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Well I did it!  I completed my number one goal for 2012 and ran 12 half marathons...
The finale...
My final half was in Las Vegas and what a great place for a finale... especially since I had never been there!
We arrived on Saturday and after checking into our hotel made our way to the expo to pick up bib and packet. Being in Vegas, we didn't spend much time in the expo as we wanted to check...

Ryan Kenneth Zarlenga
12/7/87 - 2/23/93
On Ryan's 5th birthday December 7, 1992 we had our usual birthday dinner, he opened his gifts and afterwards we went to a tree farm and picked out our Christmas tree.  During our time there, he shared with the owner that it was his birthday. Before we left, she handed him $5 and told him happy birthday.  I can still see the excitement in his eyes as he...

That's what happened when Val showed me a picture of the holiday decoration she was going to make.
Since I was already out for the day shopping with my mom, I decided a trip to Hobby Lobby would be included in our destinations to visit.
Althought I couldnt' find a paper mache' Z I did find a wood one and when it rang up 50% off, I thought even better!  I found the ornaments at Target and once I...

This year I have so much to be thankful for...
For one, my family who all got to be together!
my mother in law 
my nephews who had me cracking up
my kids who save me more than they know
my hubs for making it all possible!
 

In the midst of all my running and taking care of family, I feel I've lost my creative side. I have not scrapbooked or journaled in months and I am beginning to feel empty without it. 
the view during a recent run
to help me out of my slump I decided to sign up for a couple art journal classes. One I found at one of my favorite blogs where I've recently started spending more time at.
The...

When I first asked Joel about Halloween and dressing up, he said "who the heck is captain jack"... really Joel?
but once in costume, he took over the role quite well
We had a great time touring a few local pubs finding others who also participated in the festivities
all the boys were pretty funny!
a great night out!

completed race number 11 in my 12 in 2012 last Thursday.  It was a run created by my friend Kathy and I since there are not enough weekends and races for me to be able to reach my goal of 12 in 2012. It was a beautiful day, one of the last few that we knew of and we wanted to seize the day!
We ran though Buckeye Woods and down the Chippewa bike trail which was surrounded by beautiful trees with...

Also known as race number 10 in my 12 in 2012
Since April of this year we knew we were running this race, we knew we were two of the lucky 15,000 women that were chosen to run this race and to say we were thrilled would be putting it mildly! It has been one of our most looked forward to races.... ever!
With lots of family in San Francisco, we were able to begin planning early. All we needed was...

#9
Last Sunday I ran the towpath half marathon for my 9th race in the 12 in 2012 and loved it.  The weather was perfect, the course was beautiful with the fall colors and the crowd was not too overwehlming but yet enough to keep you going.
Kathy and Bob were there to run the 10K which left from the same place as the half, and Chelsea went with me for the early morning drive to Peninsula...

Last week I got to spend a couple days with girlfriends...
They drove from Michigan and my sister, mom and I drove from Ohio to meet in Shipshewana Indiana.  A cute little amish town that is the location of some of our favorite primitive shops!
Although blurry... here we are in our favorite shop "A thankful heart"
after our day in Shipshewana, we headed to Michigan where we would stay at Brenda's,...