nine nine oh nine

This year was our lovely 5 year anniversary.

{09.09.09}

Mike & I celebrated by spending a day in Salt Lake and then headed to the beautiful Park City for our 1st night away from the babe.

It was lots of fun. It went by fast. And I missed my boy. But not too much.

On our REAL anniversary we celebrated with family pictures.

Oh how I despise getting family pictures! Especially with a very active 1 year old.

Let's just say we had some very candid photos.

But one day I think I will cherish them even more.

My boys.

They have so much fun together.
Mommy admiring while Jakey & Daddy exchange a silly glance.

Me & Bigs
{call me a mean mom, but I think his sad face is so funny sometimes}


Jake da Snake

Us.

It's not perfect, but its us.

And we love it.

mr. big's BIG day

On August 18th my baby turned 1.

Seems like just yesterday I was awaiting his big arrival.

Oh brother, I sound like my mom.

But it's true nonetheless.

With both of our families crazy schedules we weren't able to have the big bash on his real day, so we celebrated twice. Not to mention we had to postpone it even longer because the little monkey got sick the night of his birthday and was quarantined from other kids...poor guy. And so I give you:

the first celebration

The official day.

Apparently loving the perks of growing up.

A wheeler of my very own. Just like dad.

THE celebration

Handy Manny was the theme.

The curiosity was killing him. He couldn't wait to get his paws on the candle.

So excited.


Hooray!
Lucky for me it was a beautiful summer evening and the clean up was
a piece of cake
{silly mom}.


I don't know what he liked more: the cousins

OR

the toys.

He told me he would keep both.

And of course Handy Manny even stopped by to say:

Happy Birthday!

tou/2

A few weekends ago my friend {Sandra} and I ran the Top of Utah Half Marathon.

I was determined to run one within a year after I had my baby.

It was a success.

13.1 {miles} in 154.56 {minutes}

My biggest regret: Not keeping my own time.

I thought if I kept my own time, I would just keep watching the clock and never make it. Only problem was...I had an idea of the time and I thought I was doing 3 0r 4 minutes better than we were. So I didn't even push as hard as I should have the last few miles. Anyway, we ended up coming in 1 minute later than Sandra's last race time. Rats! I felt so bad.

But she is still talking to me. No worries.

an experience to remember

{feel free to skip if you don't like my stories}

The race started out fast and we flew through the first 7 miles. Once we were coming out of the canyon people started lining the roads and cheering us on. At first I didn't pay much attention but as we headed into town I was amazed at how many people came to support their family members or just stepped out of their houses to encourage the runners. Around mile 10 there was a little boy, probably 2 or so, holding a sign that said, "Don't stop Mom!" Talk about emotional. Does it get any better than that? With my mind somewhere else I started paying more attention to these 'people' that lined the streets. I didn't know any of them personally but I couldn't help but smile as each of them cheered us on. I pushed on knowing that my own little family would be waiting at the finish line. After the race as we were driving to Bear Lake I told Mike, "That must be what it's like..." There are people out there we don't even know cheering us on in life. In hopes that we will make

our big finish.

{And one day we will know them}

Me & Sandra. I wouldn't have even made it to race day with out her. So nice to have someone to run with!

My Pride & Joy

He looks happy to see me huh?