1000 Miles!!!

In just a tad under 9 months, I hit the 1000 miles mark. So how am I going to celebrate? By going to buy some nice, new running shoes in Frederick today. I love getting new running shoes. It always feels like I'm running on clouds for the first few weeks with all that plush cushioning. Oh, and maybe I'll take a nap too!!

Running Update

Well, I just completed my longest run for my marathon training program this morning (22 miles.) Now I taper for the next three weeks until the BIG day on October 10th. My training has gone really well up to this point so I am hoping to have a good marathon experience. Everyone keeps telling me how hilly the Baltimore Marathon is so I've tried to incorporate lots of hills into my workouts. We'll see how that works out. Time for me to get some new shoes for the 3rd time this year. I swear I'm keeping that running store in Frederick in business with all of my purchases this year (I'm loving my Asics Nimbus 11 shoes, too bad they're so darn expensive.) And check out my fitness ticker. I'm rapidly closing in on 1000 miles. I'm not sure if I should just leave it at 1000 or increase my goal to have something to keep working for after the marathon. What do you all think???

For My Mom

My mom has been trying to get me to post this video for a long time (ever since our reunion back in July.) So Mom, this one's for you!!

Abby's Writing Skills

Most of Abby's little friends from the gym and church started school/preschool this year. Abby really wanted to go too, but since she's only 3, she won't even go into preschool until next year. In order to help ease her disappointment a bit, Abby and I have been spending some one-on-one time each day doing our own "preschool" (For some reason she calls it "high school.") We sit on the kitchen table and so far have been practicing writing her letters. In just three weeks she has learned how to write all of her capital letters (some are upside down or backward at times, but oh well, she's only 3!!) Here is a little sampling of her alphabet...

She wrote all of these letters all by herself and even signed her fist and last name at the bottom. Next up...writing numbers and learning her lower-case letters!

The Decorating Bug

We would really like to get into a home of our own so that we can start decorating it. To help ease my "decorating bug" while we wait for the right house to come along, I decided to do a few fun projects for the kids' rooms.

I made and painted a hanging board for Abby's artwork...

And painted a shelf for Abby's many princess Barbie dolls...

I even found a way to display her princess dresses in her room by painting these little hooks...

Of course, I couldn't leave Landon out of all of this. I finally finished the cross-stitch for his room (it just took 15 months!!) I actually had it mostly completed before he was born, but then it took me a long time to put on the finishing touches and frame it.

So there you go!! We may not have a house of our own yet, but at least I got to be a little creative with these projects.

A sigh of relief...

That is what I am doing right now....breathing that huge proverbial sigh of relief. Why you all ask? Because the Children's Sacrament Meeting Presentation is OVER for another year!! Wahoo!!

The primary kids did an incredible job and I was so impressed with the way things turned out. I always enjoy these programs each year, but I have to admit that I enjoy them more when I am not one of the ones in charge of putting it together. We had some hairy-scary practice moments, but in the end, it all came together and there was a very special spirit the permeated the chapel today.

I really didn't think I would ever want this calling to be Primary President, but I have to admit now that I am loving it. I have great counselors, wonderful primary teachers, and of course the best part of all, such great and amazing kids to work with.

As much as I enjoy being in Primary though, I am definitely glad the program is over and we can all relax a little bit as we finish out the year. Hallelujah!!!

Leesburg Animal Park

On Labor Day, we headed down south to the Leesburg Animal Park with Tasha, Jeff and Coldon. It was a perfect cool and overcast day and the animals were VERY friendly. Abby was a little nervous about feeding them at first, but she eventually warmed up to the idea!

She never warmed up enough to feel comfortable feeding this big guy. (Can't say as I blame her on this one.) This "cow" was not only a little funny looking (doesn't she look like she has pigtails?) but she was continually making loud honking noises, scaring both Coldon and Landon a few times!!

Landon was quite fascinated with all of the animals but didn't dare venture too close. His favorites seemed to be the birds (that's what he is looking at here) and the numberless amount of chickens running around everywhere. He tried to catch a few, but alas, he was unsuccessful in the attempts.

We took a little tractor ride over to the pond to feed the ducks and fish. As soon as we pulled up, the fish and fowl went CRAZY, literally jumping out of the water to get some food. All the kids were fascinated by this (heck, the adults were pretty interested in it all too!!)

Abby had a fun little adventure on a pony...

But the highlight of the day was perhaps this camel. By this point Abby had spilt the remainder of our animal food so all we had to offer the camel was this empty cup.


I guess the camel didn't believe it could possible be empty and surprised Jason by taking a closer look for himself.
(I LOVE the expression on Jason's face in this picture. Landon's looking a little leary about the whole situation.)

All-in-all a fabulous place to visit with little kids. They were thoroughly entertained as were we. I guess Labor Day to most people signifies the end of summer. It's been a great one, but I'm not too sad though because I LOOOOOVE fall! Bring on the cooler weather, the beautiful changing leaves, the vibrant colors, the pumpkin-picking and of course Halloween and Thanksgiving. I am ready!!!

Like daughter, like son!!

Abby at 12 months...

Landon at 13 months...

I think it's safe to say that both kids have definitely developed my love of ice cream!!

Somewhere over the rainbow...

Peppers are a growin'!!

(Okay so technichally our peppers are growing under this rainbow, but that didn't sound as good!!)

Good thing we like green bell peppers, because we have a ton!! Unfortunately our tomato plant hasn't been quite as productive. It could be because Landon has decided that picking yet-to-fully-ripen tomatoes and throwing them around the yard is far more fun than just throwing regular balls. Hmmmmm????

Are you ready for some football?!?!?

We were really excited (and admittedly a little nervous) about BYU's opening game against Oklahoma last night. We wore our "BYU Blue" to show our support and hoped for the best...

After a well-fought game (despite all the penalties and turnovers) we were ecstatic to tally a win over the #3 team in the nation. What a great way to start the season and we're excited to see what's in store from here on out.

RAH, RAH, RAH-RAH-RAH

RAH, RAH, RAH-RAH-RAH

RAH, RAH, RAH-RAH-RAH

GOOOOOO COUGARS!!!