I have been won over by the Crawley Family (Downton Abbey) because it means I get to hang out with 3 of my best friends and have something yummy to eat.
Jennifer was in town for a few days so we enjoyed the first episode by a crackling fire, sipping tea (I drink boring hot water) and munching on scones and a dessert cheese ball:


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Jeff’s good friend from high school was in town, so we joined the Howey’s for chips, salsa and dinner. What a fantastic couple!

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My good friend Laura Ecklund and I went to a book signing party last week for “Another Mother Runner.” We’re big fans of their books and podcasts:

We had no idea how much fun we’d have… the two authors are so genuine and funny, and we even got amazing goodie bags (and we didn’t even have to run a race?!). They gave away a lot of cool running loot via raffle, and Laura and I BOTH actually won prizes!

And look at me, all short here, with Dimity (6’4”), one of the authors:

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Sarah, Josh and I volunteered at the Legoland Mile Kids race registration tables, handing out race bibs:

It was a coooooold early morning until the sun came out.



Stilts! Josh’s friend had a pair at running club, so Josh went home and promptly recruited daddy to help him make his own pair:

Sometimes we head to the library for school time:


Co-op friends:

Sarah’s Greek Mythology Class:

Pick-up basketball at co-op:

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The devoted Mr. Garland and I scored tickets (complementary) to see a live taping of Jay Leno’s Tonight Show, filmed in Burbank, CA. Huge kudos to my parents for swooping in to watch our kids for the day and night!
Jeff took off half a day so we could drive up there and stand in lots of queues. Hurry up and wait:

The show was fascinating to watch. We are NOT regulars, so we made sure to watch a few episodes the week before so we knew what to expect.
Guests included Mark Harmon (the “Silver Fox” star of NCIS), Gracie Gold (US Olympic figure skating team member – she juggled on the show, so cute), and Kristin Chenoweth (singer/actress).
Absolutely no cameras were allowed inside the studio – hoooo boy were they strict with the rules! During the musical portion of the show, they had a technical problem, so they had to record Kristin Chenoweth's song twice.
NBC is ending Jay Leno’s contract (boo) so the Tonight Show is headed to the East Coast next (with new host Jimmy Fallon). Only 15 Burbank episodes left. Jay Leno is such a warm, neat guy. Jeff has really enjoyed his car talk shows (he’s so knowledgeable about cars!).

Our family camp friends Jason and Laura Hasker were able to join us. The Burbank studio was a perfect mid-point between our San Diego home and their Palmdale home.

Burgers after the show with the Haskers as we waited for LA traffic to dissipate:

God is so good to us. Every DAY is a gift from Him.
#grateful