They've Got It All!!

Since it is so freezing cold that even playing in the snow seems ridiculous, we decided to do what any Mid-Westerner would do -- head North and visit Mall of America! We even convinced my brother and his family to come along (it was my brother that took the convincing -- he isn't much for crowds, but he came along anyway). It happened to be the Saturday before a holiday (Martin Luther King Jr. Day), so it was especially packed, but well worth it!

I have never seen so many stores in one place in all my life! Though I didn't really get to shop (I only walked onto the Children's Place - exciting, huh!), I was still amazed by the sheer number of stores and size of the mall. The middle of the mall was filled with amusement rides, which is where we spent most of our time. The kids had a ball on the rides, even though they were a little tired at the end. Just before leaving my sister-in-law, niece and I took a stroll through The American Girls store. It was so fun -- pink and dolls everywhere, a parlor for the dolls to get their hair done, a restaurant upstairs with seats for the dolls, every doll accessory you can imagine. I was in heaven, reminiscing about when I was a girl. Hopefully I will have a daughter some day and get to take her.

Cole, Garrett, and I riding a "Big Rig" -- the perfect ride for Garrett!


Cole and I on a hot air balloon ride (with cousin Ross and Aunt Jan)


Cole and Russ on a train roller coaster -- yes, this is an action shot so it's blurry!


Russ, Cole and Garrett rode this bus that went up and down, up and down. Cole was thrilled and laughing, while Garrett was screaming and crying to get off. It's so fun to have such different boys!!


I am hoping to return to Mall of America some day with a big allowance and group of girls so we can do some SERIOUS shopping. Any takers?

It's Christmas Time

December has come and gone in what seems like a blink of an eye, yet so much as transpired. We decorated for Christmas, decorated a real tree (that we took down on Dec 15 before leaving town), visited Santa, acted out the nativity at preschool, went Christmas shopping, made Relief Society schedules and bookmarks for next year (created, printed, and laminated), and packed for our trip.

Ho, ho, ho -- isn't that one good lookin' Santa (and the boys too!)?


Joseph and Mary (Cole and his preschool friend, Valerie)



We decided to go to Utah for the holidays. Russ' cousin, Chris, was getting married and we wanted to be there for his special day, and since we were already there, we figured that we might as well stay a while.

We ran crazy from place to place, activity for activity, and even though it was busy, we wouldn't have it any other way. It was so fun to see and spend time with our family and friends and realized how lucky we are to have wonderful people to share our lives with.

Crown Burger with the Guymons before heading to Temple Square -- Garrett chowed the corn dog (well, actually just the greasy outside, but it gave him calories!) and Cole couldn't get enough of the chocolate shake!


Freezing while enjoying the lights -- can't we see them in July instead of December?


The boys were so much fun at Christmas this year. Cole was really "into" Santa and figured out how to rip gifts open in a short amount of time. Garrett's favorite toy was his bouncy balls in his stocking -- who know that happiness could come so easily? I couldn't saved myself a lot of time and effort!! The boys got sleeping bags and even though they didn't get much use on Christmas morning, they will be put to use in the future. Russ has big plans to go camping with his boys! Russ spoiled me as usual and did a great job picking out a skirt, shirt, and acessories. He has great taste! I had a hard time shopping for Russ -- the toys he wants were not in our budget this year, but maybe next year (when we are out of school) he will be more satisfied!

Waiting with cousins to see what Santa left... ready, set, go!


Garrett opening gifts (with a little help from mom)


Cole trying out the sleeping bag


Acting out the nativity with the Guymon cousins (Cole was a Wiseman and Garrett was a shepherd)


The boys enjoying the snow and 4-wheeler at Grandpa Jake's



All in all we had a fabulous holiday season. We are looking forward to another exciting year for our family! Here's to 2010!!

What?

I logged on last week to register for the Boston Marathon and registration is CLOSED! Yes, that's right, closed! I called, emailed, and begged for them to let me in, but no such luck. I was basically told that it was tough luck and to try again for the race in 2011. Don't they know how hard I trained? Don't they realize that this is the second time I've qualified and haven't been able to run? Don't they know that we want to have another baby around that time? Why can't they just let me run!?!

