Thanksgiving Point Half Marathon

I was going to start off this post by saying, I am NOT a runner.  Then I started to notice all the races I've done just the past few years...and I'm beginning to realize...maybe I AM a runner?  I did the Dirty Dash last Spring, a 5k in Oregon on the beach, the West Point 5k on the 4th of July, the marathon relay with my work (5.25ish miles), another 5k for a sweet friend of mine who was doing a fund raiser, the 10k with Darla, and now a FREAKING HALF MARATHON!  I may possibly be doing Ragnar in June (if I can get on a team) and then in October I'm doing the Tough Mudder with some coworkers as well.   (Google it, it's scary!)

I realize most of those distances are nothing to brag about, and I'm not fast and never place or anything like that, but my list of races completed is starting to grow and it's kind of fun to see all that I have done just in the past year.  I have had great friends encourage me to keep running and I'm thankful for their invites to races and to be on teams.  I sadly didn't get a picture with any of my coworkers, but there were 7 of them there.  I'm thankful for their awesome examples and their sweaty hugs and high fives at the finish line.  They were all way faster than me, but they don't rub it in. 

 Jess KILLED it.  I was very proud of her.  Someday I hope to be as awesome as she is. 

At Christmas I convinced these 3 to join me in the run. 

Curtis didn't nearly train at all and even though I did beat them all across the finish line, they were still just minutes behind me.  Proving that all my training was good (as I wasn't sore at all) but I should have pushed myself harder.  Or maybe I was just way more out of shape than any of them.   

So, maybe I am a runner after all? 

Just because I do it, doesn't mean I like it.  :)  I do however like the way I feel when I cross that finish line and have proved to myself that I am stronger than I think I am.  I also like the calories it burns and the muscle definition I am beginning to see.  But what I love the most is that I have a body that let's me run.  Having gone through illnesses leaving my body useless, I really am grateful that I am able to do SOMETHING.  I'm not coordinated or very talented...and I'm NOT fast, but I CAN do it.   Lots of people can't.  I'm grateful that I can.

Cannon's Actual Birthday

Since Cannon's ACTUAL birthday fell on a weekday, I of course had to work, but as soon as I got home I let him pick where we went for dinner.  His choice was RED ROBIN (yum)!  It's fun (most of the time) to hear my kids' opinions about what they like and dislike.  It's amazing how much joy they get out of getting to choose what we do on their birthday.  He really wanted to take pictures on my cell phone while we waited for the food to come...so we did.  Here's what they turned out like: 

He's such a nut.  I can not express how much I love this kid. 

They brought out their famous Mudslide for his birthday dessert and being the sweet kid he is, he shared with me and Ky without any hesitation. 

My dear, sweet, Cannonman, 

You are the sweetest little boy I have ever met.  You are always so kind and unselfish and usually extremely polite.  You light up my life with your smile and your gorgeous eyes.  I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE that you call kisses "SUGAR" and ask me for "sugar" every night when I tuck you into bed.  You are getting so smart and are very excited to start pre-school in the fall.  You LOVE the Wild Kratt's and all things animals, cars, monster trucks, motorcycles, and anything that makes you dirty.  You have a funny personality and like to make me laugh with your "knock, knock" jokes.  You have a great imagination and find joy in playing with just about anything, anywhere.  I'm so excited to see you grow some more this next year.  I'm so lucky to be your mom. 

I LOVE YOU CANNON!!!

Cannon's Birthday Party

When I asked Cannon what kind of cake he wanted for his birthday, I was sure he would say Buzz Lightyear or Cars (again), but was shocked when he asked for a Wild Kratts cake.  Wild Kratts is this show on PBS that Cannon LOVES!  These two brothers (the Kratt brothers) go around finding all types of animals and have these "creature suits" that turn them into the animal.  It's a cute show, but not very well known.  I coudn't find any place that had anything Wild Kratt at all.  So, we improvised.  I found a "safari" set of toys and a Ben 10 action figure (who looks likes Chris Kratt, sort of) and told Cannon it was a Wild Kratts cake decoration.  He bought it and was thrilled.  He helped me put all the animals on top of his cake and he was very happy with it.

We just had a simple party at Grandma and Grandpa's and Cannon got spoiled by his sweet Aunts, Uncles, and Cousins. 

He LOVED his motorcycle from Uncle Don and Aunt Amberlee.

Isn't my Kylee so pretty, even with her crazy hair. 

He has played with this race track nearly every day since he got it. 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CANNON!!!!

Girls Night

Alright, the pictures are all messed up on this post, but I fixed them once (and wrote this entire post) and didn't save it and now I'm too tired to try and fix them again.  Cannon got to spend the weekend camping with his dad so Kylee and I had a GIRLS WEEKEND!!!

I let Kylee pick what we did and she decided she wanted to finger paint.  So we got the supplies out and had a fun and messy time.  After we painted we took our works of art outside to dry and just played outside for awhile.  We played tag (not so fun with just two people), hide-and-seek, and had races.  She's a fast little runner.  Then we went for some walks and rode our bikes around. 

I told Kylee she could pick anywhere she wanted to go out to dinner, but she insisted we just stay home and I make us pancakes and bacon.  So that's what we did.  :) 

The next day we had a lot of fun watching Holly's lacrosse game, getting our hair done, shopping for Cannon's birthday, visiting Freddy's grave, and taking a quick walk around the Bountiful temple. 

Pretty sure I laughed most of the day.  When we were shopping at Wal-mart (towards the end of the day) she was being so hilarious.  Laughing and the dumbest things (like adjustable waist) and letting her tiredness make her super silly.  (Video on fb)  She's so much fun to be with and always makes me so proud to be her mom.  When we were on our way home she asked me if Cannon was going to be there.  I told her he would be home very soon and she replied "I've really missed him."  I'm so glad that they are such great friends.  I'm such a lucky mamma!!!

Spring Hike

We LOVE Adam's Canyon.  It is super close to our house and a great hike on a beautiful day.  We usually just hike to the lower falls because there is always less people and it's not as long of a hike so I don't really even need to pack much or worry about my kiddos (although they are super good hikers). 

A couple Saturday's ago the weather was gorgeous and I couldn't stand the thought of being inside, so we grabbed Emilee and headed up the canyon for a perfect spring hike. 

And speaking of SPRING, I am not sure anything is more beautiful than spring on Temple Square.  I love that I still get the opportunity to be downtown once in awhile.  I just snapped this picture with my phone while I was walking back from lunch.  Pretty awesome if I do say so myself. 

I LOVE SPRING!