Christmas at Home part 2

So in the previous post you were able to see many gifts received, but what we really enjoy is the time we are able to spend with each other.. Ian and Lori were able to fly in from San Francisco and that made Christmas very special! We have an unusual family.. we all GET ALONG, and we LIKE all of our in-laws...so the times that we are able to get together are very special...

After we opened presents, Ian and I were able to drive around Tarboro and take some photos... we found this old barn downtown... ( and a Drunk guy hanging around.. but Ian Kicked his butt... not really he stumbled away as we were arriving... haha) So i am trying to learn all about my camera and maybe get some Super Sweet Camera Skills through osmosis from my brother... he is the creative one.. I am the OCD, analytical he is the ADD, innovative... JUST KIDDING ( no seriously... hhaha)

While we were home we shared some yummy food. Ian made French Toast one morning, I brought cupcakes from my favorite cupcake bakery in Charleston, Francois made some yummy steaks, Dad cooked the beast, mom had lots of food stocked and prepared like haystacks and monkey bread, and Lori made an amazing Cheesecake that i think is possibly the best cheese cake ever!!

Francois and I always enjoy going to Tarboro, because we really get to relax and just do nothing.. we rarely get to do this in Charleston. Mom and Dad are super excited about having Christmas at their house this year because since last year.. they have a brand new remodeled kitchen and ... house.... I think everyone enjoyed the nice new kitchen... since eating is our FAVORITE THING TO DO!!

So... in all we had a fabulous time in Tarboro and on Dec 26th Francois and I headed back to Charleston because I had to work.. and have been working almost since. Our census usually goes down for the holidays.. not this year... we got all the crazies... Next Post : 2nd Year Anniversary.. DEC 28th WHEWWW HOOOO

Christmas at Home part 1: The gifts

Hello All! 

Now that the holidays are over and we are all back to our normal routine, It is now time to start posting on the blog again. 

Well let me see, what has happened since we last spoke. I know that the previous post was a tribute to Lori since we seem to think that this SNL skit is hilarious NO MATTER how many times you watch it!!....  

Oh, yes... Christmas. Ok, so Francois and I went to Tarboro, NC to see my parents for Christmas, my brother and Lori had arrived the previous day and was able to meet up with some old friends from their life in Raleigh before they moved to San Fran. 

The holiday week consisted of lots of food, R&R, Movies, X BOX, food, pajama time, food, and PRESENTS, and food.  We actually decided that Christmas was really on Sunday, this year and by doing so, we were able to play with our gifts together longer than if we opened gifts the night before Ian and Lori left, which was Tuesday.. day before Christmas Eve... WHEW.. lots of confusing dates.... in a nut shell we had Christmas early, got lots of really nice gifts and i would have to say my favorite moment was being able to share a 10 mile run with my brother.

 As a runner, it is not often that you are able to share a fist time distance with someone, which can be very special. Ian is now starting to run, which makes me happy because it is something that i can share with him!!... We played the longest name game ever ( that is the game.. possibly a drinking game.. ANYWAY.. where you say a name like Brad Pitt and then the next name has to start with the first letter of the last name. For example after Brad Pitt the next name could be ...  Pamela Anderson.. etc. Well it takes time up and allows you to not think about the run so thats the game) ... but we made it.. and around Tarboro too! 10 miles!! Double digits!

Here are some photos from the Christmas:

Here is the Amazing painting my brother did for my mom, the two paintings have important dates in my mom's life. The painting to the left is geared toward Dad and Me and the one to the left is for Mom and Ian.. Mom actually cried... might have been the only time I have seen that!!  This also made Lori and I tear up, but we pretended that the Mad Libs calendar I gave Lori for her desk was JUST that special!! 

Francois showing us his new bag and new suit !!! looking sharp!

Checking out the new tent Ian and Lori got from my parents.. pretty SWEET!

Here is my brand new Camera!! YEah... trying to dig deep in my genes for some creativity ... Super excited to get started !!

We got Ian and Lori sleepingbags... and I was determined to get them in there... so here they are.. 

Ian and Lori being silly in the sleeping bags!! 

Ian and Lori received backpacks from Francois and me as well ... they look great... !! Now there is NO excuse .. they must plan a backpacking trip!

Opening some gifts!I have my new favorite pair of jeans in my hand and I have on my super special Diamond earrings from my sweet husband, Francois with his much awaited Briefcase, and I think Ian is looking at some book Mom and Dad gave him about guitars.. not sure... But I like this picture because.... It's like a Where's Waldo... instead I would like to call this "Where's Howard?" can you find him ..... hmmmmmmm? Where is he???

The day after gifts we had our 2nd annual BEAST dinner... mmm mmm mmm.. 

(Yep I loaded this backwards, the pre beast is after this picture... but thats ok... you get the idea... it was a masterpiece !!)

And here we have my dad about to crack open the "Beast"... there was probably some grunting of some sort before this photo.. like a Tim Allen  "Tool Time"!

