December 2010

Gosh...December...I hardly knew ya...I can't remember a holiday month ever going by so quickly. I don't know if it was the extreme craziness at work (lots and lots and lots of sick folks, and some others trying to get medical issues taken care of before deductibles reset in the new year), or the whirlwind of weekend activities, starting with the St Jude Half Marathon, our soccer team's annual Tacky Sweater Party, and then the holidays themselves when Justin and I participate in what we affectionately call "The Family Shuffle."

The first weekend of December, two friends (and one's sister) from Vandy came in town to run the St. Jude Half Marathon...these girls are all phenomenal runners and I was happy to just hold my own...I finished the 13.1 miles in 1 hour and 55 minutes, beating my goal time by 5 minutes. We all enjoyed the race and were happy to be finished. Below, from left to right, Beth Whitworth (who ran a marathon the very next weekend), Erin Miller, me, and Allison Moulder (6-month old baby at home). I hope we can all get together for another race!

This was Justin and I's first Christmas together...well, at least, it was our first Christmas as a married couple, in one house, with one tree. Since we have been dating, we have spent the holidays with both families, but this year was extra-special since it was our "married-first." We spent Christmas Eve at our house with Justin's parents, where we all contributed to an amazing meal. I am thrilled to report that future meals will be exponentially finer since I was the recipient of this:

A picture of our first tree:

We spent Christmas morning with my parents at their house...opening gifts and eating a delicious pancake breakfast. My dad continues his quest to make a handyman/woodworker out of Justin by giving him his first circular saw...ahhh...the projects yet to come!

Later on Christmas Day we celebrated with my aunt and grandmother, then again at the Gage's house...it was quite a fantastic day!

We hope that everyone had a wonderful Christmas holiday and enjoyed every minute with their family and friends!