SPARTAN!!!

On October 14th, it became official. I finally became a SPARTAN!!!!!

Amy, Mark, and I headed out Friday to Ohio for our big race.  We stopped at the Plummer's Tavern and had a delicious pre race meal!

The morning of the race was super foggy but we were ready to go!

Supporting the Cause while we raced. Although when asked, "Are you guys racing for breast cancer?!"  we all weirdly responded, "NO!!"  and we are still not really sure why!!

The course map!!!!  It was at this point that my heart stopped a little!

Pre-race shot!

Starting line!

Rocking it through the mud!!!

Sandbag carry!  I ditched the ladies bag and carried the men's bag!!!

I finally made it to the end!  At the end you have to jump the fire and get a super cool finisher pick.  You really can't tell from this shot but the fire was REALLY big!  All I wanted was a cool finisher pic.  As you can see that didn't happen lol!!!

Almost over!!!

I should have looked up!!!!!!  But whatever, I made it over!!!!!

And I got my medal!!!!  My first ever medal!!!!

A little dance celebration!  

The finish line is the greatest place in the world!  They blast amazing music and everyone is so happy!  I wish that I could bottle up that finish line feeling and take it everywhere with me!

I loved racing with these two! 

Our medals are so pretty!

I had so much fun training and racing with Amy!  

And I thank God for this guy every day!  He always pushes me to be the best version of myself and to do things I would never have the guts to do on my own!

I can't wait to do another one!!!!!

Christmas Lights & Christmas Dancing!

 On Friday we decided to do another one of my favorite Christmas traditions (who am I kidding, ALL of our Christmas traditions are my favorite!) and go check out some Christmas lights!  We started the night at Friendly's for some dinner and delicious ice cream!

 Then we headed out to our favorite house to check out the lights!  Every year we go a house in Lancaster where this family puts on quite the show!  

Even though the kids are getting so big, they still love it!  Or they just humor me and pretend to love it, either way I will take it!

It is really an amazing little show!

Then on Saturday, the kids had their dancing Christmas show!  They both did a great job!  I love watching them dance!

After the show Nana, Papa, Grandma, and Grandpa came back to our house for our usual soup and sandwich lunch.  

Last week Claire also had her Violin and Chorus Christmas concert.  She did an amazing job!  I can't believe this was her last concert before she goes to middle school (I will be saying that a lot this year).

Claire and her bestie Kathleen. I told the girls that I want to get the exact picture in the exact same spot when they are in high school!

And finally on December 1st, Cozy came back!

So she has been up to her usual shananigans!

Just causing trouble...

All over my house!

The other day I didn't have to be at work until noon for conferences so I got to see Oliver get on the bus.  I love these two guys!!!

Polar Express Train Ride

Yesterday was my favorite Christmas tradition, the train ride to see Santa!  This was our 7th year and I couldn't have loved it more!!!

 The girls ready to go!

 The kids has so much fun hanging out together!

 My Momma is her Tops sweater!

 My special girl!  I can still remember her first train ride when she was 3!  I can't believe that she is so grown up (and wearing my Christmas sweatshirt)!

 The VIP section!

 Emma, Claire, and Giada hanging on the train!

 Love this guy!

 What would a train ride be without these jokesters!

 Me and my holiday girl!!!!

 Besties!

 Waiting in line for Santa!  This year the line went MUCH faster!

 They even gave us a little time to take some pictures on the sleigh!

 My favorite people in one of my favorite places!

 LOVE THIS!

 My babies with Santa!

 Family shot with Santa!  

 The reindeer!

 I absolutely love seeing the reindeer!!!!

Uncle Johnny came this year with his fiance Tiffany to join the fun!

 The kids could make reindeer food to put out on Christmas Eve!

 Oliver can't wait to sprinkle it on the lawn on Christmas Eve!

 Komo girls!

 After the train ride we all headed to our favorite post Train Ride restaruant, THEO'S! 

 They always spoil us rotten at Theo's!

 Nick couldn't wait for the pot roast!

 Popp table!

Komo table!

Yet another amazing year in my favorite Christmas spot.  I am so grateful that we get this time together every year.  Also, this event marks the beginning of the Christmas season!  Let the fun begin!!!!!!