Stitches out!

So, just as a reminder, it all started February 11, 2009 when I went running and managed to hit the only piece of black ice on the road and broke my ankle.  This is a photo that Mike took in the emergency room: 

I ended up getting plates and screws in my ankle:

But that didn't stop me! I started running in May, ran a 5K in July and then a 10K in September:

 

Last week I finally got the hardware removed.  I think the plate would make a great bracelet!

And yesterday I got my stitches out!

It really hurt much more than I thought to get the stitches out.  And the bad news is the doctor was adamant that I not run for a month.   I can start using a stationary bike or elliptical trainer next week.  I'm not thrilled about that but I will live with it because this saga has gone on long enough and I don't want to risk another injury.  I am going to run the Ogden 1/2 marathon in May so I need to take care of my little ankle!

Shopping done!

I do believe I finished up all my shopping.  I think the kids and Mike will be very happy with their loot!  I even had time to make some gifts for my family.  I can't even remember the last time I had the whole weekend to do what I wanted!  Mike is off with a friend watching football and the kids are still in Colorado.  Chelsea called and neither one of them made the cut but they both learned a lot.  Chelsea says she is definitely going to try out again next year. I don't know about Jake yet.

I am so tired so I think I will take a short nap and then try to finish wrapping everything.  Good thing we are taking the truck up to Idaho or we'd never get all the gifts and suitcases loaded!  So far it looks like the weather is going to cooperate.  In any case, it doesn't look like it will be anything like last year, with record snowfalls.

Well, off for my nap and then back to Christmas chores!

Okay, this is getting ridiculous!

I decided it was time to update my blog.  Imagine my shock when I found out it's been almost 2 months since I last updated!  I don't really suppose anyone is still checking it!  But I'll update it anyway! So, lets get started!  Jake finally got his drivers license and after weeks of searching we finally found this Mustang, which he fell in love with.  It was reasonably priced and runs, and doesn't look too bad either!

Mike, Chelsea, Jake and I went to see Trans Siberian Orchestra.  The music and light show were amazing.  Here are the kids on the train ride home:

Here are a few pictures from the concert.  Jake say's he is going to marry the violinist!

Mike and I got the chance to go down to St. George to watch the kids compete in the state marching band competition.  We were all thrilled when the Roy High band won 2nd place in their division.

 

After their performance the band parents hosted dinner and some activities.  Jake won the pie eating contest and Chelsea competed, but didn't win, the soda drinking contest.

Mike traveled to Vegas for work and then came home for a couple of days before heading to South Dakota to visit with some of his best friends, Matt and Woodie and Larry and Shelia.  The guys went out in the gators to check out the Black Hills.

Mike turned 50 on November 22nd.  

We had a party for him with some of our dearest friends and it was so fun to see him open his presents.  His favorite was the new laptop.  Since he travels so much he will get a lot of use out of it.  And I might even be able to get on mine once in a while!  :)

We hosted Thanksgiving at our house for the Fullers, Campbells, Kierpiecs and our family.  We had a great time.  I gave Chelsea some cooking tips and she did very well.  She made the ham and the sweet potato casserole.  Both were wonderful! After dinner the women and kids played Apples to Apples while the guys watched sports on TV.

 

 

 My friend, Jessica, and I ran in the Santa Fun Run after Thanksgiving.  It was fun, with over 200 Santas!  And we got the chance to work off some of that food!

 

 

Chelsea and I convinced Mike and Jake to help get the tree set up.  Chelsea and I really love this annual ritual but the guys were just not that into it!  

The first weekend in December Mike and I went to Las Vegas with our friends, Steve and Dave.  We went to see Cher.  We decided we needed to do that while she was still performing.  She looked amazing for being in her 60's.  Heck, I didn't look that good in my 20's!

Here are Mike and Steve enjoying a boot full of beer.

 

 

That is Mike and me in front of the Paris hotel.

Steve and Dave at the concert.

 

The Las Vegas Rock and Roll Marathon was going on while we were there.  They had some serious runners and some not so serious runners.  We saw lots of brides and grooms and an untold number of Elvises:

Chelsea and Jake both got awards for the 2nd place Marching band competition and Jake was on the high honor roll for the first quarter.  Here they are showing off their certificates after the awards ceremony.

I had surgery the other day to remove the hardware in my ankle which was put in in February when I broke my ankle.  Here's a picture of the plate, pins and screws.

Cool souvenir isn't it?

The kids had their Christmas band concert the other night and they sounded amazing, as usual!

You can see Chelsea in the center playing the bass clarinet and right behind her is Jake playing percussion.

I had my little Godson's over the other night to decorate gingerbread houses.  They are so fun.  They call me "grandma" and they call Mike "uncle" because he thinks that he's too young to be a grandpa even though he's 50.  Anyway, it is so cute to see the little one calling "Uncle, uncle!"  And Mike really loves playing with them too.  Here he is playing light sabers with them,

In the background you can see the fort we built which is perfect for flashlights and picture books!

Here they are decorating their houses:

 

I think the little one ate more candy than he actually put on his house!

And don't tell their parents but we also made a surprise Christmas present for them.  It probably won't be much of a surprise since they get the same thing every year (and they might even read the blog).

Last week Mike and I hosted our second annual open house and fundraiser. We had about 75 people and collected over $400 for the Salvation Army and collected 19 sets of sheets, 12 pillows and 9 blankets for the Ogden Homeless Veteran's Fellowship. I am on break from school although I still go in to my internship location on Monday's to see my clients. I think I have most of my Christmas cards out and most of the presents bought and wrapped.  Chelsea and Jake are in Colorado at a camp for the Blue Knights drum corps and Mike and I are enjoying some time alone with each other.  Harley will be coming late Tuesday night and we all will be heading to Idaho to spend Christmas with my parents.  And once again, I will do my best to update my blog more often!