VoW Bow Wow

Since we were the last house last year, we are the first house this year in the neighborhood Tacky Christmas fun.  After a test lighting, I determined our "Ho Ho Ho" lights would not travel well, so I went in search for some other treasure to contribute to the neighborhood tackiness.  And so the VoW Bow Wow came to reside here.  It's our first Christmas inflatable, and he's darn cute!  The kids (especially Sylvie) love him!

 and he comes with his very own tacky "cage" (as Sylvie said)...25 plastic candy canes for added tackiness! :)

Oh Christmas Tree 2014

Got our tree @ Costco this year! lol!  $28...despite Brett's apprehension about not being able to see it unwrapped, it's not bad.  Brett put on the lights and hoisted the kids up so they could put the star on top...and then he went out to happy hour while the kids and I decorated the tree. ha! :)

Let's Do This

Our DIYers @ the Home Depot workshop this morning-

 

Run, Run, As Fast as You Can (2014)

The kids did the Gingerbread Man Mile again this year.  This time Brady did a full mile and Sylvie did 1/2 mile.  We arrived early, said hi to the Gingerbread Man, and stayed warm in the hotel before the race.

 

The boy always poses like a ninja and the girl like a cheerleader.  They do this on their own. It's funny.  Sylvie requested her own "non-ninja" pict b/c "that's not pretty.  so just me now, okay Mommy?"

 

 

 

I didn't look at the camera for these picts...just held it out and snapped so I could look for and wave to Brady. It must be trained after taking so many picts of these kids...somehow it focused on his smiling little face!

 

 

Second lap-

 @ the finish line!

Caught you Gingerbread Man!

Pro shots-

off to the 4-5 year old start...

Sylvie and Daddy @ the starting line.  Sister booked it!  She runs SO fast!  

Pro shots-

 My picts-

There's my bunny!

 Finished!  Her little body was confused at the end.  At the finish line she burst in to tears when she saw me and said, "My tummy hurts!  Bad!"  Oh, sweet bunny.

They ran, ran as fast as they can (could). :)  Brady and Jerel ran 1 mile in a little over 9 minutes and Sylvie ran 1/2 mile in under 4 minutes.  Just Awesome!!!!  Then, just like last year, they went ice skating in the rink.  Brady gets the "most improved" award for sure!  Hasn't been on ice skates in 365 days and just went out there...and well, sort of ran and went with it.  His "running" resulted in many wipe-outs, but he was falling "well" if there is such a thing.  :)  He just kept getting right back up and cruising...fast!  He was even gliding for a bit there.  Truly awesome!

 Buddies helping each other out (this was when they both weren't literally running on their skates).

Sylvie was pretty great too.  She did make a couple of solo laps. (This year Brett did not go with them; so they were on their own.)  Well, until she befriended one of the staffers.  omg!  This kid who was home from college got way more than he bargained for when he offered his hand and asked her if she wanted help!  She clung to him for over an hour and chatted his ear off the ENTIRE time.  I'm pretty sure this kind young man knows our life story...and we know a little about him. As Sylvie said, "he won't be here when we come back though. He has to go back to school. I think he goes to ice skating school. That's why he's so good." ha!