#697. hubby being off for 10 days = Daddy duty in the middle of the night...so wonderful!
#698. gingerbread house making
#699. first run outside of the gym...went 3 miles and ran more of it than I thought I could thanks to an app malfunction
#700. Christmas Eve service with "Auntie Gail" and my 2 favorites
#701. Christmas Eve traditions of fruit soup and lefse and Costa Rican tamales (Scandarican Christmas Eve)
#702. forgetting my camera at my folk's = a 2 minute drive and a few minutes of chatting
#703. time with a dear friend after 6 months of hectic schedules
#704. trip to a running store...excited to get the proper shoes needed for ultimate comfort as I continue this new adventure
#705. a tiny baby, born in a stable, lain in a manger...Mary sure was a trooper!

The hunt for running shoes

Since starting to train for my 5k, I have realized that I desperately needed some new running shoes. The shoes I've been wearing are cross trainers and I've had them for 4-5 years. Now that I am actually starting to run for multiple minutes in a row (3 was this week's magic number), my feet are starting to complain. So, I began my quest for new running shoes.

I quickly discovered that running shoes are EXPENSIVE! I've always had Nikes so I just assumed that another pair of Nike shoes would be great. The shoes above were on sale for $45...my kinda price! They weren't my 1st choice color-wise, but they are fun and the price was right. Imagine my surprise when after waiting almost 2 weeks, the following shoes arrived on my front porch:

Definitely not what I was expecting, but they weren't horrible either. I tried them on thinking, "they'll due"...but they were not in the least bit comfortable. Bummer! Back to square one. Sooo...on Monday I searched Zappos, in search of some FUN shoes that were decently priced. I came across these (see below) and loved that they were unique and a bit funky! So, thanks to Zappos.com, these were mine the next day. I tried them on and they seemed comfy, but I still wasn't 100% sure that they were the right shoes for me.

Several people have suggested I find myself an actual running store and get analyzed/fitted for the "proper" type of shoe....and here I thought that a running was shoe was a running shoe. Boy, was I wrong! Today I visited a running store, my spiffy shoes (pictured above) in my arms, hoping they'd approve them and send me on my way. After having me run on a treadmill and walk around the store, I was informed that I needed stability shoes...my ankles roll in. I tried on several pairs, none of which I loved, but 1 pair was definitely better when it came to comfort. Of course these shoes were all out of my price range, so I politely took a picture of the box and told him I'd ask for some for Christmas. Oh, and my spiffy Adidas...definitely on the NO list. Bummer! So, I came home, did some more online shopping and research and ordered these:

At least they are a little bit fun and funky and the price was definitely affordable. They aren't the latest and greatest version and they aren't the exact ones I tried on in the store, but the brand fit and they say they are for stability. I am hoping that when they arrive I will fall in love with them and they will be perfect so I can move on and continue on my journey of learning to run.

#685. a little girl who loves to wrestle and tumble with her Grandpa
#686. sword fights with Grandpa Daisy
#687. unexpected days at home with my girl
#688. lots of laughter with great friends/co-workers
#689. princess tea parties with my girl
#690. Fuse (even if we only make it on nights without hockey)
#691. our church...love to see God at work
#692. her excitement/anticipation of Christmas...can't wait to watch her experience it all
#693. her sweet words of "I just love you so much" or "I missed you"
#694. time at the gym and great "teachers" who care for Hope so I can work out
#695. the opportunity to help others this Christmas
#696. Christmas traditions

A weekend of shows

Last weekend we got to take Hope to 2 fun shows, both of which were free for us! (Can't beat free!!!) The first show was "The Christmas Show of a Lifetime", a show that our church came up with and put on. It had everything from dancing toy soldiers, to green guys (think Blue Man group), a hummer, more dancing, caroling, snow, glowing beach balls, etc.

She did a great job of sitting still and paying attention. When asked what her favorite part was, it was the Green Guys when they had a nerf gun fight and were rolling/crawling all over the stage to dodge the darts. My favorite part was at the intermission when Hope got to play in the "snow" that had fallen all across the front of the church. We had a little snow fight together and then brought some back to our seat to throw at Daddy!

On Sunday night we took Hope to "Medievil Times" or as she calls it, "The Horse Show". We had won tickets on fan appreciation night last hockey season in the spring and realized that our tickets expired the 30th. We figured Hope would enjoy the show and it was yet another fun family adventure!
We had great seats! Our seats were an isle away from the King and Princess so we enjoyed the trumpeting and monologues up close and personal!

As is the case with most places, as soon as you walk in the door you are bombarded with things to purchase. We told Hope she could pick out 1 thing...she picked a rainbow lollipop with a green horse on it. She didn't end up liking the lollipop but she sure had fun with that silly horse!

Our assigned crown color was red so it was our job throughout the night to cheer for the RED knight. At one point he threw Hope a flower and she proudly waved her carnation in the air each time he'd ride over to our section. Every time the red knight would compete, she'd point him out!

Jaye, being the nice Daddy that he is, said Hope could bring her stuffed Koala with us. She and Daddy had made him at Build A Bear the day before. Koala proudly sported his red crown and Jaye and I took turns holding him. Lucky us!

As I said earlier, our seats were right next to the King and Princess. Throughout the show the king would watch Hope and smile. After our red knight "saved the day" (as Hope will tell you), we were on our way out when the King and Princess walked by. They stopped and said "hi" to Hope and told us how cute she was and although she pretended to be shy, I think she was quite thrilled! The picture is great, but I love that they stooped down to her level!

