Holiday Recap, Part One

So far, so good!  I hope that everyone has had as wonderful of a Christmas as we have so far.  We've really been enjoying having my mother here and just relaxing for Christmas this year.  Usually we're driving/flying for hours on end to get back and forth from TN.  Although we wanted to be with all of our loved ones, this was the only true vacation that hubby has gotten this year, and he really needed his down time.  He's playing Batman's Arkham City as I type this.

So for our nice relaxing holiday this year, we picked my mother up from the airport on Thursday and promptly gorged ourselves on Korean food.  Friday was spent doing some light shopping around town, going out for coffee, eating a ton of Indian food, and watching a taekwondo demo at kiddo's school.  Saturday, Greek was the food of choice and we spent our Christmas Eve walking around the beautiful Sleepy Hollow Cemetery.  We saw the enormous mausoleums of William Rockefeller and Leona Helmsly, along with the modest but touching graves of Andrew Carnegie and Washington Irving.  Then we went home, gave the kids one present each, ate a painful amount of homemade pizza (hubby's family tradition, mmmmm) and put the kiddos to bed.  We, aherm, "Santa", stuffed the stockings and built the play kitchen.  Santa is a lush too, because a lot of our beer was gone by the end of the night.

Kiddo got a camera as her first gift.  This is the first photo.  She now understands that she should wait after pushing the button.

Photo skills improving.  Little brother with his new whoopee cushion, apparently a bit confused...

 The next morning was a blast!  The kids got more presents this year than every year before, put together.  We didn't mean it to be that way, but we just couldn't help ourselves.  And we loved every moment of them opening their gifts!  I was supposed to go to my free Christmas half marathon, but seeing them have so much fun just kept me glued to the house.  Eventually when they started to settle down, I hopped on the treadmill for my virtual 5k while I watched them play downstairs.  I put in a little extra mileage, then headed out in my santa hat to do a run around the neighborhood and spread some cheer.  We finished the day with some amazing prime rib that hubby made (his cooking is why I have to run so much, haha!) and wine.  Best Christmas ever!

Present opening, Christmas morning

Stocking stuffer fingernail bling.  Pure class.

A little Christmas running and cheer!

Drool-worthy goodness.  Be jealous.

 This week will probably just be laziness-filled.  My mom is feeling under the weather, so we'll just relax with her for the next few days and help her feel better.  We may go into the city for some last NYC time before the move.  And I'll use this as my last week with a soda addiction, as I've sworn that I'm giving it up in 2012!

Also, I plan on signing up for my first full marathon!!!  I have chosen the New River Marathon to be it, because I just adore the feeling of the NC mountains and cute little towns, plus it's paired with post-race bbq and bluegrass.  My heaven!  Hubby may do the half that day as well, if we can recruit a grandparent to help.  I've already begun compiling a list of  races for 2012, and I can't wait to find out what NC has to offer.  It looks like there's a great street/trail running community down there!

Now I'll attempt to find food in our delicious leftover-filled fridge and read about all the wonderful holiday happenings in blogworld.  I hope to hear about your great times too!