It's SUNNY!!!

I know it's been a long time again...

Erin turned three this past Friday! Three!? And, she got a haircut! I'll figure out how to upload those pictures from my phone. Sorry, it's my first phone with photo capability. Right now the kids are watching Madagascar and being nice to each other :)

I'm training for the LifeTime Fitness Indoor Triathlon that's at the end of March. Today was a long, slow, base-building run. Kind of boring, but kind of nice that it's a day of less intensity. I'll go to yoga this afternoon and get a good stretch. I went to the bike shop yesterday only to be disappointed. The type of bike I should get costs much more than I'd hoped. I've seen some used online, but I'd rather buy from a shop that can help me. Anyway, I'm feeling frustrated about that. I need to save more, but what do I do for this summer's races?!

Matt returned yesterday from his week in Mexico. He'll make "Dragon's Breath" chili while the kids and I go to the gym this afternoon. He does like to cook and it's a treat for me as well! Plus, he's a good chef and always getting me to try new dishes.

Blech!

I spent yesterday feeling yucky, with a finale of vomiting. Not a great day. Matt and the kids went to Grand Rapids as we had planned and I stayed home on the couch. I ate a dozen stale oyster crackers last night with no problem. Then I did some puzzle and watched cable (we just got it Wednesday). I feel good today and I'll join everybody in GR. We will celebrate Erin's 3rd birthday with the Plys tomorrow.

The Christmas Season

We had a wonderful Christmas. Of course Santa came to visit us Christmas Eve. Jess and Tom were in town. We spent Christmas Eve with Andi's family and then Christmas morning at home. Then to Dad & Andi's for the rest of the day. Friday morning we packed for Grand Rapids and then drove there in the afternoon. Saturday we celebrated Christmas with the Plys. Sunday we hosted the BBMM+ crew at the Plys for pizza and catching up followed by "the hall" party with Bousha's family. Santa showed up, can you believe that? We returned home on Wednesday. We were all exhausted and rang in the new year quietly at home. Matt kicked some JP hiney at Scrabble, I'll tell you that much.

Friday I got to spend some alone time with Jess having lunch and browsing the mall and just "being." Aaaah. Today we got to get in a little more time before Jess and Tom had to get to their flight home. Boo Phoenix!

Today, I sent registration in for the Arctic Chill Indoor Triathlon on January 25. I'm stoked to train again. I missed the races over the winter. How come they don't make indoor tris in the fall too? Anyway, I've been a bit "lost" with training lately since I didn't have a specific event to aim for. At least one friend has registered as well, and we're hoping we can get a couple more people to make the event.

AJ can't wait to get back to school; Matt goes to work on Monday; holiday chaos has ended.

Aah, Christmas Eve. I always love Christmas Eve. The family, the anticipation. The kids and I will bake cookies for Santa and for Jesus' birthday today. This afternoon, we'll celebrate at mass and then we'll spend the evening with Andi's family celebrating. Tomorrow's a quiet morning at home and then to G&G Wolski's for family. Jess and Tom are here! Friday we go to Grand Rapids-Saturday is Ply Christmas, Sunday is BBMM Christmas followed by "the Hall" Christmas, which is Matt's Mom's family. Santa will be there in person!

Merry Christmas to all and Happy Birthday to Jesus!

A few slow days...

Matt gets home on Friday. I can't wait!

Patrick Christmas 2009

We are back from Christmas with my Mom's family and we had a fantastic time. The kids and I drove Thursday night to Carmel, IN where we spent the night with my Uncle Tim and family. On Friday my cousin Tara drove with us from Carmel to Boaz, AL. The kids were really good, having their "moments" of course, but overall very well behaved in the car. I wasn't sure what to expect since they hadn't been on that long a roadtrip before.

My Aunt Bobbi lives in the country raising horses and goats and AJ practically wet himself when we got to see them up close and personal. Saturday the kids and their second cousin, Emily, got to play with and feed the horses and goats and put hay out for them. AJ and Emily were right to work, but Erin kept saying,"They're going to get me."

It was cool to see that much of our family together this year. I wish it could last a little longer.

We made it home around 1 a.m. Monday. Everybody was exhausted, but happy.

Super Thursday

Tomorrow (which actually starts 7 minutes from now) is the first leg of our southbound trip! I'm up packing. The kids and I head to Indy in t-minus 15 hours. I borrowed dad's portable dvd player and stocked the car with movies.

A.J. keeps hearing the song "Here Comes Santa Claus" which has the lyric "Cause Santa Claus comes tonight.." So, he gets SO happy when he thinks that tonight's the night-each time we hear the song. I feel so bad to keep letting him down. What do you do when you're 5 and the radio keeps telling you it's "tonight?" Poor kid...

Erin asks, "Bobbi" each time we get our coats on. She knows we're going somewhere, but I know the kids have no idea how long we'll be in the car. Pray that I brought enough movies, books, and toys!

Boaz, here we come!