St. George Getaway

A couple weeks ago we went down to St. George with the Sparrow's. It was a much needed escape from the cold weather. It was so nice to be able to romp around in short-sleeves and sandals. The first night we ate at the pizza factory. I love that place!!

Zac was getting some great snuggles.
Next we were off to Cold Stone for some delicious ice cream... oh, the choices...

Then we took our sugar-buzzing kids outside to run around and get some ants out of their pants...
The big boys and their treats...

Me and my 'sweets'...

The next day the boys headed off to the Nascar race. You heard me, the NASCAR race. It was Nic's first time, so he was extremely excited. While they did that, we decided to take the kids to the park. Low and behold... here came the ice cream truck!! We were SO excited!!

The kids were in heaven...

The weather was perfect...

Here are some pictures of the race...

Nic and The Judge

Papa and Matt

Nic's guy Carl Edwards...AFLAC!!!

We had such a great time down there. Erika and I got a good run in before we left. It felt so good to be out running in a tank and no ear-muffs!! I even came home with a slight sun burn. Oh, I seriously can not WAIT for summer!! I was so sad to leave those red rocks behind. Lucky for me, we will be heading back down next month!! Yay!!

Draper Temple and the Flu...

Holy Influenza!!!

That flu bug floating around is NO JOKE!! It owned me for like 5 days. 4 of which were seriously spent IN MY BED!! Not good for my training. I am SO glad to be back with the living and back to running, but I am weak. So annoying. Only 5 1/2 weeks left until the Salt Lake Half Marathon... I better kick it back into high gear.

On another note, we just got back from touring the new Draper Temple. It was beautiful as I had imagined. Not a corner went unnoticed. It was peaceful, serene, and most importantly, my children got to see the inside of it. They were so excited this morning when I told them we were going to see the new temple and they would be able to go inside. Kaden looked at me puzzled and said, "But Mom, I thought you couldn't go inside the temple unless you got married?" I explained to him that it hadn't yet been dedicated, and that's why we had this neat opportunity to see the inside before they did. On the bus ride back to our cars I asked them what their favorite part was. They both said, "The 'bathtize' part." Meaning the baptismal font. They also thoroughly enjoyed the refreshments at the end. We didn't venture to far from the beaten path while at the temple, so there were no great photo ops.

Back at the chapel sufficed. Of course our kids were not cooperating, but here ya go.

Afterwards we went and got some Chinese food. It was quite a treat. Thanks again Ben for the delicious dinner.

{Doesn't Rylie look so happy to be there? She really did not want her picture taken, but she got it anyways.}
What a great night. I am so thankful for temples, and how blessed we are to have so many readily available for our convenience. Anyone who still hasn't seen it, there are still a few more days. I highly recommend going down.

Crazy Eights Tag

Holy cow!! This took me FOREVER to do! Thanks for the tag Angie.
8 Things I'm passionate about:

1. Spending time with Nicholas (I love to use his full name)

2. Raising my children

3. The Gospel

4. Cooking and baking

5. Running and working out
6. Eating healthy (although I LOVE my goodies)
7. Gardening and yard work
8. Traveling and exploring new places.

8 Words/phrases I use often:
1. Love you.
2. You're awesome.
3. Perfect.
4. Have a good day.
5. Be safe.
6. Okay, here I come.
7. Please be nice.
8. KNOCK IF OFF!!!

8 Things I want to do before I die:
1. See my children grow up and become parents themselves.
2. Travel the world with Nic. (I used to say I wanted to visit every temple in the world, but there are really getting to be alot of them... that might not happen.)
3. Be Nic's Harley chick.
4. Run lots more races, at least one marathon, and become a triathlete.
5. Spend every waking second with my family.
6. Master the art of photography.
7. Be Nic's next mission companion.
8. Be the best Grandma in the whole world!!

8 Things I want/or need:
1. Hhmm... I've been craving to go to Anthropology and buy something. Doesn't matter what. Just a fun new treasure or trinket. Don't ask me why??
2. My knee to stop bugging me when I run!!
3. More hours in the day.
4. A new vacuum. Mine seems to be on it's last leg.
5. New makeup. I swear I just ran out of everything all at once.
6. To take a vacation with Nicholas.
7. Some lunch- I'm starving!!
8. A new running skirt. Those things are so darn cute!!

