Mermaid Run

We needed an excuse for Alyssa to come visit so about a month ago we signed up for a half marathon here in San Diego. Our training consisted of a few long Saturday runs and a few runs during the week to prepare. Although we may not have had enough mileage on our legs to do our VERY best, we definitely met our goal of finishing under 2 hours and just under 9 minute miles. This was our first race (besides turkey trots) together and hopefully not our last!

Mom and Dad came to cheer us on and help Kurt with the babies. We had such a great weekend! Although I am happy the race is over I wish everyone didn't have to leave already! Here are a few highlights from the weekend: Phillipi's, shopping, matching shirts for the race, Lexi and Jules playing together in the crib, Jules playing peekaboo with Lexi, lounging around the beach house, the Race, taking silly sister photos after the race, Robertos tacos, Seaport Village, laughing with my sis, Grandma and Grandpa spending quality time with grand babies, Kurt catering to my every need because of my exhaustion after the race, Las Olas, going to church with my fam, people thinking Alyssa was me at church, Valentine exchanges, getting roses from Kurt, seeing the Townsends, eating lunch at the park by the beach, Alyssa forgetting her iPod and Dad coming to the rescue, Dad finding us at mile 9 to brighten our spirits, running with Alyssa, beautiful weather. Looking forward to having the whole Heap Clan together (except for Brad) in three weeks for Spring Break!

Weekend with Grandma Heap - in bullet points
*Shopped on Cedros in Solana Beach
*Lunch twice at Board and Brew
*Ran 10 miles in preparation for a 1/2 marathon
*Beach day at Coronado
* Dinner in Old Town
*I fell down concrete stairs in high heels on our way to church - lovely bruises/scrapes to show for it
*Strolled down Del Mar Beach at sunset
*Talked politics - Go Mitt!!
*Played Sequence - I let mom win :)
*Learned how to use my pressure cooker that I have had for almost 5 years
*Delicious lava cakes from Trader Joe's
*Julianne entertained us non-stop
*Tricked Jules into drinking veggie juice by putting a sock on her bottle
*Park with Jules
*Seaport Village
*Rode on Merry-go-round - Julianne waved and blew a kiss every time she came around. So cute!
*Kurt worked late Friday so me, mom and Jules went to CPK
*Looking forward to seeing Mom, Dad, Alyssa, and Lexi in less than two weeks!!!

Time to update!

Some little cutie loved Santa this year. On our way to the mall we almost turned around several times because number one it was raining; number two it was late; and number three Jules was already asleep! We thought 'what the heck' she is all dressed up and there is only one week til Christmas. . . 'let's take our chances'. So we carried her all around the outdoor mall in Mission Valley looking for Santa Claus. As soon as we found him she woke up, sat on his lap, gave us a big smile, blew him kisses and said "bye bye". Twenty dollars later we have this picture to prove that we took her to see Santa this year.

For documentation purposes - Julianne at 13 months.

I am envious of those with photography skills. These are my two new favorite pictures of our little Jules. Thank you Tiffany (elizajphotography) for capturing our little girl so perfectly!

We had a fabulous Thanksgiving beginning with a surprise. Julianne and I surprised my parents on Monday night along with Uncle Greg and Aunt Jessie. The confused looks on their faces were priceless. We enjoyed spending a few days with cousins shopping, eating and having lots of fun before turkey day. Kurt joined us Wednesday night and we were so happy to see him! Thanksgiving Alyssa and I ran the 1st annual Gilbert 10k Turkey Trot. I am ecstatic to say that we were the first finishers for the 10k!!!! We ran together the entire time and even had a sprinting competition at the end. (I was begging her to stay right by me and not leave me in the dust). They announced us as the winners and our grand prize is free admission to next year's run. Just so you know, the race doesn't cost a thing and there were only about 5 other 10k runners:)

Thanksgiving was delish over at Grandma and Grandpa Heap's home. We had a full house with lots of cousins we don't get to see very often. The hi-light for me was definitely Aunt Denise's raspberry cheesecake! There was no break between lunch and dessert because everyone was too nervous they wouldn't get a slice:)

Friday I was able to meet up with several high school friends for breakfast! I feel so blessed and lucky to have so many close friends that have known me since elementary school. There is nothing like meeting up with old friends. Kurt had his high school reunion Friday night so we sped back to California just in time! We met up with Phliip and Brittney and Clayton and Diana and had a great time visiting with and meeting all of Kurt's old high school flames. haha I'm kidding, I did get to meet some great people and it wasn't too awkward. Tacos were calling our names by the end of the night (10:00 - we must be getting old) and we found the tastiest taco truck in Pasadena. I begged Kurt to go back there on Saturday and to my disappointment they were not there! Saturday we hit up the La Canada farmers market, went to the park, watched football, took naps and felt completely rejuvenated. We headed back down to San Diego, stopping in Huntington for some shopping, and were happy to be together with our little family.

This was just the break we needed to enjoy time with family, friends and lots of time with Julianne.

We Love Visitors

We enjoyed a lovely weekend showing John and Heather around San Diego. Our adventures consisted of Phil's BBQ, strolling the beach in Coronado, Little Italy in downtown, game night, movie night, car dancing, the temple, hot chocolate run, lots of fun time with Jules, design street in Solana, and a little rain. There is so much to do here I am sure we haven't even scratched the surface. I hope this post motivates more friends and family to make there way out the sunny state of California in the winter months.

All the way from Bedrock

We enjoyed an awesome Halloween night with old and new friends on Coronado island. Julianne and her cute friend Sophie went trick or treating for the first time. Sophie seemed to figure it out but Jules was mainly excited to see all the dogs that greeted us at the doors. It was such a fun night!