Painter's Half Marathon, St. George, UT

This Past Weekend we went down to St. George to see Melissa run. The race started at 9 am, and it was nice weather (40s- to 50s). There were over 1000 people running in this race. Melissa ran like a champ! Maybe someday i will run one with her.... definitely not a full marathon though... I don't think i could handle that. Melissa finished in 1 hour 52 min and 15 seconds (357/1032). Her pace was 8 min 36 sec. I am way way proud of her!!! She has been training for a long time for this. I think this will be the start of many races.

Before the race (Melissa, Emilee, Kim, Karen, and Kim's Friend):

STARTING LINE

THE BEGINNING OF THE RACE

Emilee doing the HeismanTHE FINISH
We waited for over an hour to see Melissa as she came around the corner to finish the race. I had the camera ready. Right before Melissa passed us, Halle ran off oup this hill that had a bid drop off. So I turned to go find her. Just then I heard Melissa yelling "Brad, Brad". She ran right by us. I was SO mad I missed her. This is the only shot I got of her as she was finishing. Just a nice shot of her butt as she ran by on the bridge. You will have to click on the pic just to see her. (wearing the blue shirt)

AFTER THE RACE

Fun with the McCleary's

We decorated sugar cookies with the kids. They had a lot of fun, especially eating the frosting off the knives they were using!! Good thing we didn't share any of the cookies with other people. Thanks Will for the GREAT idea!!
The kiddos are concentrating so hard. They did such a good job.
We took a trip up to see the lights at Temple Square. It was really cold and snowing so we don't have any group shots. Thanks guys for going with us. We will definitely miss our outings with you these next two years. We will MISS you guys!!

Hillam Christmas Party

Brad's family has a huge Christmas party with all of his aunts, uncles and cousins. Santa comes and brings gifts for all the children. When Halle's name was read she said (very loudly) "I don't want to sit on his lap!!" So I made her atleast walk over to him and get her gift and politely say, "Thank you, Santa." She unwrapped a baby Belle doll and loved it.
Haisley thought it was fun to just look at Santa. This is the same thing Halle did her first Christmas. If she is following in her sister's footsteps, I guess I already know what to look forward to in the next couple of years!!

ChRisTmaS DreSseS

These are recycled dresses from my brother's wedding this summer. They cost too much to just have them wear them for one event. I made new sashes for them and put these cute red sweaters over. Aren't they so cute?!!

ChRisTmaS MorNinG

New P.J's
The GirLieS got a PriNcesS TenT; however, Halle thinks it's JUST hers.
Halle got a tea set, my AWESOME Dad is teaching her how to sip tea with her pinkie up. Everytime we play tea party, she reminds me to put my pinkie up. THANKS Dad, for being such a wonderful GRANDPA!!

ChRiStMas DaY!!

Miss HALLE had a BLasT opening ALL her presents as well as her little sisters!!
Worn out after a LONG ChRisTmaS DaY!!
Haisley is such a HAPPY Baby- even after not having a NaP all day, she still SmiLeD!!

hoen cabin

the day after christmas, we went with brad's family up to their cabin. there was so much snow!! halle had a lot of fun with her cousin, seth.
we didn't have a snow suit for hais- so she is in the bjorn inside my coat.
the cabin was so cold!! we heated it just in time to leave.