You say GOOD-BYE, I say HELLO

New year, new me! It was time to take the hairstyle to a new level. I decided to knock another one off the bucket list and donate my hair to locks of love. So...here are the pictures.

Before:

AFTER:

Bucket List Items 23 & 24 - Check

So Alisha has made more than just her friends motivated to get off the couch. I had a good excuse when I had to babysit while she trained, but now I guess I'd better do something besides make up for the pounds she's losing by eating potato chips. I was able to convince a few friends to run the Houston Rodeo Run (10K) with me on Feb 28. Yeah... I know it is less than 1/4 of the race Alisha did last week, but better than nothing!

Speaking of the Houston Rodeo... check out this crazy chica!

Talk about knocking out a lot of the items on your bucket list in a short period of time. Aunt Barb organized another one of her fun family email games which prompted Alisha to cross off Mechanical Bull Riding from her bucket list at the rodeo last year and then start to train for her Marathon. Don't knock off too many more... you know what happens when there is nothing left on your bucket list! ;-)

We took the kids to the zoo this weekend and took a little ride on the mini train just outside the zoo. It winds through some parks and around some beautiful ponds and statues. The kids had a lot of fun and we captured a little clip with my phone.

Kingwood Texas Marathon

Victory is mine! (Time: 5 hours 27 minutes 46 seconds)

Uploaded from phone... more to come! (after a couple dozen naps!)

Blog

My friend Jill likes my blog! Hooray! Now I have to tell you all 5 things I love. So, here are five things I love...not the five things I love the most in the world, but some random thoughts from my brain! In no particular order:

1). My DISHWASHER. We could have moved into a cardboard box as long as it had a dishwasher and I would have been happy!

2). Getting posts on my blog. Yep...I am a blog addict. I get sad when no one posts on my blog. I thought people read it....hum.

3). Reese's Peanut Butter Cups & Doritios. Yes this only counts as one. I believe every girl can solve any problem with these two things.

4). Getting real mail. Not junk mail or bills. I mean opening the mailbox and finding a REAL letter, or package...it makes my day!

5). My family. They rock...no further explanation needed!

Now I tag...
Kayla

Tiff

Steph (all 3 of you can do it)

Anne

Rachel

Because I love your blogs!

December Happenings

I've been meaning to make a few posts but haven't had the time recently. I'm just going to throw down some pictures and quick blurbs before they get really outdated.

Dec 1 - Mommy made some fun Christmas crafts with the kids.

Hailey is always trying to steal the spotlight.

Dec 6 - The kids had a lot of fun at the Community Christmas Party.

Who wants to pet a Reindeer when you can hold a squirly rabbit?

Dec 6 - Um.... maybe next year?

Dec 10 - OK, this was cool. How many people can say they've made a snowman IN Houston?

Dec 11 - Hailey finally has some girly pink clothes. Thanks Brie-Brie!

Dec 13 - This is what happens when Mommy goes running 18 miles and puts

Daddy in charge of bathing the kids. Oh well, I've never heard the kids

complain that there are too many bubbles!

December 10th

Are you kidding me? There is no way it is already December 10th. Where has all the time gone? A few things I've been thinking about...

1). I have to mail out my Christmas cards in the next few days. Be sure to email me your address if you want one. (alisha.ashton (at) gmail.com) no spaces...just didn't want it to show up as a link! Be sure to put christmas cards in the subject line.

2). There is no way I only have 21 days left until the marathon. What in the world was I thinking? I am not nearly as prepared as I should be right now. It may take me ten hours to finish. Any friends willing to come and scrape me off the road cause I'm sure when I'm done (if I finish) I'll drop and melt into the road right there!

3). Um...really should probably finish up the Christmas shopping, only a few things left I need to get. Does anyone else ever have trouble shopping for their spouse?

4). My kids are growing like weeds. Seriously, when did my kids get so big. I am missing out on so many moments with them...I wish I could freeze time and enjoy every second!

5). Haileys next surgery has been scheduled for Jan. 22nd. I'm sure we will post more information and updates later.

6). What is the deal with this weather? Yesterday I dropped Carson off at preschool and it was 75, yes at 9 a.m. Today it's 34.....burrrrrrr....Danielle how do you survive this, I'm afraid we might get frostbite!

Alright...we'll I guess that was more than a few thoughts!

A Dash of this, a Pinch of that...

So the manly men of the household put on girly aprons and made cookies yesterday... there, I admitted it. I feel much better now. At least Alisha can't use the pictures as blackmail now!

While Mommy was out running a ridiculous number of miles (16 to be exact) we got bored and hungry... thus the logical reason for the cooking activity.

Mr. Carson is obviously pretty proud of the results.
The recipe makes about twice this much... I think the rest magically vanished somewhere between "Pour 2 cups sugar into an empty bowl" and "spread the icing on the cookies".

Believe it or not they were actually edible. Just ask the C-Man... he's up to 7 now!


We even made Mommy her very own cookie. Figured after all that running we could guilt her into eating at least one.