Christmas Time!!

We had a great Christmas week. Family is the most important thing here in this life and we were so happy to be surrounded by family. Taylor made the comment that her abs hurt from laughing so much. IT was another great time full of memories. I love my family and I am grateful for them. Here are a few pictures to share some of our fun.

Christmas Eve pajama party!! Every

year they get new jammies.

A little uno action and me trying out the timer on the camera! I had to run jump in the shot. I even got the dog!!

Evan's new scooter and helmet and of course Emma's new clothes!! Taylor and her new hoodie!! She loves those things!

We went bowling with my dad and his wife and my two brothers and my mom. We had so much fun.

The highlight of the trip for us is playing texas hold'em ( no real money involved) every night until unreasonable hours. Taylor really gets into it, she actually beat everyone last night, it made her day.

All in all it was a great week.. They all left today, it is quiet around here. About an hour after we dropped my 2 brothers off at the airport they called and said that the planes were cancelled and they had to stay one more night, happy birthday to me!!! They will be here tomorrow for my birthday. The party still goes on.

I hope everyone had a great christmas!! Happy new year.

I saw Mommy Kissing Santa Clause!

The other day Emma asked Josh what he would do if he saw me kissing santa clause, kind of a funny question but that is Emma for ya! Anyway, Josh came Friday to be santa for our fitness center party for the kids, and what do you know, there was a picture of mommy kissing santa on our computer when Emma got home that day. It was pretty funny.

Trumpet Queen

Taylor had her band concert the other night. IT is always a big deal for her because #1, she has to dress up and the kids at school are not used to seeing her so girly, and #2 this time she had a trumpet solo. IT sounded great!! She was happy with it. I am glad she enjoys band, she does a great job.

Another race

I ran last weekend in the St. Judes half marathon. I will narrate these pictures.

1. Can't wait, so excited lets get going!!

2. Mile 5, Just running!! Happy to be here!! Take my warm clothes I won't need them!!

3. Mile 10, Where are my warm clothes????? I am freezing!!!!! (I was actually asking this in the picture)

4. Mile 13.1, 1 hour and 53 minutes later. Done and freezing, let's go eat.

I get to take a break from running for a bit, that makes me happy!!

Teenagers!!!!!!!!!

Okay, so I thought this picture speaks for itself and the title of this picture goes right along with it. Any advice on how to get through this gracefully????????

Leaf Day!

We really hate to clean up leaves (Evan reflects that in this picture!!). I like leaves!!! I like the sound of leaves crunching and I like the way they look on the ground. Why is it that no one else in the neighborhood likes them, so when your house is the only one on the block with leaves in the yard you look like the trashy family who never cleans up their yard????? WEll, we finally waited until the last leaf fell then went out on a missin to get the leaves picked up. We did great, Josh blew them all in piles then we picked them up and bagged them. We noticed that Josh didn't just stop at our yard, he decided to do 3 of our neighbors plus the circle in the middle of our street. I had to go to ace hardwarwe 2 times to get sacks!!! WE can chalk that up for act of service for the week, 3 and a half hours of leaf bagging, our kiddos deserved a treat after that!!

Smoothie

I thought I would let you know that I made a new smoothie this morning, it was so yummy and several people are always asking me for breakfast ideas so here ya go! This is high in protein and very filling!!

1 cup light choc. soy milk (you can use skim milk if you want as a substitute)
1/2 cup frozen mixed berries (bought a bag from wal-mart)
1/2 cup cottage cheese (I know sounds yucky but it makes it creamy)
1 scoop protein powder (I used vanilla today but you can use choc.)
Ice and blend in blender!

Yummy stuff. Try it.

Trip Report

So I thought I would report in blog "tag" style!

7 Things I loved about our trip to Puerto Rico!

1. I loved being with my husband and brother. They do tend to tease quite a bit but at least I know they love me even if alot of the jokes were at my expense!

2. I loved the sounds of the ocean. Every morning we would open the glass doors in our room and you could hear the soothing sounds of waves. Aaron and I would take jogs around the resort in the mornings, we found a great hill! We knew it was a good sign when I lost my Prescription sunglasses in the ocean and Aaron found them 30 minutes later! IN THE OCEAN!!!!!! That was crazy.

3. I loved the Ferry ride we took to the island of Culebra. It was considered the 2nd most beautiful beach in the world. I would agree.

4. The food was great! I was surprised at how much fried food they eat. The fried cheese with guava dip was delicious! As you can see we enjoyed some dessert as well one night.

