Thanksgiving and our #optouside adventures

We started off Thanksgiving morning with a Turkey Trot 5k in Benicia.  Everyone ran in the race but me - I've been fighting a bit of a knee issue and haven't been running much.  After IM Wisconsin, I started a training block for the Sacramento Marathon - things were going great in preparation for a sub 3:10 marathon until about midway thru November when I developed a bit of a knee pain in my left knee.  I decided to back out of the Sacramento Marathon - which was a VERY difficult decision for me but knowing what I have coming up in 2016 --- I know in my heart that it was the right decision.  My knee seems better now, but I'm still cautious.  I think I ran too many laps on the track (like 20 miles worth of laps) in one direction - I know better to switch directions on the track too.  So let this be my public service announcement - ALWAYS SWITCH DIRECTIONS ON THE TRACK... and maybe don't run 20 miles on the track either ..... but I will say that I LOVE running on the track.  I have my water right and nutrition right there and I can turn my music up super loud and not worry about traffic. 

I did enjoy being a spectator for the kids and Ross who ran a local 5k on Thanksgiving morning.

Ross got 2nd overall

Jayden got 5th overall

Graham --- well, he said he was going to trot the turkey trot and he did - I think he still finished in the top 15 :)

Helen running

and Jilly ran most of the 5k too

working so hard, she needed some water at about the 3k mark

kids were off school the entire week of Thanksgiving so we met Ross for lunch one day at Subway with one of Helen's friends from the swim team

Then I took the kids to the Jelly Belly Factory for a quick tour

Sunrise Start of the Turkey Trot 5K

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0yxxGy1aWzc

Serving up Thanksgiving Dinner

  

View of Golden Gate Bridge from Mt. Tam

Aunt Erin came to visit us for Thanksgiving

 

Mrs. Doubtfire's House

Alcatraz

Sunset at Pier 39 in San Francisco

Hiking on Mt. Diablo

 

Graham received the "Most Dedicated" award from his Cross Country Season and finished the top 6th grade boy - Super Proud of him! 

Christmas 2015

I'm a bit behind on my blog and time is flying --- But I thought I would start with some photos from Christmas and work my way back to what we've been up to from there! 

our annual "draw for straws" to determine who gets to put the angel on the top of the tree

Jillian remembered the tradition and wanted to draw first - she is REALLY hoping it will be her!

Helen is the winner this year!

and someone is VERY upset that it's not her

decorating the tree

 

Helen and her Ninja Turtles

a toast with holiday egg nog

getting in some quick baking on Christmas Eve

The boys went to the Raiders Game on Christmas Eve, so the girls prepared the cookies and milk for Santa and the carrots for the reindeer

Jillian's been waiting for weeks to read this book!

The stockings are ready for Santa - including the 3 extra stockings that Jilly made for Aunt Erin, Nana, and Papa

Every girl's dream..... a Barbie house!

Jayden is happy about getting a football

DS!

Jayden is surprised by the Yoshi Wii game

what could it be?  a present wrapped in 4 different kinds of wrapping paper?????

whoohoo!  it's the GoPro camera that Mom wanted for Christmas!

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle fruit snacks - it was on her Christmas list :)

Graham has a shirt to wear to the Sacramento Kings game in January

ahhh - Pinkie Pie

the aftermath of Christmas morning!  tons of wrapping paper and Jayden wearing a Wisconsin Badgers swim cap and goggles

Santa Pancakes! Yum!

6000 yards of swimming a few days before Christmas - I've been focusing on swim strength for a few weeks now in prep for my tri season

Jilly and Papa being silly

12 articles of clothing swim on the morning of Christmas Eve - kids wore 12 pieces of clothing and took 1 piece off every 100 - 200 yards

I made some yummy doughnut, strawberry, and mini- marshmallow treats for the kids

doing our #ironstrength workout on Christmas morning!

Boys at the Raiders game on Christmas Eve - it was a cold game that went into overtime but the Raiders won and the boys had a great time!

Playing in the water and the sand at sunset  - Stinson Beach - Christmas Day

Mom - you jumped too quick!

Golden Gate Bridge

A nice brother photo-bomb

which path will you choose?

Having Fun on Christmas Day!

Cheers in Chinatown - San Francisco

Bubble Tea

Chinatown