2 down 4 to go

Matt ran his 2nd Marathon last weekend in Ogden. (Sorry you might get sick of these marathon posts.) We had a really great weekend. We stayed at my Sister's, In-Laws house. They have a really cool place up past Ogden Canyon. We stayed there with my sister and her family. The kids had such a good time together, eating pizza, roasting marshmallows, watching Little Rascals, and staying up way to late.

The next morning we watched Matt pass at the halfway mark, then the girls and I got to the finish line about 2 minutes before he finished. We weren't expecting him for another 15 minutes, so it was a surprise to see him so early. He only has to cut off 10 more minutes to qualify for the Boston Marathon!! It was a great weekend!! Thank you Kari and family for being with us Happy Birthday Sammy!!

Happy Anniversary

Well it's been a couple of weeks, but I had to post about our anniversary. 6 years! Wow, where does the time go. It either feels like its flown by or its been forever. It has been the best 6 years. It has been full of some of the greatest adventures. I love to think back on those times we we were first married and living in the scariest basement apartment. It didn't seem to phase us though we were so happy. Then every year just keeps getting better. Now 2 little girls later it seems like we are the happiest. Don't get me wrong there are hard times too, but at the end of each year it always tops the last. I really did marry my best friend. Thanks Matt for 6 great years!

This year we decided to spend our day together as a family. We went hiking and camping in Moab (one of our favorite places). It was the perfect day, good weather, the kids loved hiking around. We went back to camp, the girls loved the camp fire and the smores. Then it came to the camping part, lets say it wasn't so good. Lucy is the type of baby that doesn't fall asleep in your arms. She has to be in her own crib. So after Matt walked around the fire about 500 times she finally fell asleep. We head to the tent for a good nights rest. Then, Mari who was just getting over strep started snoring louder than any adult I have ever heard. We tried everything to get her to stop, but nothing worked. After an hour or so we finally stuffed our ears with toilet paper. Matt leaned over and while laughing says Happy Anniversary! It was pretty hilarious, but it doesn't end there. At 2 a.m. Lucy wakes up and walks circles around the inside of the tent for 2 hours. I finally couldn't take it anymore and drove around till she fell asleep, and we slept in the car. The next morning we were to exhausted to hike so we had a relaxing day at the city park. It turned out to be a memorable trip, one we'll think back on and laugh. I think next year we'll plan something for just the 2 of us.

Girls Weekend!!

It's that time again.

Every year the girls get one weekend to ourselves.

We eat ourselves sick, and laugh more than I think is possible.

My sisters and me at the condo.

We had a patio that opened up right to the pool. It was so beautiful!

My cousin Amanda and Aunt Cindy joined us this year. I think it might have been the best one we've had yet. Every morning we took a walk, and soaked in the sun. But I have to say most of the time was spent shopping and eating. At night we felt like we couldn't waste a minute with each other, so we would be up until early the next morning still talking. We did manage to sleep a little, but not much.

Thanks everybody for making my weekend!! I love you guys!!!

Salt Lake Marathon

Matt finished his first marathon of the year! 5 more to go. We had a great day that started at 5 a.m. We dropped Matt off at the starting line, to music blaring and a gospel choir. From there we got breakfast and waited for Matt to pass at Sugarhouse park. The whole time Mari was yelling "good job" to all the runners. She really had a blast. After he passed we went to the finish line to wait it out with the crowds for 2 and a half hours. Let's just say I felt like I had run a marathon by the time it was over. Trying to save a spot for that long with 2 over tired girls, one that has no concept of strangers, and another that had to keep going to the potty every 1/2 hour. Even though it was hard it was such a fun day. It was really inspiring to see all the different runners. We are so proud of you Matt!

Pre run, looking good!

Post run, still looking good after 26.2 miles!

I'm not sure who is more tired Matt, Lucy or me.

ABC's

A-Attached or single: Attached and very happy.
B-Best friends: 1. Matt of course. 2. My sisters, I couldn't live without them. 3. Amanda, since the day I was born, Ali and Addie from middle school on. I have the best friends!!
C-Cake or pie: I'm not crazy about either, but I wouldn't pass either one up.
D-Day of choice: Saturday, nothing better than being with Matt and the girls all day!
E-Essential item: Probably food, it's always on my mind.
F-Favorite color: Blue
G-Gummy worms or bears: I don't think I have a preference. I love the green and yellow ones in both.
H-Hometown: Payson, Ut
I-Indulgence: Pedicures, when I get them, which is probably once a year.
J- January or July: No question July. I would erase January if I could. July is so full of good times. BBQ's, fireworks, camping, family, it's got it all.
K-Kids: Mari 3, the sweetest little girly girl. Lucy 1, our little dramatic one.
L-Life is incomplete without: Family, friends and good food.
M-Marriage date: April 27 2002. Coming up on 6 years!
N-Number of siblings: 4 sisters. Stephani, Kari, Heather and Heidi. Love em!
O-Oranges or Apples: Oranges for sure.
P-Phobias or fears: I can be scared of the dark if I let my imagination wander.
Q-Quotes: I like Ali's "You try it and you like it!" I say this to Mari every night at dinner, but she never likes anything. I'm always trying to find something she will eat.
R-Reason to smile: My kids, but when their hard talking with my sisters and friends to get through the hard days.
S-Season: Definitely summer! I wish it was all year.
T-Tagged friends: Katie, Heather and Heidi. Sorry!
U-unknown fact about me: I'm signing up to run a 1/2 marathon this summer. Those who know me will be surprised, I'm not a runner.
V-Very favorite store: I don't know if I have one. I do love Target though.
W-Worst habit: I'm a major procrastinator.
X-X-ray, Ultrasound, or Mammogram: Who would choose Mammogram? Definitely Ultrasound. There is nothing like seeing your little baby in your tummy, and hearing that heartbeat. I love that!!
Y-Your favorite food: Anybody that knows me knows I love food, all kinds. Right now we're still stuck on Sushi. Both Matt and I are wondering when we are going to get sick of it.
Z-Zodiac: Gemini

