Happy Thanksgiving

This entry is dedicated solely to Thanksgiving which seems to be bogarted entuirely this year by the retail industry. In years past the radio stations would at least wait until AFTER Thankgiving to start playing Christmas music. And last year there was actually a section in Target dedicated to thankgiving and fall decorations. That did not happen this year. TWO local radio stations started playing holiday music on November 1st, and simultaneously Target forgot Thanksgiving and put out Christmas decorations. Poor little forgotten holiday - and its the one I love most! I dont want Thanksgiving to be an afterthought - we should celebrate as it is intended to be recognized: a day of thanks, a shitload of food, football, afternoon naps, and awkward family moments.

Of course I will provide the obligatory "what I am thankful for list."

1. My family - kids, husband, brothers, sis in laws, nephew, parents, cousins - you name it. I have always recognized the importance of family but I think this year I really started to understand what that cliche means. I have the best family and our moments together are always filled with laughter.


2.My new job. Its been many years since I have looked forward to going into work every day and feeling like I might be making a difference. Luckily I have that job now, I start in 2 weeks and I couldn't be more excited

3. Designer Jeans. these amaze me. How can these jeans make my ass look so good when other seemingly equivalent jeans don't? Its a miracle of modern fashion - ranks right up there with spanx and sticker bras!

4. martinis. i love martinis, but every time I turn around there is some new exotic flavor. I admit I do enjoy tasting them, but I always come back to old faithful vodka dirty martini.

5. laughter. I am so lucky to have friends and family that surround me with laughter and fun. This is the most important thing to me. No matter what I always try to keep a sense of humor. This morning I caught Jason peeing in a pitch black bathroom with the door closed. When I asked him how he knows where to "go" he replied, "Mom, I have AWESOME night vision!" I love that stuff - hilarious!

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone!

Sea World, San Diego

We were able to steal away the day before my brother's wedding to spend some time in Sea World.

The loved the dolphins!

Sammy and Jason enjoying the dolphins... and some random kid that got pushed into the picture!

I instantly fell in love with Sea World - where else can you get a bud light lime and cotton candy at 9:30am?!

Of course the highlight for sammy was meeting Sammy the Clydesdale!

This is the picture I took ab9out 10 minutes before our family experienced a massive dysfunctional moment as I convinced my family to sit "up closse" to the shamu show so we could see better. Well we were in the soak zone, and it was salt water and we got SOAKED. Shamu tidal waved on us, the kids instantly freaked out as both got salt water in their eyes and scraped knees and Travis deserted me in the family bathroom with screaming children so he could procure another beer. Afterwards, it is very funny but for about 15 minutes I think we would have been great candidates for the Jerry Springer dysfunctional family special.

After the "shamu" incident... we paid 60 dollars for a pizza for our family, and took a much more somber ride so we could recap and pull ourselves together. It worked and we ended up having a great time.

Other than Shamu emotionally scarring our children for life, it was a great trip!

Temecula California

My brother David got married and we all flew out to Temecula California to visit and stay for the week. Temecula is southern cali's wine country and it was beautiful! On Friday, David's wonderful friends invited us to their house in San Diego for brunch and to check out their Ferrari Enzo and Carrera GT! They even let my kids clomb around in the cars _ I was holding my breath but luckily nothing broke!

we all stayed at this fantastic rental house which was so much more fun than staying in a hotel. The house came with a pool with a waterfall, a hot tub, and a 45 lb turtle names 'Flash' that you could feed lettuce too! The kids LOVED it!

One of the BEST parts of all being in the same house for the days before the wedding was that we had lots of time to play with my nephew Miles (5 months!) He is the cutest little boy and such a good baby!

David and Elizabeth's Wedding 11-1-09

So we all flew to temecula for a fantastic wedding of my brother to Elizabeth. It was a beautiful ceremony and everything went perfectly. Of course for me, the stars of the day were MY children who were all dressed up, well behaved and absolutely adorable!

Here are some pictures I took of the day

In the limo on the way to the spa

Mom, Dad, David and the lovely bride Elizabeth

Elizabeth and I messing around before the wedding

Sammy all dressed up with her hair done and everything - she really thought she was a princess and that the day was actually about her!

Super sweet photo of my little guy all dressed up!

My 2 favorite guys looking super handsome!

I love this picture - right after the ceremony the kids instantly found rocks to kick around and some dirt to play it!

The photograoher took some FANTASTIC pictures, here is the link to some he posted for public viewing

http://blog.ashcraftphoto.net/

David and Elizabeth

Pricess Sammy

Sammy went to abirthday party at this sweet lady's house where she dresses these little girls in elaborate gowns, does their hair, make-up and nails, and outfits them with jewelery and shoes. the after a red carpet show, they all have a fancy tea party, complete with finger sandwiches, cupcakes, and tea!

Sammy and her buddies getting all dolled up!

Shoes are ESSENTIAL to complete the outfit! The tea party

Posing with her friends after the party!

Jason's Bouldering Competition

Finally, jason had a rock climbing competition locally so I was able to go and see what this is all about. It was a bouldering competition, which means climbing without ropes (yikes), so lots of spotting and lots of crash pads on the floors. He did great, I was very proud.

Coach Jason F checking out the competition

The Wills men before the competition

jason's first climb

Jason topping out on his first climb
At the top of the boulder

Pinehurst Olympic Triathlon 2009

This was the 2nd year I did this race, and I am sure I will be doing it again next year. Its the last race in the NC triathlon series and its a BEAUTIFUL swim and FUN event. I always meet the nicest people and have the best time. That was true for this year too. This year was particularly special b/c my friend from Australia was visiting so she came along! Jen and I have known each other longer that Travis and I have known each other and no matter how much time we are apart, we always have such a great time together. I love her dearly, and am so lucky to have her!

The weather channel predicted cold rain, but luckily the rain held off for the morning. The water was a PERFECT 72 at start, and the sun even came out a few times during the bike and the run. I did run the race knowing I had a hernia. Given that injury, the only part of the race where I suffered was the run. My swim was strong and despite and insanely TOUGH bike course I felt strong and had one of the better times in my age group.

Now I am recovering with minimal training, and hoping I am healthy enough to start training next month for 2010 Triathlon season!

Jen and me at the beginning of the race

Sammy was helping me get psyched for the swim

Damn! I look so bad ass in this pic!

Finishing the bike leg - it was a doozie!Finishing the race, I managed a smile even after I had to stop and push my guts back into my abdomen at mile #2!

Girls Weekend - Museum of Life and Science

North Carolina Museum of Life and Science
Sammy and I met our frrind Liz and her son benjamin at the museum to continue enjoying the most beautiful weather!

Benjamin working hard at the water exhibit

Sammy using her muscles

Liz and Benjamin

Benjamin showing Sammy how to do it

Looking at the animals

Butterfly House

Sammy LOVED the butterflies!

Digging for fossils on the dinosaur trail

Its a good thing Sammy wore her digging clothes

"I think I found something."

More Water displays!

Waiting for the train ride

Making funny faces

On the train, so excited!

O boy were we excited

In the spaceship

Of course Sammy found a horse!

What a great day. The weather was always perfect and Sammy did great all day - without a nap! Now she is sleeping over and Grandma and Papa's and I am enjoying and an evening of mojitos and catching up with my DVR.