Find Your Happy Pace

Saturday mornings are rarely a day for us to sleep in. This one happened to be just like any other Saturday morning...an early long run or ride morning BUT this time it was going to be FUN because we were headed up to do the Huntsville Half Marathon with our friends. We left the house at 5:45am and carpooled up with Daniel Erwin, the Cryer's and Teerlink's (Steph's sister, Whitney and her hubby Jared). We arrived early, thank goodness, so we could all use the bathrooms (which, by the way smelled lovlier than ever) and get the jitters out of our system. It was the toughest 13.1 miles I have ever run...the hills kicked my trash and it was tough for the tum tum (I felt like throwing up at mile 8 and tasted vomit at mile 11.5). It was the first time I stopped to walk during a run because I was feeling so bad (yes, the last 2.5 miles were dreadful. How am I going to survive 26.2?). I was attempting to settle my tummy and in doing so...let the minutes pass by so 2 hours came and said good-bye. In the end I had my worst run at a 2:13 but it was all good. Mark ended up taking 2nd overall and 1st in his age-group (GO MARK!) running a 1:29. Considering the hills I'd say we did pretty good. Find your happy pace!

Happy 34th Birthday, Mark!

Today is Mark's birthday. He is 34 years old. We are now the same age...what a relief, he was worried that he married an old woman. Today actually ended up being fun because the youth temple trip got cancelled which allowed Markus to be home to celebrate his birthday. We had a family party on Sunday for Jack-Jack, Sabs, Daniel and Mark, but it's always nice to celebrate on the day of your birth...that sounds weird. So, we made a surprise dinner for Mark. Steak, salmon, fruit salad, mixed sweet and gold potatoes, and a yummy green salad with salty and sweet. He even got the "you are special today" plate. And look, I am a part of the family. Erwin has been living with us so he was able to take a picture of all five of us. Thanks, Daniel!

The meal was yummy, the company was the best and the cookie cake was a nice try...

It was my first attempt at making a chocolate chip cookie cake...it will probably be my last as well as it was a complete disaster! So I spread out the dough, it smells lovely, and I pop it in the oven. My house smells of delicious cookies baking but it's a little too soon so I walk over to the oven to check up on it...yes, it's the slime monster overflowing all over my oven. The cookie dough was dripping over the sides creating a cookie oven for me to clean. It was awful. Cookie everywhere and then, I overbaked the darn thing! So looks are deceiving! It looks good but it was as hard as a rock. Good thing I had a snickers ice-cream cake for a back-up plan in the freezer to redeem myself!

Happy birthday, Mark. Thanks for being the best thing that we have! Love you more!

Happy 8th Birthday, Mia!!!

Mia-Mia,

Today you are eight years old. What a wonderful 8 years it has been with you in our lives! It has been so fun to see you blossom into a bright and beautiful young girl-so full of life and energy! It has been espescially fun to see you grow in confidence. There was a time where you seemed to struggle trying to get your individual attention from Mom and Dad-always having to wait on Leilani or Aidyn. Now, you don't wait-you state your need right away and get your individual time with us, now making Leilani and Aidyn wait :). Thatta girl! You have developed good friends and a great sense of independence. I love to see you shine like that! Happy birthday, Mia! I am so glad you are ours! Keep being great! We love you!

Down Time

Some days...well for the past few months it seems that most days Mark and I are burning at both ends of the candle. So this morning I decided that I needed some down time. Rather than being responsible I sent my kids off to school without a homemade lunch-yes, they are eating at the cafeteria today and yes, they will tell me how awful it was when they got home. We had the Boy Scouts at the house yesterday evening-the window is broken, the floors have cookie crumbs and grass on them, and the tables are covered in fingerprints...it all remains that way now as I type. I have not called the repair man for the window, I have not swept or mopped the floors and the table still is covered in fingerprints. Atleast I ran the dishwasher and wiped the island down. I put on my running clothes and went for a run-leaving the dog behind as she wimpered for me. I didn't look back to say good-bye to her...I just kept running without an ounce of remorse that she desperately needs to get out, probably even more that myself. Today I actually got dressed and did my hair after I showered, I even painted my face with some make-up...it helps to make me feel a little prettier I suppose. And now, I sit here...wasting time...and loving it despite the mess I am surrounded by. There has been so much going on...I will post as fast as my computer allows so watch for posts below as they will be in chronological order (okay, let's get real, they probably won't happen, but for the sake of keeping a history, this is what has happened in April)...Swenke Field Day, Provo-City Half Marathon, Hiro's graduation, LeeAnn's bridal shower, the Lonestar Triathlon and violin recital, and the birth of baby Naomi, Ellie's 4th and Mom's 60th birthday party, Klein High School Fun Run, Sabrina's Diaper Dinner, camping at Garner State Park with Dave and Ale's family, and the beginning of FAST swim team. Fluff in the face is great...I'm enjoying this down time now...I'm sure I'll regret it tonight!

