Tuesday, November 23, 2010

happy happy birthday!

Luke turned 28 on November 10th. He had a wonderful birthday week. He got to go to the big Utah vs TCU game with his dad, we had a party with the Shippens and made homemade Paradise Pie, and then we enjoyed a child-free night on his actual birthday and went to dinner and went shopping.
Jack was so excited to give him presents! Although he thought we should of gave him animals from the toy store.
We love our daddy!
11/10/10

Sunday, November 7, 2010

{trick-or-treat}

Captain Hook
and Smee
Our family looked quite cute. Luke was such a good sport to be Peter Pan-even wearing women's leggings. I threw on a Tinkerbell costume (after worrying about the rest of the family's costumes- mine got put off) I even forgot to wear the wings-oh well. I think we still turned out great.
Can you tell Luke was sick of pictures?
Not the best idea to gie him a sword.

Seriously Charlie looked darling. He made the perfect Smee.


Our first stop was Great Gma Lola's for a visit- we love her! Even though Jack told her he didn't like her candy and he had his own at home.

Then we headed to Luke's parents to see them and Bree. Jack had fun handing out candy to the trick-or-treaters and Gpa Neils took him around their neighborhood to get his own candy. He also got some fun Halloween surprises from them. Good times.
Then we did more family pictures.
Jack had to have his rocking chair in the picture.

Bubby the dog was Tinkerbell too.



Then we met up with all of the cousins at my parents. The moms took the kids areound trick-or-treating. We drove around and found all of the houses that looked spooky and fun for the kids to go to. They had a great time! And the dads got to watch football so they were pretty happy too.


Jack and all of his loot.
Charlie got a licorice as a prize for being such a good sport as Smee.
It was so fun to be with family this year for Halloween!
Happy Halloween!
10/30/10

Thursday, November 4, 2010

13.1

So I must say I am pretty excited to do a post about myself. It is nice to accomplish something that can make it on our blog, usually the posts are filled with my adorable kids and my over-acheiver husband. But I finally accomplished something I have been wanting to do for years. I ran my first half marathon!
About 6 weeks ago I saw on facebook a free 28 trial for a bootcamp. I decided that I didn't have any excuses not to do it so I called them and got signed up. It was an intense eating and workout program for the 28 days. It was pretty darn tough the first week but I survived and stayed strong for the whole 28 days. It gave me a new look on life and gave me the strength and confidence to do more :) Getting up each morning became habit and I began to love it! A week into the bootcamp I started running a couple times a week with my friend Tiff, who was training for a half-marathon. After running a couple of weeks I decided to attempt a long run and see what I could do. After the long run I decided that a half marathon could really be possible. So each Saturday I would add a couple of miles telling myself that if I ran 10 miles I would sign up for a race. Since it was so late in the year there was only 1 more race to run and it was on Halloween. I was super excited but nervous to officially commit!
Every Saturday, Luke and I would head up the canyon for a long run. Luke would ride my mom's cruiser bike (it is turqoise with a cute little basket) next to me and we would spend the next couple of hours enjoying the beautiful weather(it was awesome till the last week or so) and the amazing scenery. It was awesome training in the fall in Utah! Luke was always so supportive and was always telling me that I could do it. Our parents were also great to help out with the kids while we were gone!
So I finally got officially signed up and then there was no turning back. Last Saturday was the race and I must say I am so glad I did it. I LOVED it! I felt awesome the whole time I was running. I didn't know anyone that was running this one so the couple hours of waiting on the busses and at the starting line was lonely but once we started running it was great. Because it was the Halloween race a lot of people dressed up which made it for an entertaining run. It is amazing what some people ran in, full-on costumes! The race started at Aspen Grove and went to The Riverwoods.
Luke & Jack came up to Vivian park to cheer me on. It was great to see them at the half way mark! My parents also brought Charlie down and was there to cheer me on at the end, I think they were around mile 12. A great way to end the race!
I had NO idea how long it would take me, I had never timed any of my long runs and I didn't wear a watch for the race (my goal was just to finish) so when I got to the finish line Luke & Jack never saw me come through :( But the good news is I was at least 10 minutes faster than the time I told him I thought I would come in at.
My official time was 2:03:52.
But I finally found them and it was great to have them there!
Jack thought it was so awesome I got a medal. He kept telling me "Mom you won!"
My awesome shirt
So I am so glad that I finally just took the plunge and did it. It was such a great feeling and I can totally see why people say they are addicting. This definetely won't be my last!
My wonderful in-laws gave me beautiful roses too! Can't get better than that!
10/30/10

Wednesday, November 3, 2010

Fall festivities

We did lots of fun fall activities.

I was able to go with Jack and his preschool class to the pumpkin patch.
Jack being a monster and Avery going along with him.

his class
Jack kept pulling the funniest faces- Miss Misty thought he was pretty funny.
Jack & Khloee
Striking a pose



walking through the spook alley
Jack and his pumpkin he chose out


seriously can I get one good picture?!!
finally a smile!


10/18/10
Summer & I also put together a little Halloween party for play group.
The spooky lunch:
Graham cracker haunted houses-
gotta love the bulk candy at Winco!


I loved all the things Jack thought to put on his house: he had a garden on the left, with corn and a garden snake, a pumpkin patch on the right and a body burind in the backyard.
Their haunted village
playgroup is always a good time!
10/21/10
Jack also had a Halloween party at school. He decided that he wanted to be Buzz for his school party because he said he never got to be Buzz in Utah. It was great though because I didn't have his other costume ready and it made it super easy!

It was a little short though!


Right when Jack walked in the other Buzz's swarmed to him.
10/27/10