I did it!

I have never been one to set goals, like in an official kind of way.  Especially I would say in an athletic/excercise kind of setting.  That is until now.  Just after Noah was born, Julie (my sista) ran in a Ragnar Relay Race in LasVegas.  She came home telling me tales of how fun it was and I was so proud of her for doing it.  She suggested we run one together.  I said ok, not thinking much of it.  Well by Christmas she had me committed to running the Wasatch Back in Utah and I in turn talked my sister-in-law Kari into joining us. 

I am not runner - let's just make that clear.  But after Christmas I attempted to get in shape and started running. At first it was a little here and a little there.  I still was not full in, but as time marched on and June got ever closer I really started into training.  I can't say I loved it, but I did like how it made me feel and I liked that I was able to get rid of the remnants of pregnancy weight.  On I went ever committed to be ready for the race - I actually surprised myself that I was so on top of my training and rarely missed a run or workout in whatever form it came. 

Well, this past weekend I flew to Utah for the Wasatch Back.  The race was on Friday/Saturday and to say it was awesome is an understatement.  It was one of the most challenging, enjoyable, incredible, fun things I have ever accomplished.  I never thought I would be able to do it and I am happy to say that I surprised myself.  Julie and Kari and all the other girls in our van Rocked it and I was able to make some great new friends and reach a goal I never thought I would really be able to do.  I have never had the desire to run a marathon or even a half marathon for that matter, but I would do this again in a heart beat. 

Our team name was, "I Have To Run WHERE?"  which once out there really sums it up.  The race goes from Logan to Park City and was in some of the most beautiful country.  I was inspired by all the people running and let me tell you they came in all shapes and sizes.  By the end I was tired and irritable (as we all were), but so glad that I accomplished what I had set out to do.  Not to mention I got to do it with two of my favorite ladies in all the land.  Here's to VAN #1 and all the fun we had.  LOVES to you girls!

Naomi, Vickie, Kari and Joanne - Julie had just taken off for leg 1.

Me and Vickie with Seone (how do you spell that) from the biggest looser

Julie after her first run!  Isn't she a babe????

Me almost ready to go and Julie done leg 1

Me on my first leg.  There were some cute girls out there cheering us on and cooling us down!!!

This was after I was all done.  Kari was just about to the exchange for our last runner to go!

There are a bunch more pictures with Kari and the other ladies, but they are all on Julie's camera, so I will post them when they come!!!

A little bit of this and that

BROOKLYNN'S BLANKET

Brooklynn adopted a blanket last year.  It was one we found hiding in a cupboard and it was mine.  I made the blanket in 3rd grade in the quilting club with my favorite teacher Mrs. McFetridge (she was amazing).  It was worn and loved and as this year has passed it has become more worn and loved.  I told my kids that the blanket has been around now for about 26 years - WOW that makes me old!  Anyway, with the fabric acquiring more and more holes I promised Ms. Brookie months ago that we would go pick some fabric and I would help her make her very own tied quilt.  I put it off and put it off, but finally on Saturday we went to the fabric store, with Noah in tow, and picked out some fabric.  Sunday we started it and last night after Brookie tied the last two rows and went off to sleep, my OCD kicked in and I just had to finish up the edges.  Her new blanket is not perfect and I am not by any means a great semstress, but it is cute and I think it too will someday be loved and worn just like mine was.

 

The 26 year old blanket, if you look closely you can see the edges have no fabric left.

The new blanket.  On the way to get fabric I asked Brooks what she wanted and she told me, well it has to be pink - OF COURSE.  I think it turned out pretty adorable!

THE HONOR ROLL

I love this kid!  He is amazing and wonderful and as I always tell him I am pretty lucky that Heavenly Father sent him to me.  This year he has worked hard, he has had some struggles, he has grown up so much and is becoming such an amazing and talented and responsible person.  He is also getting quite the sense of humor and often has us laughing.  His laugh is contagious and when he really gets laughing Steve and I LOVE IT.  In fact Steve LOVES to get him laughing really hard because it is so funny.  I love him so much that sometimes it hurts my heart a little that he is getting so grown up!  Because of all Tyler's hard work he made the Honor Roll at school.  In fact he was on the Honor Roll the whole year.  We are super proud of him and the great guy that he is!

Family Outing...

On Friday we decided to head out to a Farmer's market.  We didn't spend too long, but we did spend some $ on some yummy fresh picked cherries and peaches.... YUM!  We then headed over to a fun little candy shoppe for some gelato.  It was delicious and the kids had a great time. 

Photography by Brooklynn or maybe Tater 

9 Months........

Yesterday my sweet baby boy turned 9 MONTHS - What????  Time just goes much too fast.  He is so sweet and cute and funny and such a little Monkey - I have a feeling he is going to be into EVERYTHING. Here is what Noah has been up too this month.

• Teeth - he now has two bottom teeth.  They came in within a couple of days of each other, that coupled with another ear infection made for some fun days/nights
• After finally mastering the rolling, he has now become an expert crawler. This of course took a little time. He began with pivoting on the forhead - he even had a bright red callous to prove it. He would get around by standing with his forhead on the floor and then sit down - it was funny. Then about 2 weeks ago he learned it was much more efficient to pick the head up and move those arms and legs
• Feeding ourselves is also fun and exciting but very messy.
• He went swimming for the first time and loved it
• He is in the bird phase, where he opens that mouth wide for any food you are willing to part with
• He sleeps great, but Brooklynn tells me that he is usually awake and starring at her when she wakes up in the morning. (Creepy - haha)
• Sometimes it is much better for him to hold his bottle with his feet
• He still loves his small little snuggly and must have it to sleep.

I'm sure I am forgetting something, but he is still so much fun and we all adore him.  The one thing that still eludes us, is a big huge belly laugh.  He laughs, but we haven't gotten him giggling super hard yet.  Brooklynn was the same way.  I'm sure when he does it will be great.  The one other thing that I love that he does is kick.  If you hold him up above you he will kick his legs in sync and it is so cute! 

Here are some pictures for you!  Enjoy!

This is where we started.  He still gets that pouty lip.

The bird....

The head stand - Notice the good toe point

From the other angle.... Haha

Big Baby with his blue blue eyes!