Our Christmas Holiday - in Pictures

Although Jordan and I have both had the entire week off, I still have neglected to blog and write about our break.  We have been having an amazing week filled with relaxing, working out, running, meeting up with old friends and family, eating out, and playing with our puppies!


Since we have so many pictures from the holiday (and I don't feel like typing much!) I thought I would share with everyone!

I had a half day on the 22nd, but Jordan took Bruno to the vet to get neutered and have his duclaw removed.  We took him back to get a bigger cone later on because his snout is ridiculously long.

Santa at our family gathering on the 22rd

One of his presents

At the tree at the theater - we saw A Christmas Carol

I wore head to toe gold - but that was okay because everyone was wearing head to toe fur

Christmas Eve, we had a family reunion type gathering in Export, PA with Jordan's mom family where they cooked a massive 7 fishes Christmas Eve Dinner.  We left after dinner and went to my parent's party at their house, then went to 10pm mass.

my 'little' brother

JoePa shirt from Corey

traditional after mass Christmas Eve PJ opening

Robe!

Christmas Morning I had a nice 7 mile run (with tempo) with my dad.  We both dressed like crazies.  It was dark when we started, but a nice start to a great day. 

Jordan and I opened our presents and had a nice breakfast.  We spent some time at his dad's party in the afternoon, then ate dinner (filet and ravioli) at his Aunt's house.  We stopped by my aunt's house briefly as well.  Very busy, but fun day.

our little reindeer

and our little tree

Merry Corgmas!

Santa came for Caitlin, Jordan, Bruno, and Penny

Puppies opened their presents first.  They both got some toys and bones.  So happy!

Two Diary of a Wimpy Kid books, yay!

brunch casserole

family portrait

brothers stopped by

Penny and Bruno's cousin, Bailey

At Aunt Donna's House

New sweater I got Jordan

New dress he picked for me, matches my beautiful new bag!

Bailey likes to dance

Jordan needed to photograph the meat

Hope everyone else had as great of a holiday as we did!  Have a Happy New Year!

Puppy Boot Camp/Long, Long, Weekend

Although I have been off work, training Mister Bruno has kept me very busy the past couple days.  We are working on potty training, walking on a leash, sitting, and not biting Penny.

The doggies like to tease and chase each other, and also torment me.  This time, they decided to hang out under the bed together.

After that, I found them napping with each other sooo nicely.  It reassured me that Penny will probably not eat Bruno, no matter how many times he tries to nip her! 

little puppies

family cuddle

they love cuddeling

again

 

 

Bruno had an important call to make

Bruno's first ice cream from Aunt Maura

Lauren and Lisa came over!!!

Since this is supposed to be a running blog.....

Everyday I have been biking 45 minutes - 80 minutes.  I have been lifting 3x a week and doing my knee rehab exercises daily.  I start PT on Tuesday.  I am really hoping that after a couple sessions I am able to start building up again!

Happy Fourth of July!

The Diagnosis Is......

Today, I saw my sports physician to see what the deal was with the knee pain.  She was the most adorable, cool, and understanding doctor I have ever been too.  Her husband is a runner and she totally understands that I am going nuts not being able to train.  Sometimes It is frustrating seeing a Dr. for a running injury because they don't understand that I have knee pain from running 70 miles a week, not from being an overweight 70 year old.  This lady totally got it.  I wanted to kiss her when my x-rays showed I did not do any serious damage.

And the diagnosis is.....................

PatelloFemoral Syndrome

Copied from Runnersworld.com....

....patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS), or simply "runner's knee," is the most common overuse injury among runners. It occurs when a mistracking kneecap (patella) irritates the femoral groove in which it rests on the thighbone (femur).

I am pretty sure it happened the day I was sprinting up and down hills in anger at 7:25 pace just a week and a half after the marathon.  I am a dummy.


I am just thrilled that it is nothing super serious, my Dr. reassured me that I should do rehab for about 3 weeks to strengthen my muscles and I should be good.

The only hard decision to make is whether or not I should change the marathon I picked (Marine Corps, Oct. 30th) for a later race.  My training calendar says I should have started this week....It's a hard decision to make because I LOVE MARINE CORPS MARATHON and two of my best running buddies (Kate and Leslie) are running.

Any suggestions on a later fall marathon?  I was considering Philly.  It needs to be a fast course!!!

Although I have been off this week, I have been SO BUSY putting Bruno through my own doggie training camp.  I am determined to have him fully trained and ready to be a well behaved pup for when we go to Mexico July 17th and the best sister-in-law Maura Rushlander cares for him.  He slept for 7.5 hours STRAIGHT in his crate last night without a whimper!!!  He had no 'accidents' today and pooped outside twice and peed outside four times.  I am so proud. 

Penny and Bruno love to chase each other and pretend to bite.  Sometimes, I put them in 'time-out' when they get a little too rough.  I got very concerned when they both disappeared under our couch together.  It was so hilarious when I saw them just chilling together with their tongues hanging out.  Look at these knuckleheads!

Making Mischief

I am all for any late fall marathon suggestions!

Weenie!!!

 

Friday started off great....Jordan revealed to me my special anniversary gift that I would get later that night....

But first, I got to meet up with old running friends Autumn and Tasha at the Olive Garden in Robinson.  It was so nice to meet up and really made me miss running Cross-Country and Track with them.  It's so funny because when I think how I miss college I ALWAYS think about my running friends and cross-country memories.

Running friends!  Tasha, me, and Autumn

And here is my present!!!!

Our Puppy's Mommy

He will be named BRUNO!

so excited.  Please quit ripping my shirt off!

such a cuddly puppy

meeting Grandpa

Penny shared her red toy

Penny seems happy

He will be her husband someday

mid bark

Meeting his cousins

napping on Daddy

napping

Still my number 1 girl!!!!!!!!

Meeting Uncle Corey

1st bath

Penny was so glad she was not being bathed!!!

All clean now!

opening our wedding cake!

It was good

We are enjoying our new puppy so much!  I am very relieved because Penny seems as happy as ever.  Initially, she was very afraid when Bruno chased her around our house.  Now, she likes to get him to chase her, I just have to discourage him from the biting that puppies do so he doesn't make her mad!  And Jordan is being such a great Puppy Dad!

I am ready to enjoy our anniversary today :) !  Melting Pot tonight!!!
PS If you have any advice on getting two dogs used to each other, let me know!!!!!!