Provo Santa Run 2011

If I had thought about it when we were registering, I should have signed Ryan up for the race and then volunteered to be at a water station where I would have gotten a shirt that said  "Santa's Helper" and an elf hat for free instead of paying to be sore.

This was the configuration we started out in. This photo was taken before Benjamin got a bloody nose at the starting line about 3 minutes before the race started. He had a tissue plug in his nostril for the first lap or two. After close to one lap, Benjamin wanted to ride in the stroller and James was getting fussy. James sat on Benjamin's lap for less than 1/2 a lap and then Ryan started carrying him. We should have brought the baby backpack along. Also, it is amazing how much of a difference Benjamin's 45 lbs makes in the ease, or lack there of, in pushing the jogging stroller.

I wish I had gotten video of James trying to eat a cookie while he was
on Ryan's shoulders. The bouncing running motion made it extremely difficult for him to connect with his mouth. Eventually, on the last 1/2 mile, James got tired of being on Ryan's shoulders and I started carrying him in the sling. I could only run about 10 yards with him and then had to walk until I got motivated to again try to catch up with Ryan. Ryan was keeping a good 15 min/mile pace for us, so I worked really hard to catch up with him when I started to lag behind. James fell asleep and we transferred him into the stroller so that Benjamin could finish the race running with Ryan and me.

I wish I would have gotten a photo of Ryan stopping to eat a cookie. (This is the only race I know of that offers milk, hot chocolate, and cookies at the water stations). Even with that, how many times Benjamin got in and out of the jogging stroller, and me carrying the baby in the sling for the last 1/2 mile we still made 3.1 miles in ~46 minutes... And that's with me being somewhat out-of-shape (although Ryan informed me that "round" is a shape... He was referring to himself). Running downhill 3/4 a mile to pick up Benjamin from school once a week isn't very good training. I came in 39/47 for my class and Ryan was 15... of 17. We were  269/294 and 144/155 overall. I told Ryan that we need to actually train for the next 5k and have a goal of under 30 minutes to give us a respectable finishing place. If it isn't clear, I am not a runner. Ryan probably could have run it in a lot less than 30 minutes this time if he hadn't wanted to "run as a family". (He ran his last 2 miles for the Army in ~15 minutes). My original plan was that he run it at his own pace, get a good time, find us and take over the stroller while I finished the race, but it was nice to be together through it all.

Alexander fell asleep on the first 1/2 mile and woke up after the race really grumpy. First of all, he was cold and this heater was a lifesaver. The weather had been really nice until the temperature dropped on Thursday (which was an especially blustery afternoon. I know, because I walked Benjamin home from school that day and had to carry James facing me on the last 2 legs to our apartment because the wind was blowing directly in our faces at about 30 kts.) It was in the mid-high 30's today. Alexander was also grumpy that he had missed the finish line. I took him back through it 20 minutes after we finished and our victory lap made him a little less grumpy. The after-race potato chips also helped his mood slightly.

We stayed around for the Parade of Lights. The boys were happy to have candy galore. (Alexander said he was thankful for candy and more candy at Thanksgiving). Alexander most definitely did NOT want to pet the llamas. I still haven't figured out what the point of caroling llamas is. After the parade, there were only a few of us Santa Suit klad runners left and our "Santa family" got quite a few waves on the way back to the car. I had sort of forgotten I was the "bearded woman" as Benjamin called me.

7th Ward Christmas Party

 It seems that 90% of our ward attended the Christmas party this morning because they planned for 100 people and had to set up quite a few extra tables. Even with how college kids eat when there is free food available, there was plenty of pancakes and french toast to go around. I'll have to find a recipe for the "buttermilk sauce" (caramel sauce? -- It was delicious, but Ryan wouldn't try it because he says he doesn't like caramel...much)

Benjamin likes being in the spotlight.

 James was amazingly okay sitting in Santa's lap (Other than thinking "who is this guy?"). Alexander at his age was not.

Benjamin says he forgot to tell Santa he wanted an iPod this year (I hope he's not too disappointed when he doesn't get one). This is the first I'd heard of it except for a few months ago when he kept trying to take Ryan's and my iPods. He also says he needs a Nook like us, but he doesn't even know how to read more than ~20 words yet, so I think it can wait!

I'm glad Alexander got a second chance to hit the pinata because I missed my photo opportunity the first time around. Benjamin got back from the bathroom just in time for the candy. He got in big trouble because he wandered off twice. His excuse was that he figured it would be boring so he found something more interesting to do. 

I thought Ryan made up some story about him missing out on a grape eating contest where someone hit a pan like a gong when it was time to eat grapes. Apparently I missed it too while I was changing Alexander's diaper. I'm glad I clarified that one. It's a Guatemalan New Years Tradition.

Family Photos 2011

As a disclaimer: These are not the photos we had printed as not to spoil our Christmas letter/cards this year.

The Portrait Innovations in Provo closed down sometime this summer. I liked that when it wasn't really busy they had one person dedicated to making the kids laugh. Nevertheless, the girl (photographer) at JCPenney's did a good job tonight at getting James to smile. The older two knew they were getting M&Ms for good smiles.

Alexander said he felt sick in the car on the way there. Ryan and James were pukey (technical term) on Monday. I had it on Weds. We were hoping Alexander hadn't caught the bug, but right after these photos, Alexander again said he felt sick and started gagging. Ryan asked for a trash can, but not quick enough. We thought about ending the session there, but Alexander said he felt fine and the photographer called someone in to clean up the vomit and moved us to the other room. This is the only photo where you can see the throw-up on my leg. I'm sure the smell wasn't very appealing to the two families that came after us. Alexander was worried he wouldn't get any more M&Ms (He still had the one in his hand from before when he threw up), but once we resolved that issue, he was fine and even ate a hamburger when we got home... so he can't be too sick.

I am normally very reserved and  prefer conservative photos, but we registered for the Santa Run 5K (costumes included) and wanted to get more than one use out of the costumes.