Utah Olympic Oval Race-Call Me Crazy

I just signed up to go around and around and around a track at the Utah Olympic Oval on Saturday December 31st for 4 hours from 8:00 am-12:00 noon.(www.newyearsrevolutionrun.com)  It should be entertaining to some degree.  The whole idea is to finish off your year strong with trying to accomplish a race you haven't done yet or by trying to better your time in a certain distance.  You can walk, run, meander, whatever you'd like for 4 hours. You get points for each lap around the track and get your name entered into an hourly drawing. This race is supporting the Utah Food Bank and the Autism Council of Utah and so bringing canned food gives bonus points.  So far I haven't been able to get any friends to join  me so I may be going solo on this.  I really need to find me some running buddies.

Christmas Morning

Christmas morning we had church at 9:00 am for an hour. It was a neat opportunity to participate in choir this year. I'm not usually the singing type but do enjoy some lovely Christmas songs so I joined for a couple months. We have an awesome choir director that did some cool stuff with bells and a violinist who was amazing! The primary sang, the young men and young women had a number, and even a sweet little piano duet by some talented kids. Music has a way of moving me emotionally and I end up crying more than I'd like to, which in turn makes it hard to sing. I got through it though and also love watching the faces of members out in the congregation as they watch and feel the spirit of the day. We then came home and changed our clothes and opened gifts.

I gave these three boys of mine Brian Reagan tickets to go have a man's night out together.  They were all completely shocked and excited.  Isn't it so fun to give a gift that is a total surprise?  It's getting harder the older they get.

Cute little Mr. Miles opening one of his presents from grandma and grandpa.

Then we head over to my parents home where we enjoy the traditional feast of bacon wrapped chestnuts and other delicious breakfast goodies.

I received a new camera from my dear hubby and just as soon as I learn to use it I will hopefully get some cool things on here.  Good thing I have a daughter who can help me.  Thanks ahead dear Kali.

Merry Christmas!

Our Christmas Eve

An evening at home with my family=happiness and a warm heart

So grateful for a husband who knows how to cook a last minute necessity.

Oops, this sad little cherry pie had an accident on the car ride to our house.  It still tasted delicious!

Minute to win it games that kept us laughing through the evening

Thank you Kali for planning a fun night for the family.

A Christmas Eve Virtual 5K

 Amy over at Run Mom Run and Amylee over at Run My Guts Out put a challenge out there in the running blogger world to run a 5K anytime on Christmas Eve day and then post our times and photos.  I thought it sounded like a fun thing to do on a bright, chilly December morning so off I went.

 A new PR for me! But of course going downhill a lot of the distance helped.

 They also told us to submit crazy photos and I thought cartwheels sounded like a fun and crazy thing for a 45 year old woman to do. 

See, I can take a normal picture too, although a little bit sweaty.

My official Participating and Finishing Virtual Medal-Thanks ladies for hosting this.  It was a fun challenge.

Nativity Scenes at the Homestead

Near the beginning of December I saw an article about an exhibit in the paper and so we gathered the family together and headed North to Midway to check out the large display of creches.  Cooper drove his truck and so we all piled in.  I was sitting in the middle front seat and just held my camera up over my head and took a picture backwards to see what funny picture I might get and instead this is what I got.  I thought it was awesome that the picture turned out so cute without even giving them warning in the back seat that I was going to take a picture.  They sure fooled me and were ready.  Don't you love Wade's new hat?

Kali's photo-she's got amazing photography skills-Thanks dear for letting me steal another photo.

I loved this huge ornate fireplace, plus the cozy warmth of it wasn't bad either.

Me, Mark and Cooper

I thought of my daddy when I saw this nativity set.  He is a mechanic and a welder. It was all made out of auto parts.

Banana Bark Nativity

This is a nativity scene carved onto an ostrich egg. So pretty!

Olive Wood from Israel

a glass nativity

Bottle caps from Africa-Kali could totally relate because she spent a couple weeks there when she was in high school and would purchase soda from a bottle.

A wood carving

Beaded Nativity

It was so fascinating to see the wide variety of colors and shapes and interpretations of different cultures.

Banana Fibers? So cool!

This one takes the cake for most creative!  Mud and Dung! Whoa!!