Highway Robbery Town

Yesterday I went out on my first run with the Lake Ridge RidgeRunners down Prince William Parkway.  I have always thought of the parkway as hilly but of course, the hills were one hundred feet bigger when running up them.  I have learned to never look a gift hill in the mouth.  It works so much better for me to stare at the five feet in front of me rather than the top of the hill. 

I ended up running six miles and overall my pace was 9:15 min/mile.  I thought that was pretty good for all the hills!  My dad started the run with me but ended up hanging back with one of his friends.  So I ended up tackling the hills by myself.  I think I have decided that I put a lot more into my runs when I run by myself.  I tend to be a bit of a baby when I run with others....especially my dad.

Later that day we drove down to Williamsburg for Christmas Town!

Gotta rest up before the festivities!

Do not adjust your computers....this picture is really that dark :(

I like the idea of Christmas Town but was a little disappointed with it.  The park didn't open up until 3pm and since there were limited rides and shows, there were lines EVERYWHERE.  At $18 a ticket, I expected a lot more.

The penguin exhibit was one of the most disappointing.  We stood in line ten times as long as it took to go through the exhibit.  Here is the exhibit in pictures:

First Display



Fake Filler Penguins attempting to make the display seem worth the wait....
I'm only smiling because I think we still have a lot more to see.

Second and Final Display....The End.

 I have to admit that the park was absolutely beautiful after the sun set and they turned on all of the lights.

I still don't feel like it was worth all the money and the two hour drive down there.  It would have been a lot better if they had opened the park up earlier.  There were other shows that we didn't get to go to since we were too busy waiting in line for one show and the sky ride over the park.  I would have been so much happier if they had opened at noon.

Do you spend exorbitant amounts of money for Christmas-y activities?

Idle hands do the Devil's work

Forgive me.  I have sinned.  No one should ever cut their own bangs.  I'm walking proof.  I just got my hair cut but the change wasn't dramatic enough to satisfy me.  Now the change is so dramatic that I think I regret it.  What do you think?

Alex's face kind of says it all

It's been a crazy but fun weekend.  I'm so exhausted!  Alex and I started our weekend off with our TGIF bowling league.  I bowled a 131, 166 and 87 because consistency is not my strong suit.  You would think coming from a family of bowlers, I would do better but I still suck. 

The next morning, Alex and I went to Howl-o-scream at Busch Gardens.  It was freezing.  The haunted houses didn't start until 6pm and it was waaaay too cold for roller coasters so we started out with our favorite meal at the Festhaus!

I tried sauerkraut for the first time this summer at the Festhaus and it was love at first bite.  It is totally normal for me to get just a side of sauerkraut and devour it.  And yeah, that's a giant dill pickle on our tray too. 

After lunch, we decided to try out the Mach Tower.  I had no idea how windy and how much colder it was going to be at the top of the tower.  It would have been a great ride if my teeth weren't chattering the whole time.    It was the epitome of your stomach being in your throat feeling!  I loved it.  After being up in the frigid air, it was time for some apple cider....mmmmm.....

The clown scare zone

Howl-o-Scream was overall a lot of fun.  It was perfect that it was just Alex and me.  I don't think I will take my daughter until she is much, much older.  They don't start the really scary stuff until 6pm but even the shows were a different caliber for Howl-o-Scream.  The actors were much more scantily clad and the dancing was more provocative too.  It's not for kids but it's a good time for adults.

Julia's party, however, was a blast for the kiddos :)  Sunday was full of kids, sweets and fun (in that order).  I made a dirt cake for Julia.  I was supposed to make cake pops to go on top of the cake but I didn't have any sticks and I didn't feel like driving to the store to get some either.  I like to call them cake truffles.



The party was a hit!  I got the kids all sugared up and sent them home to the parents ;)  

What was the highlight of your weekend?

Impromptu Spirit Day?

...Hello...spiritful is not how I feel today.  Yesterday? Yes.  Today? No.  I want to crawl back into bed and not come out until my booty is on a beach towel down in Myrtle Beach.  I unconsciously decided to create my own spirit day at work....you know, old school, like homecoming week....

Dress like a Homeless Person Day

Let me back it up a bit.  I went to Busch Gardens yesterday with Mike, James, Julia and Alex and had a blast. 

This is what spirit looks like

It was a ton of fun, the weather was perfect, and the company was perfect!  It was such a perfect day that we decided to end it in the most perfect way:  fireworks!  It was a lovely display that ended around 9:45pm.  Add on time to catch a tram to the parking lot and get everyone packed in the car, we were on the road at 10:40pm. 

The ride from Williamsburg to Woodbridge was uneventful but still took the customary two hours.  By the time I got into bed, it was 1AM.  I don't think I have adequately informed you of my alter-ego (Super Granny) but I haven't gone to bed that late in at least a year!  My alarm clock went off this morning for work at five-thirty and I was angry.

I think it is a combination of the anger, tiredness, and haze of sleep that ultimately caused me to choose this outfit.  I regret this choice everytime I walk by a mirror.  And I'm not really sure what came first, my outfit or my attitude.  I think it was my attitude because I remember just wanting something comfy and warm to wear because I was tired, grumpy and wanted to sleep on the bus.

So yesterday at Bush Gardens, here is what my food looked like:  pork ribs, dill pickles, sour kraut, dinner roll, bratwursts, German potato salad, beef ribs, brisket, roasted chicken, waffle fries, ice cream (with hot fudge, whipped cream and sprinkles), and cotton candy.  After eating whole grains, high fiber, and fruits/veggies, all the fatty, yummy, and sugary foods were like crack to an addict!  I have been wanting sugar all day.  I haven't even had the desire for that stuff really but that is all I have wanted today.  My prescription for that is a run and a good night's sleep!  (Jersey Shore is on tonight so the good night's sleep might have to wait until tomorrow night....)

What's your prescription for getting back on track?

~Andrea