in the bathroom, either huddled over the toilet or sitting on it (without giving too much detail), all the while getting little sleep.



Sunday came, and the my stomach wasn't any better. To add to it, there was no food in my body and all the hydrating I had done was probably done in vain. I had no desire to eat, though I did eat half a banana and drank some fluids. I wasn't sure if I should head out for the run, and against my husband's advice, I did. How could I not try. So, I did and I actually felt alright. My stomach had settled a bit and I kept going. Andrew and my youngest brother, Danny, saw me off. I even got a little motivation from them around mile three. My pace was great, and I was still feeling ok. Around mile seven, my mom was there cheering me on. At mile eight, Danny & Andrew were there again. By now, I could feel my body tiring, but I needed to keep going. Mom was around mile 9 and now the fatigue was really starting to set in. I made it to mile 10/11 and decided it was time to call it quits. I was trying not to, but I slowed to a crawl and felt horrible.



So, once again, my efforts in completing 26.2, were lost. I have no great pictures of the run or the great finish across the line, just the beginning before the race began.

Am I disappointed? yes. I was so close this time, much closer than last time. All that was left to do was the actual run.

I do want to thank all of you for your support, encouragement and well wishes in my quest to run a marathon. Maybe there is another in the near future...any takers??? Third times a charm...right???!!!!

Kolachy

This time of year is one of my favorites! I love all the traditions my family has, and making Christmas cookies is one of them! Christmas is not complete (for me) without a few things...our stockings (my entire mom's side of the family have the same ones!), cookies, and of course family! Cookie making is a big deal on both sides of my family and I am so happy that I get to bring that tradition to my family now!

Last year, while I was on maternity leave, I headed to MN to visit my dad's side of the family. I was able to participate in their big cookie making festivities! When we travel to Ohio, we also spend time making/decorating Christmas cookies. Since we are going to Jacksonville, I needed to make some cookies to bring. The one cookie that has to be present at Christmas is the Kolachy (co-la-chee). It is a Kelley family tradition, and I thought I would share it with all of you. It's a yummy cream cheese dough with apricot filling! If you have time to make another cookie, or want to change things up this year, give this one a try!

Ingredients:
8 oz cream cheese (room temp)
1 c butter (softened)
2 c flour
Solo Apricot filling
pinch of salt

Directions:
1. mix flour & salt separate
2. mix cream cheese & butter
3. add flour mixture to cream cheese & butter
4. cover & chill for 2-3 hrs
5. Roll out dough and cut into squares (it helps to only roll dough a little at a time, leaving the rest the refrigerator)

6. Place a bit of Apricot filling in the middle of the square. It's up to you how much you want on each square. The less you use, the less messy, and the cookies stay closed. I, personally, like lots of filling!
7. Wrap opposite corners together (like a blanket).
8. Bake at 350 for 8-10 min (or golden).
9. Enjoy!

I promise you, you will not be disappointed! They are delicious. We like to enjoy them for breakfast too!

Some other cookies made by my family:

1. gingerbread men (dad's cookie)

2. m&m cookies

3. Scotch Shortbread

4. pretzel rods

5. raspberry pecan filled almond cookies

6. Spritz

7. Cut-outs

There are so many more, I wish I had time to make them all.

Christmas Pictures

Today was Christmas picture day! Since we are leaving Friday for Florida, we have to get everything done earlier than normal...and I'm going crazy! So much to do in so little time. I still have cookies to bake, presents to buy and wrap, cards to address, a house to clean, pack, returns, and get a few runs in before the big day! At least taking the picture is off my list. Here are a few from today.

We hope everyone is enjoying the holiday season!

Last of Thanksgiving

I never finished posting about our weekend with Sean, KC, and the twins. I finally uploaded the last of the pictures, so I thought I would share them with all of you.

We had planned on going to the Baltimore Aquarium on Sunday, but we ended up not going. Mainly due to the fact that you can't bring strollers. They supply you with carriers for children and we thought that would be a hassle. We couldn't do anything outside due to the weather, so we relaxed at the house.

Landon found Kinley's piggy slippers and had to wear them. I think he wore them almost all day. Kinley wasn't feeling very well and napped all afternoon, so I didn't get any pictures of her. Landon and Chance played all afternoon.

Before bed, they had one last playtime! Before heading off to bed they both gave lots of love to KC!

We had a great time! Thanks for visiting!

Could it be?...

While all of us where down in DC over the weekend, a rare occurrence happened. I guess it isn't too rare since this has happened once more while I was sight seeing in DC. We were walking from the Washington Monument and Sean asked if we should go to the White House. I said it would probably be easier to hit the 4 other Memorials, since they are all very close to each other then make our way to the White House. We were taking pictures at the WWII Memorial, when all of a sudden, we noticed a Presidential helicopter circling. Then another, and another. It was really cool to see them that close. We weren't sure if one of them had President Bush or if it was a training session. Later, while watching the Gator game, we found out that one of those helicopters actually had President Bush. There was a news clip running of President Bush on the White House lawn with the helicopter in the background! How cool is that! I guess we should have walked to the White House first!

