1/2 Marathon Finisher

That's me!!!

and Jer, who was such a trooper and lagged behind with me. Our time was 1 hour 51 minutes, about 8:32 pace/mile. Obviously he could have ran it at a much faster pace, but this being my first half marathon he wanted to finish with me.

Overall I felt really good. The beginning of the race was so intense. We made sure to get up to the start line early, which required a 4:45 alarm, but that didn't stop me. We stayed warm with our trusty sheets and when it was near start time we were right there at the start line. This year there were a few small bands along the race route. At about 1.5 miles there was drum group, which was totally awesome and definitely got me pumped up. Before I knew it we were at mile 3. They had kind of a weird interchange for the marathon and half marathon to split and then we were past the point of no return. At about mile 11 some serious hip pain started to set in, but I really just pushed through it. We stopped to walk at 2 or 3 water stops, but only long enough to drink. Finally we were on State Street and it was a long, straight pull to the South Temple from 700 South. I had to stop and walk a couple of times to let my hip rest a bit, but once we were to the top of State it was all downhill. The best part of the race was coming around the corner on to the Main Street of The Gateway. I felt like I was floating over the ground and running at the speed of light, then I saw my Mom and Step dad and I just started bawling. Don't worry this is a normal reaction for me during a runners high. I was really excited to see them there rooting for me.

After we finished the race we stopped in the finisher area and drank chocolate milk (great after run beverage), ate Creamie popsicles and tried to check our times. Then we were off to the showers to primp a bit and meet Mom & Rod for lunch at California Pizza Kitchen. I will say that I think I had a pretty good excuse for eating like a dang pig, but man was it good.

All in all this was a wonderful experience. I'm so glad that I could share it with my husband. He is my biggest supporter. He is always encouraging me and telling me how good I'm doing. Now when is the next race....

Look what I received in the Mail yesterday...

My friend scrappingdeb from the cricut MB sent me this paint can decorete only for Girly Girls and it was packed with cute embellishments and treats for me. She rocks!!!

Sweet Life Cards

Not a very crisp picture, but I wanted to show you what I had been working on last week.
I made 6 of these adorable "Sweet" themed cards for a swap on the cricut message board. I have had so much fun joing the swap there. If I can just keep it under control. Especially with school starting again in May, who knows how much time I will actually have to scrap.

What a weekend we had.....

This weekend we took the kids to Moab for two nights. We were fortunate to have all 5 of them with us. Jeremy's girls flew down from Idaho and stayed with us for an entire week. In Moab we stayed in the cutest little KOA Kabin. It had a double bed and a bunk bed. I wish I would have taken a picture of it. Each night the kids took turns sleeping in the back of the suburban too. It was a little bit colder than you would expect for Moab, but we dressed appropriately and it turned out to be great couple of days.

If you are interested in seeing pics of our magnificent hike through the fiery furnace slot canyons in Arches National Park click here. It is the most beautiful place I have ever seen. This experience is a must for all adventurous types. We challenged our body in ways you can never imagine. The feeling of empowerment was unbeatable. After finishing such a technical hike and rappel, how could you not feel like you could conquer the world. Our bodies didn't feel like conquering the world the next day, but that won't stop me from doing it again and again and again.

On the drive home Jeremy and I asked all the kids questions about the hiking experience. What was their favorite part? What was the scariest part? It was interesting to hear the different answers. Best of all, when we asked if any of them would do it again, the answer was a resounding YES!!!

Crystal at Scrap Candy Designs as has some blog candy from Making Memories in super cute spring colors. Now all you scrappin' gals pop on over to her blog and leave a comment to be entered to win. Click Here to find her and Good Luck to you!!!

Blog Candy

Check out the cute "3 Bugs in a Rug" blog candy that Krista is giving away here. Post a comment and you will be entered to win. Put a link to her blog on yours and she will enter your name in the drawing a second time.
Maybe this is something I should consider for my blog. I do have plenty of scrapping supplies, I could spread the wealth.
Have a wonderful day!!!

Here's What I've been Working On....

Lots of Die Cuts with a View paper on this layout. I used my cricut for the star shapes and the bracket shape background. I also used a cricut cut file for the scalloped blue paper. "Happen" is made with rub-on lettering on grosgrain ribbon and the edges are inked all over the page.

The paper in this layout is from the DCWV Green Stack. I love this stack. Used cricut for the lettering and rub ons for "together" The ribbon is from my stash and the bracket tag I welded using a couple of cuts on cricut.

This paper is also from the Green stack. The tag at the bottom is a road sign from the Going Places cricut cartridge. I got these cute felt flowers for the O'Scrap warehouse sale in Orem. Yeah for warehouse sales. I cut the lettering from Opposites Attract (welded).

