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

First Visit To Hometown Since COVID & Little Rock 1/2 Marathon Race Recap

     In an effort to complete my life long goal of running a half marathon in each state, I signed up to run the Little Rock 1/2 Marathon in Little Rock, Arkansas. Since the race occurred on Sunday, March 6, hubby and I decided to fly in early and drive down to my hometown in Alabama to visit my best friend as well as my parents (which I haven't seen in person since 2019. I was happy to be able to meet up with my best friend and her son over lunch before visiting with my dad and my mom.

Best friend and me

Dad and me

Hubby, dad, and me

Mom and me

Me, mom, and hubby

      After our brief visit to Alabama, it was time to return back to Little Rock to prep or the half marathon on Sunday. While taking a break from race prep, I was able to enjoy some delicious vegan food from Blue Sage Vegan Bistro.

Spicy mushroom tacos

Chick'n fried steak sandwich

Vegan grilled cheese with mushrooms and arugula

Spiral fries

After a good night's sleep at the hotel, it was time to get up and run the half marathon. The half marathon was fairly uneventful expect for a brief period of sprinkles followed by a later period of brief rain. Luckily, I made sure to pack a poncho in my pants pocket so I didn't get too wet during the race. 

Me before the half marathon

Bridge I ran on during on during race

Communion on the Run tent

Arkansas Governor's mansion

Me with half marathon finisher's medal

Close up of finisher's medal

Although there were many interesting tents set up along the race route, my favorite was the "Communion on the Run" tent in front of a church which gave runners the communion experience using pretzel bites to represent the body of Christ and a cup of grape juice to represent the blood of Christ. This to me was a very creative idea! Overall, the Little Rock 1/2 Marathon was a wonderful race to run and I loved how many community members come out to support us runners. I'm looking forward to visiting my family for a longer time sometime soon as well as looking forward to my next 1/2 marathon which will be the Las Vegas Women's 1/2 Marathon next month.