And ... to finish the blog post with a Goode ol' Family Picture... My dad likes to get us all together and test out his remote on his camera... I say this year we made it work pretty well. In all We had a VERY Merry Christmas!!! and i will post more on the next blog post... this one was getting a little long!! 

                                                    Christmas 2008 in Tarboro, NC

Sisters

Lori this is for YOU!!

Video Recaps | Full Episodes | Webisodes

Where is Waldo

I have just finished reading my brother and Lori's Blog, and just about died!! I loved Ian's piece on Apples.... I actually did. Hilarious... So it inspired me to write a little childhood memory ( ok, so it has nothing to do with fruit, but reminded me of how crazy my brother Ian can be sometimes... so therefore... a childhood story came to mind) 

Well, Ian and I were pretty close growing up, I always wanted to be my big brother and I followed him everywhere. We had lots of fun times together... However, one particular time was not sooo much fun. I was sitting in my bed reading, really getting into to this perplexing book, mind "bottling " boggling ... if you will. I' m not sure if you remember the Where's Waldo books... but they were Freakin HARD. ( I think I was about 7) Anyway, I was  7 and the book was about 3 ft tall,  needless to say an elephant could have walked by and I would not have seen behind the cover of this gi-normous book.

Well, as I was saying... I was reading my book ( really I was ticked that I  found Waldo's hat, sister, cousin, and some of his friends, but Waldo himself... remained undetected.. )... so I am searching for Waldo like it is my JOB... and out from behind the book jumps my brother.. 

"AHHHHHHHHHHHH", he screams. 

I have never been so afraid in my life. I immediately skipped the scream and went straight to uncontrollable tears..... I have to say, still..... the best scare I have had... and want. 

I guess I bring this story up, because Ian and I use to stay up and read Where's Waldo books on Christmas Eve, until we fell asleep slant-ways in the bed... then I would wake up at 1:00am... look at our loot ... and then go back to sleep.. wake up at 5:00 am and then pull my brother out of bed.... and wake my parents up. 

I always loved Christmas, the smells, the feeling, the warmth and coziness of the holiday spirit. 

Give the Waldo search a try... be careful not to mistake Waldo's cousin for Waldo...

A VERY long Run!!

Hello all!! Just wanted to update you on our life the past couple of weeks.  After Cooper's Birthday, my parents came into town for Thanksgiving because I had work the day before, the day of, and the day after Thanksgiving... But everyone was great about letting me sleep during the day and I think my Mom might have put in a little extra shopping time.   ( sorry Dad )

( Note: I am originally a Goode,  and I have an appreciation for grammar and spelling, however, in this blog... grammar and spelling are optional.... hehehe) 

Back to the story: The week after they left was a little lonely, however we had work to keep us company. Also, as some of you may know, i am training for an ultra-marathon in February. I am running a 37 mile race in Virginia called Holiday Lake. I have run the other ultra-marathons in this Lynchburg Series except this one... Why am I telling you this? ... Well training is consuming a portion of my life right now and with that said... I move to the meat of this story.. 

Today:  Dec 6th, Francois and I went on an 18 mile adventure. We started at Patriot's Point before the Cooper River Bridge. We then went over the bridge, down East Bay towards the Battery. After the Battery we ran Down Calhoun Street up towards the Citadel where Francois went to school, and then a loop around Hampton Park.  After this, we traveled back to Calhoun, up Meeting Street and Back to East Bay ... up and OVER the Bridge, WHHHEWWW... Long story Short... it was a LONG run. But we made it fun... ( I went through the route for those that are familiar to Charleston and for the running enthusiast to drool over.. haaa HAA)

So here I am at the start, running over the bridge. Holy Cow it was windy and cold!  My toes were going numb! 

Francois spent a good portion of his day following me on his bike for the 18 miles around downtown Charleston...taking pictures and keeping me company--- the perfect husband and coach!!!

The battery was nice, there were many people enjoying the day. Most were probably headed downtown to grab a good seat for the parade. We, on the other hand, were on a mission to cover some ground and make it back in time to eat some amazing brunch at Tristan 

We headed down Calhoun Street, Francois was able to snap a shot in front of my hospital, I work on the 5th floor, the windows right below the ledge ( I guess that is what you call it... I am sure there is a French word for the architectural structure..... those French people invented everything ......annnnyway, I digress) ... So this is my hospital!! 

We then made it to the Citadel where I was able to take a break to pet this dog on the back of his head... The Citadel mascot is in fact a Bull Dog, but this pup got a behind- the- ear rubbing from ME... 

After our run, we changed clothes in the car ( Yep, no shower... GROSS) and went straight to Tristan for brunch. I was a little skeptical that we were not going to make the 2:30 pm restaurant cut off, because the Charleston Parade was going to start at 2:00 pm and we were driving to Tristan around 2:10 pm. BUT, we made it, found a parking spot and had some TERRIFIC food. 

