Looking back at 2011

Shew, 2011 flew by for me! 

It was a jam-packed year though!

In January, I started my new and first job since graduating college! I was so excited and it has turned out great. (And we had LOTS of snow days!)

I also made a New Years resolution to stay organized throughout the year, which I have definitely been able to do thanks to my MomAgenda planner! (And of course, my trusty iPhone calendars!)

However, I have not stuck to the "attend hot yoga or pure barre once a week..." OOPS! Must work on this more next year. Maybe if I say 3 times a month, it will be more do-able!!! However, I have been LOVING my at-home PB dvd. I need to invest in a package so that I have no excuse not to go to PB class!

In February, I got the BEST VALENTINE'S DAY GIFT EVER!!!!!

Flowers at work....

and A LITTLE PUPPY!

I cannot even tell you how excited I was to finally have a puppy.... and a Goldendoodle! Perry is the BEST dog!! He rarely barks, loves cuddling with me, calm, loves riding in the car.

In March, UK rocked it out in the NCAA bracket and made it to the final four game....

I purchased my first pair of revas and I'm obsessed with them!

(March was kind of a slow and boring month, ha!)

In April, we lost the final four game to Connecticut.... UGH!

My sister ran her first 5K race at the Kentucky Horse Park!

We went to Isle of Palms for Perry's first trip to the beach!

And of course, the Royal Wedding I watched while I was getting ready for work in the wee early hours and later that night on DVR!

Had a party bus for Keeneland

In May, the end of the school year was in sight and my first 1/2 year of teaching was under my belt. 

In June, Perry gave us a HUGE SCARE and had an emergency trip to the vet. I've never be so scared to leave my puppy. SO SCARY!

In July, Ben and I moved into a condo together. 

And I love having a quiet pool all to myself at the new place :)

We ran a 5K in Columbus in memory of my Gammy (my grandma)

And Ben turned 25!! We celebrated at Melting Pot. 

And I found a new obsession with my Silhouette SD machine!

In August, I prepared for the new school year and having my own classroom!

In September, I apparently didn't do much of anything according to my blog! Haha! (Must do a better job blogging more next year!)

On Labor day weekend, we went down to the Lake for one last weekend on the water!

In October, we did the Buddy Walk at the Thoroughbred Center to support the Down Syndrome Association of Central Kentucky. 

And celebrated my sister and brother-in-laws birthday at Malones! So happy to have them in Lexington for their b-day!

And of course, Keeneland with everyone!

Dressing up as Woody and Jessie from Toy Story for Halloween

In November, Perry had his 1st birthday! 

And enjoyed lots of treats. 

I registered for my FIRST half marathon!!! Eek, so nervous!

And finally, in December, I became obsessed with Pinterest and made some of the things I had pinned. 

Celebrated Christmas in Columbus and Glasgow

Celebrated my 24th birthday!!!

Whew, what a YEAR!!!!!!!!! If you made it this far, I give you props! Haha

I hope everyone has an AWESOME New Years Eve!!

See you in 2012.....

Half Marathon Training

On November 30, Ben and I took advantage of the last day to register for the "early price" for Run The Bluegrass Half Marathon!!!

Last year, we ran the 5K and I told myself I wanted to do the half next year.... 

I am excited, nervous, scared as hell, intimidated... you name it!

13.1 miles is a LONG run! 

BUT! It starts and ends at Keeneland and takes you through the farms out there... So at least it will be a gorgeous run!

We started training on December 5 following the Jeff Galloway Half Marathon Training program found here.

It's pretty do-able.. Just a 25-30 minute run 2x a week and long run on the weekend. 

I usually come home from work and get right on the treadmill on Tuesdays.

I have managed to wake up early and do my runs on Thursdays before work. So that means waking up at 5am to get on the treadmill, ah! I never thought I would be able to do that...

The long runs haven't been too bad lately because I'm only up to 5 miles, but I have done them all on the treadmill. It's just easier for me. By the time I can get a run in, it's dark outside and I don't want to run outside alone in the dark!

This past week was hard to get a long run in with all the traveling and Christmas. I finally did it on Tuesday, so that's going to push this week back a little bit. 

Here's how I have set up my training plan on Excel.

I also track my runs using RunKeeper online and on my phone

Some days I have only been able to get a mile run in, and sometimes only a 25 minute run in when I'm running late in the mornings. BUT it all counts! It's all about flexibility right?! I am determined to FINISH this race. I don't even care about time, just as long as I can finish :) 

Not to mention, I've heard its a crazy hilly course. GREAT!

