My birthday

For my birthday, we flew back to California for another Spartan race. Yes, another. Remember the other one when I wanted to die on top of the mountains in Virginia? Well, this one was much, much better. It helped that it was only 3+ miles instead of 8+.

You guys, it was so much fun. This one was held in Malibu. Before we got there, I had visions of myself running along the beach in the warm ocean air. When we got there, however, it was 40 degrees and raining. I was SO not prepared for it to be cold. Here we are pre-race. I think we're trying to make tough faces, but it just looks like we're constipated. It was SO COLD!

Here's a few of us in action:

And post-race. It was so cold!

After being so completely and utterly unprepared for the race in Virginia, this was a real confidence boost. We'll see if I feel the same after the next 8-miler in April!

Thanksgiving road trip, part II

For dinner on Thanksgiving, we had takeout nachos and tacos and it was divine. We then celebrated with a proper Thanksgiving dinner on Friday. When we went to check out at Trader Joe's, the guy was super confused as to why we would be purchasing all the makings for a Thanksgiving dinner the day after Thanksgiving. I couldn't get these weirdos to take a decent picture--but here it is: proof that it happened. And none of this was my doing, by the way. We supplied groceries; Jon and Alissa did all the actual work.

And now for the real reason this post needed two parts: more pictures! There is nothing more magical than a photo shoot at the beach with my favorite people. It didn't take Norah long to get topless.

Just two more of these best weirdos:

Thanksgiving road trip, part I

We wanted to get out of town for Thanksgiving. Originally, we planned a fishing trip to New Mexico with my family. That fell through, but we still wanted to get away. Nic suggested California, so I called Alissa and it all fell into place.

It was meant to be, because Alissa and I headed straight to L.A. as soon as we got into town. NBD, just met Nigel Lythgoe as we were waiting in the VIP line for the So You Think You Can Dance? tour. Oh, and we were, like, six rows from the front. Best Thanksgiving eve in the history of ever! And keeping with tradition, we got very lost downtown and had to make a few frantic phone calls to Jon. Luckily--and creepily--he could SEE us on satellite GPS and tell us where we were supposed to park.

The next day, Thanksgiving Day, we went to Disneyland--just because. Not only did we go to Disneyland, we had breakfast with Minnie Mouse. You know, just the one character that Norah is OBSESSED with. She seriously owes me nothing but kindness for the rest of her life. Here's the two little punks ready to go. Please note that I did not plan this outfit. Alissa just happens to have an entire selection of frilly little girl dresses that are perfect for Thanksgiving at Disneyland. You know, like you do.

Seriously, these kids don't even know how good they have it. The breakfast was actually breakfast with Minnie Mouse and friends, so we got visited by quite a few character as we waited for the guest of honor.

 That Tigger was seriously handsy.

 

Further evidence of how Norah is only allowed to say nice things about me for all of forever. Hugs and twirling with Minnie Mouse.

Norah even got Minnie and the other characters to autograph her paper.

Of course, we also visited Minnie Mouse at her house later in the day. Notice the addition of pink sequined mouse ears? That was Norah's request, and I couldn't refuse. Because if you're going to go to Disneyland for Thanksgiving, why not pay a ridiculous amount of money for a pair of ridiculously shiny ears? It's pretty much required.

One of the fun things about Norah and Disneyland is that she is equally as excited about Minnie Mouse...and pretty much everything else. Like during the parade. What? Dancing elves?!? Awesome!!!

Of course, we had to ride Dumbo. That's the ride I remember as a kid.

 But my favorite ride was the teacups. Nic got us going ridiculously fast, and these kids were killing me the whole time.

These two make me swoon

Seriously. That girl helping that guy work on cars. Be still my heart!

Apples! and Halloween!

I don't want to talk about how I'm still posting about stuff from last year.

Apples happened! Norah was in heaven. In fact, she was so devastated when we told her it was time to go home that her poor little heart nearly couldn't take it. Grandma Wendy took pity and had her stay for a sleep over. What a lucky little turd, right? Of course, I'm referring to myself because how many people have parents who will just take their kid for the night on a whim?

And Halloween! Norah decided that she wanted to be Tinkerbell. I did my very best to convince her that she wanted to be ZOMBIE Tinkerbell. And I was pretty sure I'd convinced her too--until one day in the grocery store she looked at me and said she just wanted to be Regular Tinkerbell. Fine. Regular Tinkerbell.

We got her costume way too early and she insisted on wearing it all. the. time. Sup was not as impressed.

She even wore it to a friend's birthday party. Whatever.

Halloween day started at my work, where Norah demands candy each time I take her--and she always gets it, Halloween or not.

Why am I wearing that stupid bear hat and making that stupid face? Norah insisted that I have a costume and this is what I had. Our photographer at work sneaked around the corner and ended up sharing this gem with the entire company.

My work was followed by Grandma Wendy's and Papa Brian's BYU work, where she was one of the only children trick-or-treating and made quite the haul.

AFTER THAT we had trick-or-treating in Eagle Mountain with Mary, Korbin, Quinny, Kyler, Mel, Addy, and Jacob.

Notice that she would not use her cute Halloween bag. She only wanted a plastic grocery sack.

In addition to actual Halloween, Norah also had quite the Halloween month, including Halloween magnets and sugar cookies. So spoiled!