10k!!!!

So, several months ago I decided that I needed to get in better shape. Somehow better shape became me agreeing to run a 10k race on September 6th, 2008. I've never been one for running and when we had to do it in high school I would feel like I was going to die before the end of mile one. Let's just say that running has never been my thing. Well, I figured if I am going to run 6 miles, I better figure out how to get there. So at the end of May/beginning of June, I found a training program that took someone like me that couldn't run more than one minute and trains them for a 5k in eight short weeks. It must be a miracle program cause it worked!! Today I ran three miles without stopping!! I have definetly amazed myself. I never thought I would even get this far. Now I have about one month to get another 3 miles in and need to start running outside. So if anyone would like to join me for a run outside, let me know.
FYI--I will be running either early in the morning or once the sun goes down cause running in 100 degrees does not float my boat!!

GUS!!!

It only took us one week to name our beagel puppy. It's a good thing that we get several months to name a child....


Gus is growing so fast so I thought I would post some more adorable photos of him.

Happy Birthday Jamie and Happy Pioneer Day!!

For those of you who live in the great state of Utah, the 24th of July the state shuts down due to the state holiday of Pioneer Day and....Jamie's birthday. After work, Jason and I met Jamie, Amanda, Tori, Elle, and Helen at a carnival type party in Cottonwood Heights. After we had enough of the heat, we headed to Helen and Ron's house for cake and ice cream, some legal fireworks, and than to watch the big firework show that Cottonwood Heights puts on. All in all, it was a nice relaxing day. Happy Birthday Jamie! One year older....






























Elle is not so sure what to do with the sparkler


Some of the fireworks got a little too loud for the girls, but they were so excited to see all the colors!!



Too loud for Elle!!



Tori and Jason before the fireworks


Sorry pic didn't come very well. This was everyone waiting for the fireworks at Helen and Ron's. There house has the most amazing view of the fireworks.

IT'S A BOY!!!

So Jason and I have been thinking about getting another dog for Dash to play with for awhile. Jason thought it would be a good idea to get this new puppy for my birthday that is in another week and a half. So we started looking this weekend and immediately fell in love with a beagle male. We found him Saturday afternoon and spent the rest of the night and Sunday afternoon trying to decide. Of course we needed to add him to the family! So we brought him home on Sunday night and it was best friends at first sight for Dash and the new puppy (name to be determined still). They are both so full of energy!

Puppy gets his nails cut for the first time. He did SOOOO good!!!

That's one tired puppy!!

hiking in Big Cottonwood Canyon

This Sunday's hike was in Big Cottonwood Canyon. We didn't quite finish the hike, but we did get some amazing views!! If anyone has any good hikes to recommend on the Wasatch Froint, I am all ears!




me in front of one of the waterfalls


view of one of the many mountain peaks

Going to the chapel....

Another post that is late...


Over the fourth of July weekend, we watched Ben and Leslie's dog--Izzy. Dash had so much fun!! By the end of the weekend, both of the dogs were EXHAUSTED!!









Izzy trying to take a nap before Dash wants to play again!

Last Sunday 7/6/08 Ben and Leslie got engaged!!! Here are some photos of the proposal at the airport!



The newly ENGAGED couple!

Tim McGraw

So I know these posts are out of order--but I had to post some of these pics. AB, Kirbie, and I went and saw the oh so sexy Tim McGraw at USANA on June 27th. It was a perfect night with perfect weather. The only thing missing was Faith. He started out singing a lot of his new songs that not a lot of people knew, but his encore lasted about 7-8 songs!! I was a little worried at one point that he wasn't going to sing BBQ stain, but he pulled thru and sang his heart out!!! To top the evening off we had the funniest group of girls in front of us that were just the tad bit drunk, but VERY entertaining. We even posed for a few pics with them (see last photo). The only down side to the concert was the hour wait to get out of the parking lot. But Tim was worth it!!

Kirbie, AB, and me waiting for it to get dark so Tim would come out

Kirbie and AB

Double Fisting!! My husband would be so proud






What the???

VIVA MEXICO!!!

So my little brother, Brady, finally got his mission call. He will be going to the Pampico, Mexico mission. I am not too up to date on my Mexican geography, but I am told that it is somewhere close to the Gulf of Mexico. He doesn't enter the MTC until October 8th, so he has some time to earn some more $$$ before he heads out. The only problem in this plan is that my parents are in the middle of moving to St. Louis for my dad's new job. My dad has been living there since the end of April. My parents have sold their house in Iowa and are suppose to be out of their house on August 22. So now my brother has to find someone to live with in Iowa or move to St. Louis with my parents for a month and a half....My parents always seem to move at the worst times. Anyhow, I just can't believe that my little brother is old enough to serve a mission--I swear he is still 8 years old!

NEW YORK CITY!!

So for our third anniversary, I decided to surprise Jason with a trp to New York. I had planned the trip months in advance and had everything arranged--time off work, boarding the dog, etc. Jason didn't even get to find out until the day before we left! He was SOOOOO surpised and SOOO excited!!

Jason and I on the plane

I arranged for us to stay just a few blocks from Times Square at the Hampton Inn. It was in the perfect location as it was also within walking distance to Central Park and in the Theater District. As soon as we got to our hotel we walked to Central Park. As we were getting ready to leave the park it started pouring rain! By the time we got back to our hotel, we were both soaking wet from head to toe!! It was definetly a night I wouldn't forget.

Inside Central Park

The next couple of days we expolored almost the whole city from 5th avenue shops, the Museum of Modern Art, Rockefellar Center, Times Square, Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, World Trade Center, New York Stock Exchange, Little Italy, Serendipity, Museum of Natural History, Metropalitian Museum of Art, Chinatown, Empire State Building, and a few trips to Central Park. I don't think I have ever walked so far in my entire lifetime!!

Times Square

Rockefellar Center

Nothing better than 5th avenue shopping!!

View from Empire State Building

Statue of Liberty

For our anniversary my parents got us tickets to Wicked, the musical. It was the most amazing show!! I highly recommend it to everyone!! We also went and saw Rent. They are only in show for another 2 months. I was also a good show. No trip to New York is complete without a show or two...

Outisde the theater

Jason and I getted dessert after Rent

For our anniversary dinner we ate at Casa Bella in Little Italy. It has to be my favorite meal EVER! I don't know if it was cause we were in New York City, the food, or the setting. Their sangaria was the best and most fresh that I have ever had!! After dinner we did some bargaining in Chinatown and than spent the rest of the night in Times Square. Congrats on three years honey---I LOVE YOU!!

Jason and I at dinner

Our flight home didn't leave until the following evening so we got one more afternoon in New York City. We went to St. Patrick's cathedral, back t0 Central Park again (and even saw a Taxi get pulled over), and eat some good food again! Neither one of us wanted to go home, but it was time to face the real world again.

Inside St. Patrick's Cathedral

Central Park

First Post

So I finally gave in and created a family blog. Hopefully as time goes on I can figure out how to be as artistic as my other friends on these posts. Sorry if some of my blogs aren't as exciting since we don't have any little ones (besides the dog) running around yet. We are currently living in Salt Lake City enjoying the summer time, trying to stay out of the heat, and getting out for some hikes on the weekend.

The Sunday hiking crew hiking Granger Peak

Steve was the fifth wheel for the hike so Jason was his "girl" for his picture

The boys at the entrance to the hike

Jason and I at one of the many beautiful views