Reindeer Run

Mari Cagle and Nate participate in their first race! It was a race just for kids...the Reindeer Run. They got numbers, tshirts, medals and ribbons just like when Mom and Dad run their races so they were very excited! Mari Cagle ran a 1 mile race for Kindergarten through 8th grade. And Nate ran a 100 yard Toddler Dash. They both had a great time. Mari Cagle's favorite part was getting the medal and passing other people on the race course. She has quite the competitive drive. I can't imagine where she got it! :) We hope you enjoy the pictures from the morning as much as we enjoyed the morning itself. I wish I could share the pancake breakfast we had afterwards, but they haven't quite come that far with computer technology. :)



At the start/finish line before the race very anxious to get things underway.



Pretty good form huh? He was very determined running hard the whole way.




Being such a natural princess, I was very proud of Mari Cagle. She ran for most of the entire mile with just a few short walking breaks. And I didn't have to coax her along like I thought I would. She did mention the sweatiness at one point, but quickly moved past it. :)

The Start of Our Christmas Season....

It's officially Christmas here at our house. We got the Christmas tree, our first since moving to Florida (and yes, I purchased it wearing shorts!). I'm almost done with my shopping. Mari Cagle and Nate are counting down to the big day with the help of Nana's embroidered advent calendar filled with Smarties candies. They are learning lots of carols in preparation for their Christmas programs. Nate's favorite to hear on the radio is 'Santa Claus Is Coming To Town.' Mari Cagle is still partial to 'Rudolph' which she has learned to play on her violin! If she's not playing shy, she should be able to play an entire concert for everyone as her violin teacher has given her 'music' for several additional carols. It has been real motivation for her to practice; she absolutely loves playing Christmas songs.

St. Nicholas payed Mari Cagle's classroom a visit last night and stuffed their homemade stockings with treats in honor of his feast day, today, December 6. Mari Cagle's teacher is from Wisconsin and it is common tradition to celebrate St. Nicholas' feast day in this way. She said growing up it was always the way they officially began their Christmas season culminating, of course, in the birth of Christ, our Savior on our beloved Christmas Day. I have been intrigued by the custom (maybe because I have roots in Wisconsin too) and have been inspired to learn a little more of St. Nicholas and how his legend evolved into our American Santa Claus. If you too are inspired, below is a link to the website I found most helpful and interesting.

http://www.stnicholascenter.org

And another interesting link many of you have probably seen. But the kids convinced Brandon to 'Elf' our family. It's pretty funny.

we've been elfed!

I hope you all are having a blessed Christmas season filled with lots of the joyful Christmas spirit!