And Finally, we had some REALLY REALLY THIN PANCAKES!! WOOO HOO,  These delicious crepes were  Tahitian vanilla crepes with mascarpone cheese topped with warm apple chutney and local honey.. Holy Cow they were A-M-A-Z-I-N-G... and on that note... 18 days until Christmas, there will be more delicious food gracing my belly during this feasting, festive season... that is why I  LOOOVE the holidays, and thank goodness I am training for something... it means I get to eat twice as much!! 

(and Yes the picture is sideways, it might only bother my brother. Ian,  look I had to put these pictures in Photoshop, change the size and save as and then write this story backwards... so I could put the pictures in .. you can teach me when you are home for Christmas... oh Brother!) 

Cooper's Birthday

Happy birthday to cooper. We got him this real nice outfit from Petsmart... it's his holiday look.... i don't think he likes it.  Ohh, Cooper. He is turning 6 on November 19th!!! I can't believe it! they grow up so fast ( tear). 

Hope to have more updates soon, pretty much working and getting ready for the holidays. Mom and Pops are coming in town for Thanksgiving... this girl has to work.. so we are altering things a little... but still plan on the turkey coma... yum yum.. There just aren't enough couches. 

well, Happy birthday COOP!!

Surprise, San Francisco!

Hello all, some of you know that I traveled to San Francisco to surprise my brother for his birthday. I arrived on Saturday morning around 11:30 in the morning. I wanted it to be a surprise, but I think my dad having his video camera out randomly .. and my Mom looking out the window , blew my cover.   Nonetheless I arrived.  First time in California!!

My brother and his wife Lori, live in the Misson district of San Francisco. The first day was packed with fun events. We decided to take a trip to Sausalito, which was a short ferry ride, passing Alcatraz  ( which I think they have a triathlon that is based out of there... hmmmm, maybe next time ), the Bay Bridge, and an amazing city scape view. A small amount of pictures were taken on this trip, to say the least. 

[Ian being nice to his sister Tootie ]

[ Ian trying to eat his sister Tootie's head , while I counter attack with a fatal nasal flare . I win... this is what most of our pictures look like.. ]

Sausalito was great, we walked around took in some sights. I think the best thing about it, was the this eccentric man doing interpretative dancing near the ferry line. I wanted to join, had he been dancing to I'll Always Love You by Whitney Houston, I would have been all over it! { i'll post this video on the next post... it needs to be glorified}

[ having fun with our iPhones, and teaching mom how to use her camera on her phone. We had come crepes at this great little restaurant ... Lori and I had Pears and Gouda in our crepe... MMM... savory]

We headed back into town for some good eats, added a couple of layers first and then went to this amazing restaurant area where the restaurants almost compete for your business, we ended up at La Bastille, a French restaurant. I had clams, AMAZING! The lighting was so pleasant here, reminded us of France. Oh France... We miss ya! 

The next day, Ian's Birthday!!  Ian and I went for a run around the city, I believe it was 8 miles. Ian is doing amazing with his exercise routine, I have converted another. I think Lori and Ian have adapted to the many hills of San Francisco and both of them are in the best shape of their life! So proud! After our run, the family went to brunch at one of Ian and Lori's favorite places. Yummy!!

[ Ian giving me the green light for some good eats]

After our breakfast, we shopped a little, but mostly we walked down to Fisherman's Wharf for some clam chowder in a bread bowl, Pier 39 to see the sea lions, and Ghirardelli Square for some CUPCAKES!! I think everyone knows our family LOVES food! Francois was making fun of me that all of my Facebook updates are about what I am going to eat or have eaten, what can I say, I was a Goode once before. Later that night we had a birthday dinner for Ian followed by cupcakes and ice cream. 

The next day, we all took a trip in the car. Our first stop was for a picnic near the Golden Gate Bridge at Crissy Field. It was C-O-L-D, the wind off the water made it very chilly. 

Fun times at Crissy Fields...

We then drove over the Golden Gate to Muir Woods area, first stopping at an overlook. 

[Dad taking a picture of Ian and me ... in the next picture you have to look real hard to see Ian and me at the top of the cliff...]

<- see us right here?  That's us

Then we headed into the Muir Woods where we were able to see the hugh redwoods. Amazing how large these trees are. 

[ Ian taking pictures of us in the tree] 

The next day, My parents left early and Lori had to go to work, so it was Sister Tootie and Little Brother Baby time. We had a GREAT day, walking around, shopping, going to the top of Lombard street and then down to Fisherman's Wharf again for some chowder in the bread bowl. 

   

Pier 39 at Fisherman's Wharf, enjoy the sea lions... they are fun to watch 

                                                                

   [ Lombard Street]

I was finally able to ride in a cable car, which is actually pretty scary. 

Later we went for a run, went to the gym, and finished the day off with personal pizzas at home with a side order of Clue and table topics. So much fun, too bad at 10:30 that night I was in route for the airport where I caught the Red Eye back home to Charleston, SC.

The trip was so much fun, and the only thing missing was Francois. Luckly he had visited the week prior because of business, but that doesn't mean we didn't miss him. We always pretend ordered for him at the restaurants... he would have loved it all!! Thank goodness we all shot over 1000 pictures so, he won't miss a shot.