Hi everyone! Merry Christmas! It’s definitely time for a holiday recap along with some scenes from my super Pennsylvanian run! On Tuesday we decided to celebrate a mini version of Christmas in Alaska, so we opened up a few presents that we didn’t want to bring home on the plane.
I got a beautiful new yoga mat!
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I also got an aeropress and a fleece Buff to wear while running. And that gray thing is a backpacking tent! It was awesome! We finished up our Alaska Christmas with a drive around town looking at Christmas lights.
The next day, we celebrated my husband’s birthday and then packed up and headed to the airport at midnight. We flew out at 2:15 am AST and tried to sleep as much as possible on the plane. After a layover in Seattle, we finished out our long trip to Philly with no issues, even though it was Christmas Eve and so busy!
How I got through the flights: reading Holly Madison’s book on the plane. Anyone else a Girls Next Door fan from way back in the day?
I’m not going to lie, it was so emotional landing in PA! I almost tackled my dad to the ground! But I was even more excited to see my baby girl, Bella
Christmas morning was a blast! I got awesome coloring books, Flyers gear, and a hilarious running shirt. My best present of all was being with my family of course 🙂
I was so completely exhausted from travel (like falling asleep mid-conversation) that I didn’t get to run until Saturday! But it was an amazing run and totally worth the wait. I ran at Grings Mill in Reading and not only was running along the canal super pretty, it was 50 degrees! I couldn’t believe I was running past Christmas decorations in a tank top!
I also promised you lots of covered bridge running pics, so here you go! Berks county at its finest right here.
This run was perfect – I felt no pain, I wasn’t freezing, and I was so completely relaxed and happy running at home again. I was digging the green grass and the pretty rolling hills along the trail. It’s so different than Alaska!
After my run, we went over to Andrew’s family to visit for the weekend! We got to meet our new baby niece and she is adorable and so silly! And our other niece is a middle schooler now which is so crazy.
Aunting so hard right now 🙂
I’m heading back to stay with my family for the next few days for some shopping and more holiday fun. We also plan to visit Pittsburgh for New Years before visiting both our families again. I’m loving this trip!
How was your holiday weekend? What’s the best present you got this year?
Mom in the Mtns 
Looks like you had a great Christmas! And how the heck did you go running in a tank top? Haha. Your new yoga mat is beautiful! Have fun trying it out. 🙂 My best Christmas present was finding out that I’m going to be an auntie again! So excited.
It was sooooo warm here! I was sweating! And congrats on being an aunt again! It’s totally the best job ever 🙂
Yay for being home and for pain free runs! That makes me so happy for you! I loved Girls Next Door–I may just have to read that book. But that was also back in my day of reading People and Us Weekly, which I haven’t done in years.
OMG the book is terrible in the best way. She’s not a writer, but I love reading all the crazy details of her life!
Belated happy birthday to your hubby!
We all have been ill (again and still) during holiday and over Christmas we have eaten way too much so that I will do a bit of “raw til 4”.
I always feel incredibly fat and lazy when I can’t exercise so for today I will go for a walk with my older daughter and explore more running routes!
Thanks, I’ll totally pass that on! And I’m so with you on overeating. I hope you find some new routes to run, that’s always so much fun!
Yay, glad you’re enjoying your time at home! It was almost 60 degrees near me on Christmas. And today it’s 18. WTF??
Oh boo 😦 That’s a huge difference! I was originally horrified by the heat but I did like my tank top run so I can’t complain!
YAY PA! While I love seeing all your explorations of Alaska, there’s no place like home, I’m sure! I bet your family is so thrilled to have you!
Haha don’t worry, I’ll be back there soon! And my family and friends were definitely excited to see me! I think my dog was the most excited of all 🙂
Merry Christmas! Sadly, I’ve never run at Grings Mill! haha I’ll have to check it out 🙂 Tweet me if you have any other running days :-)))
Oh man I just ran there again today! What are you doing on either Monday or Tuesday? Any free time for a slow run/walk with a recovering injured runner? 🙂
I work both days but get home around 6 if you would want to do a short run/walk in the evening or night?
Sounds like a great Christmas!! It’s always so nice to go back home, so fun to see everyone and everything again. I can’t believe the weather on the East Coast! So warm and when I heard that it would be in the 60’s in NJ I was like whaaat? Lol, that’s unheard of. Enjoy the rest of your trip and have a happy new year!
Thanks! It has been so much fun being here, and soooooo busy! And this weather is so crazy too. Happy New Year to you too!