Christmas Countdown

Saturday Dec. 18th

The week before Christmas, Bradock and Raylee were so excited that baby Kai...well not so baby anymore...got to come over and play. Brett (aka "The Baby Whisperer") worked his rocking magic and got this cute, little girl to fall asleep. Well, as you can see he rocked himself right into a nice snooze too.

Sunday Dec. 19th

What's Christmas without the traditional Sunday best in front of the tree? These two funny kiddos love working their poses for the camera; for Raylee it's her silly "cheese" face and well, GQ better watch out because Mr. B is ready to strut his stuff.

Monday Dec. 20th

For FHE before Christmas, the whole Flaherty fam got together. Aunt Char has been working super hard to make these adorable "Nativity" costumes for all the Flaherty great-grandchildren. The production was held in the Hawkins backyard and all the kids looked adorable. Of course, when you have that many kids (most of which are under the age of 4) you just have to roll with the punches. Raylee girl decided to be her stubborn self and not perform on command...well not perform at all (I have to remind myself that she is only 2)...so maybe next year. We did get some cute pics of the kids, though.

After we left the Hawkins, we rushed over to the Kartchner Family Christmas party. We had our traditional Mexican feast and lots of fun with the cousins. I didn't get many pics, but it was a fun night.

Wednesday Dec. 22nd

Yup...we did it...Rachel, my mom and I ran 22 miles early Wed. morning!!! What an awesome feeling to know we are so close to our goal now. We picked a little different course this time, which I loved waaaay better. We still started at Ellsworth and Broadway and ran up Usery Pass, turned left at the four-way stop and up to Power road then ran Brown road back to Ellsworth. I have decided that you just have good and bad running days because this 22 miles felt much easier than the previous 20 mile run that we did. My feet were a little sore a couple days later, but after configuring my shoelaces differently I should be good to go for race day.

Later that evening we had a fun night with just the Flaherty fam. We decided to forgo the mess of cooking and went out to eat at Charlestons (I think that should become a tradition...yummy!) We then went back to my in-laws for a fun night of stories, games and presents. Bradock loved his new Tech Deck skateboards from the Gonzalez's and cowboy/hunting guns from Grandma. Raylee loves her new American Girl doll, Josefina, that Grandma got her and the cute dollhouse from the Halls.

Thursday Dec. 23rd

Since Sarah and Chance weren't going to be able to join us up in Pinetop for Christmas we celebrated with them on Thursday. We went out to eat at the new Matta's restaurant at Riverview and then headed back to my parent's condo for presents and games. Sarah got me a really cute purse and the kids love their new games...especially "Hot Potato".

Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve morning I was awakened by my phone loudly ringing and trying to not wake everyone I groggily answered hello and well dang it my mom totally beat me at "Christmas Eve gift". That's ok, she should win won once in awhile..hehehe!! Well, after fully waking up I headed to the gym to teach my Friday morning class and it was so fun because my mom, Sarah, Justin and my sister's friend who also happens to be my brother's new love interest (don't kill me for saying that Bubba:) came to support and have a fun time in the water. Afterwards, I went home, finished packing and got in the truck to head up to Pinetop for a hopeful white Christmas (we didn't luck out this year). Mr. B decided he wanted to ride with Grandma, so Raylee got the whole backseat all to herself. My tired, little girl totally konked out after rocking her little baby to sleep...so adorable! We enjoyed a fun Christmas Eve dinner with my parents and gave our Christmas jar away.

Christmas

Well, it was a miracle, but Santa somehow found us in Pinetop and boy did we get lucky. Bradock and Raylee both got scooters and were absolutely hooked up with some fun gifts from Grandma and Papa. They got lots of new movies, games and toys. Mr. B got a Buzz computer game and his Buzzlight Year wings, which is all he's been asking for since we started talking about Christmas. Raylee got a Toy Story Jesse doll, a princess cd player, a play-doh set and dress up high heels. My mom and dad totally went all out this year and got Brett a brand new hunting bow and case, which him and my dad spent shooting all Christmas day. I got a new iPad, which totally rocks. It was seriously a great Christmas! We had a fun day of playing, watching movies and eating some fantastic food.

