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I bought Topher a potty seat thinking that we might be ready to start potty training....when I gave it to him I started having second thoughts....

Snow!

Topher before he got hit with a snowball....

Topher after he got hit with a snowball.


Throwing snow

Maura comforting Topher

The kids and their snowman...they were proud!

We had our first big snow last week and the kids were so excited. After a half day of school they got all of their snow gear on and went outside. They were determined to build a snowman so after 2 hours, they did it! Topher and I went out when it was finished and we had a big snowball fight for another hour. After 3 hrs. out in the snow, we all came off and had a big cup of hot chocolate with marshmallows. It was so fun for me to get outside with the kids and be silly and laugh hard.

Thanksgiving

My friend Camille and I decided to run the 114th Annual Buffalo Turkey Trot (an 8K race (5 miles)). I was hesitant to do it at first because I've never been a good runner. Even when I was young and in shape it was hard for me to run, but she talked me into it anyway. We started training the first of November and before we knew it was Thanksgiving Day. I was so nervous the night before that I kept waking up every hour scared that my alarm wasn't going to go off. We got there just as the rush of runners started. We learned that was going to be 12,000 runners that day (a Buffalo record)! There were so many people it took us a while to actually get to the starting line, but once we were able to get a little elbow room, we were off! I started out with a big 'ol side ache, but eventually it subsided and I was good to go. We had a good chat, and enjoyed the view and conversation. At one point in the run we were on a little hill and as far as I could see in front of me were runners and as I looked back all I could see in back of me were runners. I know I sound like a first time racer, but I totally enjoyed the whole experience. It was nothing like I've ever done. As we got closer to the finish line we decided to go for the gusto and book it to the end. I got big goose bumps as I crossed the finish line and felt so proud of myself for doing it. I never thought in a million years that I would be able to run 5 miles without stopping and have energy to spare. I was thankful that day for a friend who encouraged me to reach beyond my limits, and for a healthy body that my Heavenly Father gave me to run that race. I will never forget it and I will never forget the feeling of working so hard toward a goal and completing it.

Maura the Native American.

I got to help in Maura's class when they had their Thanksgiving party. The kids were all dressed up like Native Americans because they learned about the first Thanksgiving. We got to play all kinds of fun games and the kids sang some songs. It was so cute!