Boston Marathon Training - Week 1

And here the journey starts again! After taking 2 months and 2 days off from running (with a few trips to the gym, however), I'm back into the swing of training again! I have to say that my first Saturday run was fabulous. I ran along a beautiful beach (see above) in Outer Banks and it was great. That is, until a dog ran out of someone's beach house and scared me so bad I had to walk until my heart rate normalized. I was an amazing day though, and as I ran, I honestly had the thought: "I love my life." Great husband, great kids, great health, and great adventures! It's pretty awesome.

By the way, to really set this marathon apart for me, I've decided to run for a charity. I'm raising money for the Children's Hospital in Boston. I've had so much awesome support over the years (the two that I've been running), I thought I'd make this race extra special for everyone. If you want to help me give back and help the kids at the Children's Hospital, you can donate on my donation website (don't you love the internet?) or contact me with questions.

Monday, December 26th: 3 miles at 9:34 min/mi
Tuesday, December 28th: 4.5 miles at 9:23 min/mi
Thursday, December 30th: 3 miles at 9:03 min/mi
Saturday, January 1st: 4.3 miles at 10:16 min/mi

Total for the Week: 14.3 miles

Highlight: Running along the beach on a perfect New Year’s Day.
Tough Spot: Feeling sore after a short 3-mile run. It’s been a long time since that’s happened! I guess that's bound to happen after taking two months off. Lesson learned? Eh, it was a nice break.

Outer Banks

Without realizing it, Brian and I have rung in the New Year in a different state every year since we've been married ('05: Florida, '06: Arizona, '07: Idaho, '08: Washington, '09: Utah, '10: North Carolina). I guess this year we didn't technically "ring in" the new year since we were sleeping, but it's still fun that we've been somewhere different each year.

This year we headed to the Outer Banks of North Carolina and honestly, we couldn't have pick a more perfect weekend to go. We drove the 5.5 hours there, stayed one night, had a beautiful day checking out the beach and the Wright Brothers Memorial, and then drove the 5.5 hours home. It was really nice.

Wes and Sydney got these headphones from us for Christmas (with a splitter). It was a perfect way to keep the car quiet so Brian and I could chat!

We went out to check out the beach after we checked into our hotel on Friday evening.

Brian testing out the kite we had brought.

Even though there wasn't too much wind, the kids still had fun!

After flying kites, Sydney took the chance to throw some seashells into the ocean.

The next morning we took the kids to the Outer Banks YMCA (free pass with our hotel stay) and I went running while Brian relaxed. When we went back to the hotel, Brian took the kids out to fly the kite while I got ready. It was nice that our hotel was right on the beach.

So picturesque!

This is at the Wright Brothers Memorial. I think this is the 4th or 5th reproduction of this plane we've seen during our travels in the midwest and east.

The memorial also has an actual working airport which was great fun for the kids.

Family picture!

Brian next to the monument where the original planes took off. It's been so cool to see all of the historic places we've seen!

You can see Brian waaaaay down there standing on the 4th marker. Each marker represents the distances of the first four successful flights.

This big monument sits on the hill where they would take off with their gliders.

Cute kids! Perfect weather, right?

Add the mom to the picture. Notice, no coats...on January 1st! Love it.

Brian said, "Stand there so I can take your picture," so I did. It wasn't until I was looking through the pictures I saw that it said "Genius." Haha...I think it would have worked better as a Brian picture!

Have I mentioned it before? Wes LOVES his dad (aka: his buddy...yep, Brian is Wes' buddy). :)

Fun Visits

On Wednesday, December 29th, our friends, Barry and Rochelle and their kids, came over. We know the Price family from our time at University of Michigan where Barry is in his final year of law school. His parents are in our ward here in Charlotte and since Barry and Rochelle were visiting for Christmas break, we got to see them!

