Fun Holiday Weekend With Bestie & Her Son

Over the Labor Day weekend, K (my best friend since middle school came to viist from Alalabama and  along with her A, (her seven year of son) for his first cross country flight. They arrived at LAX on Fraiday and stayed with hubby and I over the weekend they left on Labor Day afternoon.

Me, Friend K, and her son A

The first stop once K and A arrived was In-N-Out Bruger for their famous burgers and french fries.

K enjoying an In-N-Out burger and fries

A enjoying an In-N-Out burger

Since me and K are avid readers, out next stop after In-N-Out was "The Last Bookstore" which is a used bookstore in downtown Los Angeles. We all enjoyed checking browsing the store, taking photos and buying books to read later.

K and A in front of The Last Bookstore

The second day, we took K and A to Mission Beach in San Diego so they can enjoy playing in the waves follwed by going to the nearby Belmont Park for them to ride amusement park rides. 

Me, K and A at Mission Beach

Hubby with A at Mission Beach

K and A at Mission Beach

K and A sitting in big chair at Belmont Park

The third day of K and A 's visit to California, hubby and I decided to give them the Disneyland experience without actually going to Disneyland or California Adventure by taking them to a character breakfast at the Disneyland Grand Californian Hotel. 

Mickey Mouse, K, and A

After a delicious breakfast and plenty of photo opportunities for K and A, we took them to Downtown Disney since A loves Legos. While in Downtown Disney, K and A enjoyed churros for the first time then K bought A a Lego kit to take home with him back to Alabama.

K and A in front of Downtown Disney sign

A and K enjoying a churro

A in front of the Downtown Disney Lego Store

The evening of the third day, hubby and I took K and A to Knotts Berry Farm since A loves Snoopy and we had fun seeing "Ghosts Town Alive" and riding rides at Campy Snoopy

Me, A, and K in big chair at Knotts Berry Farm

Following four days of fun with K and A, it was time for them to return back to Alabama. As we dropped K and A off at the airport, K promised to return to California with A next year since she feels there's a lot more places she and A wanted to explore.

Me and K saying goodbye at airport

Disneyland Dapper Day and hubby turns 40

I've decided to catch up on my blog writing and what better way to start than posting my first time at Disneyland's Dapper Day as well as my hubby celebrating a milestone birthday this year! Below are some photos from late April our trip as well as hubby with his specially made Star Wars birthday cake.

Me in Dapper Day outfit

Me, hubby, and sister-in-law in front of Disneyland Main Street

Me, sister-in-law and hubby on teacups ride

Running friend, hubby, and me at Dapper Day expo

Me and hubby in front of Dapper Day expo sign

Hubby's 40th Stars Wars birthday cake

Hubby cutting his birthday cake while nephew watches

Completing my first half marathon

I completed my first half marathon (Tinkerbell Half Marathon) on Sunday! Although my finishing time was 3:19 (with a time limit of 3:50), I'm proud of myself for completing a exercise goal I set for myself. I woke up at 3:00 am Sunday morning got dressed and then went online for a minute to calm my nerves about the race. Around 3:30 am, I woke Den up so he could dressed and we could walk down to the hotel and catch the shuttle to Disneyland. Disneyland is a magical place during the day but early in the morning with no one there, its kind of surreal. Once we got there, it was amazing to see so many people there dressed as Tinkerbell, Peter Pan and other Disney characters as well as people dressed like regular people going out for a run. I took the opportunity to take a photo next to the mile 4 marker since we still had time before the race began. 

 Soon we arrived at the entrance and I took a photo with some pirates before heading to the main event stage and then carroll D where I'd be starting the race from. 

 I run the race using a combination of running for 4 minutes then walking for 1 minute.....in the beginning. Eventually, I began to walk more and run less because my foot started to hurt. Around mile 8, I fell while stepping up on a curb and scratched up my right elbow and knee. After some nice fellow runners helped me up, I brushed myself off and kept on going until the end. While a little part of me felt I should get my injuries checked out at the medical tent area, I decided I'd worry about that at the finish line. 

I know my form wasn't pretty and I didn't look like a runner but darn it I was going to get my Tinkerbell medal! After the race, I was so happy it was over and was super stoked to get my medal and finally wear my reward for completing the race-a "I completed the Tinkerbell Half Marathon" shirt. Although the race was hard and trying at times, I enjoyed the camaraderie I felt with the other runners and I loved the sense of pride I felt by having earned a medal rather than just being given something for participating. 

I am planning to resume my half marathon training schedule once I'm healed up since I signed up for the Hollywood Half Marathon in April. I'm also really considering doing another Disney run in October (Wine & Dine 1/2 Marathon) so I could get two medals;a medal for the Wine and Dine and a medal for running a Disney race on the East and West Coast.