5. I liked the hike in the rain forest to the waterfalls. It is so green and really not many bugs!

6. Seeing the culture was interesting. I was impressed with how many people were bilingual. The dogs there are free to roam, we saw gangs of dogs!!!

7. I really loved it all, it is hard to keep it to just 7 things. So this last one covers it all.

Aaron, thanks for such a great trip, Josh and I have made many fun memories and laughs from this trip, it is priceless!

Grateful

I needed to just post and say that I am grateful fo all I have. I think we forget to be thankful on a day to day basis. We need to remember to say thank you to all the people we love.

The Routt family (extended family)and Sanders Family has had a rough week. We love our family so much and really miss being close to them. I hope you all know how much we think of you and are grateful for the joy that each of you brings into our lives.

Josh and I are headed on our very first alone vacation. We will be spending next week in Puerto Rico. Can't wait!! I will post when I return.

I just thought I would attach this picture of Emma and I at the Great Arkansas Workout! I was a presenter and she got picked to be one of the kids involved, way to go Emma!!

Soaring Wings Half Marathon

Today was a great day! I accomplished a goal of mine. I have been wanting to run a half marathon under a certain time and I did it!!!!! I ran it in 1:53:37. 13.1 miles in under an hour and 55 minutes, that is about an 8:41 minute mile. Yes, I was happy because my old body has not been feeling good with running lately. That time really isn't that fast but because it was a local race and only about 650 people signed up I was able to win 3rd place in my age division. I got a trophy!! My children think I won, we will just let them think I am a winner for once and not a loser mom!!!

Sherwood Acres!

We had the great opportunity to be one of the few chosen ones to go to the SHerwood Lake house. We felt quite privaledged to be there! :) IT is an interesting drive, actually, it takes forever!!!! The drive is for sure worth it!! IT was absolutely beautiful and peaceful. WE made a fire that night and roasted marshmellows, then the next morning made another one and enjoyed the view. It was a great time with Stan, Sue and Allie. Here are a few pictures we would like to share with you all so you can just hope that one day you get your invite!

Pumpkin Patch Days are Over!

WEll, I have officially attended my last pumpkin patch field trip with Evan. I would have to say I was sad. I tried to make sure I savored every part of it. The uncomfortable hayride through the make shift spooky woods...taking forever to pick out the prefect pumpkin in the mud when they really all look just alike...the way too long haride back because the teachers need to kill some time...the kids playing in the haybell tunnels and complain that they are itchy and very dirty...the bumble bees swarming us while we try to eat our sack lunch on the ground...the hot humid air of Arkansas that is not hot and humid anywhere else...and of course, my precious child loving every minute of it. I will miss the pumpkin patch.

Tagged!

Okay, I will finally complete the tag request. This is hard for me because it takes time to think about stuff like this. Sooo.. here goes!

7 Things I Can do:
1. I can complete a triathlon and half marathon!
2. I can complete my bedtime prayers without falling asleep (most of the time)
3. I can eat more than my husband
4. I can wake up at 4:40 every morning and still be awake after 8:00 pm.
5. I can still do a herky (spelling on that not sure) cheerleader jump, without pulling a hamstring muscle!
6. I can love my children even after all the frustrating days they put me through.
7. I can be a wife, mother, daughter, sister, sister-in-law, employee, employer, personal trainer, fitness instructor and friend all in the same day! :)

7 things I cannot do:
1. I cannot scrapbook (or do crafts of any kind)
2. I cannot remember birthdays (the children killed all those braincells)
3. I cannot run a marathon (I don't want to really!)
4. I cannot organize (or keep organized)my underwear or workout clothes drawers (really any drawer).
5. I cannot master the art of food storage (help!!)
6. I cannot help the words that come out of my mouth sometimes (Josh says my filter isn't always turned on)
7. I cannot stay awake for an entire session of conference (their voices are sooo soothing!)

7 THings that attracted me to Josh:
1. HIs love for the gospel
2. THe way he turned the pages of his scriptures
3. His witty sense of humor
4. His sensitivity to people and their needs
5. THe way he looked at me!
6. HIs dark curly hair.
7. His thoughtfullness towards me

7 things I say most often:
1. Let's go!!
2. I don't know
3. I'm so gassy! I wonder why?
4. really?
5. get busy
6. I am tired
7. My body hurts

7 celeb admiration: (some I may not admire, I just like them because they make me laugh)
1. I love Ellen Degeneres (she cracks me up)
2. Vince Vaughn cracks me up!
3. Tina Fey (hilarious)
4. Dara Tores (inspirational)
5. Rafeal Nadal (just great to watch play tennis)
6. Laura Bush and Daughter Jenna
7. Julia Roberts (Tiff, that one is for you!)