Later that day, Brian and his parents went down to South Carolina (about a half hour drive) for some good, fried southern food. And that night, Brian and I went on a date to see The Social Network. I love free babysitting! :)

On Thursday, December 30th, we took Mom and Dad Hanks to Imaginon to see a magician who was performing during story time. It was extra fun since they got to take the train to Uptown. In the afternoon, Mom and Dad Hanks had to leave for the airport.

Jude, Wes, and Sydney. Cute!

It's so fun to try and get pictures of kids.

Baby Harper is just two months old!

Wes and Brian watching the magician.

I ran to and from the library, hence my outfit. Apparently, Sydney's talking on her camera phone.

Wes waiting with Grandma to take the train back home. Thanks for the fun visit!

NASCAR Hall of Fame

On Tuesday, December 28th, we went over to check out the NASCAR Hall of Fame. It was pretty neat even though none of us has actually ever seen a NASCAR race. Wes was excited to see all the "Lightning McQueen" cars and we even saw Doc Hudson! Sydney and I left a bit early because it was all a little much for her by the end.

The Hall of Fame was within walking distance...love that!

Just outside the Hall of Fame.

Wes and Brian are driving like the Fabulous Hudson Hornet. We had no idea it was a real person/car.

They call this area Glory Road.

Dad and Brian raced to get the best time of the day for a 2-person team. Wes wanted to help, but obviously it was a little loud for him.

Wes got to go on the race car simulator with Grandpa.

Woo-hoo! They were the winners!

Then Wes was super lucky and got to go with Grandma too! Pretty lucky guy.

Wes had a great time doing all the race car games and I'm sure he was thrilled about all of the personal attention!

M&M's: A Hanks family favorite!

Grandma, Grandpa, and Wes on Glory Road.

It was so nice of Grandma to give Wes a "horsey ride" on the way home. I don't even do that. He was pretty spoiled!

Day After Christmas Festivities

Brian's mom and dad flew in the evening of Sunday, December 26th. They had been in Chicagoland visiting Kevin, Naomi and kids, so they flew in from there.

In the morning, we walked to Uptown (downtown) so they could see where Brian works and to see the fun Christmas decorations.

We watched the Bearstein Bears Orchestra perform a series of holiday songs. They call this place Founders Hall. I think it's fun that all the big bank execs get into the spirit of the holiday season.

That night, we went to see the lights at the Charlotte Motor Speedway. They put on a huge light show, called Carolina Christmas, that you can drive through (in and around the NASCAR track). They also have activities including a live Bethlehem town (which I think is pretty amazing to find outside of Utah/Idaho). Apparently, it's the fourth largest light show in the nation.

Here is an attempt at a family picture in Santa's chair. I think Santa must have already been back at the North Pole recuperating.

Snow Day

The day after Christmas, we woke up to a blanket of snow on the ground. Since it snowed all morning, we received an email that church would be canceled for the day. The kids were really excited about the snow, but they don't have boots, so we couldn't really play in it. This is a picture of the kids walking over to our friends' house to feed their bunny we're taking care of while they're out of town.

A Low-Key Christmas Day

While we missed our families at Christmas this year, it was actually really nice and relaxing to be home for the holiday. We woke up around 7am, opened stockings, ate some breakfast, opened our presents, and then played and relaxed for the rest of the day...including naps for everyone! In the evening, we went to our friends' house for a Christmas dinner. It even started snowing on our way home. It was a good Carolina Christmas!

Finding the stockings.

Wes had a great amount of enthusiasm for the holiday.

Mom and daughter.

I'm not sure why Sydney decided to sit in this box after she opened this present. She also wanted to wear those two sparkly headbands she received from her cousin Lydia. She wanted to wear both of them, all day. That girl has a mind of her own, for sure!

The kids had so much fun playing with all of their new toys (including this car mat from Uncle Craig and Aunt Sara).

This is the dessert I made for our Christmas dinner: Cool and Creamy Coconut Cake (thanks for the recipe, Rochelle!). I also made an Almond Joy Cake which is very similar (thanks to Naomi for that recipe!).