2010: A Year in Review

What a year it was! I would have to say that hands down, 2010 was my best year yet! Not only did Todd & I get engaged, but I was able to go on some fabulous trips, spend time with my family & friends, run Hood to Coast relay & the Columbus Marathon, and attend some wonderful weddings.

January

Rose Bowl--Ohio State vs Oregon

Trip to Cleveland to visit Emily & Mark
February

Mustache Party

First 20 miler on the treadmill
March

Rock climbing

April

Easter at my parent's

Not happy about deferring my entry to Boston

Todd & I before he ran the BAA 5K in Boston

Red Sox game

Walking the Freedom Trail

First ride of the year on Todd's bike

May

Columbus Race for the Cure (on my birthday!)

Dressed up for dinner on my 27th birthday

Wedding #11 for Todd & I in Cincinnati

June

University of Dayton 5 Year College Reunion

My first 5K race in years

Washington D.C. for David & Lauren's Wedding
Wedding #12

July

Ricketts Glen State Park in Pennsylvania

4th of July parade in Laporte, Pennsylvania with my family

Second 5K of the year & I was 2nd female overall

August

Psychic readings in Cleveland

My last leg of Hood to Coast

Team Honeybucket Harriers at the finish line

Todd & I at the Portland Rose Gardens

Todd & I at Multnomah Falls

Todd & I on the coast of Oregon in Cannon Beach

September

Todd & I in front of La Sagrada Familia in Barcelona

Engaged!

My gorgeous ring

Along the Amalfi Coast in Italy

Colosseum in Rome

Wine tasting in Tuscany

October

Wedding #13 in Columbus

Columbus Marathon: my 5th marathon & 3rd Boston qualifier

Circleville Pumpkin Show

November

Bourbon Trail for Todd's 30th

Thanksgiving

December

Wedding #14 in Columbus

Columbus Blogger Meet Up

Christmas

I cannot wait to see what 2011 will bring me but I do know one thing, I have a feeling it's going to be even better than 2010!

12th Annual Sexy 7 Gift Exchange

The other evening, I hung out with my best girlfriends from grade school & high school, otherwise known as The Sexy 7. It was our 12th Annual Sexy 7 Gift Exchange, a tradition we started our junior year of high school. We all come together around Christmas, bring a bunch of delicious food, catch up on some gossip, and exchange presents. This was the first time since our gift exchange last year that we'd all been together and it was a great night especially since Katie just got engaged! Not only am I getting married in August, but Courtney is getting married in June and Katie is getting married in July so we'll have 3 months in a row of weddings! I seriously cannot wait. Not to mention, Lindsey is having a baby in February.

The Sexy 7: Megan, Courtney, Katie, Lindsey, Lauren, Lynn, me

About a month before the gift exchange, Katie's boyfriend (now fiance!) will pick names for the gift exchange and then email who we have to buy our present for. It works out great because it's always a surprise who we have. This year I had Lindsey and bought her a pedicure. I thought she could use some pampering since she's 8 months pregnant. Katie had me and I was super excited about my present.

She gave me an engagement ornament for our first Christmas tree next year. Since neither one of us has ever had a tree, we are definitely in need of ornaments for next year.

Just Engaged!

The date we got engaged

Katie currently lives in Chicago and told me that these fleece-lined leggings are all the rage there. I was actually on the hunt for some new leggings and these are super soft and super comfortable. I love them!

These leggings are amazing!

And for those who are curious, I was informed I forgot to mention what I gave Todd on Christmas. His big present was a cooking class at Sur La Table and then I got him a bunch of smaller things like a few DVDs, a cutting board, a serving tray for cheese or appetizers, and a bottle of mead from Brothers Drake Meadery. If you couldn't tell, Todd loves to spend time in the kitchen & cook.

