Awesome Read

While on our trip, I finished Complications by Atul Gawande. Amazing read. Quick, witty, intelligent, and very easy to follow. I became interested in Gawande while teaching at Ohio University. When we left Athens for Cleveland in mid 2003, he had just published Complications. His parents teach at the College of Medicine at Ohio University. I came across the book while browsing at Half Price Books and grabbed it up. I jumped into this book and simply couldn't put it down. Completely made me appreciate and fear the medical profession at the same time. I'm now reading his second book, Better, and will immediately move into his newest non-fiction book, The Checklist Manifesto.

Sedona and the Grand Canyon

The United States really has some spectacular natural beauty. Sunday and Monday we visited Sedona and the Grand Canyon. The red rock formations and the amazing panaramic views just took our breath away.

I simply could not believe the vastness of the Grand Canyon and we must have taken several dozen pictures. Each direction you looked, the view just kept getting more and more impressive.






Highlights included staying overnight in Flagstaff. We were so tired, that we ordered a pizza, sat in the lobby and enjoyed Toy Story 2 on Disney. We practically had the lobby to ourselves, with a roaring fire and reminiscent of a ski lodge (but was actually Embassy Suites!). It was like our little traveling pizza and a movie family night. I absolutely loved this. Oh yeah, and I was still in my shorts and flip flops while watching the snow falling in Flagstaff. How freaking cool is that?!

Christmas in the Desert

Phew - what a whirlwind of a trip! We landed in Vegas in the middle of the night...and would you believe, we got a room upgrade! Of course, when we're completely exhausted. But we rallied! Come on, it's Vegas, Baby! We stayed at Paris with a view of the Eiffel Tower and Bellagio fountain. Vegas lit up at night really is quite spectacular.


Rise and shine so we could belly up to the buffet. Megan can't pass up a Vegas buffet. After tackling a buffet, what else would make sense than to head out for our long 5-hour drive to Phoenix. Hoover Dam and Lake Mead were pretty cool and must-sees. Stopped for the obligatory Del Tacos. I wouldn't step foot in a Taco Bell (sober), but Del Taco takes cheap taco making to a whole new level. Love the fish tacos - they could be made up of Mrs. Paul's fishsticks for all I know, but I love them.

Christmas Eve morning began with a Zumba class with Sharon and Megan while the kids went to one of those bouncy places. I couldn't believe how awesome and energetic this class was. I had been putting off getting on the Zumba bandwagon, but how can you pass up latin dance music with hot instructors. One of the Zumba instructors was dressed in a white running skirt with knee-hi red/white stripe socks with fur at the top of the socks. I will be stealing this outfit idea for Christmas 2011 races.


Christmas Eve also included a mondo gift wrapping session while visiting with the family. Santa came Christmas morning with Bridget getting "just what she wanted" and Megan loving her new Ugg boots.





Enjoying the newest addition, Quinn.

Breakfast strata, too many cookies, and a Shiner Bock every time I turned around resulted in a definite need for a Christmas Day run (an annual gift to myself). In 68 degree weather and a sleeveless tank, I tackled an exhausting 4.5 miles. How did I get so out of shape? And how did 4.5 miles become a long run?! Whatevs, it was the best present ever :)


Christmas Night we enjoyed a nice evening walk around the Phoenix Zoo for Zoo lights. The kids loved it and the adults enjoyed the peace and quiet. And a nice walk helped burn off the additional Shiner Bock (hello, my new favorite friend, Shiner Bock).



Next morning the girls went for a little light shopping at Nordstrom Rack while the guys took the kids to a bar to watch the Browns game. Progressive parenting, eh? Win-win situation for everyone.

Next up, Sedona, Flagstaff and the Grand Canyon!

Merry Christmas from PHX

It's been a wonderful Christmas in the land of sunshine and 70 degree weather. I thought I would be whiny because I wasn't spending the holidays at home with snow and freezing temps. That lasted for 10 minutes...until I changed into a pair of shorts and my flip flops! More on this wonderful trip as well as an equally fantastic Christmas morning run in 60+ degree temps tomorrow. But for now, I am glad to be home and back in my crumpled bed!

A Run and a Ride

I felt my "old self" this weekend. Saturday I worked in a 30 minute ride on the trainer. Sunday, I ran. Yep, a short one - 3 miles. Snow and ice be damned, but I managed to enjoy myself. Even with the 20 degree weather, I still love to run this time of the year. There's a section of my run where I get to look down and see the frozen river that leads into Lake Erie. Only a northern girl could find that such a great sight to see. I also ran past my favorite running store and saw their store window. Santa, I've been a very good girl and I would like the gray zip-up jacket on the right :)

Holiday Movie Magic

Tonight our family will change into our pajamas, gather around the TV, enjoy Greg's special popcorn (made only on the stovetop), and watch a wonderful Christmas classic - Elf. My family knows I love the shower scene where Zoey Deschanel and Will Ferrell are singing Baby, It's Cold Outside. Elf has become our family's favorite modern Christmas classic with Greg and Megan repeating lines throughout December - "you're so pretty, you should be on a Christmas Card" and "Santa, I know him!"

Other must-see classics for us are Christmas Story (hey, we are from Cleveland!), Christmas Vacation (thank you, Nitmos, for the month of quotes), and It's a Wonderful Life (Jimmy Stewart makes me swoon).

I hope everyone is having a wonderful holiday season enjoying your own traditions or making new ones.

xoxo

Old Man Winter

These wonderful boots just came in the mail yesterday and I love them. I previously owned a pair of Ugg boots, but they seem to go to High School every morning during winter (hmmm...how does that happen). Months ago when the "shape-ups" fad started, I thought it ws silly. But, I recently fell victim to this new craze. I wore them last night while making dinner and then washing dishes. After an hour, I felt like I was walking on a bosu ball. Crazy. I felt like I had been working out on an elliptical machine. Best of all, I can brave all the snow that Old Man Winter throws my way and I'll be firming my tush in the process! Bonus!