Track Season

Bailey was one of four 6th Graders on her Middle School Track Team. She surprised everyone...Chris and I and her coaches with her 6:10 tryout mile. She ran in the Mile, the 800 meter, and the 4x400. She was the first 6th grader at her school to qualify for the All District Meet. She qualified for all three of her events! She did awesome! She was the only 6th grader to be awarded a plaque at the Sports Award Banquet for the combined boys/girls Track Team; actually she got two of the three presented. Her coach said he was, "shocked by her consistency and her ability to hang with the best. She seems to have a love for running."!!

This is one of Bailey's teammates from her Red Star Soccer Team. They didn't run in the same events, but it was fun to have both families cheering for the two girls out on the track.

WARNING: I'm going to brag!

We're going to be Blue Devils starting the summer of '13. After months of traveling and interviewing at Hospitals and Schools all over the nation (ALL over), Chris got one of two spots (that 24 applied for) at his first choice in the Spine Fellowship Match at Duke University. So, when we leave the Army and start our lives in the 'Civilian' world, it will be in North Carolina!!

Hershey

On March 20th, Hershey was hit by a car and killed. It's taken me this long to be able to write this post. In the 3 short months we had him, he became a member of our family and we miss him.

Now...a Catch Up (Out of Order...Of Course!)

November

I was so proud of my kids. They were very excited to run their own race after Chris & I had done ours...so, all fired up, they each took off, and ran crazy fast times. Brody ran his mile in 6:19, Brooklyn and Braden both finished under 8 minutes at 7:54. Each one came in second overall for their entire grade!

My friend Karina sent this to me. So True! In November, Chris and I ran in the Savannah Rock n Roll Marathon. Chris: 26.2 - Me: 13.1

***

It was more fun than I can say. The crowd, the music, the route, the entire experience. Way worth it!!

October

I went back to Chicago with my friend Carol Stephens for our annual Girls Trip. As usual, it was a blast. We walked the streets of Chicago, ate great food, read, shopped, read, and possibly read a little more as we enjoyed a relaxing weekend together.

We also scored a free dessert a Harry Carry's. I think Carol may have thrown a wink or two at the maitre de!

Braden's Birthday

We make sure that having his birthday the day after Christmas doesn't mean he gets shafted. With the living room filled with balloons, Braden opened the clues that led to his new bike. (He's been using one that has been handed down twice already!!).
That night, we had rootbeer floats and watched a movie with the neighbor kids. Crazy!!

Christmas

Well, Santa did it again! He brought the kids a rescued Miniature Pinscher from Texas. That's a LONG story in and of itself, but the kids have fallen in love! We had a great day! Church was really nice, we had Creme Brule French Toast for breakfast, a traditional turkey meal for lunch and Mexican Food again for dinner. Yum!!

Christmas Eve

Before we began the "traditional" Christmas Eve stuff, we took the kids on an 11 mile bike ride along the Chattahoochee and through downtown Columbus. We rode past Pre-Civil War homes, stopped and had lunch, and had a great time being together.

Christmas Eve follows the same pattern every year, whether it be in Arizona, Washington or Georgia. MEXICAN FOOD! Granted, the food is best in Arizona, but we make do wherever we are. This year we had the Saunders (Thank You Kent for graciously eating Mexican Food on Christmas Eve!), the Boteros and their kids with Herman's mother and Karina's father both in from New York, and my visiting teaching companion and her two children. Fanny Botero made Columbian Coconut Rice which was so crazy good I had three servings. Stephanie made the Saunders' traditional Christmas dessert and then after rolling ourselves away from the kitchen, we settled down to watch Luke II.

Then, it was Christmas Pajama Time! Thanks Grandma & Grandpa!

Brooklyn's Baptism

What a special day! Brooklyn got baptized on her 8th birthday! Her cousin Kali also got baptized the same day in Arizona. Barney & Diane flew to be with us, and Kent, Stephanie and their kids are now here, so we were blessed to be surrounded by family!

It was 47 degrees, and the furnace for the water heater had not been lit. So, Chris boiled water for nearly 2 hours to try and warm the water a bit for her, but she still said it was freezing!

Brody's Birthday

It's grand to be a Hills sometimes. Especially on your birthday! Brody is now 10 and ready to conquer the world! Or, at least his half of the soccer field!

Game Days

All athletes are required to dress up on game day. I like it. Bailey plays twice a week, so every Tuesday and Friday the girls wear dresses and the boys wear shirts AND ties!