The most frustrating part is that the race closed a week after my race in Indy, so if I had just registered the next day, I would have been able to run. In other words, it's all my fault! I was sick to my stomach for days after finding out, not wanting to accept it. Why, why didn't I log on earlier?

So, I guess there won't be another 26.2 for a while. Hopefully I won't be an old lady by the time I get to run Boston!

26.2

New Balance Running Shoes $120
Insert for Arch Support $40
Nike Running Gear $60
Marathon Registration $75
Pasta Dinner at Macaroni Grill $30

Qualifying for the Boston Marathon,
PRICELESS!


I ran the Indianapolis Monumental Marathon on Saturday. I finished in 3:37:40 (8:18 second miles) and qualified for Boston (qualifying time was 3:40). I was fifth in my age group and also beat my last marathon time by two minutes. It was a great race. Indy is a beautiful city!

My friends, Emily and Marianne, ran the half marathon - here we are at the start line

Running, running, running....


Still running...


I have to give a shout out to Russ who was such a great supporter. He was at miles 2, 7, 15.5, 16.5, 17.5, 18.5, 20, 21, 26.2. He was everywhere! He drove around crazy, parked and raced to the course so he could cheer me on. He even got a little teary-eyed a few times, which motivated me even more. I couldn't have done it without his support. Thanks, Russ, for being my rock!

Aaahhh... the finish line. Could that last mile have been any longer?!

After just finishing -- I was pooped!


Even though I am a little sore, have a few blisters and a few toenails that will soon fall off, it was totally worth it and I am pumped to train and run Boston. It is something that I have always wanted to do. Here's to another 26.2...

Great Analogy...

Last week for preschool at our house we learned about the letter H, so we took a little trip to Hawaii. We used Hawaiian names, had smoothies, made grass skirts, wore leis, and learned to dance the Hula. It was a huge hit and the kids loved it.

Today I was reading the Book of Mormon to Cole and Garrett and we were reading about Ammon. Cole is fascinated by Ammon cutting off the arms of the lamanites who were trying to scatter the flocks of sheep. He can't get over how mean Ammon was and that it would have hurt the men. With that thought he immediately thought of Abinadi, who was burned alive for his beliefs. The conversation went as follows:

Cole: It would really hurt to be burned. Even his eyes and nose were burned up.

Me: Yes, it would hurt really bad.

Cole: Even his arms were burned so he couldn't dance the Hula like this (moving his arms in waves and moving his hips).

Me: Chuckling, Yes, he wouldn't even be able to dance the hula.

What a great analogy for a three year old! Too funny!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

I love Halloween and this year was so much fun because the boys really got into it. Cole was a pirate and Garrett was a lion (the same lion costume that Cole wore when he was nine months and Gar is twenty months -- oh, how different they are!). Cole begged to wear his costume any chance he could, which was often with a preschool party, Trunk-or-Treat, visiting Russ at school, and Trick-or-Treating on Halloween.

I had pictures taken of the boys in their costumes. The boys weren't exactly cooperative, but the pictures turned out great anyway. Near the end of the session my little lion attacked and mauled the pirate, so I knew that the photo shoot was over! I think the picture of them wrestling is a crack-up and had to include it!
AAAARGH, MATEY!

ROOOAAAR!

Look out pirate - you are about to be dinner!

My brother and his family were in town for the weekend, so it was fun to celebrate with them. We watched their kids while they were gone interviewing for jobs and they got back in time for Trick-or-Treating. We went to our favorite part of town and the kids did great filling their buckets with candy and we (the adults) loved seeing the old homes that were beautiful and meticulously taken care of. It was a great night of Halloween fun!

Garrett (lion), Cole (pirate), Sarah (Little Miss Muffitt), Ross (Spider that sat beside her)

Russ really got into carving his year and his jack-o-lantern looked great (left)

Not Bad

Russ' mom taught me how to make cinnamon rolls the last time she came to visit. There is nothing like her cinnamon rolls! She makes them every Christmas morning and it quickly became one of my favorite Christmas traditions. Since we probably will not be in Utah for Christmas, I decided that I had better learn because I knew I would be craving them as we opened gifts on Christmas morning. So, here is my first attempt at making cinnamon rolls -- not too bad for an amateur!!