Dallas Half 2014

At the beginning of November I got the urge to sign up for another half and our friend Helen told me a few months prior that the Dallas Half/Full Marathon was a good race.  Al agreed to run it with me so I signed us up and then did a few runs before the big day.  Brian and Helen ended up coming to Dallas to stay with us and run the race. 

We went to dinner in Frisco and walked around Frisco Square to see there Christmas lights afterwards.  A Rocket Fizz just opened complete with candy, soda, and random things like this unicorn mask.  Alex thought it was pretty funny.

On Saturday night we dropped the boys off at Dianes around 4 and headed to Dallas to check in at the expo.  We got there an hour before the expo closed and they were pretty much out of everything including bags with all the swag!!   We at least signed the wall and if you look closely you can see my AWC in bright orange. 

Alex and Cole having the time of their lives with Cadence and Carly.  Movies, popcorn, playtime.

We had a yummy Italian dinner in Dallas and then headed to our hotel where we got ready for the race.  We were all kind of lame and went to bed pretty early and the race didn't start until 8 so we got to sleep in!!

I was really nervous for the weather since it so unpredictable.  We got lucky and I think it was in the high 50s the entire race.  At some points it was misting and a little windy, but when you see me running in a tank that means it's warm.   The course was awesome, so many fans, water stations, and entertainment.   

We got to run through a ton of really cool areas in Dallas like Highland Park, Katy Trail and Deep Ellum.  It kind of made me want to move closer to Dallas, but I think suburbia is best for us now.

This picture was taken before we started.  Brian had been feeling sick all morning so only ended up running 4 miles and then went back to the hotel.  Helen and Al let me set the pace and ran with time the entire time which was so much fun.  Al even got me a drink at every station, best husband ever.

We got some really good pictures crossing the finish line with this photo bomber and I wanted to buy some, but it was around $50 for a few pictures, lame.   

Our first race together and definitely not our last.  We've been talking about running the Austin half in February so we'll see.   We got our Texas shaped medals and headed to Diane's to pick up the kids.  We got some Pho on the way home which tasted so good.....the perfect meal after a long chilly run.

Christmas Prep

We were so busy before Christmas with parties, shopping, and school stuff.   I know I post a lot about the mall, but it's a place we can all have fun.  I told Al I remember going there a lot with my mom when I was little so maybe that's why I love it so much.  I somehow got signed up to be the room mom for Alex's preschool class and I was in charge of the class gift.  We went to the mall to get one of his teachers a gift card and I somehow forgot my stroller.   Cole thought it was the greatest thing ever, but Alex laid down on this red rug in Nordstrom until I convinced him that he had to get up and walk.

A mall trip isn't complete with out a merry go round ride or playground time.  I love it when these two get along which is about 70% of the time.  There isn't anything better than having a best friend to play with everyday.  I hope they will always be this close and remember all those days we spent at the mall :)

Alex gave me his present which was an adorable plate with his footprints and this amazing angel ornament of him praying...lol   I'm never getting rid of it!!

Lauren and I threw a shower for Jen who just moved here from London.  She has 2 boys Alex and Cole's age with her 3rd on the way!!

Al and I went to Alex's Happy Birthday Jesus party at school.  It was so much fun to watch him and see how much he enjoys learning.  He loves school so much and always asks me mama when I get big can I go to the big kid school.  It makes me sad to think we only have 1 more year together before he goes to elementary.

They made edible Christmas trees and Alex was so careful and precise.  I wish you could see the kid next to him shoveling it in his mouth with green frosting everywhere!!

Diane took everyone on a carriage ride through Deerfield neighborhood in Plano.  I had planned a favorite things party with my friends a few weeks before so Al took them by himself.

My favorite things party was a success and so much fun.  Hopefully we can have one every year.

I met Diane and Danielle for a yoga session.  I wish I had the motivation to do it at my house everyday, but I can always think of about 10 other things I could be doing.  I really do love yoga if you have good music and the right teacher.  Plus it's good for my horrible posture and back.

ICE

We took a trip to the famous Gaylord Hotel to go see their winter wonderland exhibit, Ice.  The line looked really long so we upgraded to the VIP pass which was $15 extra per person, so it was a little pricey to go see 2 million pounds of ice.  Before we walked in they gave us extra long coats so we could go down the ice slides.   I didn't realize how cold they actually kept it (9 degrees) and didn't bring gloves for any of us, brrrr.  

