Past 2 Weeks

Life has been very busy these last couple of weeks. To start off, 2 weekends ago, we went up to the Preston Parade and Rodeo. This has been an annual event for my family for several years now. We go see my grandma and the kids are so excited to go to the parade because this parade throws candy. The kids come home with bags of candy and other fun things and I end up throwing most of it away(but I don't think they know that). We then head to the Rodeo. It's always an interesting time and we have always looked forward to it. With go with my dad and my brothers and sisters and all of their families. This year we were so worried that my grandma wouldn't be there, because several months ago she was diagnosed with cancer. Grateful to say she made it. But Wednesday the 12th my grandma passed away. It is so sad to see her go, but I know it's for the best. No one wants to live in pain, it's just she was my last living grandparent. It truly is a weird thought to know that all my grandparents are now gone.

Then my sisters and I decided to head to California for a last minute vacation and visit Ryan's mom and Morris. We had such a crazy, fun, fast trip. We drove to Vegas and stayed there the first night, headed to Cali the next day and spent the days at Sunset Beach and Huntington Beach. The kids loved every minute of the beach and Drew and Skyler got really good a body surfing. Thank you so much to Morris and Wendy for letting us stay with you and keeping us well entertained. We love you so much and enjoyed getting to spend a little time with you.

We got home from Cali and I had my very first Half Marathon that weekend. It was so much fun, all 13.1 miles of it. I have NEVER been a runner. But about 5 months ago I decided I wanted to try running. Then Jamie asked me to run a half marathon with her in August. I thought sure, I would love to try. I started on the treadmill and would walk with Abbey straped to me for the first 30 minutes and then I would try to run for a few minutes. I worked on being able to just run for a solid mile. After I achieved that I would try to run one mile, walk one minute for an hour. I was able to do that and hit 10 miles on my treadmill. I averaged about a 11 minute mile (slow, I know, but good for me). Well, then some girls in my neighborhood invited me to run with them in the mornings, and I have loved that. They really helped me improve. And I'm grateful I ran with them, Jamie ditched me on the half marathon, but these girls did it with me. My goal was to complete the run by 2 hours or maybe even 2 hours 10 minutes. And YES, I was able to comple the race in 1 hour 58 minutes, and 53 seconds (that is a 9.05 minute mile). It was so fun and I cannot wait to do it again. And next year, I plan to run a full marathon!!



And Finally.....
MY BABY TURNED 2!!!



I cannot believe that my little Abbey is now two. She has grown so much and is just the most spoiled little thing. Her brothers dote on her like crazy. She is so lucky to have those older brothers and her dad who is completely wrapped around her finger. She can be a so demanding, knows exactly what she wants and doesn't take crap from anyone. But she then turns on the sweet factor and lives to see another day:) She loves to play anything that her brothers are playing, loves to wear dresses and get her nails done, loves bows in her hair, and constantly asks, "What you doing MOMMY/DADDY?". She gives the best hugs(when she is in the mood) and loves to be held, I can't ask for anything more.