Weekend Fun/Christmas With Friends

It finally feels like Christmas! It all started when my Dad arrived on Friday, and we did Christmas with him that evening. Leaving the pics small...it was dark and they are from my phone so the quality isn't great.

 New Zip Up for Dad.

 A recovery thingy for Mark's truck, for next time it gets stuck. 

 Sky picked out Grandpa's hat, gloves and scarf  and they were supposed to be showing off their matching items, but Sky wasn't having it. 

Really I think if you gave her empty boxes to unwrap that's all she really wants. 

After Christmas with Grandpa it was time to get ready for Christmas with friends...which I didn't take a single pic of. I'm lame like that. Or, maybe it was because I was enjoying the flowing champagne and having fun and just didn't think about it. 

I did get pictures of the prep though. I have to say I had a few rather brilliant ideas! 

If you're going to have a house full of people take advantage of an Amazon Local coupon, or other discount site, and get housecleaning! We booked a cleaner through Homejoy and in 3 hours she cleaned all the baseboards, window seals and tracks, dusted the entire house top to bottom and cleaned both bathrooms. The only thing I did was vacuum and sweep! She even put a sticker on the folded TP! It only would have been better if I had scheduled one to do the cleanup after as well. Mostly it's a bunch of wine & champagne glasses, so it's not too bad. 

The other brilliant idea...make dinner the night before and just re-heat! This is a bacon, beef, mushroom rague that I made Friday, and was able to re-heat in batches for everyone on Sat! The stove was clean, and not hot so served as extra counter space, there were no huge pots and pans taking up room in the kitchen, and while I love cooking it was nice not to be stuck in the kitchen! This is the way to go for all future large gatherings that I'm cooking a main meal for! It only take a bit of planning to make sure the meal you make is good the next day, thankfully this one gets better as the days go by and the flavors meld. 

Since I didn't have to clean, or cook this is what I was doing up until an hour before the party! All I had to do was toss on a go too party outfit and wait for people to show up! 

We ended the evening watching White Christmas, and now I finally feel like it's officially Christmas time!  

A Tradition Was Born

We sort of fell into what is going to be our Christmas Tradition over the weekend. I've been wondering what our little family of 3 would settle into as far as a tradition. I love all the friends and family time that comes with the holiday season, but it's equally important to me that we, the 3 of us, have our own little Christmas time, yet not take away from Christmas with the rest of the family etc.

After the weekend of Christmas activity around our house I think we have it! I don't know that it will always happen in the same order, but the elements are all there and the result is the 3 of us can spend some fun, calm Christmas time together.

Friday night was Santa Picture, BBQ Party (dinner at Dickey's, but Sky thinks everything is a party...which I fully support...please just let Dickey's stay in business!), picking out our tree on the way home, and finishing up with a Christmas movie before bed time.

The real fun came the next day when we finished (!) our Christmas shopping, put up the tree, and had our own tree lighting ceremony.

I really hope that we can teach Sky not to be rushed, rude, and inpatient when it comes to shopping this time of year. That it can be fun, and to just take your time. We all know it's a busy, crowded time of year, embrace it, or stay home and only shop online! I also hope she's never too old/too cool to ride a skateboard through Sports Authority.

Sky learning the fine art of hanging ornaments.

Here's a tip...don't pick your tree out in the dark. I love our tree...let's just say it has personality, but next year we will do so during daylight! 

Our little courtyard and patio are so festive and pretty. I love seeing the lights outside when we're watching Christmas movies inside all warm and snugly. And, even though it was just the 3 of us I have to say we know how to have a fun tree lighting...much better than the sad events the local communities had last year. We swore after lasts years disappointing tree lighting's we were done with that. So, we created our own instead!

Next year it's a trip into the woods and cutting down our own, much bigger, tree. And, even better we are thinking hot spiced wine, cookies, carols, and friends/family coming over for our tree lighting!

I love that we found our "thing" for Christmas.  A weekend of Christmas fun that we can look forward to year after year, and that we didn't plan any of it really. We didn't go into it thinking "this is going to be our tradition". We were just doing our thing and ended up having fun doing it. I've seen numerous lists of things to do/try to make family traditions...and that's great if you need ideas, but to me it just felt like another to do list, and a bit forced.

