Monday, December 20, 2010

Festivus Weekend

On Friday we finally got the tree decorated and pressies wrapped. It's feeling like Christmas in the house!




Saturday morning I hit the streets early for a run before Bootcamp. I decided to carry the camera to snap some pics of one of my favourite winter wonderland running routes. The trails look quite a bit different than they did in October.







I had parked my car at the gym, so I grabbed my bag after the run and headed inside for a quick wardrobe change for Bootcamp. Bathroom stall self-portrait!! (you know you're a freak blogger when....)



After a good body-busting sweat-fest, I hustled home to get ready for a fun photoshoot with my siblings for Mom's Christmas gift. We laughed our butts off traipsing through the snow, trying to figure out how to work the tripod and self-timer. Here's one of the out-takes:

L-R: sister A, me, Hubs, brother J, sister E's BF, sister E
+ Penny the family dog!

Saturday afternoon/evening it was off to the father-in-law's for Christmas dinner. We exchanged pressies, had a great meal and got to hang with our cutie nieces.





Sunday morning was our second annual Santa bRUNch with the running posse. We all get dressed up, go for a long(ish) run, eat food, drink spiked coffee and be merry!





I'm waiting on the group shot (there were about 30 of us!) but here are a few that I took. We got plenty of honks, waves and big smiles from drivers (a pleasant change from when they try to run us off the road). How could you NOT smile at this bunch?





The spread:



Secret Santa Stash:


My haul:



I had one more festive party to get to, and boogied straight from the brunch to my friend L's downtown. We had a great afternoon with all the girls eating candy decorating gingerbread houses, playing Taboo and catching up on gossip. We recently stumbled upon this pic at the same get-together in 2008 with my plate of cookies and decided to do a re-take.

2008:


2010:






How was your weekend? 5 sleeps til Christmas!




HBBC Update: Week of Dec. 11-17

Dec. 11 - run (6.8), Bootcamp (4) = 10.8
Dec. 12 - run (16.8)
Dec. 13 - run (5), F&V (1) = 6
Dec. 14 - run (8), weights (1), F&V (1) = 10
Dec. 15 - F&V (1)
Dec. 16 - run (10.3), spin (6), weights (1), F&V (1) = 18.3
Dec. 17 - run (4.4), F&V (1) = 5.4
=68.3

HBBC Ongoing Tally: Week of Dec. 18-24
Dec. 18 - run (6.6), Bootcamp (4), F&V (1) = 11.6
Dec. 19 - run (10.9)
=22.5

36 comments:

RunToTheFinish said...

adorable family pics!! I should totally make my running group dress up that is awesome.

i really may be celebrating a festivus pole, since we have no tree

Unknown said...

fun stuff. good times all around, it seems.

look at how much you've changed in 2 years too....wow.

Running Ricig said...

love the pictures. Is it time for the airing of grievances?

Julie D. said...

i love it. I want to start a santa bRUNch next year. Love your outfit!! and lady, nice 2008/2010 pic...you are looking amazing!! Motivation for me. Got to get back at it!!!

ajh said...

That run sounds so much fun. You had a great weekend! You must love looking at old photos and then seeing how great you look now! Have a great week before Christmas. Right now I am counting two more sleeps (and days to get through) until vacation!

J said...

What a jammed pack weekend you had! Your running trail looks perfect! Love that picture of you running away! The difference between the 2008 and 2010 picture is amazing! YOU look great!

Bethany + Ryan said...

love your hair! love the running pix (ryan has those red and green tights too, how fun!). At first wheni saw your tree, i thought the TV was the door frame and that your tree was THAT tall!

Unknown said...

I just love those pictures, thanks for sharing!! Your run brunch sounded like fun and I loved the picture of the running Santa. You are such a cutie pie!
Merry Christmas!!

Richelle said...

Your Christmas tree is so pretty, and the bRUNch looks like it was so much fun. Have a very Merry Christmas!

Anonymous said...

I always hesitate to comment when people lose weight because it feels superficial (and as a therapist, I know it can be dangerous), but I can't help myself. Damn, woman! You look amazing! Merry Festivus!

Nicole said...

Your tree is beautimus & your outfit screams merry! eeeek!

Carrie said...

What a great post!! I loved the pictures of your run, your fab tights and the idea of bRUNch!! :) Sounds like a pretty excellent weekend indeed!!

Jamie said...

what a fun filled weekend! love all the pics! I really like the idea of bRUNch! So fun!

Unknown said...

Love the pics of you and your family. And, while looking at them (before getting to the 2008 one), I couldn't help but notice how much weight you've lost recently; nice job!

H Love said...

skinny minnie!! looks like some good times!

Char said...

Do all runners love to dress up or what? Your picture looks like a much less sweaty group than ours was on Sunday.

Amy said...

Busy weekend! I'm sure your mom will love her gift from the family!

We finally got our tree today and will set it all up tomorrow. I think I'm going to leave it up until the BF's birthday in January to make it worthwhile!

Johann said...

Fantastic fun everywhere! I love the snow pics! Christmas time is so great! Special time with special people, awesome!

Lindsay said...

You canadiens, celebrating holidays too early. First thanksgiving and now Christmas a week early? Shame shame.

Thanks for at least flushing the toilet before posing for the photo. :) I have noticed that I basically only take photos now for the blog haha.

Denise said...

wow, marlene! you look great! absolutely great! keep up the great work.

festivus is in 2 days. we'll be celebrating, airing our greviences, feats of strength and of course, the pole...

Anonymous said...

i love how ur life is all about running. love it. i wish i was more like that!

anyways, great photos, great weekend.
its almost christmaaaaaaaaaaaaaas!

Mel -Tall Mom on the Run said...

I love love the bRUNch idea, I need to do that next year. what a great and active weekend you have.. super retake.

Happy Holidays!

Nitmos said...

Festivus! What? No photos of your annual Feats of Strength competition?

Runners Fuel said...

Sounds like a busy, but fun weekend!

Heather said...

Dang, you are looking GOOD! :) What a fun holiday weekend!

Anonymous said...

I feel much more Christmasy after reading this! Looking good!

N.D. said...

love these outfits! love that our times are so close, yah!! too bad we dont live closer.

Aron said...

omgosh so much fun!!!! i looooooove all the snow too :)

Anonymous said...

Wow, totally stealing this idea next year... a run, then food, and fun gifts! Wow. And love the costumes!

Heidi said...

WOW you've been a busy girl. Your running group looks like a ton of fun. And the family photos look great. Not quite the same effect out here in the rain, not so festive looking! :)

Karen (Toronto Girl West) said...

What beautiful pictures!

And you my dear Marlene, are looking FANTASTIC!!!!! :o)

Kelly (She Wears a Red Sox Cap) said...

oh my gosh I LOVE your outfit for the run- SO hilarious!!!

I love that you and your siblings did a photo shoot. your mom is going to love that!

Badgergirl said...

I love the Santa bRUNch outfit! So festive!

Mark said...

Great pics, Marlene! Merriest Christmas to you and Mark!
Btw...loved the two toned tights!:)

Anonymous said...

I love the family photos! And sounds like your christmas run was a blast! I <3 those green and red tights! :)

Nicole @ Haute Runner said...

Looks like a lot of fun!! Amazing the difference 2 years (and how many thousands of miles?) makes!! You look great!

I am going to bring a camera next time I run!! Love the one of you running away from the camera!