Candy Cane 5k & Cookie Exchange

This whole month has been such a crazy time for me.  It seems like I am always playing catch up.  Trying to get all of my projects done in time to share, in time to mail, in time for Christmas.  I've been planning my youngest's first birthday party (pictures to come).  There's the daily routine stuff, plus all of the extra activities and parties that happen around this time.  Needless to say, we've been busy!

So it was really nice to have a fun, relaxing day with friends!

This is our Fierce Running Group!  We all started running together at our local YMCA a few years ago.  The more we ran together, the better friends we became.  Now we do more than run.  We get together for kid playdates at the park, movie nights, coffee breaks, dinner, book club, baby showers, wedding showers, triathlons and other races.  Our outings always seem to involve food!  We run so we can eat!  We always like to coordinate our running attire as well, kind of like a team uniform.  Like the socks?!

We always have a great time! 

Our morning started nice and early.  We met at the Candy Cane 5k, organized by Front Running Sports in Lake Mary.  The race was to benefit the Boys Town organization. 

Such a fun, festive atmosphere!  The girls even got to have their picture taken with Santa!

This was my first race in quite a while.  I really haven't even been running as much as I would like to.  But even still, after we got going I decided to push it a little and see how I could do.  It felt good to be out there.  Well, after I was done I felt good about it! ;-)  I was pretty happy with how I did.  At least I know I can get back to where I used to be if I want to work at it.

Everyone had a great race, BUT our day didn't end there!

We all headed home to get cleaned up and grab our kids and cookies!

We met at a local park to do our cookie exchange.  This has become a tradition.  Everyone brings one or two kinds of cookies to swap.  The buckeyes are always a favorite.  Thanks Sonya! 
I brought cake batter fudge and toffee, both yummy Pinterest finds!

We also do a white elephant gift exchange and the kids bring books to exchange with each other. 

Fun times talking, playing, and eating!!

I am so thankful for great friends and all the times we have shared.

Thanks to all of you for such a great day!