His new serving tray which, knowing him, will probably be used for cheese & crackers

from Bed, Bath, and Beyond

Weekly Recap: December 20-26

I took last week off completely from running so I'll probably attempt a shorter run sometime this week to see how my hip feels. It never hurts when I walk so that's always a good sign. This is my last super busy week at work (including working at 4:00 AM two days) so if I can make it through this week, my workouts & runs should pick up in January.

Monday: 40 min elliptical; lifted total body

Tuesday: 75 min Power Flow Yoga
30 min bike

Wednesday: 45 min elliptical; core

Thursday: 30 min elliptical; total body circuit w/ jump rope & stairs

Friday: 1 hr spinning; 20 min core (1-on-1 Jackie Warner core on Exercise on Demand)

Saturday: REST (Christmas)

Sunday: taught 20 min core & taught 50 min spinning

TOTAL: 0 mi

It was a Very Merry Christmas

Todd & I started our Christmas celebration by driving up to Todd's hometown Christmas Eve morning. We arrived at his parent's shortly after noon and spent the afternoon helping his mom & sister get ready for the big Christmas Eve dinner that night. We also took some time relaxing on the couch which was fantastic since this was my only day off from work for both Christmas & New Year's. I might be slightly jealous of Todd because he gets off work from December 24-January 4.

Todd & I went to Christmas Eve mass with his parents, sister, brother-in-law, and nephew before coming back to a full house of over 30 people. Similar to last year, we had to eat dinner in 3 shifts and awaited Santa's arrival.

Todd & I dressed up before church
Santa came!

Todd's nephew, Andrew, telling Santa want he wanted for Christmas

Todd was actually the one dressed up as Santa so after the little ones sat on Santa's lap, I was lucky enough to sit on his lap too. Unfortunately, I didn't get a picture of it.

After Santa left, we had our annual $5 gift exchange. Everyone got 3 cards from a deck of cards and then someone had another deck and called out the numbers & suits. When your card was called, you were able to either pick a present from the pile or steal someone else's present. You had 3 opportunities to get a present. Some people ended up with some great presents and others not so much. I was pleasantly surprised with what I ended up with.

Two flashflights (which I need because I don't actually have one!) and a camping fork & knife that Todd was excited about

Todd's cousin also gave Todd a killer present.....a dicky & Marty the Moose eggnog mug from Christmas Vacation

We didn't go to bed until after 1:00 AM on Christmas Eve so we were able to sleep in a little bit on Christmas morning before Todd's sister, brother-in-law, and nephew came over so we could open presents. Once they came over, Andrew tore into the presents while we opened our presents as well. Todd & I received lots of fantastic presents from his family and his family was equally happy with what they received. I was very excited about my gorgeous new jewelry box I got. Todd & I left around noon so we could drive 3 hours back to Columbus to spend the afternoon & evening with my parents.

Todd & I in our onesie footies my brother gave us

Gorgeous Christmas tree at Todd's parent's house

Todd loves Chihuly so his sister got him this awesome decorate piece from Corning similar to Chihuly

We arrived at my parent's around 4:00 PM and after chitchatting for a bit, we ate a delicious Christmas dinner and then opened presents. Todd & I were felt very spoiled by both of our parents and couldn't believe all the great stuff we received. I might have even been excited about a textbook I received for a certification test I plan to take next year.

Santa tree with presents from Santa under the tree (presents for Todd & I)

Family tree with presents (my Mom & Dad's presents)

Our stockings (my brother didn't come home but his stocking was still up, Todd's stocking was a new addition last year so that's why his looks different)

Todd & I

Todd & my Dad enjoying a beer with their Christmas beer toppers (a reindeer & a Santa hat)

Todd & I got these great ornaments for our Christmas tree next year....the snowmen have our names on them and the ornament on the right is from the cruise ship we got engaged on in September

Todd & I got back to my apartment around 9:00 PM and opened our presents to each other. Not only did Todd buy me a night stand that matches the one he has, but I also got a heart rate monitor and velcro wrist straps for my garmin! I was super pumped!

All in all, it was a wonderful Christmas and more than I could have ever hoped for!