Happy Holidays!

I've had a wonderful 2 days.  Yesterday the boys and I celebrated Christmas.  Our ritual is to open presents on Christmas Eve morning.  As usual, they woke me up early and advised the coffee was already brewing...smart children!   Santa was smarter though and wrapped the presents in their stockings this year :)  I know...kinda cruel, but it goes along with our unusually cruel and smart @ss relationship I have with my children.  I love them more than anything in the world!

After a fun day of opening presents and the children spending more of my money, we headed to my parents house for a fun-filled evening!  We had lots of laughs and even a few tears...only because we were laughing so hard.  Of course we were laughing with you Andrea!  I promise it wasn't at you!  ;)

Mary and Andrea photo bombing the roast picture.  I think there may have been some alcohol involved in this.

Eric and I had to fight over the rare piece in the middle.  I swear I won that arm wrestle fair and square!

Today I spent Christmas with my "other" family.  Most people probably wouldn't understand the joy of spending a holiday at work.  It's difficult to explain the camaraderie felt in emergency services.  Whether it's fire, EMS or law...it truly is a brotherhood.  Although we miss our families on these days, I can't imagine spending them elsewhere.  Being able to help someone in their time of need, comforting families during already stressful times and being able to have a holiday meal with people who know you so well is difficult to understand unless you are blessed to work in such a close knit community.  I'm thankful every day for my job, my co-workers and my friends who have my back while I'm out there serving the community.  I can't thank them enough for all they do for their communities and for each other.  

Peace, love and happiness!  

Lessons learned

I had another great hike with dad.   We went to the Cary side of Umstead.  I had never been there before.  The weather was perfect so there were quite a few people there for a weekday.  We hiked a little over 10 miles.  Our longest hike so far.  It's a beautiful park and I'm sure we'll be spending more time there.

We saw 3 deer while we were there.  Unfortunately, I couldn't get any pictures of them.  But I did get some other cool pics.  

And of course it wouldn't be "Hiking with Dad" without at least one picture of my Dad :)

We did learn a few things on this hike.  First, bring more food!!  I was starving by lunch (I had already eaten a Snickers by then) so I ate my sandwich and my afternoon snack.  Second, stop and sit/stretch more.  By the end we were both pretty worn out.  I think had we had an afternoon snack and stretched during the day we would have enjoyed those last 2 miles.  As it was, we were both ready for food and meds by the end.  Third, don't drink so much coffee before we leave.   Cary is not the place I want to be caught squatting in the woods!  Maybe if it were Spring I wouldn't have worried so much, but this time of year there is no hiding in this park.  I know, I know...there are "solutions" for women.  I just haven't worked up the courage to buy any of those *devices* yet.

Life is good....

Who needs to win the lotto!

Dad and I took a couple of weeks (ok, maybe more like a few weeks) off due to weather and crazy holiday schedules.  Last week we ventured out to Raven Rock for the first time.  Wow what a view!!

I've never hiked during cold weather like that.  I think the high that day was supposed to be 42.  I've read many posts on Trail Journals and couldn't understand how people could hike in shorts during the cooler days.  Now I understand!  I came prepared with a hat, scarf, gloves, baseball cap, and more!  I had my layers on and was ready.  It did start out pretty chilly.

By lunch time the coat was gone.  It actually felt....warm!  We stopped and had lunch at one of the campsites and the breeze combined with sitting down made it a little cool, but it was still not bad.  I look forward to exploring Raven Rock again.

Tomorrow we are going back to Umstead.  We haven't been there since taking my sisters and niece.  Our plan is a 9-10 mile hike with a lunch break and Snickers!  I'm starting to think I only hike for the food :)

As I sit here and think about tomorrow I can't help but think about how absolutely lucky I am.  Ok, so maybe I didn't get a single number last night with the big Mega Millions lotto, but how many people get the opportunity to spend so much time with their parents doing fun things and just hanging out?  I cherish every opportunity we have to get out together.  I can't even begin to tell you how much I look forward to our backpacking trips in 2014.  Maybe it's my job and the realization that life is very short and you never know what tomorrow or even next hour has in store for you.  Never forget to tell those close to you how much you love them and take advantage of every opportunity to spend time with friends and loved ones...

Peace and love to all my friends and family!