Jingling all the way

Misty in the Jingle Bell Run, originally uploaded by MCuthbert.

I continue to be proud of my wife. Today she ran her fourth 5K race since she completed the "Couch to 5K" program earlier this year. This morning, Misty donned an "I believe" Santa shirt, looped bells in her shoelaces, and ran in the Jingle Bell Run, a benefit event for the Arthritis Foundation.

During the race, Emily, Kendall, and I hung out in Underwood Park along with my parents, who were in town for the weekend. There were all sorts of snacks and drinks -- oranges, cookies, hot cocoa, cotton candy, even pizza -- to enjoy, along with some giant inflatables.

I managed to pull the girls away from their fun just in time to see Misty's finish, which crept up on us quicker than expected. She shaved seven minutes off her time from the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure!

Following the Jingle Bell Run, we headed over near my office for the final day of the Pepper Place Fall Market. Emily was really excited about showing Grammy and Haha the secluded garden at Charlie Thigpen's Garden Galley.

We finished up our outing with some time at Railroad Park where the girls got to run around and play some more. Finally though, the cold weather drove us indoors.

Racing at Railroad Park, originally uploaded by MCuthbert.

Or, at least, I'd hoped I'd be indoors. While Emily and Kendall went off to swim at the hotel where my parents were staying, Misty worked on baking projects and I set to hang up the outdoor Christmas lights. If I didn't do it today, it wasn't going to get done this year.

Much to my dismay, I'd forgotten that first I'd have to trim the crepe myrtles, which is an hour-long project in itself. However, once I finished hauling off the branches and got to the lights, the project went much faster than it has in years past. This time I used snap-on light hooks that attach to the gutters, and they were so easy! I couldn't figure out how to make the extending pole work right though, but even having to climb a ladder, this method was way better than using a staple gun. Maybe now, hanging the lights can cease being a holiday project that I dread.

Here are a few more photos from our morning activities.