How was yours?

Thanksgiving that is. Yes, I know. It was a week ago. But my kids' last day of school was yesterday (for 4 weeks) so it's been a little crazy.

This was the first year it was just the four of us for Thanksgiving and I LOVED it because it was so laid back. We started our (FREEZING) morning off by heading to our tiny downtown (we are in a suburb of Raleigh) and ran in a well-attended, about 2500, 5k race. Well mini#1 and I ran in 23 degree weather while Mr. Pink and mini#2 froze, but cheered us on nonetheless. I actually caught up to mini#1 this time right before the 3 mile mark, but he sprinted off away from me and finished 17 seconds ahead of me. I am so proud of him for running with me like I used to with my dad. He finished 11th out of 120 in his age group without even training a lot. I got a little 3rd place medal myself in my age group...which surprised me. Since starting to run again in Feb, after a 25 yr hiatus, it has been an uphill battle (pun intended) with getting back into this running thing and shaving some time off my 5k time. I don't think I'll ever run a marathon, but who knows. It just feels good to work towards a goal and to do some of this with my son. And with my really good friend! We ran an 8k together in October. And she finished her first half marathon in Nov! So awesome. She has never been a runner until a little less than a year ago and worked hard to train for that half.

Back to Thanksgiving. After the race we came home and had Thanksgiving dinner around 1:00. I did a lot of prep work the day before. I did miss my dad's pecan pie, but he'll just have to bring one when they come for Christmas. I made a chocolate chess pie which is my family's new favorite and a pumpkin pie. I made my Southern Living dressing I have made for years. LOVE it! I could have pie and dressing and be fine.

I did not go to one store on Thurs or Fri. This is amazing if you know me!! My mom and I went to Michael's and Target last Thanksgiving and it was so crazy. I have been cyber shopping lately, but a lot of gifts are bought and wrapped already. Year round school does that to you. You're forced to be efficient when kids get out on Dec. 4th.

I did shop a little over the weekend and got the tree and decorations all put out in the house. We met a couple for dinner at Vivace in Raleigh. It was crazy loud in the bar area because we were there at the end of  Alabama/Auburn game with the even crazier finish with the 1 second touchdown. People in the dining room were looking around saying "what happened" when people in the bar started screaming or cheering. It was funny.

Yesterday a friend and I met at Cowfish Grill in Raleigh. I love that place. Everything I've ever gotten there is so yummy. It's a sushi/burger bar restaurant. I usually go for a Bento box, but got their grilled salmon salad that was the best I think I've ever had. And we had a celebrity sighting while there. Former Senator/Presidential Hopeful/you can complete a lot more blanks here/ John Edwards. He was with an older man. We had a perfect view of his table. It was fun watching people walk by his table and suddenly recognize who he was. He lives in Chapel Hill now.

I made some sugar cookies today. We're going to our town's lighting of the Christmas tree tomorrow night with friends and their kids. Then we'll head back here for hot chocolate/cookies/adult beverages and games. Saturday it's mini#2's first basketball game and then going to a live nativity scene (really it's a walk through Bethlehem and takes about 20 mins) at mini#2's preschool church. I'm looking forward to seeing King Herod. He's in my Saturday morning spin class and has been growing out a beard for a few weeks! Ha!

So that's my last week in a huge, long, wordy post! Sorry about that!

I hope you all are enjoying the holiday season!