I finally got my computer back and it feels good to have Lightroom up and running again. I’m uploading pictures and have so much to catch up on, but we’re going to start somewhere easy: Thanksgiving!
I was up bright and early for the Gilbert Turkey Trot. This year we limited the race size and I’m so happy we did because we are maxing out our venue and just about every resource I have. I’m always so grateful when everything works relatively good because there are so many areas that can go wrong. First and foremost – I’m happy every year the forecast is sunny because that makes for happy runners!
I spy with my little eye – four boys in matching glasses shirts!
This year the four boys ran the 5K but Steve didn’t run (he helped at the finish line) so the two youngest were running buddies.
It was fun to see the race report and see that all the boys improved their times from last year. We joke that we’re the largest 4.9K in the country because the race is just shy of a 5K because we’ve had to move our finish line back over the years to accommodate all the runners. But Hunter came in at almost 19 minutes for 3 miles which is impressive since none of them run outside of playing sports.
We managed to pull off this race with just two meetings – we are nothing if not efficient. Unfortunately, our amazing efficiency is why we’re always scrambling to grab a picture after the race. Everyone has their roles and we’re running in all different directions and we grabbed who we could grab, it was as good as we were going to get this year. We all have Thanksgiving dinners we’re rushing off to so we have to make quick work after the race is over!
After we got the race cleaned up, per “tradition”, (meaning we did it one time two years ago) we stopped by the gas station to refuel.
After getting home, we had exactly an hour and a half to get all the rolls cooked (they were rising while we were at the race) and our dessert made and then we were back out the door. By some miracle, we were on time for dinner. We gathered with the family members available and we’re always grateful for Steve’s brother for opening his house and being willing to host after spending the last 24 hours with the turkey trot.
Hunter and Bennett were the only high school kids in attendance so they had the tough decision of whether to sit at the college+ table or the elementary table. I think they chose wisely.
All the cousins with Steve’s parents.
We had one large family game of one and done and there was money on the line or a cold plunge in the pool so the stakes were high. Bennett almost won it all and luckily none of them were at risk of jumping in the pool.
This group right here means everything to me. (Just imagine Hallie in this picture next year!) I’m grateful for the energy and humor in our home. There is never a dull moment and I’m loving this stage of life. We work together and we play together and both are some of the highlights of my life right now.
Between all the Turkey Trot prep and the Turkey Trot, I managed to make 130 rolls. 🙂
I typically make them the day before, freeze them in their knotted but not risen state. The morning of Thanksgiving, I pull them out and they rise while we’re trotting. We get home, and bake away before heading to eat with family. This year was no different. There are few things I like more at the Thanksgiving table than homemade rolls.
Steve’s brother hosted a beautiful dinner and we gathered with the family that was available which was about 50 people.
I can’t write a Thanksgiving post without sharing my gratitude for this guy. Thanksgiving is always a little busy around our house due to the Turkey Trot but Steve just steps up and takes care of all the things that slip through my hands. He cleans up my messes as I run out the door and he entertains the kids while I crash on the couch when it’s all said and done. He is my balance in all things.
Thanksgiving weekend we got some good family time in. One of the favorite extended family activities is cardio tennis. We showed up to the high school courts and played for hours. Although very few in the family actually played tennis in high school – they are all athletic, very competitive and have had experience with the sport. So cardio tennis with the gang is so much fun. Hallie was a shining star and it was fun for her cousins to see her play some since most don’t live in the area. Hunter also held his own and he’s participated in this game for a few years with not as much confidence.
I wish we would have taken a picture when we had two courts full of family – instead we snapped one after half the group left. Still a reminder of how awesome it is to have so many fun cousins.
We also attended our last ASU game for the season and we haven’t seen stands this full in a few years (most of them were UofA fans but still – a full stadium is fun to be a part of). Sadly ASU had a poor showing for their final game and left us wondering if they’ll ever be decent again.
Thanksgiving week was fun and exhausting on so many levels. I’m grateful for our little family. They are the center of my world and I love it. I’m grateful for all the extended family we were able to gather with. We talked, we swam, we played, we connected. They are as good as they come and I find myself in awe with just how fortunate we are to be one big family. And now we get to ride this high into the Christmas season.
I often get asked the same question over and over again regarding the Gilbert Turkey Trot – it’s the question as to whether the Turkey Trot is easier to manage year after year because we know what we’re doing. Although there’s some truth to that – there’s also new challenges year after year as we grow and it often feels like we’re figuring it out every year.
What started as a small neighborhood run has grown to 5,500 runners plus spectators (a record for us) and every year we’re surprised at the growth. None of us have any experience in running large events like this or even more particular a race, but we’ve figured it out and we do it for charity.
