25 Days of Christmas!

I haven't been very good about blogging these past few months, but I hope to change that this December. A few weeks ago, Alexa asked if we could get an advent calendar so she could get little gifts all December long. While I didn't agree with her reasoning, I thought an advent calendar would be a good way to count down the days until Christmas and keep us remembering what the holiday season is all about: being with your loved ones. So I created a version of an activity advent calendar I found on Pinterest. With a little help from a co-worker with a Cricut, this is what the finished product turned out like.

Overall, I was extremely happy with it! The girls can hardly wait for December 1st to start turning them over and seeing what activities I have in store for them. I am going to try to post about every day on here--so check back!

Lexi: Our soccer star!

Neither Chris or I ever played soccer, but it seems like it may be Lexi's choice of sport. Enjoy! 

Des Moines IMT Half Marathon!

Today, I competed and finished my first half marathon. When I signed up, I was worried about running 13.1 miles in the middle of October. But somebody must have been looking over me today because it was a sunny, beautiful 70 degrees. You honestly couldn't have had a more picture perfect day!


If someone would have told myself 10 years ago that I would one day be running a half marathon, I'm sure young 16 year old me would have got a great laugh at that. I hated running. I was the girl who went out for track to get faster in other sports, but dreaded every practice/race. I was the girl who cried when Krafty (our track coach) told me that he was putting me in the 2 mile. I was the girl who cried so hard that I didn't have to run that race.

Running has never been easy for me, but I think that's what drives me to do it. I like the challenge.I know I will never be the faster runner, but running isn't always about being the best. Running is about making your best today better tomorrow.

I still remember my first 5k a little over 4 years ago. I struggled the entire way and thought that was the hardest thing I had ever done. A little while later, I ran an 8k...then the Dam to Dam...and it just continues from there. My mom asked me today if I would do the marathon next year. I laughed and said, "No!"....but I guess we will just have to see.

My two biggest fans

I can see the finish!

What a great cheering section!

I made it...all 13.1 miles

Giving Brenna a High Five at mile 8!

Help: Music for my half!

When you are a runner, you have a lot of extra thinking time on your hands. I can't even begin to tell you about all the lesson plans I've made during my long runs! During my last long run, I decided I needed a new playlist to run this half-marathon. And I decided that I needed all of my blog readers to help me out!

Since all of my family and friends cannot come to Des Moines on Oct 21st, I would like each of you to pick a song that you think would be a great pump-me-up song! I did a little calculating and figured out that I roughly listen to 2-3 songs/mile...making me feel like 35-37 songs should suffice.

So...I'm putting my music choices in your hands. Respond with the Mile you want (2 -3 songs per mile)  and the song. Think of songs that will make me keep on running or songs that remember me of you!

I cannot wait for my song list!

CR-B Homecoming!

Last night, Chris, the girls, and I got the chance to go back to our Coon Rapids-Bayard for the homecoming festivities. I can honestly say I have very mixed feelings about heading back. First of all, Mike Deeth's speech about small town pride really touched me. I do have great memories tied to that town and I miss some of the people. I loved seeing tons of people involved from the community. My favorite part was seeing all my sisters involved in their own aspect of homecoming! Here are a few highlights below!

Emily speaking about the volleyball team! She has grown so much since I first met her over 10 years ago!

Abby and Anna getting ready to perform with the Colorguard. Man, I miss that part of CR-B for sure! 

Colorguard performing!

Emma and Suzy participating in a game with the royalty court. 

:-)

Emily and her parents- all glamorous! Brenna's reaction to seeing her was: "Wow! She looks Wonderful!"

Little fatherly love

The Court: The boy in the green and the girl in the red ended up as King and Queen. Even though Emma didn't get the crown, she's still top in our books!

I just love her expression in this one.

The court.

Emma and her two biggest fans!

This is where Brenna was the whole time after coronation.  Pretty sure she thought Emma was a princess.

Emma and Sean.

And again.

Brenna also has a special interest in this guy...not sure why. :-)

And possibly my favorite picture of the evening. :-) 

Brenna's first day of Preschool!

It is finally here! The day we have been counting down to since Lexi started school more than two weeks ago. Brenna's first day of preschool!

She looks so little next to the tree!

Last night, we picked out a new dress along with matching shoes and headband. We discussed who would be picking her up and dropping her off at Amber's. My favorite line of the night:

Lexi (while filling Bren in on her knowledge of school): "When you get to my grade.....good luck!"

While Bren is very loud and outgoing to people she knows, she can start off being a little shy. I was concerned about that all day. As we are discussing school on the car ride there, she is practically jumping up and down in her car seat saying, "I'm so excited!"

So Excited!

As I take her into the school, I think to myself...Here it comes: the clinging to my leg, the tears, etc. Did it happen? No way. Bren looks at me, gives me a hug, and runs into the classroom without looking back.

Finding a new friend already!

Of course, I am happy she didn't cry, but I could have used a little "I still need my mommy" emotion from her. It is very bittersweet to see your baby head off to school. I know many of you are thinking "She doesn't have to be the baby." But, for now, she is and I am so glad I got to share this milestone with her!

Happy 1st day of School!

Happy 1st day of school! The annual tree picture! I'm not sure which is growing faster!

 Alexa had to wear her new boots to school! She also got chosen to be an ambassador for the new kindergarteners. That means she gets to help them at lunch and at recess. She felt pretty important this morning.

Sisterly Love! Bren doesn't start preschool until after Labor Day!

Warrior Dash 2012

When I first heard that the Warrior Dash was coming to Earlham, I was excited. But when I heard the date, I knew I had to sign Chris and I up...regardless what Chris said. 7/14....our wedding date. Our 5th year wedding anniversary to be exact!

5 years may not be a long time, but we are so excited to have reached this milestone! Many people doubted we would last, but honestly, I think we are more in love now than 5 years ago. Enough of the sappy love stuff, on to the Warrior Dash!

For those of you who don't know what a Warrior Dash is, it's a 5k race with multiple obstacles along the way. For example, we had to climb rope nets, crawl through trenches, and jump over fire just to name a few. Here are some pictures of this day!

We are ready!

Our costumes! Chris is a trooper!

We had a lot of "Happy Anniversary" wishes during the race (from the people passing us :-)

Adam hoping over the fire

So excited to see the end!

Had to make sure the tulle didn't catch on fire!

Into the mud pit. Goodbye pretty white tulle!

Danielle and Erin after the race

We are warriors!

After picture. I had to lose the skirt because it was so heavy!

The men!

We rocked it!

Happy Anniversary!

Love.

Represent!

Don't mess with us! (By this point, Chris just wants the photo shoot over!)

 It was a lot of fun. Chris and I stayed with each other throughout the race.....you know, through thick and thin! :-) What a great way to celebrate 5 years. What to do for our 10 year? Tough Mudder, anyone?