Christmas Trees and Santa Runs

Picking out a Christmas Tree--- was an adventure in itself and FREEZING COLD!

Shay with Kylie in the background trying to talk Dad into her tree.


Anika, "mom, can we go already?"


David getting ready for his Santa Debut (Santa 5k Race-- most fun you'll ever have running a 5k)


Three Crazy Santas getting ready to rumble in the fresh snow

My Tri-Team

My days of Ironman tri's have been long lost in the midst of the kids-- however, started on the bike again this week and there might be hope for 2011 return, but that certainly is a long shot... but on that note, Pat Peppler raced today in Racine with some super speedy stats and qualified for the 70.3 World Championships in FL in November, the man is a machine-- plain and simple, a well oiled machine. In any case, this post is dedicated to him-- Pat, this is my tri team in training.


Kylie, the swimmer (only have videos, sorry, this picture will have to do)


Anika, my die hard biker

Shay, the super speedy runner with the sweatband

Busy busy weekend!

If you follow me on facebook, you would have known that this weekend was by far the most popular weekend amongst our friends. We have never been invited to so many functions on one weekend, it was insane. So, as sad as it was to say no to some, we had to. No way, no how can we make it to everything.

Saturday started early- I headed to the city for the lakefront 10 mile race with the "sweaty friends" group. Certainly surprised myself with my run--- did not think I was in that good of shape, but I had a certain "thing" ahead of me that I was certain I was not going to let beat me (some of you know what that "thing" was).... Anyhow, a finish of 13th out of 178 is pretty damn good-- I'm happy and that is usually hard to come by when it comes to races. Chris in the meantime took the three kids to Kylie's soccer practice-- in the rain. Kylie seemed to have a good time, but its apparent she doesn't have as good of a coach as last year-- we got really lucky last year. The twins played soccer too (from what I hear) and also were a great cheering section for their big sister. From there we continued on with birthday parties galore--- and ended the night with a Bat Mitzvah. Great time-- what party is not a good one with a massive dessert table with chefs cooking up fresh bananas foster and pitchers of mango martinis? Seriously, a great party and all the kids there had a blast. Thanks Sherwoods!

So, cheers to all you who celebrated this weekend without us! Wish we could have come-- so next year, don't pick the last weekend in April!

And the Donovan girls weekend-- better get some pictures up..... :) Sorry I missed out!

Anika and Shay trying to get into the mickey mouse tv show-- literally.

My new Driver.

Santa Weekend

This weekend was full of Santa....
Saturday I went to "play" with my running friends and ran in a Santa Sleigh 5k run. It was far from a serious race because everyone who signed up for the race had to wear a 5 piece Santa suit. It was a sea of red the entire race and hopefully I can get some pics up from the race that a friend took. For the paper's photos- click the link below (hopefully it works).
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=342022

Sunday we took the kids to see Santa at our friend Joe's. (Joe is our friend who helped find us this house and sold our old house). In any case, Kylie was pretty excited to go.... but once we saw Santa got a little shy... she did overcome her fear and sat on Santa's lap and told him what she wanted and what her little sisters wanted. Shay was a trooper and not scared, but Anika had a death grip hold on Chris and myself. We have a few pics, but more to come once I get them from Joe's office.

My friend Pat helping another Santa figure out how to tie his pants....

Fashionable Pat with his Santa suit on

Anika waiting to get out of the house to see Santa (sorry, no idea how to change the photo to be the right way---not sure on that, better ask tech support).

Shay all dressed up for Santa-- couldn't get the peanut to look at the camera, she was too busy playing a game with Kylie.

Blurry picture of Anika, Amanda, Joe and Kylie-- I think Shay is taking the picture...

Kylie all smiles with Santa