Christmas so far... Friday, December 26, 2008

We hope everyone had a lovely Christmas this year...we're actually not even done around here! Erik's family arrives Monday for more celebration. Can't wait! As always, I will let our photos do the talking. We had a wonderful time yesterday with my family in Oak Ridge. It was such beautiful weather, we even took a long family walk after dinner. Sunny and about 55 degrees. This month is always so crazy for us, Erik's birthday was this past Monday, my birthday is next Monday, then our Anniversary is Tuesday! Crazy, but fun.

This morning we woke up (LATE!) and enjoyed some fresh French-pressed coffee. It was so good, I drank my entire cup black. I've always wanted a French Press...this year my wish came true!

Amber and I on our Christmas afternoon walk. My Dad gave us all walking sticks to use! It was cracking me up, there were 6 of us walking down the street in their neighborhood with walking sticks! We lovingly became known as the "asphalt stick-walkers". True originals.

My Mom and Dad are so cute. Get a room you two! :)

Matching toe-socks! These things are super uncomfortable, everyone knows it, but for some reason we're still fascinated by them. Must buy some! And wear them once...

Warning: Erik got a new camera for Christmas, so this very well may turn in to his photo blog. Just yesterday, we took over 200 pics! It's crazy. Thanks to a very generous gift from his grandpa, he got a Canon Rebel XSi. He may even take a photography class at UT this coming semester. I don't think he's put it down since he opened it!

Go to our Flickr page for a complete album of our Christmas '08!

Bringing it with Plyometrics and P90X Wednesday, December 03, 2008

In case you didn't already know, I've been doing P90X. It's basically a 90-day workout challenge where you follow these videos for 1 hour every day. I've always had a difficult time staying motivated, but this video has really helped to provide a framework for me. Going to the gym, I was stuck in a routine and felt like I had reached a plateau. P90X provides a great schedule and I've actually enjoyed the workouts so far. Plus, I've got 2 friends who are also doing the program, so that helps with accountability, too.

Yesterday, was day 2 of week 3. The video du jour was Plyometrics, or "jump training". Some say this is the "mother of all workouts". This is the third time I've done this routine and I can honestly say that it's getting easier, but it still kicks my a**.

Here's a little video I put together to show what I put my body through every day. Keep in mind, every one of these exercises lasts 30 seconds (some are 1 minute) and they go back to back with only maybe 8 30-second water breaks in the whole hour workout. Needless to say...it's INTENSE!

P90X - Plyometrics from Erik Luchauer on Vimeo.