Tea Time

Last week some friends invited us to the cutest Tea Parlor in Midway. Mari had the best time.

The little girls got to choose from all sorts of dresses, hats, crowns, necklaces... Pretty much the works.

Then it got even better when they could sit at their own table, and have their own conversations with lunch and tea.

The grown up girls couldn't help themselves either. The dresses wouldn't fit, but we did get to wear some pretty great hats.

Thanks for inviting us we had a great time!

I don't know if Mari is ever going to stop talking about it.

1st hair cut

Mari has never had her hair cut. I did cut her mullet off once when she was a couple months old, but other than that I have never had it cut. Lately I have been getting the itch to cut. I get this all the time with myself, when you can't stand it any longer you just have to do it right then. That was me today. I have wanted to cut her hair for awhile now. So when my mom called today and said she was too sick to make it to her hair appt, I decided Mari could take her spot. So within 1 hour Mari's hair was gone. I thought she would be a little scared, but she was a pro. Here are some pics of the event.






She looks like a big girl now, not a toddler. I really love it. I can even still pull it back when I need too.
What do you think?

Mike's big celebration

My Brother in Law turned 40 this weekend! Steph threw an all weekend party at their house. Mari had such a blast at their house with all the animals (that includes the cousins.) The adults got to get away for dinner, while all 17 grand kids had a free for all at Steph's house. We spent the rest of the night talking and laughing. Mari and Sophie stayed up till almost 3 in the morning playing. The next day we had the roller skating rink to ourselves. It was like I was back at the Bonton in Payson(good memories.) It was Mari's first time skating, and she loved it. Thanks Steph and Mike for having us. We had the best time!

My baby is 1

Lucy had her first birthday last week. I can't believe she is one. This year has flown by. She has been a handful this year, but I wouldn't trade it for anything. She is our little drama queen. It's been so fun to watch her learn and grow into her own little person. She is walking now and has seven teeth. She jabbers all day long, but the only real word I hear for sure is Dada, and Mama rarely. Lucy is the dancer of the family, I think she gets it from Matt. She loves to dance while she eats. I don't know why or where she got it, but without a doubt when we sit down and start to eat she is dancing away in her chair.

We had a little pizza party with some of her cousins for her big day.



Here are a couple of her chowing down on her cake.







Happy Birthday Lulu!

The results are in

I had my month check up for my eyes. I told myself not to be disappointed if my vision wasn't 20/20 yet, sometimes it takes up to a year. The Dr. pulled out the letter chart. I have never been able to see the biggest E on the chart, so when I could read the bottom line I was so excited. Then he pulled out a different chart and I could read that one! My eyesight it 20/15!!! I am so excited to be seeing so well with no help from contacts. I recommend Hoopes to anybody who is thinking about Lasik. I had a great experience!

I have been tagged

Katie tagged me over a month ago, and I have been resisting. I feel like I don't have much to say about myself, but I am going to give it a go. This is for you too Ali, I just can't bring myself to think of more things. This already took me too long.

10 years ago (Feb 1998):
I was a Junior in High School. Probably doing nothing, I was kind of a bump on a log in High School. I look back and regret that now. Don't get me wrong I had a blast in High School; I had the best friends, and we were pretty dang funny. I just wish I would have been a little more involved.

5 thing on my to-do list today:
I am heading off to bed right after this, so I will do tomorrow.
1. It's my morning to sleep in. Hopefully I can. We take turns every weekend.
2. Decide what paint color we like and prep our bedroom to be painted. We have been in this house for 3 years and we're finally painting.
3. Hang out with my Matt all day. It's Saturday I look forward to that all week.
4. Clean Mari's room. It looks like a hurricane hit it.
5. Prepare my lesson for church.

Snacks I enjoy:
I am a snacker! I would probably eat all day if I could. But my biggest love is candy, I love candy! Sadly with age and weight I have to cut back. So my latest thing is Blue Bunny's Frozen Vanilla Yougurt with frozen raspberries. It's really good.

