"a-giddy-up" -Cosmo Kramer (Sienfeld)

It didn't take long for Andy and me to sink back into our regimented routine of life after all of the Christmas hubbub (that's right. hubbub) was over. I was kind of sad that the long mornings and late nights came to an end. I even complained about how dull things seem after all the traveling and fun things we got to do during the winter break.

Yesterday, Andy and I woke up, ate a huge breakfast and ran 8 miles together. We met our good friends, Tim and Sabrina, in Seattle for a great night of church, authentic Neopolitan pizza (with only the freshest ingredients shipped straight from Italy-wink, wink, T and S), and great conversation over coffee and dessert.

The whole day was a fun and exciting gift--just like Christmas. What a selfish, forgetful, lame-o idea to think that life is dull or that I don't have enough. If I can wake up with my great hubby and get out of a warm bed, it's Christmas. If me, my family or friends aren't sick, poor, or dying today, it's Christmas. I guess it really is a spirit that doesn't end January 1st. Everyday is Christmas.

To CA and Back Again

Andy and I flew back to Washington yesterday afternoon after a freakishly fast winter break. We crammed in so much fun stuff, that explaining everything would be similar to retelling someone a dream...which we all know is only interesting to the person that experienced it. So, I will instead explain some conclusions that Andy and I have arrived at:

First, we have taken a lot of ownership in our role as the aunt and uncle. With our fams combined, we are proud to be the visitors of 20 nieces and nephews. It is so fun to get the giggles, games, and bear hugs from all of our sweeties-and none of the responsibility :)

Second, we have some pretty fun big sisters and brothers that know how to welcome their guests and spoil their family.

Third, San Francisco is the prettiest city in the world. Andy and I spent a couple of days there walking the hills and climbing the steps, and we even got to see a showing of the famous "Beach Blanket Babylon" (Thanks Dean and Bonnie!). And to boot, Bonnie showed me some insane-o thrift stores in some of the city's wealthiest neighborhoods. Lucky jeans for 27 bucks!!

Fourth, a New Years Eve with family, friends, expensive vodka, 4different kinds of popcorn, and hula hooping is just as fun as clubbing till the break of dawn.

Fifth, it is possible to use a trailor closet door and a knee board as sleds. Belfair style.

Sixth, airborn doesn't necessarily prevent colds. But a good run outside can clear your head right up!

Last, we realized how simple Andy and I's life is together and just how much we enjoy that. We have more that we could ask for with our family and friends and all the love that surrounds us.

Kids dig my mom

Mom came to my class yesterday and gave the kids a very simple "card making" lesson. It was so fun! She brought all kinds of fun stamps and paper, and did a great little organized lesson. She even brought little gifts for each of them. By the time she left, the kids really felt like were card- making experts, and that mom was their new best friend.

I'm pretty sure none of them have had such a fun teacher as my mom. They were so excited to have her there, and so sad after she left. I was really proud to be the daughter of such a neat, fun person.

Right after crossing the finish line...

....a really nice photographer took this pic of Andy n me. (Which explains why Andy's face looks a little grey and mine looks a little purple). It was literally seconds after we crossed the finish line. Whew!

FUN!

What a great weekend! Here are some highlights from our "week of thanks"!:

-cutting and packing venison meat with Heath and Grant

-pheasant hunting with my dad on Thanksgiving morning

-Thanksgiving omelets at Uncle Jim's....and gigantic cinnamon rolls

-WAY too competitive monopoloy and texas hold em

-seeing Gramma Stella, who looks fabulous

-holding my new nephew, Sawyer

-pie at Gramma Pearl's. She made 9 pies!

My mom prepared a delish Thanksgiving meal and, as usual, made it look effortless. We sat around our dining room table, just my parents, gramma, and Heath and Grant, and I was so thankful to have all of them. What a loving family we have been blessed with.

And finally-the grand finale of the really fun weekend-we ran the SEATTLE HALF MARATHON THIS MORNING! It was so fun! Andy and I both chalk this run up to our favorite run of all time. We started and ended at the space needle. The weather was perfect. A nice, cool drizzle. We ran through skyscrapers, through parks, on a major interstate, through a tunnel, along the bay, with about 13,000 other runners. We felt strong and fast. Both of us really enjoyed it ....almost as much as we enjoyed our huge plate of Thanksgiving leftovers when we got home.

A vick-ed good time

To celebrate Andy's big 2-8, we took Friday off of school, loaded on the Victoria Clipper, and tooted on up to Victoria! It was a 3 day weekend full of walks, runs, coffee, houseboats, IMAX, wine, and our sweet hotel in downtown. It was so neat to just escape for the weekend and kick around in Canada. We kinda want to go back next weekend.

Andy's favorite part was the "leaf covered sidewalks and our hotel high up in the heart of the city, and the cosmopolitan feel of the place". My favorite part was eating out a ton and smoochin on Andy. I was also reminded that Andy is an extremely fast walker, and my big boots are no match for his speed. Don't worry. I still wore them.

Happy Birthday, Andy!

how soon hath time

How soon hath Time, the subtle thief of youth, Stolen on his wing my eight and twentieth year! My hasting days fly on with full career, But my late spring no bud or blossom shew’th. Perhaps my semblance might deceive the truth, That I to manhood am arrived so near, And inward ripeness doth much less appear, That some more timely-happy spirits endu’th. Yet, be it less or more, or soon or slow, It shall be still in strictest measure even To that same lot, however mean or high, Toward which Time leads me, and the will of Heaven; All is: if I have grace to use it so, As ever in my great Task-Master’s eye.

John Milton, 1631