Half Marathon and Super Bowl Sunday

I ran my first half marathon on super bowl Sunday. I started getting back into running about 6 months ago and the surf city course was something I have wanted to run since I was 25. Taking the plunge to sign up was just the push I needed to get back at it. Training was pretty rough with 3 kids and working but it was all worth it just to pass the finish line. This course is definitely one I want to do again 

 Ryan and I got a hotel room for Saturday night since the race started at 7:45am. I had to work Saturday so we headed down to the beach around 3. We went straight to the registration area to get my bib

 after we checked into the hotel room we headed to this Italian restaurant. It was an hour and half wait for a table but it really was worth it.....delicious food

 Ryan's seafood soup. I forgot to get a pic of my shrimp pasta but it was very good

 all ready to go

 and we're off

 I was so nervous for this race because my hip was really bothering me ( a result from a shin injury) I ran the whole thing without stopping....I really had to push hard after mile 10 but as soon as I saw that finish line it was all worth it. Ryan was even waiting for me at mile 12 and jumped in to run with me a bit. All in all it was a great experience and something I want to keep up and improve at 

 awesome finish metals 

 after the race we headed straight to my parents house to watch the big game 

 little miss Maria 

Catching up

The month of January flew by. Ryan and I were lucky enough to enjoy a couple nights in Vegas. My parents had the kids while we took a couple days off. 

 we had dinner at this restaurant. We will definitely be back because it was one of the best meals we have had

 brunch at the Boarder Grill inside Mandalay Bay

 I was so excited to see that they had "Friends" penny machines 

 Nathan had his 3rd birthday party on the 16th. My parents took the kids since we were in Vegas. They had an awesome time and loved telling us all about it

 taking a nice walk on a warm day

 Holden was using Sadie's bike since daddy took his training wheels off. We need to have much more practice riding a 2 wheeler 

 we celebrated my grandma's 85th birthday on the 31st. Holden and Maddie were not feeling well so Ryan stayed home with them. 

 sleepy Maria 

 Holden won the student of the month award on February 2nd. Ryan was able to take the morning off and join us

 great job Holden

 our little Maddie won the same award on February 3rd. We are so proud of our sweet girl 

 poor girl was still not feeling 100%...I felt so bad for her 

New Years Weekend

I ended up not going into work on Saturday so we packed the kids up on New Years day and headed up to Arrowhead for the weekend. Uncle Gabe had a little get together on New Years Eve and the kids found all the party favors to play with

 exploring the backyard 

 Atticus loves the cabin 

 we took the kids on a little hike. We found a few patches of snow around which made the kids super excited 

 so cute and peaceful when they sleep

Hopefully we can make it back really soon to play in all the new snow that just got dumped this week