I also got some new running shoes that I'm excited to try out! 

Brooks Adrenaline GTS 14

Have you all done a Half Marathon? Any tips?!

Jill-I'm still trying to convince you to run it :)

Christmas Recap

I hope everyone had a GREAT Christmas and Happy Holiday! It was a jammed packed trip for us. I'm so glad to be at home and relaxing for a few days!

We were planning on leaving for our first 1/2 of Christmas in Columbus on Thursday after Ben got home from work. I was busy running last minute errands for Ben and my sister. I swear, that's the only bad thing about being off the week before Christmas... Everyone wants you to do their shopping, and gift wrapping and errands! HA!

So Thursdsay afternoon, I get a phone call from Ben saying he was leaving early and would be home soon so we could pack the car. I had everything out by the front door so we could just do a few trips to the car, and hit the road! As I was waiting for Ben to finally get here, I get a phone call.... "My car is acting really strange and the brake and battery light keep blinking.." I seriously didn't think anything of it and just said I'll see him in a little bit and to be careful. Well... his car basically died on the side of the road, literally 1 minute from our house, THANK GOODNESS! He called me saying he was on the side of the street and needed me to steer his car so he could push it... In the pouring rain..... I almost thought he was joking. 

Long story short, we got the car pushed into our parking lot, thanks to a passerby helping us get it over the bump when you first pull in. It was ridiculous. It was raining so hard last Thursday, Ben was still in his work clothes and dress shoes, and here we are pushing his car down the road. Yeah... not a pretty sight!

So, we decided we would wait and call a tow truck in the morning, and delay our trip to Columbus until the next day. Sadz we were missing a night out on Thursday :( but SO THANKFUL it didn't break down on us while we were on the interstate. Oh my word, that would have been awful!!!!

After dropping the car off to the garage, we packed up the car and headed north. Ben finally got a call that it was his alternator and battery. Great timing, huh?!

We actually didn't have bad traffic Friday morning, and made it to the Outlets in time to exchange a gift for Ben's dad, and hit up a few Pre-Christmas sales. And then made it to Columbus by early afternoon. 

Perry met his cousin, Lucy, which is new best friend! 

They loved each other, it was so cute!

Friday night, we celebrated the December birthdays - My dad's on December 20 and my birthday on December 29. It was so nice to see everyone! We had Tommy's Pizza, mmmm. And Graeters Ice Cream pie. I have had a Graeters Pie since I was in elementary school!!! It is a tradition to always get it on birthdays in my family. My dad called me Friday and told me they no longer carry the Grasshopper Pie (Mint Chocolate Chip ice cream). SO SAD! I have had that for my birthday for the last 16 years, at least! 

 b-day cake last year

Instead, my dad just got a vanilla and chocolate/caramel pie. Of course, it was delicious!

Saturday, we were pretty lazy. Ben wasn't feeling up to par (probably from all the bourbon and sprites he had the night before....). We went to my dads for breakfast, and then ran some errands with my sister. Then I cooked some of my favorite dishes for our X-mas Eve dinner!! Cheesy potatoes with corn flakes and a whipped fruit salad. Mmmm

Saturday night we went to my Aunt and Uncles for X-mas Eve. We had so much fun spending time with family in Columbus!

Dad and his girls. The hat from the movie Elf was making its rounds on people haha. 

My niece was the little Elf and helped pass out the gifts. Must have been an exhausting job because she was passed out in the chair an hour later :)

Sunday morning, we left earllllllly for Glasgow. It was a long 5 hours in the car, but luckily there was NO traffic at all, haha. Perry and I slept in the car :)

 

And got to spend Christmas day with Ben's family. 

I am so thankful we were able to spend time with both sides of the family this Christmas. I was sad I didn't get to see my mom though :( She had surgery on her ear last Wednesday and couldn't fly because of it. Hopefully I will see her in February though!! We did skype her using the iPad when we were opening gifts at my dads Saturday morning! It was better than nothing :)

I love having the week off post Christmas. I can't imagine having to work after all the festivities. I'm still trying to get the house in order and all of our gifts put away!

I hope everyone is having a relaxing week!

Ben and I are going to put the new Ice Cream Maker and Jeni's Ice Cream cook book to use tomorrow and attempt the amazing Salty Caramel. I can't wait to see how it turns out!!!!!