Dashing Through the Chuck

On Saturday afternoon, my friend Kim and I participated in a local Santa themed 5K that benefitted Toys for Tots. This was the first year for this event and had an overall cute idea - they encouraged every runner/walker to dress in Santa form and bring a toy for Toys for Tots! It was also an afternoon event and after the race, several local businesses were welcoming Santas from the race with special incentives. For example, one local restaurant offered a free appetizer for showing up dressed as Santa and they also donated a percentage of the meal total back to Toys for Tots! Such a fun idea!!

Originally, three of us had registered as the "Three Santateers" (with Brayden as our reindeer), but one "Santa" wasn't able to make it at the last minute. We did ask around but no one was able to participate with us, so we brought our "Santa" friend along...in the flat style!

Our crew! Hah!

This race was a fun run - non timed and encouraged walkers and runners alike. We were snapping the above picture when we kind of missed the call to line up to run. Whoops!

We'd planned to walk this race together, so we had a few shenanigans along the way. Where's flat Santa Melissa? Oh! She's hiding behind the tree!

Hey, if you can't have fun with life, what's the point, right?

Flat Santa Melissa says "Go Santa, go!"

Flat Santa Melissa encourages racers not to litter!

Even Brayden got in on the fun!

It was a GORGEOUS afternoon! This race was a double loop course around the lake front promenade.

Once we reached what we thought was the turnaround point, we were kind of confused - there wasn't anyone standing there, telling runners where to turn around. I might have missed it, but I looked all over and couldn't find a sign or a person. I remember hearing "The Marina"...which is a landmark, but there wasn't a sign or anything which I thought was kind of odd. Instead, we calculated the turnaround point out per my watch and turned around once we reached that mark.

My friend Kim only had time to stay for about one and a half miles, so once she left, I decided to run the rest of the way.

A group of marine recruits were out there and as I passed with the stroller (running this time), I heard them say a remark like "wowww...oh my goodness". I wanted to tell them not to feel bad because after all, they were probably high school students and not used to running 3 miles but I didn't say anything.

After returning to the start/finish area, we waited around for the awards. They gave awards to the top 3 finishers as well as the "best dressed Santa".

They also had hot chocolate and cookies available for everyone which was nice!

This event was so much fun and I seriously can't wait until next year to go Dashing Through The Chuck once again!

Vlogidays Weekend Edition #4

This holiday season is seriously flying by! I can't believe it's only two weeks until Christmas!

Throughout this past weekend, I shared our crazy snow day with you as well as my long run, time spent with family, and our church production of The Grinch! It was another fabulous weekend where we made amazing memories that I know will last forever (and I'm not just saying that...we really had an amazing weekend)!

Thanks for sharing in our holiday weekends this year with us! We hope you're enjoying all the special moments this season has to offer!

If you've missed previous any Vlogidays videos, check them out on the Vlogs Tab located in the header at the top of the homepage!

Vlogidays Weekend Edition #3

Another weekend of this holiday season has come and gone and it was definitely a fun one for us! We visited a local Louisiana Plantation home (Houmas House), went shopping, took Brayden to meet Santa at the mall, and I gave a brief home Christmas decor tour.

Up until this point, I'd never seen a plantation home during the holidays and that's what I was looking forward to the most! It did NOT disappoint!

Checkout this week's vlogidays (weekend edition) above!

I hope you had a great weekend and are enjoying all this holiday season has to offer!

A Weekend of Christmas

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas! Mine happened to last all weekend and I loved it! The day after Christmas is one of my least favorite days of the year, so I was more than happy to continue with Christmas until Sunday.

Our Christmas festivities went a bit like this:

• Christmas lunch with Jason’s extended family
• Christmas dinner with my extended family
• Day after Christmas dinner with Jason’s immediate family
• Sunday after Christmas lunch/dinner with my immediate family

Due to crazy work schedules over the holidays (mostly on my side of the family), we had to arrange things a bit…but everything worked out just fine! 

Jason worked nights throughout the week, so as soon as he arrived home on Christmas morning, we opened gifts.

Santa visited!

Madalynn and Pixie were finally able to rip into their gifts and they were SO excited! :D

It’s Sven and Olaf!

The aftermath! :)

I made my traditional homemade pumpkin pie cinnamon rolls  and my dad came over to join me for breakfast. Unfortunately, my mom wasn’t feeling well on Christmas morning, but she felt much better as the day went on.

They were delicious! :)

As we were eating, we heard a commotion from the living room. Apparently Madalynn pushed one of her Christmas toys under the coffee table and was having trouble reaching it! Her actions were hilarious!

After a three hour nap, Jason was ready to go to his parent’s house. He was sooo tired…

Jason’s Extended family

Playing with our niece!

After Christmas dinner (of gumbo…yum) with my extended family, my mom, dad, and puppies hopped in the car and drove around to see Christmas lights!

The day after Christmas brought a 4 mile run, complete with festive socks and jingle bells!

For dinner the day after Christmas, we visited and spent time with Jason’s immediate family.

Fajitas are their family tradition for this specific get-together! So delicious!

Somehow, Uncle Jason’s lap became stuffed animal central!

On the Sunday after Christmas, we piled all of our gifts and food items into the back of my dad’s vehicle and drove to my brother’s house (about an hour and a half or so) to celebrate Christmas with them. My brother also had to work (and out of town at that) over Christmas, so we waited to celebrate when we could all be together. In my opinion, Christmas isn’t Christmas until those you love are with you. It doesn’t matter when you celebrate, it’s all about family and spending time together!

Off we go!

Santa visited, again!

He also left stockings for us! Yes, we all still receive stockings from “Santa”! :D

Food, yummy food!

The perfect runner’s gift (from my sister-in-law)!

FitBit’s for the family!

After eating to our heart’s content, we played a crazy game of Quelf, then said our goodbyes….

…but not before a group picture, first!

Our family might be small, but we sure know how to have a good time!! :D

How was your holiday? Please share, I want to hear all about it! Did you spend time with family? Was Santa good to you?