EZ Did It!

Well, now we're even...sort of!  Eric ran in the Riverbank Run last year, and this year, I did it!  I can't believe how many miles I've logged since last year when I sat in the bleachers watching him cross the finish line.  At that point, I felt confident that I could run a 5K.  That was it.  And one year later, I ran 25K.  Ok, I ran most of 25K, but I completed 25K and that's all anyone cares about!  And this time around, Eric was there for me at the finish line.  We have an official handshake agreement that we'll run the 40th annual race together.  We have 4 years to prepare.  We can do it!

Just past Mile 13.  I saw the photographer so I thought it was time to pick up the pace.  I had just started running after a quick walk break.  

I didn't realize that the last stretch was uphill.  You never notice that when driving a car!  So I had to take a deep breath and pull myself together to cross the finish running.  

Spring Breaking

We don't get a Spring Break.  We don't have any kids and we don't work in a school so Spring Break is just another week to us.  There is usually a little less traffic and the offices are quieter, so that, in itself is a nice break.  But this year, I got to take a little break myself.  I took a day off after the Easter weekend to go to Chicago with my sister and her little spring breakers.

Vi didn't get to go with us, so we spent some quality time the night before playing some Disney trivia.

We got up super early, boarded the South Shore and headed to the big city.

We had to visit the Bean, and after a while, the kids got the idea about how the reflective surface works.

Since we took the train, we had to walk everywhere we wanted to go, so it was a little chilly, but we made the most of our walks by taking in the artwork along the way.  A highlight was probably rolling down the hills in front of the Field Museum.  

We hit up the Field Museum and the Children's Museum, and did a little shopping as well.  It was a long day, but it was fun to hang out and catch up with the M kids.

Easter Fools

I got a multi-purpose visit out of my last trip to see the family.  Eric stayed at home with the dog, but my mom was planning on opening her garden center in a few days, so family gathered to help with a spring clean up.

But we were so efficient, that we managed to relax and have a fun evening decorating eggs and doing...yoga?

Of course we had to end the evening with a traditional viewing of Jesus Christ Superstar.

Easter morning started with a service at my mom's church.  We couldn't resist taking a few pictures in our Sunday finest, in the newly assembled pergola (now for sale!).  Don't you wish you were us?

After a hearty Easter dinner for two, my mom and I worked off a few calories with a nice walk.  Happy Easter!

True Love

An actual email from my sweet, sweet husband to me this morning on how we should spend our Valentine's evening...

Yes, I've been playing Resident Evil 6 with my husband.  This is true love.

Bowled Away

Sometimes a little visit to the sister's house turns into a bowling extravaganza complete with a walking bowling pin.  Roll with it!

 

Pitt Year's Eve

Our New Year's tradition evolved this year when we found out that Pittsburgh would be playing their last regular season game of the season again Cleveland at home.  For the last two years, we traveled to Cleveland, took in some touristy sights, saw the game, and rang in the new year.  But this year we would have to go all the way to Pittsburgh to keep the tradition alive.  Twist my arm, why don't you!

Big shout out to my friend Ellen, who lives in Pittsburgh and was going to be out of town visiting her family who graciously let us crash at her apartment for the long weekend.  It saved us a lot of money and her place was in a great location (and completely charming to boot).  So we took advantage of the long weekend by checking out a local brewery converted from a Catholic church, going to the game (they won!), and ringing in the New Year in downtown Pittsburgh under fireworks.  

Eric loved this church!

Not our coldest outing, but we have learned from the past and were ready for the weather.

New Year, fresh start.  So far so good!

Holidaze

Ah, the holidays.  Trying to see everyone and do everything in the span of what, 48 hours?  It might be a bit of a whirlwind, but it's always fun for me.  I don't know if I can say the same for only-child Eric, who is always overwhelmed by nieces and nephews and dogs and cats and cookies, cakes and more.  That's why he has me, though, so we get through it, every year. 

Cookie decorating contest at Oxendocker Christmas

Christmas Bingo

Holiday photo booth

A slightly more relaxed Christmas at my mom's house.

Mama herself

Back home in time for our own little Christmas Eve traditions

Christmas