Mark gets credit for the outdoor tree. Best Christmas idea ever! It's right outside the living room window so we can see it all evening long. The best part is we don't have a tree crowding our little living room, and the dogs/Sky can't mess with it...I was not looking forward to the tree battle and broken ornaments.

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What's your Christmas Tradition?

Winter Run Challenge

I was on the fence about doing a winter run challenge.  Mostly because I'm pretty good at getting out there and running, I like it too much not to do it!  But, after yesterday's painfully slow and just down right not fun run I figured I could use the added incentive.  I knew I would regret all the cookies, wine, and not running during Christmas.  Maybe a stroller run wasn't the best "first run back" run, but Sky really wanted to run as well.  Actually running her pace felt pretty great.  

It's all right though, I'm giving myself this week to get back into it slowly, then next week I start pushing the pace to get back down to speed.  Perfect timing because the challenge starts next week!

 
Check out RUNwithJess.com HERE to register for the free challenge.  There are different levels you can pick, each week you reach your goal you are entered to win a prize, and it's free!!!  The hardest 6 weeks of running are here and this will for sure help me get my a$$ out there!

The last two days have been fun around here.  One of my favorite things about Christmas in E WA is unpacking everything once we get home.  Most of the gifts go right into bins for safe and easy transport home, so we don't get a chance to use them.  It's almost like Christmas again when we unpack and get a chance to actually use/play with the stuff.  I'm really loving the new entryway table and dishes I got!  No more ugly brown plates/bowls in my food pictures!  

 

It looks so much nicer than what we had and it takes up less room which is really nice!  Sky was always on the verge of cracking her head on the old one when she was running laps through the house.  

Sky loves her horse to pieces.  Even when not rocking she just sits on it and is constantly playing with it's tail and moving it around the room so it's always right next to her.   

I have a lot of pictures from last week that I didn't share.  I have to say it was really nice being less connected for a few days.  I could easily get used to that!  anyway here are a few pictures from our time in E WA...

Sky's tablet was one of the few gifts we did open and start using.  It came in so handy when she needed a few minutes, or a bit longer while we wine tasted, of quiet time.  BTW - that is not her glass of wine!

Wine, wine, wine...you can't really visit the Red Mountain area without going to at least one winery, it's practically a sin!  Terra Blanca is within walking/running distance of my Aunt and Uncles which made it the easy choice for a quick visit. Their Block 8 Syrah is really one of the best I've had!

That is a lot of wine glasses for just 4 people...and now you know why I don't run when we are over there.  Wine does not make great hydration for running.

My Aunt and Uncles very unique and beautiful Christmas Tree.  It was all red, green, and Santa themed.  It was a little shocking at first, but once you get over the idea of how a traditional tree should look it is really beautiful. 

Thank goodness Mark found this indoor play option because it was in the low 20's to mid 30's most days, and that is too cold for Sky to happily play outside.  She needed an outlet big time for all that energy!  Columbia West Cheer has indoor play areas that are open to the public for periods of time and is only $5, but we got in for free since it was our first visit.  Sky must have liked it because it was a huge ugly fit when we left. 

She spent a good 30 minutes in this play kitchen cooking and organizing everything.  She was so content being in charge of her own kitchen, plus this was one of the few areas non of the other kids seemed very interested in, so she had it all to herself...such an only child! 

Watching a moving with her new BFF's.  It must have been a serious part of the movie?  

A few pictures of Christmas Morning.

 I'm already missing the clear, blue, sunny skies that are E WA. 

 Someone across the river from my Aunt and Uncle put on a pretty impressive, pro quality, fireworks display.  Sky LOVED it!  

Don't let the bright sun fool you, it was really cold outside!  We only lasted about 20 minutes at the park before we had to warm back up.  

I'm really thankful that we get to spend time over there with family we love!  It's always pretty laid back and easy going which is really nice given the busy flurry of the season. 

A few down days and then New Years Eve!!!  

Tell me...how are you ringing in the new year? 

I'm running 5 mile drive with Michelle New Year's morning.  First run of the year, and a great way to start the year! 

