Girls day at the beach

There is a little spot about 10 minutes from where I live that plays host to thousands of Monarch butterflies every year from October through February.  They come down from the north to escape the killing cold of winter, finding refuge in our groves of Monterey Pine and Eucalyptus trees.  They form clusters on the trees in such a way that it looks like orange and black leaves have grown.  When it's warm, they fly around looking for nectar.  It is really an amazing sight.

This year I got to take Caitlin for the first time.  She was so excited to see the butterflies and play at the beach with me, Nana and Aunt Wendy.  We had a wonderful day - warm weather, beautiful scenery, and good company.   The butterflies and the beach were gorgeous.  Caitlin was an angel, as usual. 

  

We really don't get to the beach often enough.  She was a little scared of the ocean at first, but had a great time playing in the sand.  It was really a fantastic day.  I am so grateful to live in this beautiful place, and to be able to share it with my daughter.

What are you thankful for?

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving so far has been wonderful.  What?  It's Sunday?  Thanksgiving was Thursday?  Not in my house, my friend.  Thanksgiving is a four day event, as I'm sure it is in many houses across the country.

Ryan and Doug made a delicious turkey, and clowned around incessantly - as usual.

Gavin got all dressed up, and showed his Aunt Wendy what it's like to be smothered with stuffed animals....

Finally, dinner.

Much hilarity has ensued, and I predict that today will be no different.... once everyone else wakes up.

Turkey Trot

I ran my first 5K this morning.  My time was 31:58, which was actually a pleasant surprise, considering I actually did a run/walk.  About ten minutes in, I got a wicked side cramp, and so had to stop to walk four or five times.  I am very disappointed that I wasn't able to run the whole thing (which was pretty much the point of the whole thing), but very pleased with my time, considering.

Time to find another race and improve my time!

When I got back from the race it was to find that Caitlin was very sick and had to be taken to Med-Stop. She wound up having thrush and something else, I don't remember exactly what. We were at Med-Stop for something like four hours getting her diagnosed. Yuck. Poor baby.

Another Caitlin tidbit

Caitlin's favorite book right now is Everyone Poops by Taro Gomi.  Aunt Margaret gave it to her for her second birthday (along with a lot of other wonderful books!) and it has been in heavy rotation ever since!  She and her dad make some interesting sound effects while they read it!

She loves to ask everyone "What you doing?", and tonight told her dad and me that she was having a party with the stars.  She has learned the colors blue, red, green, orange and yellow, and can count to fifteen.  She likes to count the stairs as we walk down them.

My baby isn't a baby anymore!

A walk down memory lane.....

And now.....

Memory of the Day

My Mom and Dad dancing to Neon Moon by Brooks and Dunn at my sisters wedding - which I was singing.

My Dad and sister dancing to "I Loved Her First" by Heartland.

Yep, I cried. 

30 minutes

I did it. 

For the first time in about 15 years, I ran for 30 minutes (31 actually, but who's counting, right?) without stopping to walk!  Not only did I actually do it, but it wasn't even very hard.  Challenging yes, difficult - no. 

I am ready for the 5k next weekend. 

Fabulous

I just have to say, I feel  so good  today! 

Yesterday I felt awful.  Sick to my stomach all day, then achy and chills yesterday evening, until I crashed into bed around 8:30 (after watching move it move it - translation: Madagascar - with Caitlin).  I went to sleep actually dreading the possibility of calling in sick today.  I mean, really, who can afford that?  And who wants to be sick? 

However, I woke up feeling refreshed and wonderful!  I was so happy to not be sick that I was sickeningly cheerful all day long.  

After work I went for a run with Ryan and I actually made it all the way up the Hill his parents house is on.  This is not a hill, this is a Hill.  Very steep, very imposing.  Last time I tried (Monday), I only made it halfway.  Today, I made it all the way.  BOOYAH!!

Halloween 2009

This year Caitlin went trick-or-treating with my friends daughter, Haley, with Ryan and I watching. We dressed her up as "Stinkerbell" (minus the wand as it was broken within 3 minutes of opening it) and took her to a few houses in the neighborhood. Haley looked awesome as a kitty (she looked pretty punk-rock to me - rawr!) and did an excellent job of taking Caity up to the houses and reminding her to say trick-or-treat and thank you.

So even though we didn't get to have Gavin with us, it was still a pretty fun Halloween. We missed the Bean (dressed as Darth Vadar) but I hear he had a pretty good time out collecting loot with his friends.

I'm off to eat some candy now!

Random Caity tidbit

It looks like Caitlin is right-handed. Well... I guess she had to inherit SOMETHING from her dad.

On a different subject, if you like to cook and appreciate pictures of food, you must check out www.smittenkitchen.com. One of my favorite websites by far.

Halloween 2009

Just a few pictures from last night. More to follow.

A Journey of a Thousand Miles Starts With a Single Step

Just a reminder to myself. Sometimes I fall off track, but all it takes is a single step to get back on and work even harder to reach my goals.