July has always been one of my favorite months. There is always a lot going on and birthdays that make it seem to really fly by fast.

We celebrated Kate's first birthday on the 9th. I'm not much of a party planner and one year old's are pretty easily entertained. I blew up a bunch of balloons for the girls to wake up to and it was perfect, they both had a blast with them.

We had a few errands to run while we were in town so I decided to stop and try on clothes for fun. I found a pair of pants that actually fit and were super flattering but didn't really need new pants, mine fit with a belt. We grabbed one of Kate's favorite foods, chicken nuggest, and went to eat lunch with Cody. He must have been listening really intently because he surprised me with those jeans on my birthday a few days later. 

I honestly don't remember what we made for Kate's first birthday dinner, probably wingers minus the sauce for the kiddos. But we did have cup cakes. Ellie really liked the frosting and nothing else but Kate didn't like the frosting at all and kept rubbing it between her fingers.

We got Kate a little peoples snow white house and a block train for her birthday (thank you huggies for rewards codes and free toys!). They surprisingly played really well that night but the next morning they started fighting over the train and it hasn't stopped yet.

On Thursday I went for my run and about half way through my foot started to really hurt. I had Cody come and get me but I was very dissappointed because all I wanted to do for my birthday the next day was go for a hike. It was feeling better the next morning so we still went but just on a short hike. The girls loved it and laughed and sang the entire time.

That night instead of going out to dinner we grabbed food to eat at home with the girls (thanks Jess!). They are all saying hooray for churros!!!

I loved the Fourth of July growing up not only because of the fireworks and parades but because it was also both of my parents birthdays. We'd go watch the parade and go play in grandma and grandpas back yard (our hard had a lot of trees and dirt) so it was nice to play on grass and run through the sprinklers or play bad mitten, a lot of bad mitten. This year was a lot different, having two small kiddos makes things a lot different. 

When I started running my ultimate goal at the time was to run a 5k in under 30 minutes. The last 5k I ran was on thanksgiving and I missed that goal by about 2 minutes. I was determined to have an official time that was better than that so I decided to run a small local race on the fourth. It was so small on fact that I was the first woman finisher but only because all the really fast ladies in the community ran the 10k. The 10k racers started 5 minutes before us so the time on the clock was off and I think we finished later but I was still able to get under 30 minutes and my new goal is to keep getting faster. 

We didn't take the girls to watch the parade because it was definitely nap time. But we did have a BBQ with Cody's and then went and watched the fireworks. Kate finally fell asleep during the fireworks and Ellie was a little unsure of what to think. 

Sometimes life is rough, really rough. But those times are rewarded with simply perfect days. Today was one of those days, so good that I could cry from the joy that was very much needed. 

We didn't start the day like normal, cleaning the house before it gets too hot. We headed to the library where the girls love to color and pick out books and movies. 

Our second stop was to the park. The library hosts a storytime and lunch through out the summer but this was our first time attending (and sadly the last time they were hosting one for the season). The theme of the day was "it's alive." They had goats and bunnies to see and pet, a Frankenstein mask to make, a story time tarp to listen to a book, and a snot making area (it was like play dough or gak). They also had parents fill out a survey to score a free book! 

After the park we grabbed Cody and some lunch. I love when companies have coupons, it makes it so much easier to convince Cody to go out to eat when a 10 piece chicken nugget and large fry are only $3! He said he needed to do a quick work thing in Twin and then afterwards he could take off and head to Coscto so we tagged along. 

I thought his work thing would be just a few minutes in the office or grabbing parts but there was a reason he didn't give me much of an explanation before. He had to disc the field (imagine a giant tillwr) where they are building a new store just down the road from the twin location.  

Cody and I spent a lot of time when we were first married sitting in a tractor and again when we moved back to Burley when Cody finished school. It was nice to be able to spend time with him and to have the girls with us in surprisingly very good moods. But it was a lot different also because there wasn't the pressure of having someone constantly checking on you or having a radio constantly blaring in the middle of your conversation. I've missed our tractor talks but I don't miss the long hours and everything else that came with Cody working on a family farm. Both the girls took naps while in there and the other half were content to just play and be with their dad. 

(We drove Cody's pickup across the lot and let her test out Ellie's car seat, I think she wants one that roomy now!)

We are having family pictures in a few weeks and needed to find Cody a shirt that meshes well with the girls adorable outfits that I'm dying for them to wear! We didn't find anything... Until we got home and I dug through his closet.

I love when companies send you free coupons for your birthday. Unless you read it wrong or can't find it when you are right out front of said business. Ellie didn't mind Jamba Juice for dinner and I'm pretty sure Cody has threatened them with mean words not to build one in Burley because it would make us broke. 

Tonight ended with handstand contests, tickling, and chasing each other like week barrels. And a lot, a lot of laughter. It was one of those evenings when everyone is in a great, happy mood and bed times have waltzed right out the door. Two hours after bedtime and they are finally asleep in the same room (we will see how long this lasts, I'm giving it until midnight before they are both awake) but I'm still smiling and Cody's asleep in my lap. 

Today was a great day. But more than staying busy and a lot more playing in one day than we do in an entire week, my attitude has been a lot better. I've been pretty bitter the past week about not being able to run and have my outlet that I've been in an awful Debbie downer mood. Today was the perfect way to step back and see that my kids aren't really as bad as I think sometimes, I'm the one who is not being a good mother. Instead of focusing on the positive that they bring I've been having a pity party for what I can't do. Today was a great reminder that they will always be them and always be there for me, they truly are the best. I need to make the best of te situation and not wait for the ideal situation. And we can have the best adventures and time together if we are all truly present. 