These three ran the 5K and they all crushed it.
These ones ran the Fun Run.
And here’s some behind the scenes:
We buy doughnuts by the pallet. Hunter was in charge of unloading all these doughnuts. I don’t even want to count how many doughnuts our family consumed between the packet pickup, race day and the day after.
The local shirt printer we work with is awesome and he is so good to us – printing all the runner, volunteer, trot team, glasses and brainfood shirts. And he willingly adds to our order two days before the race when our registration is higher than we anticipated.
Hallie, Hunter and Bennett volunteer at the packet pickup with me the night before the race. They are paid in pizza and swag and that is enough for them. The older they get, the more helpful they are and they know how to work. I think Cannon and Briggs are now old enough and next year we will be able to volunteer as a family.
This is my friend Ruth and she started Az Brainfood which is one of the two charities we raise money for. She is an integral part in our packet pickup and onsite registration and more importantly we are a team outside of the Turkey Trot. If I’m working on a project, Ruth is by my side and vice versa. Grateful for friends like her.
This team is why the turkey trot functions as it does. They have vision and are willing to serve and they’re pretty fun to work with.
Before Thanksgiving we attended Briggs’ classroom “family traditions” learning event. His school is pushing regular learning events where parents come in to the classroom to see presentations. They’re usually pretty quick – think 2nd graders – and sometimes I wonder if they’re even worth attending.
But then I walk in and see my kid beaming and I’m reminded why I show up. He wants us there – even if it’s for less than 5 minutes and then he begs us to take him out of school early.
(It made me think of a video I saw earlier this week of kids spotting their parents at events and how they light up. Take a look if you want to smile.)
Briggs is thankful for the following hobbies: Soccer, football, basketball, tennis, baseball, and… art.
The people he’s thankful for: Family, grandparents, teachers, friends and best friends.
Food he’s thankful for: Cotton candy, pears and grapes.
November may be my busiest month of the year as I work to get the turkey trot details wrapped up and then the event itself. It ends up being a family affair as the whole family is involved.
The day before Thanksgiving, we have the packet pickup for the race. Hallie, Hunter and Bennett join me and help in different stations; checking people in and handing out t-shirts.
The morning of the race Hunter and a family friend joined my bright and early to finish last minute setting up. This is a trailer load of just half the donuts we had for the race.
I’m amazed that each and every year this race grows – which is awesome for our charities. As I started out on the family fun run with my family, it was such a fun sight to see people spilling out from the mall parking lot. I can’t remember the last time I ran a mile and I’m embarrassed to admit how out of shape I am!
For the first year ever, we didn’t have a stroller or a scooter and those little legs ran the whole race. There was a point where Briggs’ legs were tired and he was ready to walk. Talking to himself, he said, “I just really want that medal!” and those little legs started running again. I didn’t tell him he would have received the medal regardless if he walked or ran.
In years’ past, Hallie has seemed to disappear with her cousins when it was time to run, claiming they accidentally missed it. But not this year – she was a willing participant with her cousin Claire.
Last year Bennett and Hunter both really trained for the 5K – this year their only training has been soccer practice/games. Bennett was adamant that he would not be running this year and yet days before the race he said he would do it – he was going to earn a medal. I was so happy to see him cross the finish line and the only thing he said to me was, “I think I’m going to throw up. No, seriously, I’m just want to throw up. Luckily, he didn’t need one of the many buckets that were used more frequently than I would have imagined.
I was standing at the finish line taking pictures of everyone running through and somehow I missed Hunter, not even sure how that was possible but he ran right by me and I didn’t see him. He was proud of his 21 minute completion and even more proud he beat his uncle’s time who runs marathons.
Hallie was happy to be surrounded by cousins. So many of them have moved on to college so she really enjoys when they all come home to visit.
This is the crew behind the turkey trot. The crew that sits in meetings and determines just how many doughnuts we need this year and how many barricades we need for the finish line. Every person with a very specific skillset and role on the team. It’s an entertaining group to say the least.
After we put on a successful race, it was time to put on a successful dinner. Steve’s brother graciously hosted (as they have done so many years in the past) and every family did their part to contribute to the dinner.
After dinner, more family gathered for dessert and games. We spent the evening outside in competition and then brought the competition inside for some group games. There is never a dull moment with this group. People were winning money and others were jumping in the pool with all their clothes or serenading us with song.
As we climbed in the car later that night, we rode home listening to Christmas music recounting the days events. And then all the weeks of preparation caught up with me and I crashed – I was good for nothing Friday, but it was a good recovery day.
