Guess who's 2...

My little Katie Bug is two years old today! These last two years went by so fast I can hardly believe it. Katie's labor and delivery was very long and excruciating pain, but I wouldn't trade her for anything! When I found out I was pregnant with her it was a very difficult time and I had a hard time accepting the fact I was going to have another baby. I think I was even in denial for a long time. But the moment I saw her I knew I loved her more than anything. She has been such a joy in our home and we love every moment with her. She is so fun and has this happy, bubbly personality that we can't get enough of. Katie we love you so much and thank Heavenly Father for sending you to us. You are truly a blessing in our home! Happy Birthday Katlyn Emma!

I Run For Chocolate...

...And Champagne apparently. Angela and I ran the 1st annual Boise half marathon, I Run For Chocolate and Champagne, sponsored by See Jane Run. It was perfect weather! The course was marked wonderfully with inspirational thoughts in between mile markers, and it was beautiful. There was plenty of room to weave in and out of people which was a huge improvement from our last race.

We stayed together and talked for the first 11 miles and then we turned our iPods on and just ran next to each other. I started to get my huge boost of energy and by mile 12 I turned around to see where Angela was and she signaled for me to run ahead. I took off!!! I must have had 30 kills in that last mile and when I passed the photographer I was feeling so great. I was listening to "Jump" and I can't listen to that song without jumping... go figure! Right as I came up to the photographer I jumped as high as I could with my fist straight in the air and yelled, "Yeah!!!" The people around watching had a pretty good laugh, but I look like a dork in the picture. As I was coming up to the finish line I saw a lady just in front of me and I thought, "One more kill. Just one more kill." She saw me and gave me the look of, "No way! You are not going to pass me." And she pumped it!!! I ran as fast as I could to keep up with her. She beat me, but I was right on her heels and gave her a run for her money... ha, ha... get it.
I crossed the finish line, received my medal, took off my timing chip, and found a spot to cheer Angela on just in time to see her nearing the finish line. I screamed as loud as I could and then she smiled. She later told me that she didn't think she was going to be able to finish and then she heard me screaming her name. She kept telling me that I kicked her butt this race, but she came in only a minute behind me... what do you think? Crazy girl!

I later found the girl that made my legs jello at the end and had to get a picture with her. My official time was 2:09:28.368 and Joanna's time was 2:09:28.122. She literally beat me by a split second! Angela's official time was 2:10:50.298. I was so thrilled with my time. I cut another 9 minutes off my time since the last race and 18 minutes since the first race. Our goal was to finish in 2 hours and 15 minutes and I surpassed my expectations. I came in 92nd place overall out of 264, and 13th in my age group. I know to some of you that might be slow, but I was so excited. And for those of you wondering that is a 9.5 minute mile. Wahoo for me! I was proud of myself I wore my medal all day on Saturday... and even to church. That was more just to bug Bryce and make Angela smile. She told me to wear it loud and proud. That I did!

Happy Father's Day!

There's no question he loves those little girls... and they love him to pieces back!!!

To all you dad's out there, Happy Father's Day! Thanks for all those many, many diaper changes... even when you felt like throwing up. Thanks for all those times you finished even when you wanted to quit! Andy, thanks for being the father of my children. You are the best daddy in the whole world!!! We all love you so much!

Uh... I've been busy

I've been away from the blogging world for quite some time due to my busy schedule. Since my last post Sammy graduated from preschool...

(Sorry about the glare. It was really sunny that morning.)



...Dallin and Brindy had their reception here in Nampa at my mom's house. We spent many hours helping my mom to get everything ready. It turned out great!

(Some of my favorite pictures from that night.)

(Whoa, I need my hair cut.)

... I watched a few extra kids one day. There were two more that didn't want to get in the picture, but we had a lot of fun! Merridy also came in to town and you know how that goes. I don't think I went to bed before 1:00 every night. One night I came home at 3:00... oops! I also hosted a jewelry party and have debated on selling the jewelry myself.

...I went to girls camp! This was my first year as a leader and we all joked around that I should tattoo, "I don't know" on my forehead. That seemed to be my answer for everything on Tuesday. I went as a stake leader and I was in charge of 2nd level certification. I was only there for two days and I wished I had stayed, but I needed to get back. The theme was...

It was so cute! Each ward had a different type of candy and they were pretty creative. There were Tootsie rolls, heir heads (airheads), nerds, salt water taffy, hot tamales, and a few more I can't remember. Our ward was pixie sticks and they did fairy type stuff.

(Some of the other stake leaders)

I wished I could have been there for the faith walk today. The theme for that was temples. They put a ton of time and effort into this and I wished I could have seen the finished product. However, what I did see was absolutely amazing. One of the other leaders told me that the girls would walk through an arch at the end of the walk and receive their temple recommends. After that they walk a little more and see the temple. They have a generator hooked up to it with lights inside and out. Jolene Krahenbuhl is amazing for creating this piece of artwork!!! There are even curtains in all the windows. She told me that there is also a steeple that adds another two feet! Can you believe this?

And just to give you an idea of how big this thing is... I took a picture of Jen, Amy, and I in front of it.

I came home early so that I could get some rest before my race tomorrow. I'm excited to run this half marathon because as soon as I heard the name for it I was hooked! Angela and I are running the first annual half marathon in Boise called, "I Run For Chocolate!" Wish us luck that everything goes well. I've been dealing with some pain in my knee and possibly have torn my meniscus. Grumble! The picture below is actually from the Famous Idaho Potato race we ran in May. (Angela, me, Amy)

Oh, and did I mention we were potty training in there! Ashley is finally potty trained!!!! After I read Hollie's post with her potty training Gavin I decided there was no excuse for Ashley who is almost 4 to still be in diapers. I took some of Hollie's tips and started the following Monday. The first day was about half and half. The second day she only had 2 accidents. And she pretty much had it by the third day. She is not perfect and still has accidents, but they are true accidents... meaning she didn't make it on time and is in the bathroom. The best part is she does it all on her own!!! She comes and tells me after the fact and is very excited! Good job, Ashley, I'm so proud of you! And thanks, Hollie, for some of those tips. They obviously helped.