Our Idea of "Black Friday"

 I hosted a BLACK FRIDAY KIDS DAY OUT at USA GYM. 

8am-noon

The kids came early, made a craft with donuts (reindeer & snowman), watched Polar Express, & played.

 After that, we met up with my family for a family bike ride to Freestone Park.

 We played flag football. Some of us were better at the game than others. This picture says it all with Shalae & I standing there as everyone else is so serious & into the game! ha

 Ellie was actually really into the game. Sometimes maybe too much. 

When she was standing still she'd be doing cartwheels & handstands. When she did good she'd be bustin' out some gangsta moves. Auburn said it best when she said "Ellie is a gangsta cheerleader". I couldn't agree more!

Down went our fall decor.... which as great. That meant time to bring out CHRISTMAS!

Fall Kid's Craft Class

FALL KIDS CRAFT CLASS

WAS A HOOT.

We made paper pumpkins, FALL banners, thank you notes, & mini candy dipped apples to eat.

Fun crafts, fun kids, fun time!

Thanksgiving 2011

 We started our Thanksgiving off right at our neighborhood TURKEY TROT.

 (thanks LANCE for being in charge this year)

Auburn joined me.

Taryn joined Elle, or should I say -"hung out".

This year, we spent our  Thanksgiving Day meal with the Cummard side.

Look at these adorable little girl cousins!

 This is Steele. AKA: "Chunky". I don't really need to explain the name!

He crawled up to the kids table & started feasting & stuffing as fast as he possibly could!

 The hostess with the mostest!

 That night I had to go get LOTS done at the scrapbook store (ETC.). Lance & Ellie came with me to help.... and Ellie was sure glad she did, cause look who she got to sit with?!!

Fun Night with ELLE

 I won tickets to Broadway Palm Theatre at a school raffle.

What night would be better than to sit & relax than after our races?!

 Ellie was so excited. She loved every second of this. The buffet, the fanciness, the play, ETC.!

She said to me, "mom, this is so romantic!"!!

I felt like it was teen elect teaching her "MANNERS" all night. It really was like a date.

 ELLE with ELLE. (and Bruiser after the play)

Shun the Sun 2011

 In September, I started debating to run a long "race" again. 

After adding a mile each week, I decided I was going to run an other 1/2 marathon.

So, in November I did it. 

I ran my 2nd 1/2 marathon.

I am not fast. My goal was to STAY POSITIVE with myself the whole time.

The run started at Hohokam (?) Stadium on Brown & Center (?) in Mesa.

The night before the race I tried to look up the course. I saw it was all along a canal. We would run from the stadium to Baseline... and back!

I ran alone. I wasn't sure where I was, what street I was near, or anything. At one point, I started really looking around wondering where I was.. Then I realized I was on Lindsay, right after Gilbert. MY HOOD! I was so excited to hit HARMONY PARK! That was our 1/2 way point. That was a great feeling. 

During training, I read to make it easier on my body (mostly knees) & on my time- do the training of run 10 minutes, walk one minute. I trained the whole time like that, once in a while running the first 2-3 miles & then doing "10-1". Once I was running, I had energy & felt great. I decided to keep running until I convinced myself to do what I had trained. So mile 8 I started doing "10-1". I was more prepared for this race- mentally. So much of the running is so mental. 

ANYWAY...

 Here I am finishing up the race. 

Emotional, seeing my mom & Ellie & Lance there cheering me on at the finish line.

Ellie was excited for the FUN all around the stadium.

PLUS, her & dad did a race of their own!

.. literally ..

 Some of the other racers (their first 1/2 for all 3):

Victoria, a friend/mom from the gym.

 My friend, Mele Larson.

My cousin, Amy Johnson.

I love the feeling of accomplishment & being proud of others crossing the finish line, too.

Random. Fall 2011

 Earlier this school year, I missed all the notices about school picture day. 

If you know anything about Ellie, you know she loves to be all dolled up & fancy. On that day (for school pics) Ellie left the house wearing an old shirt, wearing her hair in piggies that she wasn't happy about & even left mad/sad. When I heard it had been school picture day, I was at work. There was nothing I could do about it. I actually went in my office & started to cry. 1) I felt like a failure as a mom. 2) I knew Ellie felt "ugly" that day.

LUCKILY, there are retakes! 

Ellie picked out her outfit & jewelry, and yes-her shoes.

I love this GIRLY GIRL.

I mentioned a few post back about all our dental issues. Her mouth & my wallet were so DONE with all of it. 

Here's Elle being a happy {drugged} piggy.

One of Ellie's favorite things- showing off her baby cousin, Lucy.

Once in awhile I take Lucy on a jog to see Ellie at school.

Here's our mantle for fall. 

(To remember for next year... and to add cuter stuff next time, too. ha)

Baptism Subway Arts

 Ellie's cousins MOLLY & JACKSON were born hours apart 8 years ago. In October they had their baptisms. 

I made them each a cute subway art. 

I was happy with how they turned out. 

(thanks to ideas on PINTEREST)

This was the display at their luncheon after they got baptized.