Pat's Run 2010

Fun, fun, fun! This was my first year participating and it was a blast thanks to my family that joined in! Thanks to my brother, Cam and his wife, Jenny for including my sister-in-law Karla and myself in the car-pool. I don't know how I would've found a parking spot along with 30,000 other people as effortlessly as Cameron did! Dad, thanks for coming along and for being so patriotic! Karla, I loved running along side you and talking the whole way (except for on the hills, of course). I always look forward to seeing my little family after a good race. My boys always look a little confused and overwhelmed with all of the people around. Wyatt always asks me if I won.

After the race we headed over to the kids play area to let the boys jump around and climb on a few things. We searched for the cotton candy, but found the snow cone place instead. Levi was ready to go pretty quick, so we didn't hang around for too long. But, long enough for Porter and Jared to get some sweet matching shirts! Looking forward to many more races to come!!

Here we have from L to R: Gloria (Cam's mother-in-law), Sarah (Cam's sister-in-law), Jenny, Cam, Dad, Me, Karla

FEBRUARY 2010

I don't know if it's procrastination on my part, or just that it hurts too much to look at these fun pictures...wishing I was still there, or both, but it's been a struggle to get our vacation to Cozumel, Mexico posted! I get sad thinking about our trip, wait, that doesn't sound right!

This vacation was really needed on my part, and it just didn't feel like 10 days was enough! I certainly love my children, and couldn't wait to get back to see them, but spending each day with my best friend!...well, you just can't beat that! I have to laugh sometimes when we are all in the car and Jared and I are trying to have a conversation...it's almost impossible!! It's as if the boys get jealous of the attention I am giving Jared! For that reason alone, I really look forward to vacations with Jared where we can TALK, laugh, scuba dive, take walks, read...RELAX! And that's exactly what we did.

Of course a scuba diving trip just wouldn't be the same without our buddies, Ladd and Janet (Jared's brother and his wife). Ladd is a great travel guide and we get along with both of them so well!

Our plan was to scuba dive each day, but the weather didn't always cooperate. Several days the port for small boats closed, forcing us to get out and explore the island. One day we took the ferry to the other side Cancun rented a car, and visited the pyramids of Talum. Another day we drove around the entire island of Cozumel, played on the beach, and ate at a place called Coconuts. The beach and water were beautiful!

The scuba diving was fantastic! Jared and I had never seen so many fish!! We experimented with a few companies and decided that our favorites were the smaller boats smaller group, and those that provided warm jackets and snacks when we got out of the water! The weather was beautiful, but windy, so when we got out of the water we (Janet and I) were freezing! The first day I got so cold I had to go get a full wet suit. After our dives it was fun watching the video Ladd took and discussing which fish we saw.

The food was great! We ate at a different place almost each day. Of course the Mexican food was good, but we were surprised to find some great Italian food too! Down the street from where we were staying we found a delicious ice cream shop... Yeah, we were pretty much regulars. One day Jared and I stopped in for a treat and Jared started a conversation with the girl working behind the counter. He continued talking for at least 15-20 minutes as I sat and finished my ice cream. When we walked out of there I asked what they were talking about...Guess he forgot I don't speak Spanish.

The condo we stayed in was beautiful...plenty of room, balcony overlooking the water, hot tub...We moved rooms at the end of our trip and were happy with our second room as well. The second room we stayed in was on the bottom floor right by the pool....

Some highlights of our trip in no particular order:

Sleeping in!!

Taking walks

Laying by the pool and on the beach

Reading and finishing 2 books

Eating good food

Nutella

Shopping

P90X

Scuba diving

Spending time with Jared

Naps

The only thing to compain about would be that I got hives/a rash after the first day we were there. I woke up and they were all over my face, neck and chest. It was the weirdest thing. I have never experienced that. Luckily Jared had and he knew what to do. I panicked a little when they spread to my hands. The itching drove me crazy! I am still not sure what caused the reaction, but was happy to see the hives go!

WHAT IS THERE TO BE HAPPY ABOUT?

It's 3:00

The dishes are piled high

The toys are overflowing from the playroom

Sooo, why am I so happy??

Why not?

