Christmas, New Year's Eve- oh and a Half Marathon!!!.... Good bye 2011

Ok, here we go, the last week of December 2011...

Jeromy and I each opening a present from each other...

We each made something for each other! I made him an organizer for behind our front closet door. A place to hold all his tracts and different information for when the Mormon's want to come and "visit". And Jeromy made me this amazing sign. I've noticed them at different race events. So he made me one! It's a sign, made out of oak, painted my favorite color purple, with a turtle cause he knows I love turtles then with a bunch of hooks along the bottom to hang all my running medals off of. I can't wait to get this hung! I always tell him I want to get a running shirt with a turtle on it that says "slow and steady wins the race" cause I'm not a fast runner but I always finish, so the back he signed it "slow and steady, love Jeromy". I love home made gifts, especially when they are purple!!!Aurora opening her stocking from Chuck and Joanne (we didn't have her the weekend we were with Jeromy's side of the family).

Aurora opening her stocking from us...

Christmas Day at Dennis and Misty's house!

Dennis made a delicious roast, with yummy mashed potatoes! Misty even made Jeromy some special potatoes with no milk, so sweet!

Here's Aurora, Kelsey, Mason and Denny getting ready to open presents (I miss Jade and Kent- they are in California spending the holidays with their dad) ... notice how much carpet is visible BEFORE they start opening presents....

And now... no carpet to be seen! Thanks Grandma and Grandpa- all the kids got just what they wanted!

Jeromy and I got a present from my mom and dad, Misty and Dennis got a similar looking package.... what can it be???

Cool, a really nice pizza baking dish, makes perfect pizza every time! With a cook book and $50 bucks to the Olive Garden- THANKS MOM AND DAD!!! (We went to Olive Garden the next day- all I'm sayin' is yum!)

Kelsey is one happy girl...

So the day after Christmas, I learned that my sweet Grandma Shield had been admitted to the hospital with bronchitis. She will be 94 in January. She was hit pretty hard and was having trouble breathing. My poor sweet grandma. It was really hard to see her like that. I've been visiting her everyday for the past week, some days she seems to be doing better, then the next day not so much. All my aunts and cousins that are able have been visiting her. She hates to be there.

She was finally released today to a rehabilitation center a few minutes from my house. She does not want to be there either. She's a very private, shy person. But she's just not well enough to go home. And just about everyone in the family is sick. Both my mom and aunt Mary had the bronchitis pretty bad but are over it, now my dad has it- he's been to the doctor twice! My aunt Linda also has it, and my aunt Sharon came down with pneumonia! I was worried I might catch it visiting my grandma and get sick for my run, but I haven't got sick... yet! Everyone get well now!

Ok, onto NEW YEAR'S EVE! So what do you have planned???? Guess what I have planned???? How about a Half Marathon to round out the year? I thought it was a GREAT idea!!!

I am FREEEEEZING here in case you couldn't tell. I really wanted to wear my headband to cover my ears but it always slides off my head over time. So I thought I'd wear pigtails cause it kinda keeps it from sliding back, I didn't know if it would work, but it did! And it kept the rivers of sweat from running into my eyes! And I think I look like I'm 5... the headband covers up the lines in my forehead LOL

My favorites first-cousin-once-removed Kyle! He came out to support me and his other running buddies, I think he's still letting his foot heal so he didn't run. Kyle was the one who told me about this half marathon last year and encouraged me to do it! You are awesome Kyle- can't believe you're almost 18!!!

My fantastic husband and photographer who selflessly gets up and goes out in the freezing cold to take pictures for me!

Ok, I'm OFF AND RUNNING! Me, the ferry and some chicks elbow... it was very cold this morning-duh! There were several parts where we had to be careful, especially down the first steep hill, all the runners were carefully tiptoeing down the hill- pretty funny, no one running, everyone cautiously tiptoeing down a steep hill. But then we were off. But there were several parts of the road that were a little slick, and don't worry mom, a wouldn't jog over those areas! I carefully walked!

This is sooo coool, cause I told Jeromy that the info about this run had a lady running from last year's run along the water with the sun shining and I thought it would be so cool if I got a pic like that! Thanks Jeromy! What a cool picture. Did I mention I prayed for a sunny day? Forecast said all week it was going to rain, thank you Jesus for answering my little dinky prayer request! Did I mention I hate soggy wet feet? I know I have!

Also, Jeromy and Kyle would drive a few miles past me then stop and take some cool pictures, then drive again a few miles ahead and then stop and take more pictures! Love it! Alot of other people were doing that, too!

Some live action! Jeromy said I have a very distinct run, that he can tell it's me from far away, he imitated my run and it looked like a clown... I don't think I run like that- you be the judge, and if you agree with Jeromy don't tell me because in my mind's eye I'm a very graceful fluid runner!!!

Here I am about to cross the finish line, Jeromy and Kyle were there cheering me on. I didn't run it very fast... I ran it in 2:26:45... slower than my last 2 halves I ran but faster than my first one if ya follow me... I blame the cold and ice.... my legs just wouldn't go. But I did run with out stopping and I finished- always my top 2 goals. I told Kyle "sorry to disappoint you" more of a joke cause he can LITERALLY run TWICE as fast as me, and I was hoping to beat 2 hours and 10 minutes, but nope! Kyle is so great tho, he said I did good, you have a great son their Laura!

Me after the 13.1 miles... I think my pigtails deflated... maybe all that sweat is weighing them down....

My medal of honor.... I've got 5 now, but I've run only 4 half marathons. I got one of the medals for running a 10 mile event... My "Yukon do it!" T-shirt... not really sure why they say "Yukon" in the title? Oh well, another running shirt to add to my collection!

Good night and have a wonderful happy safe blessed New Years! Love Jeromy and Katie...

2011 over and out!!!