If you were to ask me a year ago if I would ever run 13.1 miles, I would've laughed! No way! But after a year of running at the gym, weight training, and cardio... I've stayed in the same place. Sure, I feel healthier, I can do more, but I wasn't pushing myself. I would run 2 or 3 miles on the treadmill and then go on to weights. I was getting lazy! So I needed a new goal (besides the weight-loss one that I've been dealing with for the past 2 years). There are around 15 ladies from my ward running a half marathon in a month and they've inspired me! Four weeks ago I ran farther than I ever have in my life, 5 miles. Last weekend 7.3. It was so hard, but amazing to push myself like that... and actually do it! Now I finally get you running people! It feels good!

I am not writing about this to brag or anything.... :) I want some help with my playlist! What are your favorite pump-up, kick butt songs? I need fun, fast, appropriate :) running songs. I have been listening to the same All-American Rejects and Outkast, and need some new stuff! Help me out!

Yesterday, thanks to my wonderful father-in-law (who took care of our kids) Dave and I went skiing with Dave's brother, Jeff and wife, Steph. Their celebrity name is Jeffanie. I guess mine and Dave's is Davnore or Lenave... not as catchy. Anyways, I snowboard and Dave skis. It was a beautiful day at Lake Tahoe where we skied at this incredible resort! We 've never been there before, but they had cheap tickets from Costco, so that's where we went! It felt like this hidden gem. It was a Saturday, but for the most part Dave and I felt like we had the mountain to ourselves.

We used to go every Friday our first year of marriage up at Sundance when we lived in Utah. Our first time skiing/snowboarding together was a little crazy. Dave's been skiing since he was 6 or 7. I grew up in Virginia, so we went maybe 5 or 6 times in my youth and that was it! So our first time snowboarding together, I fell down every 2 seconds! I was so glad to go every Friday with him and by the end of the winter, I was keeping up. Stephanie was basically there for the first time and so Jeff was teaching her how to ski. They stuck together and Jeff helped her through her falls. It was just like Dave's and my first time together! I felt so bad for both Jeff and Steph! But they were so cute and Jeff was so supportive and helpful and sweet. Yesterday, I felt so good up there snowboarding. I felt alive, active, and free as I carved the mountain and looked out onto the gorgeous lake below! It was truly a beautiful experience! I felt good and in control. When it came time for lunch, though, nothing ever tasted as good as that turkey sandwich and chips we brought! Dave and I were able to ski together all day and just enjoy each other's company. We were laughing, talking, skiing, and goofing around. So much fun!

We went to "Homewood" and the first ski lift up was amazing! The slope up felt like a 45 degree angle and behind us was a gorgeous view of Lake Tahoe. The snow was fresh and perfectly groomed and it was the best day of boarding I've ever had!

My Lils is seven. I can't believe I have a seven year old! Lils is the best little girl and big sister anyone could have. She always wants to play with Rose and help her and get things for her. She is the little girl at the park who takes her little sister up and down the same slide for an hour and a half. Or who will push her in the swing all day. She's the kind of sister who will always bring Ebay home a little craft she's made at school that says, "I love you". She the type of big sister who will share a brand new art canvas she got for her birthday with E so that he can paint too. She is kind, loving, loyal, athletic.. oh and CRAZY! She is silly and funny and is always trying to make up a joke, or she'll tell you the same one over and over again. I love my little Lils. happy Birthday, sweetie!


We went to a bouncy house with her cousins for her birthday and then ivited the neighbor kids over for a pinata and the biggest cake I've ever made! Lils wanted a candy cake (shocker) and so I went all out! The base of the cake is made from a 12 inch round cake pan, so I made two homemade chocolate cakes (the "perfectly chocolate cake on the back tof the hershey's cocoa can is the BEST). The middle layer is a 9" funfetti cake and the top is strawberry. The whole thing was put together with homemade chocolate frsoting and covered in pink buttercream. Then I went to town with reeses cups, kit-kats (my fav), skittles, m&m's and frosting! It was super tasty and fun.

We flew out to Virginia to see my family the week of Valentine's Day. What a WONDERFUL trip! We had snowy days, great sledding experiences- (Baby No loved it, too), Cheesecake Factory TWICE, lots of laughing and singing and my brother and his band played in a "Battle of the Bands" of sorts that we went to! We hit our favorite spots like "Friendly's", "Chick-fil-a" and "Buzz and Ned's BBQ". We also went to this great bouncy house with the kids! It's always fun when I get together with my sisters! We were cracking up about the the most hilarious things! :) Ok, probably dumb things to regular people... :)

The flight out was stressful-ish, but we've had worse! The way back Rose screamed for about 10 awful minutes and once Dave put her on the ground, she and Easton and Lily all slept for 2 1/2 hours (thank you Benadryl). Can't beat that. Then they just snacked and watched movies for the last 1 1/2 hours and we were home! So it was a little crazy, but not too bad since all the kids love movies and Rose doesn't have the mess of bottles and baby specialty food. Less baggage! We were all very sad to go and my kids loved it there. I just took a million pictures (of course) and lots of video. It was really great.

I was so happy to have that time with my parents and siblings. I was just trying to soak up every minute and show off my kids to their grandparents, who don't get to see them very often. It is heart-breaking to live far away from your parents and I want my kids to have a real connection with them so much. I was very happy to be back in my childhood home with the people that I love the most in all the world! Love you Mom, Dad, Orin, Cordell, Lorel, Cora, Ella and Craig! Gibbs, you and your family were missed! :)