Add That to My Resume

After a beautiful sunset view on top deck...

... I drove a pirate ship all by myself tonight.  First time.  Totally adding that to my resume.

Thank you, Captain.

Gone Fishin'

The other day the boys combined all their fishing gear and got their tackle box all tricked out.  They are ready. "Kekoa and Gavyn Only"... "Fishing Stuff" "KaG!"

Apparently there is some capsizing anticipation... and then there is the S.S. Gavyn.... vs USS Gavyn, maybe?

Someone got into the boys fishing tackle box... next thing you know he'll be gone fishin'...

He Sees You When You're Sleeping

Now the Band-Aids?  Something tells me I'm going to have to start watching this elf instead of the other way around.  I'm putting band-aids on my list for Santa!  He owes me.

Merry Christmas?  Too much?  Sometimes $1 can buy a whole lot of fun.

And also today, I finally got the puzzle the boys picked out from our Redbud visit in March.  One of their favorite souveniers from our spring break trip south in March.   

Thomas Kinkade - San Francisco, A View Down California Street From Nob Hill

Over the River and Through the Woods

We used to always visit Grandpa and Grandma on Sunday nights.  Hadn't done that in awhile, but we made it there last night.

So this is Christmas... tabbouleh... brought Grandma a surprise treat for dinner.  Here's the recipe:

1 cup fine cracked wheat (bulgur)

4 bunches chopped fine parsley (if bigger bunches, not the small ones)

2 Tbsp. mint (dried)

1 cucumber

4 large red tomatoes (chopped)
1 bunch finely chopped onions (with stems)

Dressing:
1/2 cup olive oil
1 cup lemon juice (6 to 8 lemons)
black pepper and salt to taste

Place bulgur wheat in a large bowl.  Add water to cover and let stand about one hour or until bulgur has doubled in size and most of the liquid is absorbed.  Drain well and squeeze dry - make sure wheat is squeezed, so you get as much water out as possible.  Add parsley, mint, dill, green onions, tomatoes and cucumber. Put olive oil, lemon juice, pepper and salt (to taste) in a jar and shake before pouring over salad.  I prefer a saltier more lemony version, so just play with ingredients until you have desired taste.  You may need to add more salt.

And so I was watching a movie with the boys at Grandma's last night.  Atlantis, to be exact. Apparently my 10 year old thought this would be funny. Found it on my phone this morning. Gotta love his sense of humor. Don't I look like an angel when I'm sleeping? Hey... I had a big weekend.

In other news... what in the world???!!!

Everybody Wins

Running's my favorite. Jingle Bell time.

I heard there's a Jingle Bell run in town.

Shadow selfie.  Kind of has a Cindy Lou Who feel to it.

Today's Jingle Bell Run for juvenile arthritis was a total blast. Ran as part of Team Middle Kid.  5k morning run with a good friend, pancakes, winning costume contests, tying for the bronze medal, winning super hero glasses in the raffle. Great way to start my day.

Team Middle Kid

 

Thems pancakes right there... hungry!

And more Elfie Selfie photo ops.

 Selfie with Sully... inspiration for Team Middle Kid. He finished in 29 something. Amazing!

Winning again.  Costume contest wins are where it's at, apparently.  Won tickets to seek The Peking Acrobats.  Awesome?  I think so.  Tickets for four.  Looks like it's going to be a double date.

But most of all, I came away from today with this.  "I am thankful that in God's design, He planned it so your path crossed mine." Nicole.  New friend.  Feels like old friend.  One of the best things that happened to me this year.  Now put that in your pipe and smoke it.  (It's really a candy cane.  I don't smoke.)

Raffle winner of super hero glasses? I think so.  We tied for the bronze. Good thing they had extra medals.  Boston qualified!  Only serious businesses races for us.

Run, Run Rudolph... uphill... making a break for the finish line.  Focused.  But most of all.  Happy I'm running with my friend.  In a race such as this?  Everybody wins.

Run, Run Rudolph

Bubbles goes reindeer back riding?

The Secret Recipe

#67 of #100gratefuldays:  Thankful for Sunday night with the family. Mommy's run is done. Gavyn ' s getting ready to practice his guitar. Gonna watch Ratatouille soon. And dad? Well. He's retired.

This after I ran. I wasn't breaking any sound barriers.  And I felt like I had lead in my butt.  Even though it never felt amazing, do I regret it?  Never do.

But the highlight of the evening?   Kekoa's secret recipe for chocolate milk. I'm not sure but I think by secret he means add lots and lots of whipped cream. Delicious.

Helping Out in the Kitchen?

#59 of #100gratefuldays: Thankful to be helping out in the kitchen with these lovelies. Selfies in the vegetable cutting area. Is that a good idea? Too late now.

Birthdays and Wishes

#55 of #100gratefuldays: Thankful for birthdays and wishes. But most of all for good friends to celebrate on the patio with. Making good wishes. Hope they all come true.

Spent the day helping ate a milestone birthday.  40 was a tough one for me and I was determined to make hers memorable.

We covered a few miles... celebrating... 40 for her and 41 for me... I am happy to share my birthday month with this girl... and thankful she shared her birthday day with me... Virgos rule!

Ka-Pow!

There is a lot to be said about a friend you can enjoy being silly with.  So thankful she's mine.  Turning 40 is serious business.

Romantics R Us

#48 of #100gratefuldays:  Thankful for new phones (yay for joining the 21st century!) and date night...I might be up all night.  Guess who just got a Samsung Galaxy S5, baby??!!  See you later Verizon Wireless and your crappy upgrade service. Hello us cellular!  I heart date night.  We decided to tackle our phone upgrade issue since there weren't any movies showing that either of us wanted to see.  I know.  Romantics R Us.  Couldn't think of a better person to be pathetic with, though.  We know how to keep things spicy.

So funny... our boys were more excited about our smart phones than we were when we came home. Gavyn got out his camera to photo document the occasion. I think they have visions of "game playing" dancing in their heads. They were jumping all around and wanting to see them. I love my crazy little family!

Poking Fun

A few pictures from our moonlight bike trail run this afternoon/evening... poking fun at the moon?