Monday, February 8, 2010

Kiawah Half Marathon!

I have been trying to get into running since the beginning of 2009, since it is a more efficient workout than walking, which was my workout of choice before having children. In February 2009, I signed up for the Cooper River Bridge Run scheduled for April 2009 thinking that would motivate me, but I did not train as much as I should have and ended up having to walk a lot of the 6 mile course.

So, I don't know what I was thinking when in August I signed up for the Kaiwah HALF MARATHON scheduled for December 12, 2009!!! When people heard that I was signed up they would say, "I didn't know you were a runner," and my response would be, "I'm not!" But, 6 of my friends from Concord signed up and three of my high schools friends too, so I figured it would at least be a fun weekend away.

A month before the race I was getting very worried because the most I had run at one time was 5 miles. But, my friends and I started running together on Saturday mornings and suddenly it was a lot easier to run while talking with them!

December 12th came very quickly and was a cold, gray day down in Kiawah, but lucky for us the rain held off until after the race. My goal was to finish in under two and a half hours and my time was 2:23!! It was such a fun experience! So much fun, that we've talked about making it an annual event! And - I might even consider myself a runner!

Jessica and I ready to race!
From Kiawah Half Marathon


Kate and Mary!
From Kiawah Half Marathon


Group picture before the race!
From Kiawah Half Marathon


I see the finish line!
From Kiawah Half Marathon


Group picture after the race!
From Kiawah Half Marathon


Ellen's got the right idea - get me a beer!
From Kiawah Half Marathon


Me and Natalie after the race!
From Kiawah Half Marathon

Festival of Trees

This was the first year Will and I attended the Festival of Trees in Concord. It is a fundraising event for the Boys and Girls Club of Cabarrus County and a fun night out!

Ready to go party!
From Festival of Trees


Alice, Jessica and Courtney looking beautiful!
From Festival of Trees


Chandler, Will and Ben looking handsome!
From Festival of Trees


Jennifer and Mary Catherine festive in their red!
From Festival of Trees


The girls!
From Festival of Trees


The boys!
From Festival of Trees

Thanksgiving 2009

Following tradition, we spent Thanksgiving in Albemarle this year. We enjoyed lunch at Uncle Danny's new house with close to 25 relatives and dinner at Jane and Roger's.

The great grandkids!
From Thanksgiving 2009


Papa Henry and the great grandkids!
From Thanksgiving 2009


Papa Henry and the grandkids!
From Thanksgiving 2009


Jameson and Sydney enjoying their 2nd Thanksgiving!
From Thanksgiving 2009


Jane and Memaw!
From Thanksgiving 2009


Jane had the Christmas tree up already!
From Thanksgiving 2009

Saturday, February 6, 2010

Playing Catch Up!

I am trying to catch up the blog for my Aunt and Grandmother in Florida and my sister in NYC who are constantly asking me for pictures of the girls. I think I did pretty well for tonight and will try to finish the rest tomorrow!

Rosser Wedding November 2009

Emerson was a flower girl in November for Ms. Sam Rosser, one of her first Primrose teachers. Her and Bella Bagwell were two of the cutest little flower girls ever! They did great during the ceremony and had a blast all weekend! It was truly a princess wedding!

Ms. Sam Rosser and soon to be Mrs. Riddle!
From Rosser Wedding - Nov 2009


The two flower girls with their wedding Barbies and rings.
From Rosser Wedding - Nov 2009


How much FUN is this!?!?!
From Rosser Wedding - Nov 2009


Look Mom, I'm a bridesmaid now!
From Rosser Wedding - Nov 2009


Emerson loves her Ms. Grace Rosser!
From Rosser Wedding - Nov 2009


From Rosser Wedding - Nov 2009


From Rosser Wedding - Nov 2009

Happy Halloween 2009!

From Halloween Oct 2009


From Halloween Oct 2009


From Halloween Oct 2009


From Halloween Oct 2009


From Halloween Oct 2009


From Halloween Oct 2009


From Halloween Oct 2009

Avon Walk for Breast Cancer

I participated in the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer on October 24-25. In order to participate each person has to raise $1800 and then walk either 26.2 or 39.3 miles over two days. Our team signed up for the full 39.3 miles (26.2 on Saturday and 13.1 on Sunday) and decided to experience everything to the fullest by sleeping in the Wellness Village (camping out) Saturday night! At the end of the day Saturday I did not think I would be able to 1)sleep in a tent and 2)walk another 13.1 miles the next day. But, thanks to my teammates I made it! The weekend was really one of the most amazing experiences of my life! There were so many survivors themselves walking and the Charlotte walk alone raised over $2.3M dollars for breast cancer!

Team Balance Wellness Center at the opening ceremony!
From Avon Walk - Oct 2009


Cheering on Mommy at mile 13! I was impressed that Will dressed Emerson in all PINK!
From Avon Walk - Oct 2009


How many more?
From Avon Walk - Oct 2009


DONE! But, only for today!
From Avon Walk - Oct 2009


Day 2, Lunch, Mile 7 - looking good!
From Avon Walk - Oct 2009


FINISH!!!
From Avon Walk - Oct 2009