Thanksgiving 2017...

We have a tiny little family.  Mom, Shane, D and myself.  Dad and Lori don't usually do the whole Thanksgiving thing so we've always had a pretty small gathering.  Thanksgiving is also a bitter sweet holiday for us.  It seems one of my grandparents would always end up in the hospital around then.  We even lost my beloved Papa a few days before Thanksgiving 4 years ago.  So I have to admit...this isn't usually my favorite holiday.  But there are times we have friends join us and it's so awesome.  So many of my friends I call my extended family because that's exactly what they are.  My heart is so grateful to be surrounded by some amazing friends and family.

This year was just lovely.  Mom kept it pretty simple, decor wise, and we had a great group of family and friends.  Everyone who came brought something and mom cooked a 24 pound turkey.  Drinking, eating, laughing and love filled the day.

Moms pretty table!

So cute!

Kitchen Chat

Sangria!

Shane doing Papa's old job

Precious

Cutest ice cubs eva!

Chit Chatting

Desserts!

Terri baked yummies!

So...the oven broke....and we got creative!

Group Shot!  Yay self timer!  (In a planter mind you...talk about creative)

Bitches

Besties

Let the eats begin!

The Thanksgiving 2017 Bunch!

Taken by T

Ending the night watching the murder of a fly in a spider web.

I am truly grateful to have such wonderful people in my life.  Thanks to mom for hosting!  My heart and belly are full!

Rugged Maniac 2017 - Renee gets Rugged!

So I've pretty much retired from OCR's.  They've got to be a bit pricey.  But - every now and again I still may find myself throwing on my Weeple Army Shirt and hitting the mud.  Rugged Maniac IS my favorite and my friend Renee asked me to sign up with her this year because she just turned 40 and has always wanted to do one of these and why not now. But - she was nervous so she wanted to do it with a pro (er me).  I do enjoy bringing the virgins onto the course and find it's a perfect intro to them because I'm not super competitive and have always approached them with more of a fun attitude and usually my little camera.  So - check it.  Most the photos are of Renee of course.  She kicked major ass.  I was so damn proud of her!  I also did all but the wall this year (My knee had started to swell so figured best to skip the wall) and I actually almost finished the rings which I never do!  So - yay me too!
Tully/Melinda and Randy were also joining us.  Those 3 were doing another race in Temecula that weekend so the boys thought it would be fun to do both!  Melinda was our awesome cheerleader!

The Rugged Racers

Tully getting ready to start the Elite Wave.  He took 2nd in his age group - because he's bad ass

Renee ready for her 1st Rugged!

Me ready for my (5th? 6th? Rugged)

Selfie at the start line

1st obstacle - hope over into the start area

While we were waiting for our wave we saw the dude who won.  Bad Ass.

Renee Climbing

Renee Jumping

Renee getting muddy

Tully's dirty shot!

I love that I'm smiling!

Renee getting bonked

She almost made it!

Pro Shot

Renee getting dirty

Jami jumping trenches

Hop

Killed it

Renee not jumping trenches.  Her shoe sole decided to peace out.

Renee emerging from the claustrophobia crawl and loving it!

Monkey Jami

I do love these races....

Monkey Renee

Go Gallo!

Sunburst Renee

Renee decided if these rings are a good idea...

I actually almost finished these!  I was so stoked!

And no...that's not armpit hair...that would be mud

I dug these! It was a new obstacle called Sling Shot, but alot of people had issues with it.  Guess it was just the weirdness of it?  Renee gave it a go but didn't quite get it - yet look at that smile!

Renee Teetering

Renee Tottering

Renee an I lugging our 25 pound bags of sand through water

Renee sliding

Jami Frog Jumping (One of my faves!)

Renee Frog Jumping

Tully Series

Renee jumping over fire

Renee landing

Renee cargo climbing

Jami "Pulling Weight"

Renee "Pulling Weight"

The moment Renee conquered her fear!

Atta Girl!

As you can tell I'm having no fun at all

Finishers!

Randy did a later wave.  Here he comes!

Randy Frog Jumping

Randy on the rings

Randy climbing

Randy trying the wall.  He got it on the 3rd go!

Randy cargo climbing

So damn proud of this girl!

Tully and McCoy!

Rugged Poster Child

Tully took a couple of videos!

As per usual this was a blast!  I love this race because it's the most obstacles in a 5K than any other OCR.  My only complaints were the T-Shirts sucked this time.  So lame and way smaller than the size they say.  And Dr. Bommers wasn't there!  They usually have this rad huge box you get into and get hosed off with soap and water and get free samples!  It's so awesome!  But alas no, they had these stupid little spouts that barely spurt out water, so you really couldn't rinse off all that well after the race.  But other than that - had a great time!  Renee did fantastic!  Bob killed it!  Randy did great!  And I actually did way better than I thought I would!

Stay Rugged!