Things I would do I were a billionaire:
1. Buy a house where it is warm all year round. I love Utah, but the winters are killing me.
2. Have a maid for all the cleaning. I hate cleaning! I don't mind picking up, but I hate deep cleaning.
3. Travel, travel, travel. I would do this all the time if I could. Some day!

3 bad habits:
1. I am a procrastinator
2. I do the laundry, I even fold it and take it to all the right rooms, but I can't put it away. I drives me crazy, I really have to fix this.
3. I bite my nails and the inside of my cheeks. I was doing really well until a month ago.

5 places I have lived:
I don't like this one. I would like to see more places, but sadly there's not.
1. Payson
2. Provo
3. Orem
4. back to Provo
5. Thats all :(

5 Jobs:
1. Kmart. How great is that. I loved working there too. It was during High school and almost all my friends worked there. We really didn't work too much, just played.
2. Afterthoughts
3. Convergys. Everyone has worked here sometime right?
4. E-excel
5. For Every Body. I loved the people I worked with, but it was a soap opera.

5 things people don't know about me:
1. I love, love to read. I could do this all day. My poor girls get deprived sometimes. I can read anything too, if it's a crappy book I still have to finish it. If anyone has favorites let me know.
2. I have a love/hate relationship with scary movies. I love to watch them, but if I have to get up in the night to go to the bathroom I am petrified. I try to walk slowly back to my bed thinking "I'm an adult I shouldn't be scared," but by the end I am running jumping in the bed so whatever is under my bed can't grab my feet.
3. I love sushi, we just started eating it a few months ago I love it!
4. I love hiking and camping. I have hiked Timp 4 times, the Grand Canyon and Subway twice, the Narrows, tons of places in Utah. Sadly this was all before we had kids. This summer is our summer to camp and hike like crazy. I will not be pregnant and the girls are both a little older.
5. This one even suprises me. I scuba dive even though I am afraid of fish. I have been certified for a couple of years now, and it's a blast. I still get the butterflies up until I am off the boat and down . I get nervous that I won't be able to get to the bottom and stay there. But once I am down, there is nothing like it. It's almost relaxing to me. Just don't let me see any sharks.

I hope you read something you didn't know. I won't name names, if you have read this and want to be tagged I tag you!

Lasik here I come

Two years ago Matt gave me Lasik for my birthday. I was so excited, then got pregnant with Lucy that same week. So I have been waiting for this for awhile. I have been so gung ho about it, but I have to say I'm getting a little nervous now! I'm going in this afternoon to get it done. One thing I know is, I am so excited to say goodbye to my contacts and glasses. I feel like I have practically been wearing them my whole life, and they are a pain. Hopefully all goes well and I won't be blind tonight. Wish me luck, or wish my Dr. luck. I will be seeing you all soon, contact free. YAHOO!!!!

Merry Christmas! (3 weeks late)

Merry Christmas! Yeah I know I'm way behind, but at least I'm doing it. I hope everyone had a great holiday. We spent our time in San Diego. We had the best time and the best weather (high 70's). We had a chance to go to the San Diego Zoo and the Wild Animal Park, Coronado, La Jolla cove, and Lake Murray a couple of times. We hung out with friends and family. It was a blast.
Thank you Steve and Pat for having us!

Happy New Year!

I'm really looking forward to this year. Some of my goals:

A lot more camping (we did none last year, too hard with a baby.)

More Yoga (I have really grown to love Yoga. If anyone wants to join me it's so relaxing, and the more the merrier.)

Try to get in better shape (I say this every weekend, "I'll start Monday.")

Spend more time playing with the girls

Be more patient

Run more (still stuck at 3 miles.)

I'm sure I could go on, but I have to stop or I'll get too overwhelmed

I hope everyone has a great year!

Happy Birthday!

It's Matt's birthday today!

The girls and I met Matt for lunch at our favorite restaurant Sushi Ya. Mari wouldn't try the sushi, but she loved the rice. We'll keep working on her. If anyone likes Sushi I recommend Sushi Ya in Orem. It was great!



I want to gush for a second about Matt. He is the greatest Husband, and Dad. He is by far the most patient one out of us and I thank him for that. He takes over when things get to hectic for me. The girls both adore him. They get so excited when he comes home from work. I love that he is so happy all the time. I've never seen him in a really bad mood. He is constantly making us laugh, with his dancing and silly faces. Just the other day Mari said "Dad is my best friend!"


We love you Babe!






I had to post this pic. He was the cutest little kid.

Sisters

I love my girls! Lately they have been so cute with each other. I love to see them interact, laugh and play. They both love each other to death. Mari has never stopped mugging Lucy since she was born. I have to separate them to let Lucy breath. Every day I catch myself smiling just listening to them. Mari is so protective and sweet, and nobody can make Lucy laugh like Mars does. Those belly laughs are one of the best parts of my day. Just this morning I was lying in bed and Lucy crawled into Mari's room to wake her up, and I hear squeals and kisses. There is nothing like a sister, they are the best. Maybe I'm partial since I have 4 sisters, and we are all so close. I hope my girls can have that.