Marathon and other things

Well, I did it! I ran my half marathon and feel super proud of myself. It is so motivating. Just to say to myself, I ran a half marathon, is exciting. It was fun and pretty cold. Running in the cold isn't bad and I really was wanting to wear my running jacket! Is that a bit vain? Not because I thought I looked great in it or anything, but just cuz it's a cute jacket. I got there late so I was booking it to try to keep up with, well whoever happened to be in front. I just kept pushing myself and the competitive side definitely came out. It actually pushed me to my best time so I'm happy with how it went. Since I started late, the start clock says I finished in 2 hours and 26 minutes, however the running chip (they have you wear these on your shoes) says I finished in 2 hours and 19 minutes. The last couple miles were a bit rough. I started to get pretty bad side cramps, but I had a friend running with me those last couple miles, so I just kept telling myself, I have to keep up with her, NO WALKING!...and I did it. I can't wait for the next one and I think this motivated Tad to start up running again. Here's a few pix from the race and stuff. I know I look a bit weird when I run, but it works for me! :) For my fam, if you want to look at other pix just click on this link: http://www.racephotonetwork.com/QPPlus/Proofs.aspx.

It was pretty cold so the girls got to chill with daddy, making signs in the back of the van

Of course Afton found some earthy things to play with

My two sweetie-pies cheering for me!!

After the race with Reesa, Afton was having too much fun with the bouncing things

 This is a friend of ours who got first place for guys in the full marathon...pretty awesome, 3 hours!

Getting ready to leave, and sit in the car!!

This one goes out to Meagers, couldn't believe my eyes!

The girls and I have been going, going, going this week. It's spring break around here so there's lots of things going on. Monday we babysat and then headed to this new park in Round Rock that is Aaamazing! It is all enclosed and huge! We loved it. Then we went to an indoor play place on Tuesday morning. The girls loved it. Today we went to IKEA, cuz kids eat free all week and they had face painting and balloons for the kids. Fun, crazy, but fun. Tomorrow will be a chill day and then Friday, I'm hoping for nice weather so we can go to the park and fly kites!

Love, love, love my goober girls!!

Now and Then

I cannot think about what my life would be like without my sweet little girl! Afton was by no means the baby I thought I would have...she sooo much better. First of all, she was born with a crazy head of hair! Second of all, she was not, I repeat not, a cuddly baby. Third of all, she is amazing. She was a comfort to me when I needed one the most. I had a Bishop point out to me one time that "did I ever think I was sent Afton at the time she came because maybe I needed her?" That is an amazing thought. Afton is a bit independent and wants control of things. She is super smart and is eager to learn new things. She is so sweet and loves to be loved. She is also quite sensitive if she thinks someone is trying to hurt her feelings. She is very forgiving, which I think is a blessing for my first child! She loves to play with friends, draws like no 4 year old child (at least that's what I say), she loves to play games, she loves to watch movies, she loves to help Mommy cook/bake, loves preschool, and loves her Daddy. I just love to watch them play and interact. He's so good with her and she loves his attention. I am so blessed to have such an amazing, obedient, loving, forgiving daughter and I can't wait to see what she does in her life!

From this to that...

More, more and more pictures/stories

Last fall, we went to Georgia and while we were there, my dad took pictures of the girls. Turned out pretty cute, huh? Love, love, love to spend time with family! It just makes me happy thinking about it! Can't wait till April!

The girls were tackling each other and Reesa really, really didn't want her hands to touch the grass...hmmm...sounds a lot like a sister of mine!

Not sure why, but she was driving somewhere in her pretend car. I love that she has an imagination!

Please don't pay too much attention the me in the next few pix! I just look old and tired.

I LOVE these next ones of the girls! Aww...sisters, sooo cute!

Afton's Birthday

So we had Afton's birthday in February. It was such a fun day, yet somewhat relaxed, how does that go together? She asked for banana chocolate chips muffins for breakfast and we started off our day just right. Tad had planned on taking her fishing that morning, but it turned out rainy so we practiced in the living room. It was sooo cute to watch her cast a line and actually do well. Any time she did it far, I'd turn to her and tell her that was amazing! She was so happy and excited. Now we are not fishers by any means. In fact, the idea of actually catching a fish pretty much grosses me out, but how great is that? Your little girl loves fishing in the living room and could be done with her birthday after that...too bad I planned more! :) We skyped with Grammy, Poppy, and the rest of my fam. She loved having the birthday song sung to her and pretending to blow out candles. We started lunch with corn dogs and chicken nuggets and after that a few of her friends came over. They all had a blast playing together and making the birthday cake. I decided this year to not get too crazy with the cake and let Afton have the control over that. She loved it and they were all proud of their creation. (Supposed to be Little Einstein's rocket, not bad right?) We played matching games, with chalk, hide and go seek and the kids had a parade with the girls instruments. So cute! After the kiddos went home we let Afton watch a birthday movie, so we could clean up a bit and let's be honest, so we could nap. For dinner she wanted sandwiches. We had a little picnic in the living room and ended our day opening up the rest of her presents. She loved them all! After getting presents in the mail pretty often, she continues to ask to this day, "What did you find in the mail, Mom?!" 

So happy with it being her birthday

Here's Reesa wishing Afton a Happy Birthday! (This is not staged, one bit...okay maybe every bit.)

Love my girl! Seriously cannot believe she is so big!

Fishing with Daddy

Lunch time...yummy kid food

Parade time

The kids loving their creation

After all these presents she was super excited to play with them all

I don't know if any one has heard of Squishy Baff, but my sister got that for Afton. The first time we tried it I put too much water in, but they loved it anyway. The second time it was about the consistency of jello, all broken up. I have often thought of what it might be like to plop down in a bath full of jello and based on my girls reactions...it's weird. I couldn't stop playing with it though and pouring it all over the girls. What a creation!