Responding to Autism 5K

Saturday was my latest 5K attempt. I keep signing up to do them because it keeps me motivated to continue running. I didn't feel very prepared for this one. The week prior I had only gone running once and then we got a stomach bug, so I hadn't run in over a week before the race (it's actually called a "fun run"). Oh well.



My 3 cheerleaders were there again. It is always nice to see Justin and the girls cheering me on. It makes me feel good.


Waiting for it to begin. Maybe one day I will actually look un-pregnant again. Who knows.


Had to get rid of the jacket again...and the headphones because they wouldn't stay in and it was getting on my nerves.


Me being a dork, trying to look hard core. Didn't really work, did it? :)


A race favorite. I'm thinking of getting a pair of those shorts for next time. Maybe it will help my time.


In this picture I was looking for the finish line. Thinking: "come on, already!"



done! Beat my last 5K time by a bit, which made me feel good. Now if I could just work on my endurance.

All the proceeds for this run went to families in our area who have children or family members who suffer from Autism. After the run there was an Autism Convention at the Convention center with tons of booths and information. We looked around a little, but didn't stay too long. I thought it was pretty cool though.

My Family

A week and a half ago Justin's parents and all his brothers and their families came to our town for an unofficial immediate family reunion. We hadn't ALL been together for nearly 4 years...and several children later. It was so nice to see everyone. My friend Jodee was nice enough to come capture some pictures of all of us.

These are a few of the people in our lives that we LOVE!


Justin's oldest Brother Erik (in the back with goatee), his wife Gretchen, their son McKay and in front their daughters, Madalyn and Maryn.



I love this picture of Justin's Dad. Maryn is kissing him and he is holding Isaac. McKay on the Left.



Justin's younger brother Travis, his wife Tabetha and kids Sophie and Isaac.



Justin's next oldest brother Corey, with Sarah, Ezra and Audrey



Justin's parents Dean and Joyce with all the grandchildren...so far.



I just get a kick out of this little girl. Miss Sophie (3)



Justin's younger brother, Travis (with Sophie)



Grandma with Alaina

We had a great weekend. Lots of people, lots of food, lots of fun! Thank you to everyone for making the trip to be together :)

last night

drinking in the quiet
stillness
of my house.
it's night time. Dark.
sounds of music, the ocean,
beautiful instruments.
I want to lay in my bed,
hold my little family
in my arms and
drift off to sleep.
In love.

2010 Rage in the Sage Mt. Bike Duathlon

Saturday I did the Rage in the Sage Mt. Bike Duathlon with Justin and my sister in law Gretchen and a brother in law, Corey. It was held in Benton City, WA at one of the Winery's in the vineyard. We got to run on dirt and gravel and rock with winds going at oh...about 200mph. Kidding! It was extremely windy though and very, very, cold. It wasn't really the cold that got to me, but just the wind. I probably wasn't dressed appropriately, but I am really glad that I at least had that little jacket on.



Gretchen and myself getting ready for the first 2.5 mile run.



Taking it nice and easy.



Gretchen finishing the first run.




Me finishing the first run. Came in around 30 minutes and was the very last person to finish the first run. Even that 68 year old woman beat me!



Next the guys took off for their 10 mile bike ride. This is Corey coming through the first 5 miles.



Justin after the first 5 miles.



When they finished the bike ride, we went out for the same 2.5 mile run to finish up the course. This is Gretchen.



I was determined to run the last stretch all the way. Originally I wasn't planning on doing both runs, but Gretchen talked me into it and I am really glad I did it. That's the most I have run in one day since I started running again. I walked some, ran some.



Smiling because I am almost done!



Sprinting to the finish!



Ahhhhh! I DID IT! I had a really good time, even in spite of the freezing, windy conditions. Gretchen has challenged me to do a 10K, so I think I will work towards that next. Oh yeah, I didn't come in last overall, but I did beat that 68 year old woman, who WAS the very last to come through (she did the whole course by herself) and she even won a prize! Pretty cool accomplishment for a woman that age.

Photo Shoot Give-Away!

Lee Ann is returning to the Tri-Cities and is doing a photo shoot give away. She has some gorgeous photographs. I am letting you all know because it enters me in the drawing. I would love to win. I love photography and wish I knew how to do it.

check her out here: http://www.photographybyleeann.com/blog/

Easter Weekend

Saturday afternoon I decided on a whim to make a quick trip to Spokane. My Dad and Brandi were there to see my Brother Jared and sister in law Michelle's newest baby Sienna.


Alaina and Grandpa


Michelle and little sweet Sienna


Jared and Sienna

We spent the night at my Mom's and the Easter Bunny made a special visit to the girls.

Katelyn was so excited that the Easter Bunny came and wanted to know where it went. I told her he must have hopped away.


She got some pretty pink shoes, a blue bunny, a pink comb, pink lip gloss, and some sweets. Alaina got a new toy.


Miss Alaina in her Easter outfit


Katelyn's beautiful Easter dress that she has been waiting a month to wear. She looked so pretty.


Don't you just wanna gobble her up?!

We drove back home in the afternoon and were invited to a friends house for dinner. First the kids had an Easter egg hunt.





These eggs were made using silk ties. A very cool Martha Stewart way to dye eggs.


Our lovely hosts, the Walters. We had a delicious meal of spiral ham, sour cream potatoes, green salad, rolls with homemade jam, cookies, asparagus, shrimp pasta salad, and toll house pie. It was wonderful!

Of course the true meaning of Easter was celebrated as well. Easter and our church's General Conference ended up on the same weekend this year. It is so much harder to listen to the messages when you have children. Throw in some narcolepsy and it's a recipe for disaster. I'm kidding...kind of. I love General Conference. It is such an uplifting two days. We get to hear messages from God's prophet and Apostles and other church leaders. On the drive home I tuned into a Christian radio station. I think it's interesting to hear the messages they share as well. I heard a lot of truth there as well.

I started to really reflect more on the Savior. I realized that sometimes I wonder if I take the Atonement for granted. That I don't understand it as well as I should. I felt humbled and I felt my love for Jesus Christ grow. I felt a greater resolve to do better, to live better, to be a better person. I am grateful to be a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Christ's church, that He established here on the earth during His life, has been restored in it's fullness. I am thankful to be a part of it. I know God the Father and His son, Jesus Christ live!

He Lives

He Lives

click on this link for a beautiful Easter message.

Badger Mt.

Yesterday was a beautiful day so we took an impromptu drive over to Richland to hike Badger Mt. I was expecting a little more actually. It's not really a mountain, it's more like a hill. It was just right for the legs of a 4 year old though. We enjoyed the sun and just being together as a family.

Alaina was all tuckered out from the strenuous hike.

Last night we went on a family jog. We stopped to rest and Katelyn got out of the stroller and wanted to jog too. So we let her and figured she would poop out before too long. She was so cute. She just kept on running and running. We had to make her get back in the stroller so we could actually go at a pace to get our heart rates up. I went back and drove the route we went on. The entire route was 3.5 miles and the part Katelyn ran was .5 miles. Good job Katelyn!