BABY'S FIRST RACE

Before the pregnancy sickness set in, I agreed to run a 4-mile trail race. For a few reasons, my first trimester sickness lasted a little longer than normal. It was a week before the race, and I decided to try a treadmill at least once. It wasn't pretty, but I finished. Apparently my attempt inspired Jeff - I came home late that night to find Jeff sprinting on the treadmill. He just HAD to run the four miles faster than a sick preggo woman!

My goal: to finish without puking. I did it! I didn't set any running records, but had SO MUCH FUN!! Muddy, but fun. Running across creeks, straight up hills, on logs across a large creek, repelling down cliffs, and trying to avoid tripping over rocks and branches. Can't wait to actually train next year! 10 miler anyone?

My GREAT running buddies who stuck with me: Brittany Schlosser & Merissa Haymore!

I LOVE YOU MORE THAN...

POP TARTS???

On Friday night, Dad was home for about 10 minutes to change his clothes and head out the door for a Boy Scout caving trip to Tennessee. We haven't seen much of him the past few days, and Hannah sobbed hysterically for about fifteen minutes after he left. (Unfortunately, NOT uncommon when roller coaster emotions and sleep deprivation forces combine.) At first I thought to myself, "Oh how sweet... she misses her dad!" Then the tears started to die down. When she could finally muster up a few words in between tears, she asked, "Did Dad take ALL the Pop Tarts with him?"

I figured out that she was more distraught about the possibility of Dad eating all the Pop Tarts, than she was about Dad disappearing for another day. Apologies to Dad for a possible devastating blow to the self esteem.

With Spencer's sensitivity to fructose, Pop Tarts are a rare and special treat in our house. (I know, who thought a Pop Tart would be held in such high regard?) The kids literally jumped for joy when Dad came home with an UNOPENED BOX!! We immediately whipped out the toaster for some warm sugary goodness, and Spencer commented that it was his "BEST third Pop Tart he's ever tasted!"

Apparently it's all about the simple (and NASTY) things in life!

MY LITTLE RASCALS

What have I started by introducing my kids to "The Little Rascals" movie?? Besides being the only girl allowed in Spencer's room, other recent favorite Spencerisms include:

• "Mom, I think I need to take a break from the Braves to concentrate on Legos."
• While standing at his bedroom door for our nightly ritual, blowing him a kiss, I whisper, "Catch my kiss!" He promptly sticks his hand straight in the air and yells, "YOU'RE OUT, MOM!"

My little rascals have also been enjoying more snow the past few days.

Over the river...

And through the woods...
To grandma's house we go!
Literally.

HANNAH IS A SUNBEAM

Hannah is a new Sunbeam! She and her cousin Taylor started in the same Sunbeams class together. One more Haymore girl cousin, Julia, will join their class next week!

Thanks to Uncle Scott for bribing Hannah with a piece of gum to stop crying for a picture:-)

FIRST WHITE CHRISTMAS

OUR FIRST WHITE CHRISTMAS!! As you can tell from the pictures, we didn't get a lot of snow - enough to dust the ground and ice the roads. It was nice not being able to go anywhere for a day or two. Lots of play time, puzzles, hot chocolate, popcorn and Toy Story 3!!

Not only was it our first white Christmas, but our very first Christmas without any grandparents in town:-(. Yay for Skype and cousins!

DECEMBER

Ah, the infamous decorating-the-tree picture. What I don't have pictured is Allison taking off EVERY ornament that Spencer and Hannah put on the tree. Needless to say, quite a few ornaments bit the dust this Christmas. (Note to self: PLASTIC balls next year)

Notice The Big Chicken's sign still reads, "Fried!"

Grandpa Blake came to visit! We met Grandpa in Macon, GA at my amazing sister-in-law-with-five-kids-who-just finished-nursing-school's graduation. Adventures with Grandpa included bowling, Christmas lights, Krispy Kreme donuts (why no, we can't resist a "HOT" neon sign!), Grandpa hearing his first "Happy Birthday, Jesus" and a bucket-o-chicken at Marietta's infamous Big Chicken. Leave it to a Southerner to build a restaurant that looks like a giant chicken with moving eyes and beak - they love them some good fried chicken! ( Chicky chicky wanna bucket? Actually sounds funny when said with a good "Suthin" drawl.)


We had a lot of fun with Grandpa. Luckily, he caught his plane an hour before the ice storm hit. He was returning to MUCH warmer weather in sunny Arizona!

SAYING GOODBYE

Grandma and Grandpa Haymore left on their mission Thanksgiving afternoon. The night before, we joined them as they were set apart as missionaries. We HAD to stop at Krispy Kreme on our drive home! Hannah's chocolate covered mouth reminded us all of her donut stealing days.

Yes, I keep telling Hannah that her eyes will stick if she keeps rolling them. Apparently she doesn't believe me.

We are missing Grandma and Grandpa! Hannah keeps praying that they'll return soon. She doesn't quite get the gone-for-a-year concept. Luckily, we still get to go to their house to play with cousins!!