Life on the Runn...

Shortly after Runnells Christmas - mere hours after - we were at Mitchell International Airport boarding a plane for Colorado. The early, early morning flight was barely at half capacity, and having worked though the whole process a few times before, it wasn’t a total junk show traveling with our little adventurer. We were off to a good start.  Our first day was packed - breakfast, REI, the climbing gym, ski pickup, Whole Foods, and settling into our condo - and a whole lot of fun.  The rest of our time was equally enjoyable. Thanks to warm weather and sunshine, HQ and I got to spend a fair amount of time outside and explored a few different villages. Vail, Beaver Creek, and Keystone all proved to be suitable for parent-little human ski bumming, but BC took the cake: there was space for spectating, quiet corners to settle into, and oodles of cookies being distributed at the base of the mountain.  And while the mountains were low on snow and we often had shorter days on the slo

This past weekend was the annual Runnells Christmas gathering at Grandpa's. Per usual, it was a fantastic time with a family I am beyond blessed to have married into. The group was extra large this year with great aunts and uncles, second cousins, and new arrivals -- namely our little lady.  We ate well - ham and turkey, jell-o, cookies and custard (a special shout out to the makers of the cheese potatoes sans onions!!). And we laughed a lot.  If the white elephant gift exchange items weren't chuckle-inducing enough (someone is now the proud owner of a turkey statue), the youngest members of the crew did their part when we attempted (and mostly successfully executed) a picture with Grandpa and five of his six great-grandchildren.  Oh, the faces little people make when they're not on board with the grown-ups' plans -- or are placed in a nativity scene! The holidays are a magical and heart-warming time, no doubt.  Having such wonderfully loving and entertaining people

On Thursday, I met my mom at her office as she walked out the door for the last time as an employee of Citizens Bank. After 21 years, I know that she will truly be missed, but the bank’s loss is our family’s gain. Too soon, I’ll be back to work at West, and HQ will get to spend her days with her Grandma JoJo!  Friday night was Mom’s retirement party. And while it made me slightly more anxious than I would like to admit to leave Harper, it was really nice to spend the time celebrating Mom. And it was lots of fun to be back at Kelly's Bleachers, the scene of many family shots, family softball games, and other shenanigans. I can't complain about getting to spend time with cousins or with our little Badger game/concert crew.   The next day, my birthday, was filled with many of my favorite things, at least those that don’t involve mountains or international travel. I set an alarm (not my favorite) to ensure I was at the gym with some of my favorite people for one of my favo