7 Favorite Foods:
1. a loaded vegie pizza
2. any kind of chunky ice cream that has chocolate, peanut butter and brownie chunks!
3. I looove a great hamburger
4. Burritos (taco bell), mexican food in general
5. indian food (it is hard to say one thing)
6. Salads (loaded with fruit and vegies)
7. Brownies with milk chocolate frosting

7 people I tag: (if you have already been tagged, sorry)
1. Jessica
2. Shelley
3. Christy
4. Katie
5. Adrienne
6. Veda
7. Jen

Politics

Now that I have this blog thing going I keep thinking of things to write. Politics is a big hot topic right now. IT must be at school as well because Emma asked me a funny question last night. She said, " Mom, what are the LESBATARIANS???" I said, lesbatarians???? Do you mean libertarians????

Wow, what are our children learning?

I did not know that not only is the marriage becoming legal but now there is a whole political party!! :)

Just a funny thought for the day. Emma always keeps us laughing.

Chicago

I am truly blessed with many friends in life.
My friends have become a part of what I am. This past weekend I was able to spend 3 days with friends I have known since I was 17 years old. These friends came at a turning point in my life and they will be, as one of them said in her blog, "a handprint on my heart" forever. We had so much fun, the one thing we did the most was Laugh! I really love to laugh and I like to hear other people laugh. WE ate, we shopped, we saw Wicked (which I would definitly see again!) we stayed up until 3:00 in the morning talking and slept in. Jessica (who is not pictured because she is the one taking the pictures, shelley, email me some!) has picked up a new hobby of photography. Her work is inspiring. IF you have a chance check out her blog, she is listed in my favorite people. She just picked up a camera in Febuary, you would never know it. She has a beautiful talent. Here are a few pictures she took from the trip. My advice to you today is to tell your friends how much you love them.

Summer comes to an end!

This summer has been full of swimming, tennis, biking, running, dodgeball and sonic happy hour!! Some of the things I love about summer are the later nights, early morning sunrise, early morning bike rides, tennis, fireflies, night swims, sleeping late (for the kids, not me!), sunblock, more freckels, cold drinks, watermelon, movies, music, books, friends and most of all family. I love having my children around and not having a tight schedule. I will miss summer.

The start of this school year is a hard one for me with Evan starting kindergarten. I am embarking on a new era. No kids at home!! The first day came and went and I refused to attend the Boo Hoo breakfast they were offering for the other moms. I marched right on past them and said I will not be one of those moms! Day 5 of school... I am in Dallas at a fitness convention and Josh calls to tell me Evan had a difficult day at school. I was sobbing in the middle of several hundred people walking around. My friends thought someone had died. Let's just say I am one of those boo hoo moms and I have struggled with my baby going to school. He loved the first few days but is now asking " do I have to keep going back forever???!!" Yikes, it may take a little while to get used to that schedule. I did fit in an extra bike ride and got creamed playing tennis one afternoon. Maybe I will adjust okay!! Here is a cute picture of Evan's first day of school and then the three of them. Taylor decided to shock her friends and dress a little more girly the first day, she looked beautiful. She said she will only do it once a week, she can't run to the swings as fast and beat the boys in those jeans! Emma just tried to make sure she was dressed in all the right fashions. The last picture was the group that I took to Dallas, these are all the girls that work for me (they are the group exercise instructors and I am the boss lady!) We have a lot of fun every year.

Vacation!!

Just a few pictures from good ol Utah! Josh had a great time seeing some of his mission companions! Everyone has much bigger families! Shelley, Scotty and Rachel are in there with their 4 kiddos!! The girls in white are all the girl grandchildren on the Routt side minus my eldest daughter who would not participate in a white dress! Evan is a daredevil and climbed up tot he falls at Bridal Veil. He is quite fearless!

Birthday's!!

It is strange to say Emma turned 9 in June and Tay is now officially a teenager!!! She was 13 and every bit of it I must say. She is several inches taller than I am and has a size 8 foot. We are grateful to have them both and the many qualities that they each have (and oh boy are they different!!!) We have Emma who loves to shop, talk on the phone and be with her friends. We have Taylor who loves sports, hates to shop, and likes to hang out with mom and dad. Actually, they are both caring and compassionate people so we are grateful for that. Happy birthday my girls!!