Happy Birthday, Garrett!

I can't believe Garrett is already two! I catch myself calling him my "baby", but when I look at him I can't deny the fact that he is growing up. He is talking like crazy, singing songs all day (humming the words he doesn't know, emphasizing the ones he does), and teasing Cole whenever he gets a chance.

Here are a few fun facts about Garrett: he loves the nursery rhyme, "Hey Diddle Diddle"; his favorite books are Chicka Chicka Boom Boom and Alphabet Rescue; he knows all of his letters (capital and lower case) and can recognize numbers 1-10; he loves to stick out his tongue (which is embarrassing when he looks at a stranger and instead of saying hello sticks out his tongue!); he loves going to the children's museum and exclaims, "Balls at the museum! I want to go!"; he loves pushing buttons -- any where, any time and usually pushes things he shouldn't be touching; he loves his chocolate milk (instant breakfast) and raisins (but doesn't eat much else!); he loves reading books and will sit and listen as long as I will read; he is full of life and spunk and keeps us laughing!

Garrett's birthday was pretty low key. He opened gifts from his grandparents in the morning, played at the children's museum in the afternoon, opened presents from us before dinner, had pizza for dinner, and finished it off with "snake cake" and ice cream. We are so lucky to have Garrett in our family and look forward to many, many more years with our special little guy! We love you, Gary-Beary!!

Opening his present from Grandpa and Grandma Jake (thanks for the outfit and book!)


Sitting in the blanket that Grandma Guymon made, holding the Great Outdoors DVD she sent, while talking to her on the phone!


The "Snake Cake" - Garrett was so excited about it and loved blowing out the candles (we had to light them twice it was so much fun!!)

Water Weekend

One thing that our family wanted to do before we moved was to visit Wisconsin Dells and swim in the indoor water park. We went with my brother's family and stayed at the Kalahari Resort. We shared a hotel room, which was fun for the kids to play together. Russ got the 24 hour flu bug, so he spent a lot of time in the hotel room (and bathroom!). The kids slept great to my surprise -- I was worried about getting four little ones to sleep at the same time. I think we wore the kids out in the water, so they were ready for their beds (plus it was at least 10:30 PM when we got them to bed, so being tired and worn out helped a lot!).

The indoor resort was amazing! There were several play areas for the kids, including small water slides that Cole absolutely loved, and small slides that were perfect for Garrett. Cole is like a fish in water and can't get enough, while Garrett is a little more hesitant and doesn't like water spraying on him. The first night we went down the "Lazy River" on tubes (a small water way that moves along with a man-made current and you sit in tubes) - Cole was splashing and loving it, while Garrett sat on my lap, covered his eyes, and cried! Garrett did warm up to the water because the second day we went down the Lazy River and I heard him singing "Row, Row, Row Your Boat." Because Russ was so sick, I was with the boys by myself most of the time, so I didn't get a chance to go down any of the big water slides. Russ' stomach didn't feel up to being tossed around on a water slide, so he didn't go either.

There was also a small indoor amusement park that we went to with a Ferris wheel, carousel, play area, miniature golf, go-carts, and other games. We spent a little time there and had fun, but enjoyed the pools so much more.

It was a great weekend and I'm so glad we went. It was a great break from the cold -- we almost felt like we were on the beach!

Cole zipping down the water slide (with a huge smile!)


Garrett sliding down the elephant and feeling so big!


Mom and Garrett on the go-carts -- he was mesmerized by them!


Garrett and cousin Sarah sitting together on a go-cart


The cousins getting ready for bed

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!