All the ice sculptures were amazing.

The ice slides were definitely the best part.

When Cole went down the slide he got stuck in the middle and just laid there until Al went down to move him, so funny.  

We walked around the rest of the hotel to see the decorations and indoor sledding but of course that was extra money.  We went to In n Out to thaw out afterwards.  It still amazes me how you can just walk into a In N Out in Texas and there won't be a line or a wait for a seat, so awesome.

Brother Love

Love these two and so happy they have each other.  Every morning when Alex wakes up at 7am he asks is Cole awake yet, is Cole awake yet, I want to play with Cole.  Cole usually sleeps into until 8 and I'm hoping one day Alex will do the same :)

Polar Express

Before I left on our vacation to Utah and California I had a mole removed and the stitches were removed right before we left.  Part of it wasn't healed, but they still took them out and then it got infected so I had to go back to the Dermatologist when we got home, only for them to tell me it was infected, write a prescription, test for a staff infection which it tested positive and required more medicine.   Ahhhh so frustrating!!  At least my two sidekicks behaved :)

My calling at church is on the RS Acitivties committee which has been so much fun.  I would like to say I came up with all these ideas, but mine was the food which was Cafe Rio salads, and I also had to pick up all the food :)  It was a really great Christmas party and turned out so cute.

I've heard so many people talk about the trains at Northpark Mall so we took a trip there to drop off my damaged shoes to get repaired and see the trains.  It was a little pricey, but they loved it and probably could've stayed in there the entire day.

We went to a fun Ugly Sweater Party

The winners of the party.  I have some good ideas for next year!!

I found a Polar Express Train to take Cole and Alex on.  I was so excited because Cole is obsessed with trains and Alex is at the perfect age for all the Christmas magic.

This was taken right before we got on the train, so much excitement.

Of course they both wanted a window seat and lucky there was one for each of them.

It was a really cute activity.  They sang Christmas carols, Mrs Claus came around and gave every child a bell.

After the ride you walk through maze of Christmas trees with foam snow machines to watch a Christmas show.  Alex had one of his mood swings where he just shuts down and won't say anything. At least Cole was happy with his cup of chocolate milk :)

A cute manger we saw on the way back to the car.  Cole of course wanted to touch everything in the manger.

Flu Problems

I always hate when our trips in Utah come to an end.  There is always someone I didn't see and something we didn't get to do.  My friend Hillary and I exchanged services.  I took her maternity pictures and she gave me Botox!!   This was my first time and probably not my last after I've seen the results.  The best part was she dropped the needle and it landed in my thigh, hahah.  She's lucky it happened to me and not one of her patients, hahaha.

Al and I went on a long run that afternoon in the amazing 60 degree weather.  We ran on Highland Drive, up Walker Lane and past Mitt Romney's new house he built, so pretty.  

That was our last long run (8 miles) before the Dallas half.

That night we went to dinner and saw the lights at Temple Square.  It was the first night of lights so it was packed, but still fun.  I always loved going on a week night when there was snow and no crowds, but there was no time to be picky.  Alex and Cole thought it was really cool to walk up to the doors and knock on them.  

One of the most beautiful places.  

Our group at the lights!!

Alex and Uncle Ryan.

Our yearly picture on the pedestal.

Al's mom was sweet enough to come pick us up at 4:30am to make our 6am flight.  When I woke up I kept getting queasy and just kept thinking not now, not now!!   When I was getting out of the car I told Shelly I'm totally getting the flu and swear I'm going to throw up.  Sure enough we went through security and my dang stroller set the security off again.  I had to get a pat down again, but thank goodness they didn't insist on going through every bag!!  The lady asked if I was ok and I said no I think I'm getting the flu and right after that I was in the bathroom throwing up, good times.   I'm so grateful Al was on that flight with me and that he let me sleep most of the flight.  Luckily I didn't have to throw up on the plane and it didn't hit me hard until we got home, phew.   When we landed in Dallas Al had to take a cab to get our car.  We had 4 suitcases, 2 car seats, stroller, purse, and bag of toys and treats.  It's not easy to travel with kids and I'm really hoping we don't get the flu again for a long time.

After a few days in Utah Cole asked me everyday if we could go home to Texas so he was really excited to be home and take a bath in the big tub!!