How safe are you???

For me...I'm married to a firefighter

and I now have a cop for a brother! I think I'll be alright should an emergency arise.


Congrats, baby bro! Who'd a thought, a fruit loop for a cop?!

(And I just had to post this adorable future firefighter!)

Peer Pressure...Sometimes It's a GOOD Thing!

About a month ago, at a dinner with friends, I "influenced" my friend, Robin, to join Josh and I in September when we participate in the Tough Mudder. Robin is a HUGE inspiration to me, not only is she a mom to 4 beautiful children, she's found the time to take care of herself, running and working out, even when its not convenient which has brought her to an amazing accomplishment of losing 170 lbs. in a year and a half!

Ok....so back to peer pressure. Since she is joining us in September, Robin and Sherrie decided I needed to join them for the Shamrock 8K in Virginia Beach. Now, keep in mind, these ladies have been training for a half marathon they are running in April (and no, I'm not joining that race) and me...well, I've been slackin' in the workout department. So, I sucked it up and registered!


While working, being a mom, and finishing my master's (amongst many other hats!), my running has taken a back burner. Well, on Saturday, March 17, 2012, I set out, quite unprepared, to "run" 8K (4.97 miles). I have to say, I would gladly do it again!!

My first OFFICIAL race bib!!!

Robin, me, Debi, Sherrie, and Carrie before the race

It was like herding cattle before the race start.

WE DID IT!!!
Robin, me , Debi, Sherrie, Aaron and Julie (with Nick!), Carrie
(Notice the smile on my face AFTER the race...hehe)

My Results: (now, keep in mind...no training!)
Time: 1:11:19
Pace: 14:19M

I was very please with my accomplishment!

During the race, I sported the Firefighter apparel my hubby gave me!

Irish Gatorade!! Kate was unable to run with us but she sent a surprise that morning! Thanks, Kate! Around my Irish Re-hydration is my finisher's medal which, for now, hangs around my rear view mirror as a reminder...

I CAN DO IT!

What's next, ladies?!!
(That is, after your half-marathon!)

Kelsy's BIG Day!!

Kelsy turned 8 on February 13! Tradition in my family is on your eighth birthday, you are baptized!! So, with special permission from Bishop Maynard and per Kelsy's desire, we set out to do just that!

On February 13, 2012, Kelsy was BAPTIZED!!! (purple cast and all!)


Her baptism was witnessed by JPa and Uncle Raleigh. Special steps were made by Kelsy to ensure she only had to me immersed once. As you can see, we braided her hair and then, she asked her Dad to lightly stand on her feet to keep them from popping up!! How ingenious is that!

Supportive little brothers...


Kelsy is wearing the baptismal dress my mom made for me when I was baptized...as Kelsy put it "it's old!"


JPa and Mimi

After the baptism, we sang Happy Birthday to Kelsy and ate a LOT of food!!


Thanks to everyone who came and helped make this moment so special for our little bug!!

A New Toy

Josh had this grand idea to get the kids a dirt bike for Christmas....I wasn't overly excited, but I knew they'd enjoy it. And boy, have they!



See Josh's get up, yea, he had to get a toy for him too! (Or rather a toy for him and his brother!)



And what the kids do when they are patiently waiting their turn...

Hang out on...


or under Daddy's truck!



I have to admit, the bikes have been a lot of fun!!

Philippines

Three days before Christmas, I had the pleasure of flying to the Philippines to get who is now my sister-in-law. It was a VERY quick trip! I left Wednesday morning from the States and arrived back here Friday at Midnight. I lost complete track of time while I was gone....got maybe 4 hours of sleep the whole time and that was on a bench in the Tokyo airport! However, during my travels, I was able to see a few amazing sites!

A cultural show performed in the Seoul, Korea airport

Check out the languages found on this sign!

I was able to get out of the airport in Cebu for a couple of hours and look at the beautiful site we found! The Cebu Temple!

Cres-Ann and I outside Temple Grounds


Cebu, Philippines Capital
(See how it's decorated for Christmas, even had the Nativity! A government based on Christian values, who'd a thunk!)


And the last picture was taken for Kelsy Mae, a view of the clouds from the airplane!

For a good laugh...

Kelsy asked Josh if he would play the Wii with her while the boys took a bath...little did he know, it wasn't the game he was expecting to play! Is it dancing or convulsing?! Just kidding, sweetie! You know I love your moves!




And here's the view from the front!

You know you're a REDNECK if...

...you're rigging a tree in your backyard...at 10:00 at night...


To hoist a truck axle into it!

Yep...That's my hubby and his buddy, Josh, trying to move an axle out of the bed of his truck. This is the second time I've had an ENORMOUS car part hanging from this poor tree, the first was an engine. These boys and their Bronco rebuilds are a trial to see just how much patience I have been blessed with....on the other hand, their innovation of using what they have when the proper tool is not available is quite impressive!