Tuesday, December 26, 2006

Greatest Christmas

I hope everyone has recovered from their 21-miler and went on to have a great Christmas!

I have to say that this has been my best Christmas in a long time! Christmas Eve day, the kiddo and I made chocolate chunk cookies for Santa. We started celebrating Christmas that evening with my in-laws. The kiddo was so cute in her Christmas dress! She had a blast with her cousins and learned from her cousin Anthony how to beg for Christmas presents. Literally... they were on their hands and knees begging to open presents. The hubby surprised me with the silver 2006 Chicago Marathon charm from Tiffany & Co. engraved with my finish time on the back and an awesome book about my favorite actress, Audrey Hepburn. The kiddo hit the jackpot with all kinds of toys, books and dvds. Later that night, we set out cookies and milk for Santa and a few carrots for the reindeer.

On Christmas Day, I woke up super early to run and make a bake a few yummy dishes for later. I was surprised to find the hubby lying on the couch. Apparently, something he ate the night before didn't agree with him and he wanted to be closer to the bathroom. Luckily, he was beginning to feel better. I managed to get in a 3 mile run before the kiddo woke up. At that point, it was time for the the kiddo to discover her gifts from Santa. (While the hubby watched from the couch.) It was a blast to see her eyes light up when she realized she had a new playhouse in the backyard. It was so fun creating that Christmas magic for her! Next, we went to my parent's house for breakfast and to open gifts with my cousins and uncle. The kiddo hit the jackpot there too with a toddler-sized keyboard/microphone set, an awesome train set and a Dora the Explorer backpack.

Finally, we headed to my cousin's house in LaMarque for Christmas lunch. As a kid, my Dad's side of the family always got together for a huge Christmas celebration. I'm talking anywhere from 50-75 people - cousins, aunts, uncles, grandparents, etc. It was great! But, over the last 10 years our gatherings have been much smaller since many folks moved farther away. But this year, it was just like old times. Almost the entire family was together again - including my cousin Ron who just arrived home from Iraq. I saw cousins that I hadn't seen in over a decade. It was awesome!

Today, I managed to catch a story about Team Hoyt on the Today show. Talk about inspirational...I cannot watch a story about them without turning on the waterworks. Next, I took the kiddo to the Children's Museum. Then, we met a friend for lunch at Chuy's and made a quick trip to the bookstore for The Dark Tower by Stephen King. It's a book that was on my Christmas list, but didn't get and I am hoping to finish it before school starts up again. Now, the kiddo is napping and I plan to spend the rest of the day relaxing and hanging out with her. Tomorrow, my holiday is officially over and it's back to the real world! Sigh...

Sunday
30-minute core workout

Monday - Running Stats
Conditions - Treadmill
Running Time - 34:01
Distance - 3 miles
Pace - 11:20

Tuesday
30-minute core workout

RIP James Brown - 1933 - 2006

7 comments:

Unknown said...

WOW!!! Hubby nailed it on that present. Were you surprised at all or was that a requested gift? Glad you had a great Christmas.

TX Runner Mom said...

I had mentioned the charm after the marathon and showed the hubby the pic on the website. I hoped he would remember, but didn't know for sure.

Junie B said...

thats an AWESOME gift!

and i saw the piece on Team Hoyt as well. I was actually on the treadmill watching it.

LOOOOOOOOOOOOOVE Audrey!!!!!!!!

Ann (bunnygirl) said...

The family reunion sounds wonderful! My father's side of the family had them with some regularity while my grandparents were alive, but no more. Too bad, because there's something comforting about them that you don't get any other way.

Anonymous said...

Mmmm, chocolate chunk cookies. I'm glad santa came to my place before yours...

Cool gift too! Glad your Christmas was so awesome.

Sam said...

Sounds like a great Christmas. I'm so upset that I missed that Team Hoyt thing on the Today Show. I saw the commercial and immediately though "DVR that show", but didn't do it, even though I was sitting right there by the remote.

Gotta love a Christmas where it takes you back to old times. :)

Anonymous said...

Sounds like a great day!! The charm sounds perfect!