Must be Santa!

We went to Bass Pro Shop (or the Fish store as my kids call it) this week to see Santa. Mason told Santa he wants a Trampoline for Christmas, and Noah says he want a helicopter. These are always their answers everytime they are asked! It's really sweet and we are hoping this year their Christmas wishes will comes true!

Family Bowling Night!

I had purchased a few bowling passes through groupon and we went as a family last week. It was a lot of work but also a lot of fun. At first Noah only bowled once or twice and then wanted nothing to do with the bowling alley. He found the arcade area and of course wanted to just hang out there. So, when the first bowling game was over I was ready to go. Ron insisted on staying for another game and I'm really glad we did. Noah magically decided he wanted to join us and bowled the whole 2nd game! For days afterwards the boys announced to everyone:

"We went bowling last week!"

Once again Mason proves his excellent big brother skills. He helped Noah and even let Noah bowl for him on some of his turns.

1/2 Marathon!

Last Saturday I ran my first half marathon! Kind of a big deal for me. I have been training for this for a couple months. My main struggle was dealing with shin splints. I get them pretty easy and it's super annoying. My training schedule went as follows: I ran 3 times a week and one of those runs HAD to be on the MHS track (to minimize shin splints). I did my long runs on Saturdays. I really worried and stressed about my up coming race. Not because I didn't feel ready but I had issues with having to stop and use the restroom. Any of my runs that lasted longer than 6 miles I HAD to stop and use a restroom. No choice! So after many experiments and A LOT of praying I attempted the half marathon full of hope (but really just nervous!).

I am happy to report I finished in 1 hr. 57 mins (about 9 min. miles) AND I DID NOT have to stop at anywhere!!!! What a blessing!

My adorable little brother was really sweet and ran with me the whole time (except when I yelled at him to just run ahead because I couldn't go any faster!) He is a really good runner (the type who runs until he pukes! Yeah. I don't do that!) But 2 nights before the race he hurt his ankle. Which slowed him down to my pace so it was really fun to run with him. I really look up to my little brother! He's very kind and thoughtful and just fun!

THE RACE:

We kept a pretty good pace for about 7-8 miles. I think we were consistently running 8:30 min miles. I felt GREAT!!!! Then at about mile 9 I hit a HUGE wall! ugh! so frusterating. I had to slow down. Not sure how describe it but my legs just wouldn't go any faster. Nathan stuck with me until the last mile when I made him go ahead! He finished somewhere around 1hr 54mins?

Ron came with the boys but I didn't see them until after I'd finished. It was really fun to share that moment with my family! And thanks to a friend in the ward we got some pics!

(And yes Ron gave Callie Jamba Juice! haha!)And she loved it!

I am proud of this accomplishment and now I have a goal to beat 1:57 for next year! ANyone want to join me?

Uh-Oh!

This is what happens when Ron goes out of town!
Seriously! I guess we have officially reached the stage of "if it's quiet... That's NOT good!" I was making dinner and could hear her playing in the front room. She was being quiet but I could tell she was entertaining herself good. When I walked in the front room to check on her I screamed! I didn't know what it was and then saw that she had some pool cue chalk in her hand-mouth! Nice!

The BEST part of this story is I get her all bathed and cleaned up, dressed in her PJ's, and I put her down for 5 MINUTES while I brush the boys teeth... Then she is RED all over again! What the... I had thrown the other piece of chalk away. But apparently there was another one on the ground!! UGH!!!!