Thanksgiving....

My first sentiments about thanksgiving or about Christmas....back off!   I find it amusing that Starubucks had its Thanksgiving blend out 11/1-12 and then it was swarmed, swallowed and covered by 10 different variations of Holiday blend, and red cups.... bah humbug!

I am thankful for....don't worry not a list of the usual sentiments or maybe it will be.

Waking up in Santa Cruz in our funky Air BnB hippy love shack with my best friend and number on fan John is the way to begin a day of thanks....of course sharing overtaking  the bed is Roo and Mako.  One big family in a very small bed.  JD is upstairs- so great to see my boy!  Poor Riley got called into work at dinner last night but it is so good to see her...she is thriving in SC and happier than I have ever seen her.  We rolled into town and checked out her place, while definitely a college house, its 1 block from the beach and pretty sweet.   6 girls in a 900 sq house- 2 to a room, but location, location, location,

How we ended up on the hippy love shack it a nightmare....once again a rental scam.  Long story, we thought we vetted the listing on CL, used paypal etc. come to find out the house is owned and lived in and NOT rented to us for Thanksgiving  Us meaning my family of 4, my 81 yo Mom, Sister and family from Boulder....the idea one big house for 4 days.  We scrambled and are making the best of this... so far its all good.

So what next....family in general.  I am blessed to have both my parents alive and well and in San Diego!   We lost my step father last January but my mom is doing well and I cherish that we are so close.  My dad and step mother are  in LJ and we see them regularly.

 Seeing my mom and dad on a semi regular basis is really important to me and I am thankful in so many ways.... My siblings although in Boulder and Hong Kong we are very close. I talk to my sis a few times a week and we are like best girlfriends but more.  My bro and I are close even with the miles.... Thanks mom and dad for having all 3 of us :)

My friends.... you know who you are...we may talk 4x a day and have each other on speed dial or maybe once a month but each one plays a special role in my life.  Surrounded by good friends is anther blessing. We rode 1000+ miles this yards together, traveled to races, drank wine and shared many a Bonk Breaker...you girls make triathlon amazing but really complete my life.

My athletes....I am honored and thrilled to have coached and be coaching so many amazing people- most for Ironman, my passion.  Seeing them grow, get stronger and faster, crossing the finish line is what keeps me motivated every day.  Each one is different and I thank them for allowing me lead the journey!

Sooo happy to see my baby!! 

kids and Mom

Dinner was 14 of us.... 3 families and a giant joint effort of cooking and fun! And a HUGE surprise from my bro- flew in from Hong Kong!      We started the day with the Run for Pie in Aptos...10k in the trails and it was hard and fun!  Kids and sis did the 5k with the dogs.... family and running = happy mom