While I was finishing my 39th book of 2011, all warm and cozy on the couch, Brad was outside in the cold completing a big goal of his own.
When I discovered earlier this month that I was close to running 500 miles for the year and decided to commit to it, Brad did some quick math and realized that he was close to 700 miles!! Of course, he committed, too. I finished up my 500 on Tuesday with a 7-mile run. Brad finished his 700 today, also with a 7-mile run! Congrats - I'm so proud of you :)
One of my New Year's goals from last year was to read more.
So I made an effort to pick up a book on my lunch break, while waiting in medical offices and for spin class to begin, during down times at home and before bed. And it worked. I just finished No. 39, Sue Grafton's "M" is for Malice. And I think it might be my favorite Grafton yet.
I've really enjoyed reading more and plan to keep it up for 2012. We'll see how the numbers compare :)
It's Track Thursday -- and despite the rain and low energy from my almost-gone head cold, I got out there and got it done!Eryn needed to calibrate her Nike running app, so I talked her into meeting me at THS for some track work. This is what I did:
~1-mile warm up
400m: 8:00 pace 400m: 7:53
recovery
800m: 7:46
recovery
800m: 7:44
recovery
400m: 7:42 400m: 7:34
~1-mile cool down
In all, I ran 4.35 miles in 40:05 - a 9:13 average. It was really wet, but notice my shorts? It's about 50 degrees!
Tuesday, I surpassed my 500-mile goal, so that was just icing on the cake... 504.47 and still a couple days left in 2011.
My Christmas vacation started out with lots of fun, including our traditional White Elephant party with friends.
The double enema kit made it's annual appearance: Brad scored a supposedly functional carpet spotter: Angel's wrestling mask and scary clowns: And a dead dog statue: Because of a bad wreck on Highway 99, some of our guests were delayed. So we ended up doing two rounds of gifts, and I forgot to get more pictures. Oops :)
That was Sunday evening. Monday, Brad and I met some college friends for lunch at Claim Jumper. Ryan and Heather were in town from Washington, D.C. We hadn't seen them since their wedding years ago: We got to visit with David two days in a row: It was great to catch up with Darrin and Gretchen, too. It had been WAY too long! Later in the day, Mom, Eryn and I did our annual toy-drive shopping trip to Bi-Mart.
We filled my car to the roof with skateboards, balls, baby dolls, nail kits and puzzles: Barely had room for Mom: We delivered the toys to Medical Teams International for distribution to local agencies: The party, lunch and shopping were great ways to kick off our holiday break :)
Not to be outdone by the McKees, the Wood family also took a turn at Christmas self portraits.
We gathered on Christmas Eve day at Friendsview in Newberg. Unfortunately, Brad's grandma was under the weather and stayed in bed while we partied in the other room.
I love how scared Brad looks in this one. He's a good sport :) Brad's sis, Jill in from NYC (this one's for you, Allison!) Steve: Donna: Steve's cousin, Mike: Mike's wife, AJ: Mike's sis, Debbie: The Wood fam:The whole Wood/Goins gang, minus Grandma Barb: Don't we look festive?? :)
The McKee side of the family got together Friday night to celebrate Christmas. Cousin Amy and her husband, Kenny, invited us all to their beautiful new home in Tualatin.
We first enjoyed a traditional holiday meal with all the trimmings. Thanks to everyone who brought something for the potluck! I think the stuffing and rolls were my favorite (seconds, please!) Then we settled in for some gift exchanging. But before we could get started, we waited a bit for Grandpa to fill out some Christmas checks. No problem :)
To keep us entertained, I introduced the whole family to my favorite game: self portraits! We passed the camera around and got everyone except Grandpa and Uncle John, as they were busy in the other room. (and Uncle Don and Aunt Cynthia who stayed home in Arizona this year) Our host, Kenny:Cousins Charis, Kris and Aiden: Aunt Pat: Grandma: My very talented dad: Cousin Meghan: Cousins Mike and Jon and Uncle Dave: Cousin Peter: Cousin Ryan: Cousin Mike, again... Aunt Nancy: Our hostess, Amy: Cousin Kristin: Sis Eryn: Ol' Shaky Hands Dad, again... Paige: Mom: Cousins Reilly and Santa Andrew : And all the McKee women: Thanks to everyone for playing along, and for the generous and fun gifts! :)
I finished up my 500 on Tuesday with a 7-mile run. Brad finished his 700 today, also with a 7-mile run! Congrats - I'm so proud of you :)
I just finished No. 39, Sue Grafton's "M" is for Malice. And I think it might be my favorite Grafton yet.
Good mystery :)
Eryn needed to calibrate her Nike running app, so I talked her into meeting me at THS for some track work. This is what I did:
It was really wet, but notice my shorts? It's about 50 degrees! 
Brad scored a supposedly functional carpet spotter:
Angel's wrestling mask and scary clowns:
And a dead dog statue:
Because of a bad wreck on Highway 99, some of our guests were delayed. So we ended up doing two rounds of gifts, and I forgot to get more pictures. Oops :)
We got to visit with David two days in a row:
It was great to catch up with Darrin and Gretchen, too. It had been WAY too long!
Later in the day, Mom, Eryn and I did our annual toy-drive shopping trip to Bi-Mart.
Barely had room for Mom:
We delivered the toys to Medical Teams International for distribution to local agencies:
The party, lunch and shopping were great ways to kick off our holiday break :)
Brad's sis, Jill in from NYC (this one's for you, Allison!)
Steve:
Donna:
Steve's cousin, Mike:
Mike's wife, AJ:
Mike's sis, Debbie:
The Wood fam:
The whole Wood/Goins gang, minus Grandma Barb:
Don't we look festive?? :)
Then we settled in for some gift exchanging. But before we could get started, we waited a bit for Grandpa to fill out some Christmas checks. No problem :)
Our host, Kenny:
Cousins Charis, Kris and Aiden:
Aunt Pat:
Grandma:
My very talented dad:
Cousin Meghan:
Cousins Mike and Jon and Uncle Dave:
Cousin Peter:
Cousin Ryan:
Cousin Mike, again...
Aunt Nancy:
Our hostess, Amy:
Cousin Kristin:
Sis Eryn:
Ol' Shaky Hands Dad, again...
Paige:
Mom:
Cousins Reilly and Santa Andrew : 
And all the McKee women:
Thanks to everyone for playing along, and for the generous and fun gifts! :)