We Give Thanks!!!!

Thanksgiving is definitely one of our favorite holidays around here. This is the 2nd year we've had it in our home & we really enjoy hosting. This year my mom & Mollye, our friends The Arces, The Merrills & The Bedfords joined us...what fun we had! The kids had a ball too. The food was great & the company even better. It was just so nice to relax with friends & family - we truly are grateful for what we have.

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Josie does a good deed

This past week Josie donated 10 inches of her hair to "Locks of Love"- she has been growing her hair since August 2006. She decied to do this after viewing pictures via e-mail of my friend from high school Emily who was in the middle of treatment for breast cancer(who thankfully had a successful treatment). Sydney & I are also growing out our hair for the same cause however it is taking us a bit longer. The three of us originally planned to cut it at the same time, however, Josie's curls were ready to get lopped off. She looks adorable although it took her a few days to get used to. I think she feels really good when everyone praises her on such a positive choice.

The Red Bulls finish their season

Another great soccer season comes to an end. The Red Bulls finished strong and Josie had a great time playing this fall. A short break follows and then another soccer season starts at the end of January. Josie has been out kicking the ball around a few times this week with friends...she truly loves playing the game.

A Wiggly Party

Last summer Lee & I went to see The Police in concert & we set a goal to see more concerts because we really do love going to see live music and we really have not been to many shows in recent years. We made good on our promise to ourselves and went to see (drumroll please)- "The Wiggles"!!! Now let me preface by saying this is the music that is played the most in our home (TiVo season pass #1)- watched atleast 4-5 times daily. All 5 of us know their songs not only in English but spanish & mandarin!!!!
It actually was a very fun show (did I write that?!) , the girls each brought a friend, and Griffin did not make a move in over an hour!!!! Okay, so we can cross that off our list of bands we've seen...anyone know when U2 goes back on tour!!!!

Founder's Day Kids race

Josie & Sydney ran in the annual Celebration Founder's Day Kid's Race. Sydney ran a mile in an impressive 9:10 and Josie completed the race in just over 11. Griffin & Lee cheered from the sidelines & I ran alongside Josie. Sydney has set a goal to complete a 5K (3.1 miles) the next time the race is held. It looks like I will have some running partners in no time at all

Way To Go Sydney!!!!

Sydney received 3 awards this past Friday at Celebration School's Honor Roll assembly. Sydney works so hard balancing school and many hours dancing and her schoolwork has never suffered. She stays very organized which is a big relief to all of us. We are so proud of you Sydney...keep up the great work!!!

The Barnstormer Rocks!!!!

I think this picture pretty much says it all. Griffin's favorite ride is definitely "The Barnstormer!" which is a rollercoaster for little ones. It is fun to have an adventure boy! He can definitely keep up with the girls. I think we'll put a hold on bungee jumping for a few years though.

Boo!

Another great Halloween in Celebration. I have to say that there are so many opportunities to dress up before the actual night with all the parties leading up to Halloween that it can be kind anticlimatic. I was exhausted before the night even started!!! We had fun at The Sweeney's Front Porch pre- trick-r-treating get together. The adult costumes are getting better and better each year- and of course the kids we all cute as well...but some of our friends' costumes were hilarious! The girls and some of their friends plus Griffin in his wagon headed out for a full night- at first, Griffin got out of the wagon at each house, but then he was content to open up one lollipop at a time, take ONE lick and then go on to the next one. I am pretty certain he ate his weight in sugar. Some of the houses were outrageously decorated (can you say Disney?)- everyone had a great time- Lee gave all of our candy away & we had the usual end of the evening ritual which is kids ringing our doorbell after 10 p.m. even though all lights are out and there is no indication that we are even home! The holiday season has begun.

Go Team Dan!

Last Saturday night I participated in The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Tower of Terror race. Some of you may remember I ran The Rock-n-Roll Marathon in 1997 with The Leukemia Society...fortunately, this race was much shorter- 4 miles! Still, running at night (10:15p.m.) had it's challenges- specifically I like to be in my p.j.'s by 10 p.m.!!!! I was really tired that day & it was rainy & my motivation was low. A group of us ran in support of our friend Dan who was diagnosed this past summer with a brain tumor. Many of our friends who did not run came to cheer us on which was so awesome. Once I got there, the energy was great and it no longer felt like a late night out (for me anyways). I have run my fair share of races over the last 10 years, and no matter the distance, the last 1/2 mile is always tough. Our race was not timed, but it felt as if we were running at a fast pace. It was a great experience and although I am still a morning running, I will definitely do it again.