Now I'm rambling and am not making any sense. Maybe the later bed time for everyone is really getting to me. 

Another running post! YAY!

The weekend and the run… Last Thursday we headed to Utah so I could run my second half marathon with my sister, the American Fork Half Marathon. We made a few stops on the drive down. I told Cody we could look at Cabela’s if I could get a second pair of running capri’s so I don’t have to do as much laundry. I love that there are outlets in Lehi because its on our way to Orem! Ellie loved the fish but Kate... not at all.

Thursday night we hung out at my grandparents house with my aunt and her kids who were visiting from Arizona and we watched my sister’s little guys for a bit. Crew is a few months older than Ellie is and McKay is a few months older than Kate, its going to be fun growing up with cousins close in age.

Friday morning I went to pick up our packets and was extremely impressed with the organization. While I was in the shower Ellie wandered upstairs to find me but instead of heading to the bathroom directly next to the stairs she went into my grandparents room and into their bathroom. Good thing they were both already up and Ellie gave grandma some company while she did her morning routine. She was so excited to see great grandma because they had been at the temple the night before.

We headed to the Lindon pool that afternoon, something we will be doing anytime we visit family from now on! It had a big slide, fun kiddy area, lazy river, a regular size pool with laps mapped out, another little pool, hot tubs. The works! And it wasn't very spendy, score! 

The half marathon we were running was amazing, they donate all the proceeds to pay for people battling cancer. This year they raised over $250,000!!! It's definitely a race I would do again because I love knowing that the money is going to good use.

We loaded the bus by 4:30 am and had a start time of 6 am. They had a fun MC at the race start and he kept us entertained. It was a pretty emotional pre race atmosphere. A lot of people running the race were running for people who were either battling cancer or who had lost the fight. So many shirts had names or pictures of people that they were running for. Right before the start he had everyone raise their hand if they had any immediate family who was affected by cancer and almost everyone raised their hands. He also asked if there was any cancer survivors and it was incredible how many people raised their hands! That just got you pumped to be running for such a great cause! They also had signs along the course to remind you of what this run was for, some were funny like WTF is the finish?! but others were more serious like "I'm running for you mom, your my hero." There is nothing worse than feeling like you are about to cry while trying to run and breath all at the same time.

The first about 8 miles were running down and out of the canyon, it was a stunning race! We started out feeling pretty dang good but not too fast, we didn't want to burn out like last time. We had planned to aim for a time under 2 hours and 10 minutes. There are pacers through out the run that hold signs so you can gauge where you will finish. We blazed past the 2:30 pacer and came up quickly on the 2:20 on as well. 

Right after we passed the 2:05 pacer, I was hoping to get the sign in the picture but it didn't quite make it.

We were feeling good, laughing and still in good spirits. We could see the 2:10 pacer ahead and in no time we had passed them as well. At mile 5 there was a water station and the pacer was getting a drink when we paced them! I was pretty dang excited! I knew if we just held this pace that we would stay in front of the pacer and make it under 2 hours and 5 minutes. 

We were cruising right along and still feeling good. I hadn't even listened to any music yet, I decided to wait until I was starting to feel worn out. Not too long after the water station we could see the 2 hour pacer!

At the time I could see the 2 hour pacer when I was taking the picture. We got out of the canyon and I was hoping to pass her at the water station that was at mile 7.3 but we went from the two lane road to a bike path and there was a lot of people. We were still passing people and eventually was able to get around the pacer. If we just stayed in front of her we would make it. But around mile 8 Jen started getting tired and told me to just go ahead because she needed to walk.

I stayed with her and tried encouraging her but the pacer just kept creeping up on us. The pacer was a fun lady and kept shouting things like "If you want under 2 hours stay in front of me" and encouragement, telling everyone they are doing awesome. 

I felt really bad for leaving Jen by herself but I really wanted that sub 2! I was so close! The last two miles were tough, there was a good little hill at mile 11 that messed with me. I was surprised to see so many people walking with less than a mile left. I was one of those people that passed a lot of people on the last stretch, I saw the clock say 2:02 but I knew I had a chip on and was a little worried. 

I ended up with the official time of 1 hour 58 minutes!!!! I was elated! And I was feeling great! The last one I didn't fuel right and I crashed, I literally was hunched over with incredible stomach pain and fatigue but this time I felt much better. And then we ate amazing Kneaders french toast after we finished! 

Overall it was a great race and I am still so excited about my time. So excited in fact that I am going to do a full marathon this fall!!! I still can't believe that I am now training for a full marathon, I never though I ever would! 

Last Sunday we decided to take a drive and go exploring. After naps of course. Doesn't Cody look thrilled that his was cut short?! 

Cody was scouting out places to ride his 4 wheeler and I was looking for places to hike or have a picnic. 

And Elle just thought it was fun to be out of the car seat and take a million pictures on my phone. 

We found a new spot to adventure to in Big Cottonwood canyon, Idaho not utah. We took the wrong path that led between the hills not up them so next time we know where to go. But it was still perfect and Kate "sang" in my ear the entire way. 

Ok so It wasn't 100% perfect because I almost died. Not really but it felt like it. As we were walking along, minding my own business of course, this snake has the nerve to run right in front of my feet! If it weren't for my serious reflexes and being able to jump so high and sideways I would have stepped right on the dang thing. I gave it a nice yelp, not a scream, and I think it messed with my heart a bit because it was beating pretty dang hard. Moral of the story is I have awesome reflexes and if you ever want to test yours out go hiking in southern idaho. And Cody thinks in even more of a whimp. 

I'm awesome with the backpack selfies. It's a work in progress...