And The Quest Goes On...

Dean did not qualify for Boston. YET. He did however achieve a PR (personal record). This is only the beginning, though. he will not give up until he's at Boston! He's already considering another marathon in Myrtle Beach in February. Not to attempt to qualify, though, too soon. This would be, in Dean's words, just to get the bad taste out of his mouth! The high points of Kiawah would have to be that this was the first time the kids were able to be there to support him. We went down the night before and stayed in a hotel since we wanted to get out there early. But, Dean had to go to bed really early, so I took the kids to see 'Happy Feet' at the IMAX theatre. That was fun, and by the time we got back to the hotel, we conked out right away. Arriving at the marathon, we waited at the 13 mile marker to cheer him on as he passed. While waiting, the kids made signs to hold up. Take a look at Roan's! Also, at the end, Kai and Alyssa ran the last 1/4 mile with Dean to the finish line. He loved hearing everyone yell, go Dad! Alyssa was very supportive afterward and rubbed his legs for a long time. As a family, we had a good time. As a runner, Dean has some new methods he wants to experiment with. Onward to Boston! (Check out his blog, Zero to Boston for play by play info of the fated Kiawah marathon and for future updates. It's quite funny, too!)

Runner in the Making?

Saturday morning, Kai and Alyssa participated in their first 'race'. They walked a 5K (3 miles). Kai was disappointed that Dean signed them up as walkers, not runners, but he ran anyway! He loved his first taste of running and says he wants to keep doing it. Dean says he'll run with him and is thinking of giving him runners gear for Christmas this year. FYI, Alyssa....probably not going to be a runner. She didn't love it. But she has informed me that her favorite things right now are Art, Choir and P.E. I know. P.E.? Yuck! Go figure.

Friday night we picked out our tree! It is the first real tree we've ever had at home. We picked a great one, too! We decorated it Sunday night. Then we had chocolate chip cookies and hot cocoa before bed. Yum!

Well, the big day is almost here! Tomorrow, we go to Kiawah! I will probably take the kids to see 'Happy Feet' at the IMAX theatre in Charleston while Dean turns in early(around 8pm). Saturday, he is running the marathon that he hopes will qualify him for Boston. We will all be out there cheering him on. (It's going to be so cold!) We'll see him at the halfway point and at the finish line. He's working on having updates, as he runs, on his blog Zero to Boston. So check him out to see how he's doing and if he makes it. Go Dean!

Governor's Carolighting Ceremony

Well, as you know, this year Alyssa is in the District Elementary School Honor Choir. She just had her first concert. This was a pretty big event. It was even televised! It took place on the steps of the State Capitol. Her choir joined with the best singers, and musicians from across the state. (That's her right in the middle of the above photo. She's wearing the white sweater and glasses) Governor Sanford spoke for a few minutes and at the end, his four sons lit the Christmas tree. It was really cool. Alyssa did a great job, too. It was an hour long, but her choir only sang two songs, and had to sit there the whole time without wiggling! This was especially important since they were on TV. She had fun, and so did we. Next week she will be singing at the Irmo Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony, but on the 11th we'll finally get to see her in a full length Christmas concert. She's enjoying choir right now. I hope it sticks! Since I was in choir and love singing, it would be great if at least one of my kids follow in my footsteps!