8 Things I've learned from the past:
1. My Heavenly Father loves me.
2. If you are ever feeling sorry for yourself, find some way to serve someone around you.
3. My family is my greatest support system.
4. I need to be home with my kids.
5. Don't stress out about the things you have little or no control of.
6. Our time here on earth is limited, use it wisely.
7. Simple is better.
8. My husband pretty much kicks butt as a person!!! He is my best friend.

8 Restaurants I love:
1. Olive Garden
2. Cafe Rio
3. Maple Garden's
4. Tepanyaki
5. Windy Sukiyaki
6. The Timbermine
7. Javier's
8. Tony's Pizza

8 Shows I love to watch:
I'm not much of a tv watcher. If I ever watch tv I love to turn on the food network. I have also kinda been into American Idol this year!! I am rooting for Danny Gokey!!

8 People I tag:
Anyone who wants to do this.

Valentines 2009

We had such a great and relaxing Valentine's Day this year. I woke up and went on a run in the snow with my cute friend Kelli who is as crazy as I am when it comes to running in inclement weather. When I got home I fixed our traditional pink heart-shaped waffles with berries and whipping cream. How can you not feel loved when you are served up heart shaped food on a plate?

The kids were spoiled with valentines treats and visits from both sets of grandparents.

We stayed in our jammies all day long as it snowed outside. At the end of the day Nic made us all some delicious Filipino food. I'm sure we all reeked of garlic, but man that adobo is so worth it!!! I sure love my sweetheart.

After dinner Nic and I gave the kids their valentine's. We've started a tradition that every year they each get a package of valentine m&m's, a card, and this year I started a new tradition of filling the bag with reasons we love them. I did this for Nic on our 1st valentine's day as a married couple, and I added some new ones to his as well. It was fun to go through and read them together. I think the kids really enjoyed it.

I can't imagine a greater way to spend Valentines Day than with the people that I love more than anything. I am so grateful for my family and all of the happiness they bring to my life. I also want to send love out to all of my friends and tell you all how much I love you!!

Mr. Snowman

We got dumped on a few weeks ago. It was perfect snowman building snow, so we went out and built our first snowman of the year. In February, I know... but hey we did it!

Sis spent alot of the time frustrated with the summer toys. She was still a big helper though.The snow was fun, but we are sure looking forward to some sunny days up ahead!!!

Weekend Getaway

We had the greatest time in Bear Lake a few weekends ago. The weekend included; a stop off at Crystal Hot Springs, cousins perfectly paired in sleepover beds, lots of sledding, sculptures in the snow, delicious food, frosting & decorating sugar cookies, bubble baths, couples yoga, a very exhilarating run/workout for Erika and I, lots of laughing, lots of messes, lots of FUN!!!

Where My Love of Running Began

The Salt Lake City Marathon 2004..... 5K. Yes. The 5k. It all started at a 5k that I had no intentions on loving, I was seriously just hoping to finish. I was giving Nic very specific instructions on picking me up along the way if I tuckered out and couldn't finish. I had never ran before, and up to that point the farthest I had ever run was about 2 miles. Some of the girls I work with talked me into doing it, and I thought what the heck. My adrenaline kicked in immediately once we finally got there. How could you not love the atmosphere? Good clean fun.

I'll never forget the feeling I had as I ran into the crowd nearing the finish line. There were tons of people, people I didn't even know, and they were cheering me (us-the runners) on. I crossed the finish line, and felt so accomplished. I watched in awe as the marathoner's began trickling into the finish line. I could not imagine what they might be feeling in comparison to the way I felt about my 3.1 miles. I loved it. I knew I had to do it again. And again. Since then I have ran many races. 5k's, 10k's, 10 miler's, even half-marathon's... but never the full. Oh, the full. Why is that 26 miles so intimidating? So now the question I keep asking myself is... is this my year? Can I really scrounge up enough time to properly train? Do I want to properly train? Will my knee's hold out? Am I capable of seriously running 26 miles? Will I be one of those people who are ceasing up at the finish line and they have to carry off on a stretcher?
{Cassie- tell me that's not Kip in the background. What the heck?!}

On the other hand... what is 26.2 miles?

I can do it!!!

Nic- be on call if I need a pick up at mile 15:)