Shamrock Run!

So here's the deal. I run. Some. Probably should really call it jogging. But running sounds more much more impressive. But truthfully, I jog. Why do I do it? In an attempt to stay in shape, hopefully shed some pounds, and justify the occasional indulgence of Mint Oreo Blizzards at DQ.

Jogging is not something I love while I'm doing it, but I always feel better after and have a sense of accomplishment. So recently, I was peer pressured into signing up for the Shamrock Run. In reality I knew I could cover the distance (5k which equals 3.1 miles I believe) yet feared I'd be the one on the news crossing the finish line by myself, last. But I got over my sillyness, and signed up.

Glad I did it. It was my first real "race" of any kind and it was surprisingly FUN!

I went down to the Convention Center Saturday morning at 8:45 to pick up my bib and shirt. It was a ZOO already down there with the 32,000 racers there to pick up their stuff and also some kind of cheerleading event happening for what looked like a bunch of 13 year old girls who needed about 6 more inches on the length of their skirts. But I survive and stared planning my race day attire.

It was a tough decision because I wanted to stay dry before the race, not overheat during the race and keep warm after. Turns out I picked JUST the right stuff to wear.

Here is me at home in my running gear. Excited and nervous for the events to start!

My carpool buddies getting their bibs on. Allie on the left and Jessica on the right, the one who peer pressured us into racing today, and our resident motivational speaker.

Me getting my ankle timer thing on. Thanks for the flattering angle Allie ;)


And a close up of the ankle timer. Ha ha, it makes me laugh that Allie took these pictures.


Us is all of our pre-race beauty (and apparently supporting Nike very well in this picture)


WE FINISHED!!!!!!!!! HOORAY! This is me and Suzanne. She was my running buddy, we stuck together til the end (until she got a boost of wild energy and sprinted across the finish line). Ha ha, my legs would not cooperate to sprint but I made it none-the-less.

And lastly, all of our team the Frolicking Leprechauns after a successful race! Nicely done ladies. Can't wait for next year!

Revolve Tour

I got to attend a little part of The Revolve Tour this weekend. It's intended for teen girls but I LOVED it! Awesome event and very fun to see my cousin up on stage. What a blessing to see how God is working in her life.

Miss Sophia, doing her thing as a part of the worship team.

Tiffany Thurston and Soph up on stage. Beautiful ladies, beautiful voices.


The whole worship team.


This one has to be my favorite. Soph and Grandma Faye backstage while there is a Rap/Hip-Hop band up on stage (Group 1 Crew). Leave it to Gram to make backstage at 93 years old during a Hip-Hop concert.

Fun with Brayden

Got to have a fun play day with with sister and Brayden this week.

Oh I see you have a camera in your hand. Did you know I LOVE to play with those? And I think it's a kick in the pants to look at myself on them too!

Sure I'll ham it up for ya! I just love to play and be busy :)

Oh my Auntie Christine. These are awfully fun sunglasses you have.


OOOOO-weeee, I can't hardly stand it. This is a fun game!


I am one cool cat.

Ohhhh, acting a little shaky here. Not so sure about the cool factor....



...ooohhhhh, and it's back. Yep, you only wish you could be as cute as me. These sunglasses ROCK!

Thanks for a fun play date dude.

Aloha!

We finally got to go to Hawaii for our delayed honeymoon! Here are a few pics showing some of the rain, fun and sun we enjoyed during the trip!


I was excited that my chain link countdown that started out with 120 links, was down to only 4!



The View from our hotel room in Waikiki


The view out to the USS Missouri (left) and the memorial for the USS Arizona

Steve taking a moment to pose for the camera during our self guided tour of the Missouri

Me climbing from done deck to another on the Missouri

We visited the Pacific Aviation Museum on Ford Island. Steve really enjoyed the planes but the most interesting part of the tour to me was seeing these bullet holes that occurred during the attack on Pearl Harbor. They made the whole day at Pearl Harbor, learning the history of the event, MUCH more real.

Taking a moment to take in the views of a beach outside Waikiki on our driving tour of Oahu


Good thing we stopped for a picture earlier, the weather definitely took a turn for the worse and cut our driving tour short. It was raining to hard to be able to see any of the sights :(


Back in Waikiki later that afternoon, the rain had slowed a bit, but it was still cloudy. What can you do?


I know, LEAVE Waikiki and head to Maui! Of course when we leave the sun comes out again.


We made it to Kahana Sunset on Maui and took advantage of the sunny weather for a walk on the beach.



Steve decided to play in the ocean when we got there

The next day we shopped in Kaanapali and Lahaina. Went from sunny....

....to rainy very quickly that day. These two picks were taken about 10 min apart. No question we were there during the rainy season.

Luau night!

Finally the SUN CAME OUT TO STAY!!!! The rain kept us from playing in the ocean for the first part of our time on Maui because all the rain caused roads to close, flash flooding and sewer drains were overflowing resulting in coastal water advisory. Meaning stay out of the ocean or risk getting sick. But the rains cleared, the ocean went from brown to blue and invited us to go play!


There were 4 of these HUGE turtles swimming around in the cove of our hotel. SO AWESOME! We watched them for a long time and they were only 20 feet away from us. This was the BEST afternoon!

Me swimming in the ocean

The view I had from my suntanning location. Not to shabby.


Sunset from our condo on Maui

Enjoying the sunset in Lahaina waiting for dinner at...


...Cheeseburger in Paradise! YUM

One last picture saying good bye to the hotel.

The last shot before we had to leave and go home :( Love this place

Aloha Hawaii! Until we meet again :)

Picture post

Doesn't seem like much has happened recently. Thus the lack of post. So I'm posting some of my favorite pics from Aug through now. Or if they aren't my favorites, they are just some pictures of what we've been up to I suppose.

Wedding Time

We got hitched :)


Grandpa Don and Sarah



Most of the cousins minus a few.


I'm ready to go become a Mrs.

Dinner Time

I made this dinner a while ago, but I love it mostly because (well it tasted good) but it made me feel like we were eating out at a restaurant because of the basket and liner. It is such a fun way to present dinner differently from home. I love making food/cooking fun.



View from above. The menu was winter beef stew, caesar salad, and french bread. Sure did work out well that I had already planned such a yummy dinner for what ended up being our 3 month wedding anniversary :)

Christmas Time

Poinsettias

Pretty bowl of jingle bells as the table center piece this year.

Christmas tree, o, Christmas tree, why don't you seem as lovely as last year? Maybe it's just the lighting in the picture. But I felt the need to document it still.

Attempt at an artsy shot that I think fell flat. But it gets the tree, stockings, poinsettias, and nativity all in one shot.

Well folks. That is the best I can do for now. Adios for now:)