Christmas Train & Mission Inn

This year we got to enjoy the "Christmas Train" as a family. Each year metrolink decorates one of their trains and travels from station to station collecting toys, putting on a show, and passing out candy canes. We had heard about it from friends and decided to check it out. The train was really fun and especially pretty once it was totally dark! The show itself was a bit cheesy, but Hope had fun and that is all that matters!

After the show Santa handed out candycanes to all the kids. Hope isn't too sure about Santa this year...can you tell?!

I love discovering these little events that turn into fun family nights! I am all about free and family! My folks joined us for the train too! So thankful they live close now!

After the Christmas train we headed down to the Mission Inn to see the lights. My folks had never been and we figured Hope would enjoy all the decorations too! It was super crowded, but we still had fun!

Jaye and my Dad were good sports and hung out with Hope while my Mom and I waited in line for cupcakes. If you've never visited "Casey's Cupcakes", you must! The cupcakes are absolutely amazing and so worth the wait! Hope and I shared a Sassy Strawberry cupcake and took a Peanut Butter Cup one home for later! Love my little cupcake buddy!

#677. going to a Christmas show at church, together as a family...her favorite part of the show? The green guys who fight. Go figure. My favorite part? Playing in the "snow" at intermission
#678. taking Hope to the "horse show" (Medievil Times)...once again, her favorite part was the fights
#679. hearing of Jaye and Hope's adventure at Build A Bear while I was at work....she chose a Koala with Darth Vader clothes and a light saber...he is such a good Daddy
#680. Jaye carrying around Koala with a crown on it's head
#681. running 2.5 minutes straight...big deal for this non-running girl
#682. she loves her Grandpa! The past 2 days have been "Grandpa and Hope Day" and she has loved every minute of it
#683. sweet hubby who works so hard to provide for his girls
#684. the quest for new running shoes

#670. "private"swimming lessons (everyone else is on vacation so it was just us)
#671. naptimes at Grandma's house (it's been a hellacious week of naptime meltdowns)
#672. playday with friends
#673. peace about opening our home
#674. family night @ church...seeing a show and lots of pretty lights
#675. chatting with neighbors at church
#676. hardworking hubby

#662. a whole Saturday off
#663. cleaning/organizing the office...it's only taken us 1.5 years
#664. cleaning out the guest room and getting things together
#665. finally got a nap out of her
#666. working side-by-side with the hubby
#667. Christmas train and a silly aliens with light-sabers...of course that was her favorite part
#668. amazing cupcakes...so worth the wait in line
#669. time with my folks and a fun family outing

#654. tea time with my girl
#655. Wednesday nights at Fuse...so nice to be with other grown-ups
#656. cleaning and organizing with a friend...too bad it wasn't my house
#657. 3 days at the gym this week...5k here I come
#658. clean laundry...now if only it would fold itself
#659. naptime...such a battle but so nice once she finally gives in
#660. sunshine on this beautiful day
#661. yummy coffee at home

Operation Christmas Child

Back in November our church announced that they were doing Operation Christmas Child boxes and we knew we wanted to do one with Hope. Jaye and I have done them in the past and I have always loved doing this together as Jaye has the most generous and thoughtful heart. When we'd go as a couple I used to find myself gravitating towards dollar bin items, where Jaye didn't care, he wanted whatever would be best for the child receiving the box.

This year, we wanted to get Hope involved. Our friend Mary Rice Hopkins has a kid's TV show that airs on Saturday mornings. This particular Saturday we tuned in to watch and it was all about Operation Christmas Child and filling the boxes. Hope watched the show and we talked about how the boxes were to help kids all over the world and I told her that maybe we could make a special box too. When Jaye woke up that morning she told him, "Daddy, I want to put shoes in boxes". He knew what she meant.

We went shopping together, all 3 of us, and helped Hope pick things for her box. We told her we were making the box for a little girl who was 2, just like her. I don't know what she totally got it, but she did get the fact that this was not a day to get things for herself...we were picking special things to go in our box. We had a lot of fun shopping and talking about what the little girl might like. Hope picked out the toothbrush and toothpaste, she picked special princess hair clips, a princess phone, etc.
We discovered this year that if you pay for your box online then you can print out the label and they'll track where in the world your box goes. SO COOL! We printed off our label, packed up our box and Hope very proudly delivered her box to church the next morning. (the picture at the top is from Sunday morning when we were going to take our box to church) When she dropped off her box she got a special sticker and wore it proudly! I love that we can start this tradition together and begin even now to teach her what it means to help others!

Family Photos

A few weeks ago, a friend from college offered to take some pictures of the 3 of us. She enjoys taking pictures and hasn't had a chance to take pics of anyone other than her own family so we took her up on the offer and I am so happy we did! Stacey took so many amazing pictures of our little family of 3 and we all had so much fun! Here are a few of my favorites...

I am so please with our pictures and feel that she captured our family SO well! I can't wait to blow a few up and put them on the walls!!!

#648. Hockey, hockey, and more hockey
#649. sitting side-by-side with my man, catching up on shows...it's been so long
#650. watching my 2 favorites play Star Wars together
#651. lunch together, just the 3 of us at "don Toe-tays" (o:
#652. morning spent at Grandma and Grandpa's house, impromptu playtime and yummy waffles together
#653. mornings at the gym...it's only 30 minutes but it feels great