A few e.pics! :)

Just a few of the pictures Dave and I took this summer!  We had a blast...but it was SO HOT!!!  105 in the shade...and as you can tell...rather hazy but the sun was out at least!  

We were  both in good spirits...but man...was it H.O.T.T.!  

My First 15K

Nope, not 15 thousand...rather 15 kilometers...of running!!!  

At the start...SO MANY PEOPLE!!!

The past few years my brother and I have always run the Chicago Hot Chocolate 5K together.  Last year, following his marathon, I thought it might be neat if I got up the nerve/courage to run a little bit further!  Well, when this year's Hot Chocolate came up I was convinced that this would be a good thing.  I started training (with a little (okay lot) of help from my brother) and figured if I could run 1 I could do 2, if I can run 2 I can run 3, if I can run 3 I can run 4...well you get the idea!  So I started running with a few girls from school and by myself.  I noticed that I can run the loooong runs on my training schedule solo but it was WAY MORE FUN to run with a buddy...now I get why so many runners have dogs!  Hehe.  

Jared was able to be with me as I branched officially onto the second hand when counting consecutive miles!  We ran 7 together on one of my first long training runs.  I was able to then have the mental courage to do it again...twice more...and longer...before we actually ran the hot chocolate.  We had quite a group running by I was SO fortunate to have my running mate at my side the entire time!  :)  Bear stuck with me the whole time...with so many words of encouragement!  XOXO!!!  I LOVE THAT LITTLE BROTHER!!!!! 

The crew (or at least a minor part of it!)

The best part about this race (aside from me accomplishing a great achievement!) was the fondue at the end.  The hot chocolate itself was a bit of a let down...but the yummy melted chocolate and bananas and rice krispies and pretzels were SO WORTH IT!  :)  

So much trash...but SO YUMMY!!!

The Big 2-9

Yup...you read that correctly!  I have officially entered the late 20's.  Now some will argue that I entered this phase at 27 but I disagree!!!  I have to admit...I am very excited for all that 29 has in store for me!  But before we look ahead...let's take a short trip down memory lane...I figured I would highlight one key event in each year of 28 before I close the door on mid-20's and enter my late 20's all systems go!

October 2011 - My little bro runs his first marathon 

November 2011 - Hot Chocolate Race with my little Brother

December 2011 - My best friend asked me to spend the rest of my life with him!  <3

January 2012 - Ringing in the new year in Naples, FL

February 2012 - Ski trip to CO for Valentine's day weekend

March 2012 - St. Patrick's Day in Chi-town with two of my closest friends!

April 2012 - Spring Break in London

May 2012 - Bearie graduates from Marquette

June 2012 - My Best Friend's Wedding (well end of June/start of July)

July 2012 - 4th of July in WI

August 2012 - Summer 2012 Olympic Games in London, England 

September 2012 - Start of my last year as Ms. Fedota 

All in all I have to say 28 was an amazing year, but 29 is shaping up to be rather spectacular!  I am looking forward to spending lots of time with my friends and family, finishing up a GREAT school year, more travel (CO, FL, UK, EU...who knows where else I'll end up!?!?), and marrying my best friend!  XOXO  :)