A day in DC

On Friday, my brother Sean, his girlfriend, KC, and her twins came into town. They were celebrating Thanksgiving with KC's family in the Outerbanks. Since they weren't too far away, they decided to come visit. I was really excited to meet KC and the twins and have them visit our home.

We didn't do much Friday since they came a later in the day. So, Saturday we spent in DC! We decided to walk around the National Mall and visit many of the monuments. In order to get the whole DC experience, we took the metro into the city! Kinley, Chance , and Landon were all bundled up for the trip.
When we first arrived, we headed to the Washington Monument. Chance was sleeping, so Landon and Kinley posed for a picture on tree in the park!

After the Washington Monument we headed to the WWII Memorial. Sean posed in front of the Florida section of the monument.

Landon and Daddy also posed for a picture.

Landon also got a picture with KC and Sean!

After the WWII Memorial, we walked to the Korean War Memorial. Landon got a free ride on Uncle Sean's shoulders.

Landon and Chance walked and played near the Reflecting Pool on the way.

I didn't get any pictures at the Korean War Memorial, but it really a cool Memorial. From there we headed to the Lincoln Memorial. When we have been before, we usually stay at the bottom of the Memorial. This time we took the elevator up to the Statue level.

Once we were done with that, the seven of us posed outside for a picture with the Washington Monument in the background.

So did Sean, Landon, and I.

We then headed to the White House. On the way, we walked past the Vietnam Memorial (again, no pictures there). Andrew and I hadn't been to the White House since we moved here, so it was nice to go visit and pose for the "traditional" picture!

Our day was not done after the White House. We got back on the metro and headed to a sports bar to watch the Florida-Florida State game! Go Gators! Chance really enjoyed the metro!

After the game, we got back on the metro to head home. Poor Kinley was having a bad night, but Landon and Chance slept soundly the whole trip home!

It was a busy day, but we had a great time!

Thanksgiving

We stayed in VA for Thanksgiving this year. Andrew's family lives close by, so we had Thanksgiving with them. His sister Mindy, and her boyfriend, Michael also came up for Thanksgiving.

Andrew's parents, recently bought a new puppy. Landon had lots of fun playing with her and her toys.

He played with his Aunt Mindy....

and her big dog, Sam, too...

We had a wonderful time and hope everyone "out there" had a Happy Thanksgiving!

More Dancing

Here is another video of Landon dancing. He also figured out how to turn the TV on and off. Even when the music is off, Landon still wanted to dance!

Dancing Landon

Landon has been enjoying music. In the car Landon kicks his legs or bibs his head. He loves the music played at daycare. We were cleaning this morning with music on. Landon had fun dancing.

Bathrooms

Well...the bathrooms are finally finished! It is so nice to have the bathrooms updated and looking the way we want them. I forgot to take before pictures...sorry. The few of you who have seen the bathrooms before will really appreciate the new look. So here are the bathrooms...

This is the one full bath, upstairs. The new look has caused me to redo our bedroom now. Everything in here is new. Originally there was a rectangular mirror/medicine cabinet. The vanity was oak with a white counter top (a little smaller). The toilet is new. The tile is also new, we had grey/blue faux stone linoleum. The light fixture was basic with 5 large round light bulbs. The paint was a neutral (creamy yellow), now it is Brown Suede. The shower curtain is from good ole Target. Behind the shower curtain is another story.

The pictures on the wall are from paper(pictured below) that I found last spring in Baltimore. I loved the shells and coral, so I bought 2 sheets knowing they would come in handy sooner or later. I bought 2 frames ($14.99 ea.) from Target and picked two of the squares to frame. I thought they turned out great!

Here is the downstairs bathroom...

Again, everything is new but the toilet. It is the one from upstairs. As the bathroom was being remodeled, we found out that the original had a crack running up the entire back of the toilet. We were so lucky we found that before anything bad happened. This bathroom had what I call a jail cell sink. It was stuck to the wall and you could see the pipes underneath. Absolutely ugly!!!!! It was probably the one thing I hated most in the house. Now we have a pedestal sink.

The room was painted blue before, but I went for a more subtle blue (new rain from Valspar).

I am so glad the bathrooms are finally finished! Especially since we have visitors coming Friday night. I hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving Trivia

Here is a cool link to a good Thanksgiving Trivia website. Andrew got 10 correct and Kelley got 11. Let's see how you all can do. Click on the link below:

http://home.aristotle.net/Thanksgiving/trivia.asp

Happy Turkey Day to all!

This evening, Landon got into our pantry and pulled out the Fudge Rounds! They were right at his level and if I had a choice, I would pull those out too! He managed to get a few out of the box. I thought you might like to see how Landon's walking is getting so much better!

Little Painter

This weekend has been pretty busy. We had to buy some last minute things for the bathrooms, pick out paint, have dinner with some friends, and I had an 18 mile run today. Tomorrow the bathrooms will be finished and I am so excited! All I have to do is paint. Picking out paint is probably my least favorite thing to do. It brings such anxiety, so many colors to choose from, I am never sure that the color will be the one I "really" want.

This afternoon, as I was getting ready for my run and Andrew was getting ready to take off on another trip to Home Depot, we found Landon lounging on the paint cans! He was having a great time.