Thanksgiving 2014

This year for Thanksgiving we had some of Thomas' family in town.  His sister and her kids from Texas, a nephew and his fiance from Rexburg, and Thomas' aunt and uncle and their four kids from Utah.
Thanksgiving morning Thomas and I got up to run the Turkey Day 5K that we also ran last year.  We had Kristin (his sister), his cousin, and his nephew's fiance staying at our house the night before so they watched Brooklyn at our place while we ran. I love starting off Thanksgiving day surround by the excitement of a race and the adrenalin that accompanies.
We headed home to shower and watch the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and then all went over to my in-laws for our Thanksgiving meal. Brooklyn actually asked to take a nap halfway through the meal.  While she was napping (she took almost a four hour nap!) Thomas and I went to see Mockingay Part 1 at the nearby movie theater.
Once we got home we got out the pies and started playing games.  The "Heads Up" app game was a hit (you put the phone up to your forehead and your team members have to get you to guess the word on the screen).  We also played chubby bunny and a skittles/dice game.
We loved being around family and reflecting on the things we are Thankful for.

Turkey Trot Relay 2014

This was our second time running this event. This year we got to do it with our friends the Glynns.  Thomas and Hollie are co-workers and her and her husband just joined Team Beef.  This run isn't won by the fastest team but by the team that get's closest to their predicted finish time.  We were only 21 seconds from our predicted time!
It had snowed A LOT the week before but had started melting and was a really warm day for the middle of November.  Last year was freeeeeezing so it was a pleasant surprise.
The pictures from this event of me are HORRIBLE! But funny.  The race photographer got a gem of a picture of Levi that gave us a good laugh. Holly made a meme about it. Our team name was Two Pros and Two Slows (Holly and Levi came up with the name, Thomas and I do NOT consider ourselves pros).

Downtown Boise Tree Lighting

Attending the Downtown Boise tree lighting is another annual tradition we have. Thomas was working so it was just Brooklyn and I this year. The weather was very mild this year. A couple hours or so before the tree lighting they have a group on stage performing Christmas music and they hand out candles as it gets closer to the time of the tree lighting. Ten seconds before, a countdown begins and then the tree is lit up. Fun way to kick off the Christmas season.

Tree Decorating 2014

We usually wait til Thanksgiving night to decorate our tree but this year did it the night before since we knew we would be having guests stay at our place Thanksgiving night. Brooklyn was really into helping put up the ornaments this year. She LOVED the Christmas village that we put up. After putting up the tree we brought out a bunch of blankets and pillows and snuggled up to watch a Christmas movie together. Let the Christmas season begin!!!

Festival of Trees 2014

The Idaho Beef Council tree (they are the ones who sponsor Team Beef runners).

This was our second year going to the Festival of Trees. Just like last year, Brooklyn's favorite part was the performers on stage who either were dancing of singing. She also really enjoyed the electric toy train model room. I love seeing all the trees that are decorated so fancy. I would love to be that creative (and rich) to decorate a tree so extravagantly!

First Snow of the Season

At the beginning of November we had a HUGE snowfall. It was so exciting to wake up to a winter wonderland. I went to my kettlebell class that morning and before heading home stopped at Fred Meyer to buy some hot chocolate and a sled so that we could thoroughly enjoy the snow day. We took Brooklyn to a tiny little hill near our house where it was just us. We all had a blast sledding. I got the cutest video of Brooklyn when she was at the top of the hill with Thomas. She kept saying "No tip us! No tip us! No tip us Dad!" And then at the bottom of the hill she starts to tip out of the sled and Thomas snatches her upright. It's a classic. At home we warmed up with our hot chocolate. Brooklyn now frequently requests hot chocolate as a drink.
We ended the day with Brooklyn and I giving each other manicures.  I let her do mine but just give her a bottle of clear polish to do it with so it doesn't matter how smeared it gets.
And there was a time out this day for I can't remember what but it cracked me up because I heard her putting her mouth to the crack in between the door and the floor of her room and singing "Do You Wanna Build a Snowman."

Steelhead Games with The Smiths

Our Team Beef coordinator emailed me saying she wanted to give Thomas and I four tickets to an Idaho Steelheads game for volunteering at a BSU football game the previous week. The tickets were right on the ice which means we sat right behind the glass where the players sit. It makes the game more exciting when you are so close and can see the fights and pound on the glass like a crazy fan. It was nice being able to catch up with Tess and Ryan and have a night out just us adults.