Malibu 1/2 Marathon...why wouldn't I want to do this one???

2012 was the year of running events for me...I've decided to scale it WAY back in 2013 but ending on the Malibu 1/2 Marathon just couldn't be beat!  I brought my good friend and running buddy, Haley, with me from Colorado and we met up with some good friends in California to make for an AWESOME weekend!  

 I was here at the beach...

 while Blaine and the kids were back in the snow...  

 We stayed with Alana...she is a great hostess and was basically my other mother growing up.  She even made me the whole wheat bread and chocolate chip cookies that marked my childhood and after-school snacks!

 I got to visit with my high school bestie, Melanie, although she only wanted to go to dinner with me...not run 13.1 miles with me...I wish I could figure out why? (just kidding, Mel)

The morning was really cold before the race!  We tried to keep warm by wearing these trash bags.

I'll run a half marathon any day to be able to see a Malibu sunrise!

 I ran most of the race with my childhood/lifelong friend, Heather.  Haley had gone ahead and the advantage of having Haley smoke me is that she took a picture of me crossing the finish line...

 I LOVE all these Bryce women and I was so happy to be able to experience this together!

                                                                        Me and Haley

                                                                      Me and Heather

 I've never felt like jumping for joy after a race...but there is something about the sand and sea that makes me VERY HAPPY!!!

 They gave us beach towels after the race...so cool!

The best was taking off my shoes and digging my toes into the sand...absolute heaven!

This race ranks up there as one of my favorites because of the location (I got to go HOME), the beautiful coastal scenery, and being able to run with childhood and current friends.  So glad I did it...and I'm hoping to do it again someday!

Holiday Summary

It's been about 5 months since I have blogged my family's happenings.  So here is a holiday summary!  Halloween fun at the church...

 A Ninja, a Vampire (this is the first year that "scary" was the pre-requisite for a costume), and a Tangled princess.

 Shawn White and his gold medal...

Trick or treating with the cousins...

Pumpkin seeds with Grandpa!

 We took the kids to the bike park on Thanksgiving morning...it was pretty cold but fun.  I have so much to be grateful for and these guys are absolutely at the top of my list!

Christmas break is never long enough!  We enjoyed the lack of a schedule and and fitting in some fun.  One day we took the kids "ice skating" at the mall with friends.

 
 Every year we go to our local library where the kids sit on Santa's lap, tell him what they want for Christmas, and he keeps asking "what else" (isn't that enough???) and he makes promises such as "I can do that..." (Gee...thanks Santa!)  The kids always leave happy and loaded up with a bag of candy and Mom leaves scrambling to search for last minute requests on Amazon!

 

Here are some cute kiddos dancing to Just Dance.  I love watching them get their groove on!  

I sent Rudolph to school in December.  Super cute!

 And here is part of our Christmas card, wishing our friends and family a "Silent Night."

 The cuties all ready for Christmas Sunday.


A nativity to remember!

 All the girls sang a very cute Christmas song.

I took the girls to the library for a Mom/Daughter date at an American Girl holiday tea party.  

Ezra's Christmas pre-school party.

Finally...Christmas morning has arrived!

 The kids are happy as clams!  And we are happy to spend all day relaxing with family.

In anticipation of Valentine's Day, we enjoyed leaving love notes for each other.  Here are a few:

 Bella and her cute Valentine's box for school.  Dalmation love dog.

 I got to go to Cali's little pre-school party....

 She has the BEST teacher ever...

 And spend some time with my best little man...

 And help out at Bella's Valentine's school party...BUSY DAY!

The bulk of the holidays are now over and I am looking forward more and more each day to feeling the sunshine of spring on my back and spending more time with the kids outdoors...  I love my family!