"Another One Bites the Dust..."

On Saturday I ran the Legacy Parkway Half-Marathon. My good friend, Crystal, ran it with me (or ahead of me, I should say). It was a hard race for me. It was hot outside and running in a straight line for 13.1 miles was less than thrilling! But we did it and I beat my previous time by 5 minutes coming in at 2:06 so I'm good with that.

(I love it that Rachel is handing me my Gatorade - what a cutie! Cade made arrangements for the boys to get to their soccer games so he could watch me finish my race along with Hannah and Rachel. I get all choked up seeing my family cheering and supporting me at every race. How awesome!)

So, it was a hard race. Thank goodness we have our I-pods to keep us movin', right? For the first couple of miles, things were going good and my music was definitely my friend, playing songs like "Let's Get it Started" (Black-Eyed Peas) and "Move Along" (All-American Rejects). I felt like the lyrics were directed right at me and I pressed on enthusiastically. However, pretty soon...about mile 3...my I-pod turned on me! The messages in the songs began to get a little discouraging, to say the least. I am not kidding, these are the songs I listened to on my race:

Mile 3..........Help! (The Beatles)
Me:"I need somebody...not just anybody...how about a paramedic?"

Mile 4..........I Can't Break Away (Big Pig)
Me:"I really CAN'T break away...my legs won't go any faster!"

Mile 5..........The Hardest Part (Coldplay)
Me:"This is definitely the hardest part...wait, NOW it's the hardest part!"

Mile 6..........Take Me Out (Franz Ferdinand)
Me:"...to the port-o-potty gosh-dang-it, or this whole race for all I care!"

Mile 7..........I Think I'm Paranoid (Garbage)
Me:"I thought I passed you already, Mr. Shortstootight...I think I AM Paranoid!"

Mile 8..........Crazy (Gnarles Barkley)
Me:"...for ever signing up for this stinkin' race!"

Mile 9..........Harder to Breathe (Maroon 5)
Me:"Not!...Enough!...Oxygen!"

Mile 10........Here it Goes Again (OK Go)
Me:"Where's the next port-o-potty!!!!!"

Mile 11.........Hate (Plain White Ts)
Me:"Hate IS a strong word, but I really really really don't like this!"

Mile 12........Under Pressure (Queen)
Me:"If I don't beat my last time, so help me!"

Mile 13.........I Wanna Be Sedated (The Ramones)
Me:"SERIOUSLY!"

My songs were literally "speaking" to me, I tell ya! I think on my next race I'll re-think my playlist. Maybe then I wouldn't have such a bad attitude. Any suggestions?

Turning 2

The Great Thing About Turning 2:
It's ALL about the cupcake!!

We love you Rachel. HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Farewell to Summer

Well, today's the day I get back to bloggin'! I know you're excited, I am too. Instead of making this post a 4 hour read catching up on the last..um...few...months, I will make a Top Ten list so you only have to read the highlights. We both win, right? Well then, it's settled!

10. The Boys Started School.

Yesterday was a little bitter-sweet to me. We've had a fun summer and I like having all my babies with me under one roof...but let's face it, it was time to part ways! I realize that it appears from this picture that I have not abandoned my "matching" propensity, but it really is just a happy coincidence that all three are color-coordinated. Tyler is starting 5th grade, Adam 4th and Jason 2nd. What good boys!

9. I'm a Runner
It's been one of those things that I've wanted to get back into for the last 10 years or so, but just couldn't quite get up the courage, if that makes any sense. I started training for a 5K last Spring and ran it with my neighborhood friends and I was hooked! I have ran 3 more races since including the Provo half-marathon and hope to continue to run. It makes me happy.

8. Hannah Solidified Her "Diva" Status
Hannah's dance recital was so cute and Hannah has decided the spotlight is a pretty great place to be! She really enjoys singing, and dancing and is so theatrical about everything. She lights up a room with her big personality and I can't imagine our family without her!

7. Tyler and Adam Conquered Another Pinewood Derby!

I'm still intrigued by the whole Pinewood Derby "phenomenon" and cannot figure out for the life of me why on earth it matters so much that my children not lose this annual "Who's Dad Cares the Most" competition. Apparently, Dad cares about Hannah, too.
...why else would he wear this hideous...er...lovely tie Hannah made for him at preschool to church on Father's Day?

6. Cade and I took a Much Needed Vacation.
2 days in San Diego, 2 days in Aneheim. No kids. Need I say more?

5. We Went to our First Air Show
We went with our friends - the Remingtons, Childs and Kealamakias. It was fun, but unfortunately the Thunderbirds performed last...about 90 minutes after my kids ran out of steam and had to go home. Bummer!
Next year, we'll come at the end!

4. We Decided Kaysville is a Pretty Great Place to Spend the 4th of July.
We get to WALK to the parade from our house, and the kids collect obscene amounts of salt water taffy and merchandise (stuffed animals, bead necklaces and neckties...yes, neckties!) Fireworks, too, are just a hop, skip and a jump away from our front door. We may never leave this blessed town simply for the fun-factor on this one day.
...Our cousins agree!

3. Our kids are definitely on "the straight and narrow"! (are YOURS?)

...AND holding to the the iron rod! We toured the Church History Museum this summer and couldn't resist this photo-op. Should I be concerned about Hannah's one-foot-on-one-foot-off stance? Hmmmm..."plant BOTH feet, children!"

2. I have a few friends now.

...and they're pretty great!

1. This is What we Did Most of the Summer

Jodi took the picture and told me it was "blog-worthy" (even though those white legs definitely aren't!) Thanks for inviting us swimming a lot..oh yeah...and teaching my daughter how to swim (no more floaties for Hannah!)

Goodbye Summer. We'll miss you!!