Sizzlin Summer Half Marathon

My SIL Lauren and I ran our first half marathon in July in Dallas. The race started at 8 am and it was over 100 degrees. Most of the course was shaded and there were a good amount of water stations. We talked most of the time and cheered on other runners. It seemed like most of the participants were first timers like us. Jarem, Brian and the babies met us around mile 8 with cliff bars and powerade which was such a boost emotionally and physically. At one point we stopped to walk for about 100 yards because I was hyperventilating. I wasn't in good enough shape for all of the talking I was doing. Lauren stayed with me and as soon as I caught my breath we were off again! We finished in 2:29 and were happy to be done! The true victory was that neither of us had to stop to use the restroom. Thanks for the tip Salem and thanks for convincing me to do this Sis. Love you!

More pics of the race that I didn't purchase can be found here. http://www.backprint.com/go.asp?107107411.

King Turns One

My boy is one! He is still happy as ever and getting more "energetic" by the day. He is obsessed with balls and hitting his sisters and myself with throw pillows. He says ball, mama, dada, whoa, uh oh, ninight, bye bye, and of course no. At his 12 month check-up he was 26.8 lbs in the 65th percentile and in the 90th for height. He has 4 teeth on top and 3 on the bottom but still only eats about 3 foods one of those being chocolate. He took his first steps at 12 mo and 2 weeks and by 13 he was full fledged running after his sisters. He always wants to be wherever they are. I have to be careful not to favor him because I of course love and adore all of my children, but he is my boy and has completely captured my heart. I'll take 5 more just like him please.

Ellery shared her second birthday with King. They and my sister Eliza were all born on the same day! Her mother Salem (my cousin) made these adorable cakes and took all of these pictures. What a great lady huh!

My favorite shot. Isn't he saucey?

Just one more beach pic for ya'll.

Outer Banks NC 2011

My extended family has gone to the Outer Banks almost every other year since I was little. When Jarem and I were engaged I told him that we had to be there even though finances would be tight and we would have to travel from Utah. We went and have never missed since. I think Jarem looks forward to the beach more than I do now. This year we DROVE 24 hours one way with our little family of 5. Notice that there are not any pictures of the road trip. It is something we try not to remember.
This year we had 2 houses and over 50 family members 13 of those under 5. We have morning and nightly devotionals and an evening activity. We trade off preparing meals and cleaning up. There are several tournaments from Pool to Parcheesi taking place any time of day or night. At the end of the week there are awards given and a variety show, this year won by the Richmond boys who performed a synchronized swimming routine in the pool. Jarem says beach week is EFY for adults.
Sofie LOVED the ocean. We didn't see much of her that week. She would ask any aunt, uncle, cousin grandparent or parent she could find to "hold her in the water". While on land you would find her sitting in a beach chair doing her work (coloring).

I was training for a race the following weekend (ran 23 miles that week) so I really appreciated a nap in the sun. Lucy joined me.

Lucy spent most of the time playing in the tent. She was a little bit terrified of the ocean.

King loved the sand!! He would crawl down the dune backwards as if it were stairs.Everyone just sitting around reading/chatting at the beach. Notice Sofie on right. She was coloring.

Jarem got us some paddle boards for the week. Jarem, Tallmadge and Decker spent hours on these boards.

Saucey.

The Blue Canoe

Dad and Lucy playing Parcheesi, a family favorite.

Page, Reagan, Ashely, and me.

Girl cousins: Bethanie, Sarah Rose, Salem, Ashley, Sally, Page, Reagan, Anne, and me.Me and my angelic Grammy.

We will miss you Outer Banks. See you in 2013.

Birthday number twenty-nine

One of the reasons I love summer is that its my birthday season. Dallas, Texas won my heart with its LONG summers. I treasure our time there and the friendships we made. Jarem and I look a little bit too happy to be leaving for the evening.

If you know me you know that I'm pretty boring. We go to cheesecake factory every year, share an entree and get 2 cheesecake slices. I always get the lemon raspberry cheesecake and Jarem gets a some-sort-of chocolate one. Throw a little Anthropologie in there before dinner and I am a happy lady.

On my official birthday we celebrated with the Butlers and Rasmussens by the pool.

Lucy, Sofie, Thad, Molly, Lucy and Gavin.

Blowing out the candles.

Me, Katy and Amy. The best friends anyone could ask for. They also took me to lunch that day with all 8 of our babies. We went to Mcdonalds, naturally because it is right next to the mall playplace. I will miss you Galleria.

Saucey.

Sofie's laying out.

Amy had Lyla like 5 minutes before my birthday but both of them are out and about in their swimsuits. Amazing! Love these ladies.

Dublin Dr Pepper

We went tour the origional Dr Pepper plant in Dublin Tx a few weeks ago. It also happened to be a Dr Pepper's birthday so there were carnival like activities outside the plant. Lauren and Beckham met us there which made it even more fun! The girls did a bounce house, face paint, which they were THRILLED about, flower shaped balloons, cake, and lots and lots of Dr. Pepper. The tour of the plant was interesting because they only use origional glass bottles, fill them with the syrup and then the carbonated water. The syrup and carbonation don't mix until they are gently spun in a machine 3 times and then they never separate again! The Dr Pepper made here tastes slightly better because it is made with imperial cane sugar. A highlight was at the begening of the tour they gave us ice cold, it was over 100 degrees that day, Dr Pepper in cute little 100 calorie glass bottles. Thanks to Lauren and Beckham for waiting in a forever long line so that we could go on the tour! Later we found some shade under a tent and danced to the live music with the kids. What a great day.