Holiday Happenings

This might look more like fall than winter but we are just now getting fall - a cold one and it has turned the trees with the capacity to turn, some pretty nice colors for Texas. I have gotten back into running and this is one of my favorite trails. Running has always been something that challenges me, gets me out on my own and now gets me inspirited.
Last weekend I ran the RunGirl 1/2 marathon with my new friend Jenni. Now we did it relay style so each ran a 10K but after the race we felt so great that we said we will train to run the whole 1/2 marathon in April at the Houston Space Center. I am psyched. 

When the race started it was only about 40 degrees and really chilly. We were bundled up and ready for a cold run. I was committed to running the whole 6.7 miles and did! At my best time, no less. 

Mike and the bundled up kiddos met me at the end.

By 10am it was 60 degrees and sunny. I am so blessed to have found a sweet new friend here.

Christmas Traditions 

Now in Houston, there is no going out to cut down your own Christmas tree. In Oregon (ironically) we always had a fake tree but this year we decided to go get a fresh pine smelling (ironically Oregon grown) tree. No one wanted to help pick out to ONE except Amelie.

Even she wasn't really into it. It was raining and a little cold.

Mike and Jack were too busy exploring the tree farms many tropical trees. If they had there choice we would have come home with a palm tree. Wouldn't that have been funny.

Look Mommy, a big wired pine cone looking thing.

Tromping around in the water.

I had to go really kid friendly with the ornaments this year because of Amelie but also Jack too. I had some pretty glass "Dr. Seuss" style glass ornaments which somehow were the only ones that made it through the move to Houston. So I got some plastic kid friend ones to match for the bottom 1/2 of the tree. Amelie pretended to help me decorate the tree.

As you may notice, there are no ornaments below the silver fluffy thing. They are all in the basket below the tree because after Amee pulling them off and be putting them back on for the dozenth time, I just gave up and said, you can play with them. :) 

The days are rainy and sometimes cold so Jack loves to read and drink his hot chocolate. He says on a regular basis, "Mommy, can I have some hot chocolate, and make it HOT Mommy, PLeaSE".

Walking around the neighbor to look at lights at night is one of Mommy's favorite things. And the kids loved it with the cousins.

The only 2 of the 4 who would pose for the picture. Merry Christmas to ALL!

Jack loves to take pictures. He is a rascal about it. I had to post this one since I have finally gotten my computer back after the kids broke the screen watching a movie. Lesson learned the expensive way. ;( Oh well, I am back online!