Happy Valentines Day 2010!

A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood

Finley LOVES being outside and loves blowing bubbles.  Everyday we take Brady outside to throw the "Ho Ho Ball" (from Christmas) and Finney grabs her bubbles. She doesn't yet quite understand to hold the wand out from her mouth, so she's also discovered they taste "yucky!"


It's pretty crazy that this time of year (February) last year we were headed to the pool to swim and this year, it's still cold enough to need the jacket and fleece hat!

It's not uncommon that while we are outside we sometimes see our neighbor friends. Brady usually spots or hears them first and runs down to them followed by Finley and I saying "No No Brady!" Finley will also sometimes tell her "Brady's not listening. Not a good choice Brady!"

Playing outside with friends and the doggies gets us messy sometimes... so what better than a bath with my buddy KOEN!

After we get out and get our "jammies" on we both decide my big girl bed is really fun to play in.  

Two little monkeys jumpin on the bed...

Good friends are the best!!

Disney Half Marathon 2010

January 2010: We traveled to Orlando so my friend/training partner/fellow working mom and I could run the Disney Half Marathon. The morning of the race it was in the 20's (with the wind chill in the teens!!) There was sleet/snow coming down on our faces as we walked to the start and began the race. Thank goodness for "cold gear" apparel which allowed us to run. We did great setting a new PR (personal best) for both of us running a 2:03 half marathon. We had a blast despite the crazy temperatures (and our blue lips!) But we saved our park tickets for warmer weather!

 We all spent the weekend in our warmest clothes which made it hard to show off the cute shirts Kimberly made for every member of both families.  You can see the back of Finley's in one of the photos above.  I had to purchase "puffy jackets" for Finley and I last minute as we don't have gear for these temperatures!  The photo above is of 2 of my college roommates. Ten years ago (2000) my 3 roommates and I signed up for the Disney half marathon. My roommate Robin and I (not pictured) finished it walk/running it due to lack of real training.  But we had a blast and we're proud of finishing. Our other two roommates (pictured above) Frannie and Indy opted out due to our lack of real training. So months ago, the four of us decided to sign-up for a re-do 10 years later.  Frannie and Indy ran it this year as did I.  I missed having Robin there as the date snuck up on her this year and she opted out.  It was so great to get together with Frannie and Indy, all our spouses and kids now.  A lot changes in 10 years, but our ability to reconnect easily and have so much fun together is just the same.

Christmas Day 09

Some photos of Finney on Christmas with her gifts (and her Nana reading her "Merry Christmas Stinky Face"! She loves it!!).  We got to celebrate with our family and it was an awesome day.  I had a hard time sleeping Christmas Eve for the excitement of it all, but still had a great day.  Everytime Finley saw our tree she said "That for Jesus birfday!"

Well, as you know, Finley wanted nothing to do with meeting Santa Claus this year. So on Christmas Eve, while at the local CVS picking up some things (and watching a crazy number of people obviously trying to do their Christmas shopping), Finley spotted a rocking horse  on a top shelf. Because we were not there Christmas shopping and rather relaxed, Chris got down the horse and we let her ride it in the CVS for a few minutes.  We continued on our with our shopping and after checking out, Finley walked up to a small plastic Santa Claus who was a little bit shorter than her and said "Santa, I want horsey under tree" and we walked out.  I told her I didn't know if this small plastic Santa could talk to the real Santa, but hopefully he'd get the message in time.
Wouldn't you know on Christmas morning, Santa had left a rocking horse and a tricycle under the tree for our sweet girl!! That plastic Santa was connected after all.  We had a great time with family on Christmas celebrating Jesus's birthday.  So blessed.

Christmas Eve 09

Christmas Eve:

Making and waiting on cookies to set out for Santa!

So excited!!

All dressed for church... sitting reading her "bear Bible". So sweet.

Christmas Lane

December 09: We took Finley and Koen to "Christmas Lane". A pretty awesome Christmas display with tons of different lights, huge toys, trees, etc. They had a lot of fun and were mostly in awe the entire time, trying to take it all in. We waited in a line of cars to get in for a long time so they were champs consdering it was past bedtime when we arrived.

Finley's School Christmas Program 09

December 09: Finley's A.R.L.A. (school) Christmas program. Finley and her classmates had reindeer shirts with their names on them made fom their hand and footprints. Super cute.  Each class took the stage to perform a song.  Finley had been singing hers at home for weeks: Jingle Bells. She sung it all the way to the program. Then she reluctantly got on stage and sat quietly the entire time. After it was over she wanted to go back on stage and sing and dance her heart out.  Guess she just needed to warm up! It was really cute.

Afterwards, we came home and saw "Spunky" our neighbor cat who Finley loves. So we hung out outside with him when Finley saw the snowman on the front porch. She decided he needed a hug. From then on, whenever she saw Mr. Snowman, he needed a hug.