Sunday Dec. 26th

The day after Christmas we got to get in our Sunday best again and take a few more pics in front of my parent's tree. We went to church, ate leftovers, watched a movie and then made the drive home late Sunday night. Just as we got out of the Salt River Canyon and just before Globe, Brett decided to pass a few slow cars and just as we are in the opposing traffic's lane a huge, dog came darting across the road and we hit it head on. It seriously scared the living daylights out of me and my heart was beating a million miles a minute. When we got to Globe to stop for a break, we took a look at the bumper and found blood and hair on it...so gross...but luckily no damage!

Loving This Time of Year

Christmas just keeps getting more and more fun each year the kids get older. Bradock and Raylee love seeing all the Christmas lights, eating the fun treats that keep showing up at our doorstep and singing Christmas songs. Everywhere we go, especially in the store, Raylee loves to belt out "O Christmas Tree" at the top of her lungs. She only knows those three words to the song, but she loves singing it over and over again. They also love singing "Jingle Bells" and yelling "HEY".

We took the kids to see the Mesa Temple lights last week. The other morning Brett was helping Bradock get dressed and had this cute and touching conversation:
Mr. B: "Dad, do you remember yesterday we went to the lights temple?"
Brett: "Do you mean the temple lights?"
Mr. B: "Ya and remember we saw Jesus and we touched his feet. You told Raylee NO, NO!"
It amazes me that after seeing thousands of beautiful lights the thing that stood out to Bradock the most was the statue of Christ in the Visitors Center. What a reminder of what Christmas is all about.

The other night my gym was holding their monthly Parent's Night Out, so Brett and I decided to take advantage of my employee discount and pay for the kids to play at the gym for 4 hours while we went out. They ate pizza, frosted cookies, watched Frosty the Snowman and took pics with Santa Clause...well only Bradock would take a pic with him...Raylee just wasn't interested and I think a little scared of the jolly ol' man. So, here's the pic we got of Bradock with Santa. Can't wait til the real Santa makes a visit to our house in just over a week.

A Drive and a Run to the Lake

The past couple months Brett has been crazily busy studying for national boards, which he takes this upcoming Friday and Saturday. Fortunately (or maybe unfortunately) I have been able to work around his study schedule and continue my crazy marathon training. Last Friday, Brett was going to spend the night studying but had about an hour or two to hang out with us. Rachel and I have been taking our long runs on Saturday out to Usery Pass, so Brett and I took the kids for a drive to map out my upcoming 20 mile route. Yes, I just said 20 miles...aaaaahhh! (I was glad that the Biggest Loser contestants just ran their marathon this last week because I kept thinking..."If they can do it, I can do it!) Well, part of the 20 mile course took us to Saguaro Lake, so we let the kids get out and feed the ducks. They had so much!

Well, Saturday has come and gone and I am still alive. I cannnot believe I ran 20 miles...unbelievable. It was the first time I have ever prayed before running...asking for strength, no injuries and to be mentally ready. Not only did Rachel and I run 20 miles, but we ran a dang up and downhill course of 20 miles...totally butt kicking. We started off at Ellsworth and Broadway and ran to the highest hill right before the Saguaro Lake turn-off and back to the four-way stop where Rachel's husband awaited us with the car. That dang hill before the lake was soooooo hard! I thought it would never end and my lungs and legs were totally feeling it. The good thing is "what goes up must come down" and I was so happy to say "adios" to that hill and head back. I think with all that hill training, Rachel and I will definitely be ready for a flat course marathon. Next week our long run will be 22 miles...WE CAN DO IT...well that's what I'm trying to convince myself, anyways.

It is truly amazing what our bodies are capable of. Heavenly Father built our bodies to accomplish so many things and I feel so blessed to push my body physically, mentally and spiritually. That's what this life is all about...to push ourselves in ways we never thought possible...to become stronger, more knowledgeable and to overcome so much. This training has been a great time to reflect, especially during this time of year as we celebrate the life of Jesus Christ. Knowing what our Savior endured and to know that no matter what I accomplish here on earth, it will never compare to what he did and sacrificed...that I am truly grateful for.

Happy December

Thanks Tawna and Kiley for being our family photographers this year! I think they turned out pretty cute...considering that two toddlers sure make picture taking quite a challenge. Maybe one of these days we will all be facing the camera with a smile...oh well...can't wait for CHRISTMAS!!