New Thanksgiving Tradition

My work encouraged participation in the "Utah Human Race" benefiting the Utah Food Bank.  By encouraged I mean they offered not one, but two free t-shirts to participants from the company and reduced fees to those that went with us.  Suffice it to say I will do anything for a free t-shirt! So I put out the word that I wanted to do this 5K walk and asked for volunteers to go with me. I got two takers--Alison and Heaven. We were encouraged to be at the race site by 6:30 AM Thanksgiving morning and since it was a one-half hour drive from our homes, that meant leaving at 6 AM (or thereabouts).

By arriving quite early for the 8 AM start meant that we were able to get a close parking spot and sitting room in the little mall where everyone congregated. 

We thought everyone participating was waiting inside with us, but when the call came that everyone was to go outside and get ready to begin, we were greeted with quite a sight--approximately 4000 runners/walkers ready to begin!

Just look at Alison strutting her stuff. Both her and Heaven probably could of taken off and run the race and completed with respectable times. But being the loyal supporters that they were, they hung around with me.  Hey, we weren't even close to being the last ones to finish!

This is us at the finish line. We decided that next year when we participate, we will make all the others go with us and cheer for us when we cross the finish line.  It is a good thing you can't see the clock in the background showing how long it took me to finish. Next year, I need to start training before the day of the race

 

This looks like it would be another good tradition to begin--having little "elves" help decorate the Christmas tree!  They were so diligent in getting all the balls on just so and helping until the project to finish. (too bad I don't have a picture of Sammy helping with the rearrangement and removal of all the decorations that were so meticulously placed on the tree)