Food Comma

I feel like I'm in a Christmas Food/Wine Haze!!!  So much yummy food some sweet, most of it not.  I have had way more steak and potatoes the last two days than I eat in a month.  It's all been so good, but my tummy is ready for real world eating again. 

Totally ready to get back to running too.  Kinda wish I had my running stuff with me.  But, everyone needs a break now and then, so I'm embracing that and enjoying the down time.  Besides, it is really cold over here, so staying warm with wine and sweats is fine with me! 

A few pictures from the last couple of days. 

My Aunt and Uncle's very cool Christmas Tree.

Wore her out with presents and playing...all snuggles the rest of the day!

Crazy beautiful sunset last night!  Perfect ending to a perfect day!

I hope everyone had a lovely Christmas and enjoyed/is still enjoying lots of family time!  I feel like the most fortunate girl in the world with all the lovely and thoughtful gift.  More importantly though I feel lucky to get to spend the whole week with my family.  It makes my heart happy!  

Sky's First Christmas Tree Lighting

We made a last minute decision to take Sky to the University Place tree lighting last night.  I'll admit we found the small tree, in such a huge space, a bit sad.  But, the upside was it was a small event, except for around the fire pit, and Sky had fun.  Granted she didn't care a bit about the tree.  All she wanted to do was run around, and all we did was chase after her, but it helped us stay a bit warmish I guess. 

It was kind of perfect really.  We showed up around 5:30, found front row parking, only had to try and stay warm for 25 minutes or so before the tree light up, and then on the way home we got Hot Buttered Rum makings.  By 7:30 Sky was in bed and I was warming back up with Hot Buttered Rum!   

 She refused to look at me for this pic. 

 Her hat and jacket don't match at all, nor do the boots.  I was going for warmth, not fashion points.

Kisses are serious!

 The tree was small, but for Hawks fans...it is Hawk's Blue.

Proof I was there.  :)

Planning on streaking today (2 days in a row is a streak right?!) with another chilly run.  I don't know if I'm going to go early with Sky, or wait for nap time and do a quick 4 alone...mostly it will come down to which football game I'm willing to miss part of.  

Hawk's or 49ers, who's going to win?  

I plead the 5th on this one since I'm a Steeler fan living in Hawk country, and I like Kaepernick.  Already have too many strikes against me.

Whatever you're doing today enjoy it and stay warm!  

Yippy For Indoor Playgrounds!!!

Yesterday (and again today) Sky and I hit up Frog N Kiwi for a little play time.  Since our play dates and classes were all cancelled this week, and I didn't feel up to standing around in the cold while she played, Frog N Kiwi was the perfect solution!

Sky is such a good sharer and really good at taking turns.  What she isn't good with is playing with others, she isn't mean to other kids at all, she would just much rather play on her own.  Such an only child thing, but we are working on it!  

 Climbing and sliding...two of her favorite things! 

 Twirling on the fireman's pole.

She was one tired girl when we got home.  I think we were there for close to 3 hours with her playing the entire time!  More and more it takes lengthy morning play time/activity for her to be tired enough to take a good nap.  I do my best to tire her out, because I'm just not ready to give up my 2-3 hours of nap time...I get so much done!  

I love the set up because I can sit and read or look at FB and Pinterest while she plays, but still see the whole room and keep an eye on her.  Plus, she can see me too which is important.  She is getting better at running off and playing without Mommy, but every once in a while she looks around trying to find me, just to make sure I'm still there.  Controlled independence for both of us.

Once she went down I decided is was Christmas Gifts in a Jar time!  My kitchen went from this...

...to this in 2 hours!!!!

Some jars are not pictured.

I'm not totally done decorating the jars, but at least everything is made!  I'm not going to share what I made because that would ruin it for those that I'm giving them to.  I will say that while everything is made from pantry items and technically edible, it's not all for eating!

Super thankful that I'm feeling better today.  Still coughing crap up, but feeling good enough to go to run group tonight.  Michelle and I were planning on joining the 5 mile group, but that's going to be a game time decision for me.  I'm probably already pushing it by running in the first place, so may just do 3.  

Does anyone else do handmade gifts?  Tell me your go to item!!! 

Anyone else not so patiently waiting to see Catching Fire?  I really hope I find time to sneak away and see it this weekend!