The boys have friends over so I decided to forget about the mess and try a new recipe!

In the mood for a little spinach artichoke dip?

I am!

The dishes can wait.

They'll still be there when I'm done.In other happy news.

This afternoon we met Jared for lunch and sat outside enjoying the beauuutiful weather! Too bad the camera battery was dead. Levi was so cute crawling all around eating rocks and leaves. Lukey enjoyed a delish Jamba Juice. He really needs to get his own now....he loves that stuff.

PUT YOUR GAME FACE ON

This afternoon we played The Matching Game and The Old Maid.

Wyatt's dance when he found a match was priceless.

Luke's laugh when someone mistakingly picked The Old Maid was hysterical. This litte dude can put a smile on my face anyday!

WE 3 CHEFS

Today we baked some cookies together!

Mmm.

It was a lot of fun and delicious too!

Wyatt is just like me and couldn't keep his fingers out of the bowl. He got a little upset with me when I added the oats, telling me "I don't want anymore, that's not my favorite part." Sorry Wyatt.

Luke had a great time helping and tasting too. Although, he's a little more interested in the mixing bowl and the tools rather than the cookies.

When it was time to put the cookie dough on the pan both boys decided it was too messy for them and wanted to wash their hands! Silly kids.

Any day is a good day when me and my boys are in the kitchen baking something yummy together!

WEEKEND UPDATE

Weekends get a little busy around here...and this weekend was no exception. But thankfully, we found a lot of time to be together and we certainly enjoyed each others company!

Friday night Jared and I got out for "date night." I really look forward to our dates. It's fun being with Jared and remembering why I fell in love with him.
He makes me laugh.
I am happy because we found a great new babysitter that the boys and I just looove. She's a real sweetie.
Oh how I love my husband! Instead of mountain biking early Saturday morning like he has been doing every weekend, he went and picked up our Bountiful Basket. Oh, you haven't heard of it? Check out their website at www.bountifulbaskets.org; letting me and the boys sleep in. He didn't stop there....he suggested I get out and ride my bike for an hour in the afternoon because he knows I am stressing about my triathlon next month! BTW, riding my bike has become a new favorite! I had to include some pictures of me with all my biking gear. Gotta love the camel back. Not pictured: my riding gloves and the new shorts Jared got me with the padded bum.

After that we loaded in the car, stopped to grab some lunch and went swimming! Jared gave me some swimming lessons since I'll have to swim .5 miles for that darn triathlon! I really am excited about it...but also really nervous! I feel so unprepared! Wyatt was so, so excited to swim. Luke, well not so much. He clung tight to me. I don't blame him. It was a little chilly. It was supposed to be heated! This was Levi's first taste of swimming...and from what we could see, he thought it was great! The water temp. didn't seem to bother him at all. My favorite part? The hot tub of course.

Later, after we showered and cleaned up, we loaded back into the car for a yummy dinner at Joe's Farm Grill for my sis-in-law's birthday. Mmm. Thanks Jenny for having a birthday! On our way home I was telling Jared about these really cute shoes I wanted. Well, what do you think he said?..."Why don't you go get them?" Really??, I said. But, I didn't wait for a reply. I was out the door leaving him to put the boys in bed. Love him. And my new shoes.
My most favorite thing these days is to be all together as a family. It doesn't matter if we are simply going to the store or out to eat. I am happiest when we are all together.
And that's our weekend update.

WHISTLE WHILE YOU WORK...

Today I cleaned the house....all day long! I love a sparkling clean home (even if it does just last a day or so). Thursdays have become either a catch-up- day, or a forget- everything-day- and-just have- fun. It was nice staying at home today and finally getting caught up on some cleaning! The boys didn't seem to mind either. They had fun watching cartoons, playing in the playroom, going outside in the backyard, and helping me. I enjoyed teaching them how to turn socks inside out, match them, and put them away...and letting them help me organize a few things. I took a few breaks throughout the day to play a made-up game with Wyatt, roll around on the floor with Levi, help Wyatt write some words and watch Luke color. I never got ready for the day or even stepped foot outside, but I did accomplish something and enjoyed being at home with my kids. And that's something to be happy about!