What do you do on Saturday?

This Saturday started off with a bang, literally, as the race gun went off. Uncle Daniel was hosting a Fun Run at the high school for the booster club. The girls went to "support" the race and ran, ran, ran. Mark and I were proud of the girls, Aidyn placed 4th in the K-2nd grade division, Mia placed 2nd in the K-2nd division, and Leilani placed 2nd in the 3rd-4th grade division. It was great to see their dad's running spirit in them! Here is a post race picture...sorry about the poor exposure... In addition to running the race, we were lucky to have great-grandpa Hansen here for the weekend and here to watch the girls race.

After the race we played...Ai, Leilani and I went shopping and Mia went to play with a friend...good times...relaxing...just what we needed! Then it was back to the grindstone once we all came back to reality-practicing instruments because that's what we love to do best around here (NO WAY!). Once the torture of practicing was accomplished we had a yummy dinner of leftovers and made SLIME!!! The girls loved it and I never knew that elmers glue, borax and water could entertain my kids so well! They loved it!

We ended the night watching a strange movie that featured nature talking...the girls enjoyed it then we called it a night...well, after watching an episode of BURIED ALIVE...a hoarding show that scared my kids into always keeping their rooms and house clutter free! Let's see how long that lasts!!!

Well, hubby just waled in the door...yes, it's midnight, and I think I will go say "hello"...

Daughter or Dog?

We finally had some beautiful weather yesterday so we decided to have a family play day. We took advantage of the weather and played a game of croquet. It was fun. At one point during the game, Mark was trying to explain something to Leilani and raised his voice a little to speak over the wind. To which, Mia's response to me was, "Dad's talking to Leilani like she's the dog". Mark rarely raises his voice and when he does it is mostly to discipline Reshenka the dog so I guess I can see where Mia is coming from...she's a little confused, is Leilani a daughter or a dog?!? Okay, I don't get it...but it made me laugh!

Still Rockin'

Leilani and I had an opportunity to go on a Mother-Daughter cruise with our friends from San Antonio. Despite the rocking boat and vomiting, we had a great time. The food was plentiful, the friends were wonderful, and spending time with Leilani was just the best. It was nice to get some one on one time with her...she's so grown up! Here are some pictures of our trip... Happy Valentine's Day...Leilani is making sure that her carnation survives by putting it in water.

Playing some mini-golf on the top deck of the ship...

Sporting her favorite purchase while in Cozumel...the blue fan...

Making Carnival's version of Build-A-Bear. Losing her ring and bracelet in the process, and unstuffing the animal to find that in the process of stuffing her lion, the bracelet and ring got stuffed too!

No, we are not in Madagascar or NYC Zoo...it's Cozumel...

Freezing our tooshies off at a beach in Cozumel...

Leilani screaming, "I LOVE MEXICO!!!"

Dancing girls...

Our formal dining night...more food...

Going down the waterslide in the freezing weather with the wind wisping our breath away on the boat...

Enjoying a pina colada by the pool...

Swimming...

Eating ice-cream and bacon for breakfast...

The trip was great, Leilani felt like royalty and I felt like a roly poly. Thanks for the fun time Cari and Becky!

An Evening in Paradise

It's that time of year again when love is in the air with the anticipation of Valentine's Day. Some people think it's a time of romance but as I am the least romantic person ever I push aside romance and think party instead. We held our 3rd Annual Newlywed Game with our friends. This year our theme was "An Evening in Paradise". We decided to have our own little Luau, minus the fire dancers.

The decor-paper lanterns, fishnet tablecloths with shells, and of course, all of us dressed up in our aloha hats, hula skirts, coconut bras, and lei's.

The menu this year included...egg rolls and teriyaki chicken,Chicken heck...

Pani Popo...Fruit kabobs and veggies for color...and Guava cake for dessert...YUM! Oh, and we can't forget the pina coladas and strawberry daquiri's!Here are the Ladies...Jeri, Dustie, Cheryl, Sabs, me, and Steph.

And the gents... Eric, Jeremy, Brian, Mark, Daniel, and Cory.

Thanks for hanging out with us...we had a great time!

The 100th Day of School!

It's the day Aidyn has been waiting for...the 100th day of school! My baby has officially been a kindergartner for 100 days now. During that time we have received 6 (I've lost count) phone calls from the school nurse...falling flat on her face, blisters, bloody nose, scraped up back, hitting her head and more. She has gone from being so excited to attend school like her sisters, to dreading school and wanting to stay home with mom, and then back to loving school. She has a great teacher and has made such good friends. She's reading and writing and talking like a big girl. Here she is in her 100th day shirt that we made-100 googly eyes in honor of the big day! Happy 100th day of school!