This paper is DCWV Stack #6. I love the cute little birdies and lollipop trees. Lettering is rubons and cricut cuts from Alphalicious. I also used a fuzzy thicker in the bottom right hand corner. There is a little bit of stitching on the background, but it's hard to see in this picture

The paper on this page is from the Luxury DCWV stack. I just bought this stack from the DCWV warehouse sale last week(does anyone see a pattern here). I used some paper flowers (can't remember what brand) and bling in the centers. There are also a few rub-ons to embellish. The title is cut from cricut Jasmine cartridge. All the edges are inked throughout.

Check out what I just Finished

These cute crown cards are for an online swap I'm doing. What little girl 10 or younger wouldn't love to receive this yummy treat.

Girls B-Day Card

I made these cards for an online swap. They are for girls 10 and over.

I used all DCWV papers, Martha Stewart glitters, my cricut (Party Hat), cuttlebug embossing folder and my home printer for the title.

Marlee's Valentines Day Party

I had the opportunity to help Marlee and a group of her classmates plan a Valentines Day party. Mrs. Davies claims that this was the best party yet.

We did a cake walk. Marlee put her own little twist on it by having the kids down different dance moves as they moved around the heart shaped markers.

I made heart shaped bean bags for a bean bag toss. The kids tossed the bean bags on to arrows that had cute pet names like, smootchikins, babe, Hot stuff and the like. The kids had a great time playing this one.

Then it was on to the balloon popping game. This one was a little unorganized, but fun nonetheless. The kids were supposed to try to pop the balloons without using their hands, but they had more fun popping the balloons however they could when the others weren't expecting it. So there was mass screaming going on in the atrium.

The kids planned a refreshment table of trail mix, chips, cupcakes and soda. I made heart shaped kool aid ice cubes to float in the Sprite. It was so cute. I'm sorry I didn't get a pic.

At the end of the party the kids had a contest for who had the most creative valentine box. I made a mix CD of "LOVE" songs to play in the background and it turned into a karaoke party.

My LIttle Sports Fanatic

Terrence loves pretty much any sport. We have recently been supporting him in his basketball endeavor. He is one of the tallest kids in the league...and this kid has got some skills. This is his first year playing in a city league so they are focusing on teaching the kids how to dribble and shoot and really just playing for fun not points. His coach is a neighbor of ours, Mr. Muhlstein. He has been great to work with and Terrence really likes his son Isaac.

Witches Night Out

This Saturday we went to the Witches night out event at Gardner Village. It was one of the best Halloween related events that I have ever been to. They had a petting zoo and horseback riding for the little ones.



And many photo ops throughout the shops. Like this group pic in front of a scene of witches brewing up something really creepy.





This was one of my favs. Three witches trying out for the baseball team. The catcher has an obscenely large bum, it was hilarious.





This one is near a candy shop where we just had to buy carmel apples. This was one of the kids favorite moments.
I also have pics of all the kids dancing near the stage that evening. I will have to post those later.

Birthday Card Swap

Yummy!!! Check out the cute criss cross cards I made for my SIU group. I made two sets of 12 each to swap with all the other gals. I can't wait to see what I get in return. In the past there have been some super cute cards. If it is OK with the other girls I will post my entire collection when I receive it.

Family Reunion 2008

I am exhausted. We went on the most wonderful family vacation this past week but, I don't think we went to bed before 11:30 any night while we were gone. We drove through Idaho to Macks Inn and stayed three nights. Then it was off to Yellowstone and down to Jackson Wy and Dubois Wy for two nights. We got to know new family members and renewed old friendships.

Kenedy got to share a special 10th birthday party with a few other family members.

Bailie and Grandma Jones planned some fun activities for the kids and even the adults had fun playing.

This is Terrence getting all caught up in a spider web.

This was the amazing Lodge at Old Faithful. The woodwork inside was magnificent.
...and this all happened before we were run out of our tent by a Silver Tip Grizzly bear and her two cubs. Let's just say the kids will be talking about this camping trip for many years to come.

Down in Dubois Wy we spent some time with Jeremy's Aunt Pauline and his cousin Karrie. We were also able to visit his Uncle Vic in the living center. It was a very nice visit and I think it meant a lot to Uncle Victor to see everyone. Jeremy told us some stories of his travels with Uncle Vic to the Calgary Stampede when he was younger. You could see in Uncle Vic eyes that those were very fond memories.

This is Pauline, Paul and Karrie at Kathy's house. Saturday night Kathy and her husband Barry invited us over for a fish fry. We had some excellent Walleye that night. The kids roasted smores around the campfire until the bugs threatened to eat them alive.

Exhausting, but needed....our vacation was PERFECT!!!

Baseball Season

Terrence's baseball season has come to an end. I have thoroughly enjoyed watching him play each week. His skills are quickly developing.


What a handsome young man I have. I love you so much son!!!

Now it's on to tournament for Marlee...