DAM 2 DAM RUN

Mark and his friends ran the Dam 2 Dam run at the Sand Hollow Resevoir just outside of Hurricane, Utah. It was a 5 mile run, with around 300 people running the race. Mark and all of his friends made it in the top 100! Mark's time was 40 min 38 sec. He did a great job!

IT'S MY BIRTHDAY, SO I CAN CRY IF I WANT TO!

I won't be crying...even though I've turned 35 and know that I only have 5 years until the big 40. I am excited for my birthday each year! And plan on celebrating every year, I never want to be "one of those people" who like to ignore my big day! Bring it on...presents, lunches, vacations, nights out with the girls...I am all over it for the entire month of February!!

Thanks for all the birthday wishes...I have enjoyed this day and have 10 more days in February to enjoy! Curses to the month of March...it always ruins my extended birthday!!

APPLETON, WISCONSIN

So why is the title "Appleton, Wisconsin" you ask? Well it will be Mark's new home starting in March!! He should be there for almost a month. I am a bit freaked out, but so excited for him. This is a great opportunity and if things work out, he could be traveling around the United States working on different projects! I am kind of jealous, because I love traveling and it would fun to see new places! But, I am happy that we don't have to pick up our family and move!

Life will definitely change for me, I will be somewhat of a single mom. But, it is worth the sacrifice!

As for everything else in life, things are going great. Jake continues to snowboard every weekend! Kaycie started gymnastics...well I should say...I signed her up for gymnastics without her knowledge. She was so mad, the day she started, she kept glaring at me during class, I could tell she was flipping me off in her heart. But, by the end, she was loving it. She said, "Mom, the teachers kept asking me if my mom or dad was a gymnast and they said that I was born to be a gymnast." So now she thinks its her calling in life. I am excited that she is loving it and she defintely has a talent for it! Riley is still keeping us busy. He is in pre-school 4 days a week. He does not allow any of us to walk him to the bus, he has to do it all himself. He loves school and runs around the house singing songs, talking about colors and shapes, and drawing. He has made a lot of progress, which I thank pre-school for!!

Oh and did I mention...it's birthday month! Oh yes, February is my month! I keep wondering where the last 35 years went! I also keep thinking it's time to grow up...and then in the next breath, I think why!

HAPPY NEW YEAR

So sorry...it's been a while. Christmas tends to be a busy time of year, but in all reality...I basically stayed home from December 23 to January 5, with a weekend trip to St. George! So it wasn't really busy as much as it was relaxing. I read two books, enjoyed time with my kids, and celebrated the New Year with Riley...while Jake went with friends and Mark and Kaycie took off a day early to St. George! We did have a ton of fun over the Christmas Break. Jake did a ton of snowboarding with his friends, Kaycie and Riley hung out with friends and family! And Mark started up a new venture called Exfuse, its a health drink called Seven. I have started drinking it just recently, so I'll have to report back on how I feel. It has 7 wonder fruits that help with a lot of different issues. As you may know, Mark has been really into his health. He has lost over 16 pounds and he has made it to 5 miles on his running. Go Mark! He has one more month to go before the final weigh in...so keep your fingers crossed!

It was really hard for me to go back to work, which is odd because I am a work-a-holic. But since being back for a week, I am now in the swing of things!

My only thing now is the hope for an early Spring and maybe some trip to look forward to, but since neither of those are definites...I am going to live in the moment and enjoy life! That's my New Year's Resolution!

Happy New Year's to you all...here are a few fun pics of the family!

PRE-CHRISTMAS UPDATE

Oh do I have updates. I have been so busy in the last week...I thought I better update what's been going on before my brain shuts down. Every year, since I can remember I have helped my friend, Amy K, with the Sub-for-Santa program at DCFS. Last year, she had her cute baby and decided to leave the land of DCFS. Therefore, it put myself and my good friend, Heather, in charge this year. We thought for sure that with the two of us heading this program, it would be so easy, since we knew Amy was so stressed doing it by herself...then two people would definitely make the stress levels go way down. Oh no, I am still trying to wrap my head around how she did this whole program alone. Let's just say, that Heather and I worked late everyday last week. Including pulling a one a.m. at the DCFS office, it was really creepy being there late at night. But all of these late days and long hours were for a great cause. We were able to serve 263 children, who might have not had Christmas otherwise! I am amazed by all those companies and individuals who donated time and money for this great cause!

So during this fun Sub-for-Santa, I am pretty sure my poor family was a bit neglected. Kaycie kept asking when I was coming home and when I finally did make it home one night. Riley decided to make mud pies on my carpet with a gallon of milk and chocolate milk mix. I am still trying to pull that from the carpet. I am sure this was some attention seeking behavior! Well it worked!!

After working Thursday, Mark took me to the Provo Temple for our 15-year Temple Anniversary. It is hard to believe that it has been 15-years since we were sealed in the Salt Lake Temple. I still remember it and it was one of the most amazing experiences I have had.

Friday, our friends decided that we could buy each others tickets for Christmas to a double-feature. First we saw 7 pounds. Oh my word, pull out the razor blades, this was "The" most depressing film I have ever seen. If I weren't in a packed movie theatre, I would have cried outloud...I mean sobbed! Next we saw Yes Man. Oh my word, I laughed so hard. I was glad to see such a funny film after the first one!

Saturday, I finally finished all of my Christmas Shopping...what a relief that is!

I am so excited for Christmas. I am taking two weeks off of work and am excited to spend the time with my kids.

Merry Christmas to everyone!

WE CAN OFFICIALLY START CELEBRATING CHRISTMAS...

...THE TREE IS UP!! I don't know what my problem is this year, but I just got my Christmas Tree up TODAY!! Thanks to Mark and Jake for bringing all the decorations and the tree upstairs and thanks to the girls at Bunco for giving me such a hard time for not having decorated yet...I think both these things helped me get motivated!!! I have been so busy this year with Stake Camp meetings, Santa's Helper at work, and other odds and ends...the time just kept flying by.

So now I finally feel the Christmas Spririt in my home! Remember how I take the tree down the day after Christmas! Nice 14 days of celebration! Cross your fingers I will be better next year!

THANKSGIVING

We had a fun and eventful Thanksgiving this year. My mom decided to have an early Thanksgiving on Sunday, because my Grandma was going into surgery to get her second hip replaced.

Monday, we took Jake out for his birthday, can you believe I have a 12-year old!! We saw Madagascar 2, which I loved. Riley clapped when it was over and it was the first movie he watched in the theatre the entire way through. Usually we have to leave half way through the movie!

Tuesday, it was Jake's birthday and we entertained 7 twelve year olds. Jake had a blast!

On Wednesday, our friends Jake and Heather, invited us to pre-Thanksgiving Pie Party. It was yummy! Jake made "several" pies and I couldn't stop eating.

On Thanksgiving, Mark played football in the morning with friends and then he came home and started baking pies for his Mom's Thanksgiving dinner. We ate and then literally fell asleep.

Friday, I went shopping with my mom and my grandma (my Mom's Mom). We shopped from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. We had a blast! This is a tradition we've had since I was really young. I love it!!

Saturday, we layed around recuperating from the long weekend and then Mark and I went with friends to "Four Christmases". I never laughed so hard!

On Sunday, Jake was ordained a Deacon, we were so proud of him. He had a great day being recognized for all of his hard work completing his Faith in God. He also got up in front of all of the adults for the 5th Sunday meeting and recited the 13th Article of Faith. I was more nervous than him! He did a great job!!