Christmas Festivities

It sure is good that we have holidays to look forward to this time of year to keep us happy, because if it weren't for Christmas, I'm pretty sure I would be a depressed sack of lump in the dark, cold weather. But on the contrary I have been quite happy getting ready for Christmas and enjoying some of these fun Christmas festivities with friends and family.

The Bellevue Botanical Gardens
I mean its no temple square, but it was so fun to see the creative plants and flowers and scenes that they made out of lights! The kids loved it, even though it was wet and cold. Buster was safely bundled in layers and layers of clothing, a bini on his head, mittens on his hands, a hood over his bini, a big rain cover over his stroller, and a candy cane to hold just in case. He was as happy as a clam.

The Clam lights at Culon
We weren't quite as prepared for this event as we were at for the BBG and we payed the price, because it was POURING! After fifteen minutes of strolling around in the rain, we literally looked like we had all just stepped out of the shower. Especially the kids. Poor Buster he was a sitting duck, because I forgot the rain cover for his stroller. We didn't last long, but it was an adventure to be sure. Then we went to the wonderful Singley household for some hot cocoa and mingling. It was a great and memorable night, in spite of the wet. Proof that rain can't hold us back! 

 

The Christmas Rush

My friend and I decided we needed to sign up for this to keep us motivated to run even when its dark and cold outside. I tell you I'm grateful for a friend to run with, because if it was up to my lazy self, I would probably opt for sleeping in and staying in my warm cozy bed.  Here's to friends that motivate us to do great things! Cheryl and I did the 10k, Liv did her first 5k, and Jaron pushed the boys and ran in the 5k. It was so much fun. It made me realize in the end, that we really can do hard things its just a matter of positive thinking and acting. I was so proud of Liv. At the end of the race they were giving the kids free t-shirts and stuffed animals and they handed Liv this huge stuffed animal. I asked her why they gave her a huge one and she said "Because they said I was so small and did such a big thing, so they were really proud of me".  I think this is going to be a new Brown Family tradition every year.

This picture is hard to see, because the settings on our camera were off so its super over exposed, but that is Liv running to the finish line in case you can't tell.

Cally   Olivia  and Ryan Pettibone

I wasn't going to post this picture because it is such a bad picture of me, but I like it of Cheryl and it's the only picture of both of us at the race, so I'm throwing my vanity out the window for history sake.

The Nutcracker

Liv with one of the sugar plum ferries after the show.

 

They came up with the poses all on their own! Cute girlies.