Christmas 2012

Christmas in Dodge City:

Before we open gifts the grandchildren always sing Silent Night and place Jesus in the manger which is shown just above their heads in the picture below.  Then,  our kids did a little prayer presentation before everyone opened the gifts.  Keylee is reading her prayer below (clearly getting help from Kira, Keenan and even Joe)

 Joe's brother, Mike, gave Keenan his first BB Gun and protective eye-wear. We wouldn't want him to shoot his eye out.

Christmas at our house in Manhattan:

The kids were pretty excited about their gifts from Santa.  Keylee wanted a Furby so she can use the iPad app to interact with it.  Behind Keylee is the American Girl Doll box which Keylee asked for the doll "Kit."

 Keenan wanted all things Skylander.  He was very excited to get the carrying case and battle arena.

 Kira asked for a variety of items this year ranging from clothes, boots and the Darth Vader alarm clock that she is holding in the picture below.

Overall, they seemed very satisfied with the treasures that Santa brought them.

Yoga Christmas Party

My friend, Angela (the one I ran Dallas Marathon with), and I hosted a Christmas party for some others that we often run with.  Most of the people in the group complete a full marathon or a half-marathon in 2012 and we wanted to celebrate.  There were several people who could not make it but the few that did seemed to enjoy the experience.  For many in our group, yoga was something they had not tried in the past.  Angela and I have both taken classes at Orange Sky Yoga and the instructor/owner Jessa Voos (standing next to me in picture below) is amazing.  

I prefer the type of Christmas party where workout attire is preferred :) I get tired of dressing up for holiday events so this was the perfect party for me.

A Winning Weekend

I would definitely classify last weekend as a winning weekend.  Keenan took first place at his wrestling tournament in Junction City.  Kira's basketball team, 5th Grade Lady Cats, took first place at their basketball tournament in Riley where they beat Clay Center in overtime.  On Sunday, we did the Santa Brunch at our Country Club where the kids were able to visit with Santa and eat so, for Keenan, it doesn't get better than that.  

I do not love my iPhone camera. Sorry for the blurry sports pictures. 

Back from Dallas

As my few followers know, the NYC Marathon was cancelled so I scheduled a make-up marathon in Dallas.  The problem with the Dallas Marathon was that it was more than a month after the NYC marathon which meant more long runs on the weekends. The good thing about the Dallas Marathon is that it happened.  Angela traveled to NYC with me and also to Dallas.  My friend, Tanna, traveled to NYC to run but opted out of the Dallas Marathon.  Angela and I had a very fast and very fun trip to Dallas.  We left on Saturday around 11:00 a.m. flying directly out of Manhattan.  Approximately one hour later we had landed in Dallas and we were at our hotel by 2:00 p.m.  We picked up our race packets, ate dinner with a couple other friends running the race, watched the disappointing Heisman show, then ran on Sunday morning and flew back home after the race on Sunday evening.  

Angela and I on our way to the airport

At the Expo

Very cool decorations in front of the Omni Hotel

There were two others, Bob Stamey and Krista Caffey, that we knew from Manhattan that were also running so we met up with them for dinner and in the lobby of the hotel before the race. 

Pretty lights and holiday decor that we saw on our way to the race start

Angela and I post-race.  

Angela has been such a great training partner.  She is very disciplined and keeps me on track.  We have logged many miles together and I couldn't ask for a better running partner and friend. Thanks Ang!!

I know it sounds silly but I am so glad to have this marathon behind me.  The cancellation of NYC was so disappointing but Angela and I both had a great race in Dallas and we both achieved our best race times yet. It was 26.2 long miles but I completed the race and my goal with a time of 3:50:29 and Angela finished 3:51:42.

Birthday Girl

It is hard to believe that Keylee is five years old. She brings so much joy and laughter to our home.

NYC

I am back from NYC and despite the very disappointing cancellation of the marathon I give the trip two thumbs up.  I had been preparing for the NYC Marathon for several months and I finally felt like I was ready.  Hurricane Sandy hit the east coast and I was certain they would cancel the marathon because of all of the destruction and devastation I was able to see on the news.  After Hurricane Sandy hit, Mayor Bloomberg said the marathon would go on as scheduled as it was such an important event for the city financially and emotionally.  We traveled to KC to meet our flight on November 1st.  We arrived in Newark, NJ, and from our plane did not see much devastation.  We arrived at our hotel in Times Square and still no real sign the city had a hurricane just days prior.  I understand most of the damage to the city was in the East Village and Lower Manhattan and we never ventured to that area.  The most devastation was sustained by Staten Island which was where the marathon was going to start.  After enduring much criticism Major Bloomberg and New York Road Runners (NYRR) cancelled the marathon on the evening of November 2nd with the race to begin on the morning of November 4th.  There were some outraged international runners who spent thousands of dollars on airfare and hotel for the event.  Although money lost by the runners does not compare to the lives lost as a result of the Hurricane, my point isn't about the money it is about the fact the decision could have been made on October 29th the day the Hurricane hit the east coast but instead the late cancellation of the marathon, less than 48 hours before it was suppose to start, only compounded the chaos and certainly didn't help with the restoration of power, loss of life, transportation or shortage of food and water to Staten Island. The whole thing could have been avoided with an earlier decision to cancel.  An earlier decision would have resulted in disappointed runners but not angry runners and apparently would have resulted in happier residents of New York.  

 Pictures above (left) Angela,Tanna and I on our Saturday morning run in Central Park.
(right) the three of us at Kansas City Airport

Central Park was ready for the finish.  The finish line was done, the exit of the park was complete and the flags of all countries lined the last mile to the finish line. It was very hard to see the finish line knowing I would not have the opportunity the following day to cross it. 

 Tanna, Angela and I were waiting in line at Live with Kelly and Michael hoping some ticket holders would not show up so we could get in the studio for the show.  We made it in the studio for the show and I even met and had my picture with Kelly Ripa. This was the highlight of my trip.

 On Friday night we had tickets to Mary Poppins.  I love Broadway shows and this was another great show with great talent.

Overall, a very fun trip with some great friends.

Dodge City 2012 (Part 3) Riding Horses

Kira loves to ride horses and Keylee is following her big sister's lead.  My sister, Tamie, and brother-in-law, Greg, spent a lot of time with the kids while they were in Dodge.  As you will note, Keenan isn't in any of the pictures.  He doesn't have the same love for the horses that the girls do.  Well, he might love them he just doesn't want to get near them and certainly isn't interested in riding them, ha. 

 Greg and Kira riding horses at Greg and Tamie's home.

 Kira scored a new pair of cowgirl boots while in Dodge.  The picture isn't great because you can hardly see her new boots.

 Keylee was working on her roping skills that her younger cousin Briggs taught her. 

I am pretty sure my parents allowed the kids to eat ice cream every day.  Keenan asked me the other day how much ice cream I had as a kid.  I assured him that my parents did not let me ice cream the way they let my kids.  Keenan even said that "one time, Grandma and Umpa let me have ice cream for breakfast."  I believe him. ha.  They always have such a great time in Dodge and we are so lucky that Joe's parents are there too as the kids were able to spend time with them almost every day while there.