Lake Powell

Wayne, Kaelyn and I were lucky enough to make a quick trip down to Lake Powell with Wayne's Dad and two brothers over UEA weekend. We had a fun trip! We stayed in Page, AZ. The weather was beautiful, high 80's and the water was not too bad. We spent a couple days on the lake and a couple days hiking some really cool slot canyons.

The beautiful Lake Powell - Wahweap style

Kickin' it on the boat.

Climbing up the treacherous rock wall, okay maybe treacherous doesn't quite fit.

There were like 10 of these pools of chocolate milk, I mean dirty water we had to trek through.

Wayne in the middle of his "off the sand cliff back flip"

Entering the first slot canyon.

My father in law talked me into driving the boat on our way back to the marina Friday night. It was the first time I had ever driven a boat and we were going top speed. So as we were going through the channel below, I was holding the wheel as steady as I could. This channel was at least 200 feet deep. All of the sudden the boat started turning out of control and I couldn't do anything but scream. I was so scared, I thought we were going to hit one of the walls, I literally had no control of the boat, I didn't even know how to stop it. Luckily Wayne's dad got it stopped while I had a mental break down. We still have no idea how it happened, but one of the prop blades just fell off. We didn't hit anything, it was the craziest and one of the scariest things I've ever had happen to me. I told Wayne it was my sign in life that driving boats is not for me. Other than that the trip was definitely a SUCCESS!

Somethings missing...

Banana Scream, where have you been all my life?

Thanks to my super awesome, fit foodie cousin Terilyn, I now have a new love. I like to call it "Banana Scream". My most favorite shake flavor in the whole wide world is Oreo Banana, and this is even better tasting, and WAY better for me!

All you do it put some banana's in the freezer, I take mine out of the peel and break them into about 4 pieces and keep them in a zip lock. Then at 9:00 pm when you are just dying for something sweet and delicious you take them out, put them in a blender/food processor (I actually use my little electric chopper thing I got as a wedding gift), add a little milk and your favorite add in. Mine in a piece of dark chocolate or an oreo. It seriously is a dream. I really like it better than ice cream...and ice cream is my all time weakness. It doesn't leave me feeling so full and heavy in the stomach after eating.

1 cup Dreyers Slow Churned ice cream = 240 Calories & 10 gms Fat (And thats the low fat/cal stuff)

1 cup Banana Scream w/1 dove dark Choc square = 170 & 3 gms Fat (1 serving fruit)

I also find that I don't over eat it like I do ice cream. I NEVER eat just one cup of ice cream, I usually dish myself a small bowl and then go back 2 or 3 times for seconds. With this treat it takes a little work to make, so I can't just go open the freezer and dish more. I'm satisfied with one serving.

It also works out great because I'm really picky with bananas. I only eat them if the skin is completely yellow. Once it starts getting a little brown on the outside, I don't like the consistency. So now instead of throwing them away, I just toss them in the freezer.

Thanks for the tip Teri! You are the best!

The Race

Jamie and I huddled around the fire pit. We left the hotel 3 hours before the race and got to the starting line an hour before the race...so we had some time to kill:)

Kaelyn giving me my after race hug, while I chow on my banana creamie

So race day came and went and part of me is a little sad its over, but not too sad, because there will be more. Its kind of like when you have family or friends stay over for a few days, and when they leave you feel a little empty inside. Yes, strange I know, but thats how I've felt the past few days. I just want to run so I can have that feeling go away, but I'm still pretty sore and when I did go run on Tuesday I was pretty achy and it wasn't too pleasant.

The race was great, the weather was perfect, the company was spectacular and the course was down right gorgeous. Part of the run was around one of the prettiest lakes in Utah (Pineview) and the water was "butter" (as Wayne would put it) You could see the most beautiful reflections of the sky and landscape in the water. The hardest part for me was between mile 24-25. We had just seen all my family that came to watch and I just wanted to get to 25 so I could tell myself "just one more mile". Thank goodness I had Nicole by my side, because it was very tempting to start walking, but she kept me going...and afterwards she said I kept her going. Kind of funny how that works.

My favorite part was around mile 11ish we came up on Wayne and Kaelyn chilling in their camp chair on the side of the road. Wayne brought Kaelyn right up to me so I could give her a kiss as I ran by. At the moments when I felt so tired, and realized how hard this was, I would keep telling my self, "104 days in the NICU. Kaelyn fought for 104 days in the NICU and never gave up, never gave in. " That was my personal rally cry. It got me through the most difficult times of the run.

Now I want to work at picking up my pace a little, and also try to get more than a sketchy 2 hours of sleep the night before the race. I’m not sure if that’s possible though, I did the same thing last time. I didn't get into the St. George marathon, which is probably a good thing. I forgot how hard this is, but its definitely worth it, just don't think I'm hard core enough to do 3 in 6 months...some day :)

My sister in law told me about this video that a Seminary teacher from my church put together for her students while running the Boston Marathon. Its pretty cool and oh so true, enjoy. (Might need a Kleenex)

Life is like running a marathon

Can't make your cake and eat it too...

My first (and possibly last) attempt at decorating a cake with fondant. It wasn't too bad, but as you can see I made "a piece" of cake, and it was pretty time consuming. I ended up only making "a piece" of cake because one of the cakes crumbled to pieces when I took it out of the pan. Guess thats why they tell you to cool completely before you start messing with them. The marshmallow fondant recipe wasn't as hard as I thought it would be, and it was fun playing with the new icing colors I bought. I'm toying with the idea of making Kaelyn's birthday cake, but we'll see how ambitious I'm feeling in a MONTH from today! Yes, my little girl is 11 months old today. I can't believe it. Well I better go to bed before I even think about eating that hunk of sugar, seeing how I've been laying off the sweets this week in prep for the big day Saturday.

Runner's High is Dangerous

It will get you to do some pretty crazy things. Like post on your almost forgotten blog two times in one week. Even crazier, you will have some pretty serious epiphanies' while the warm sun hits your face and a cool breeze gives spring running the perfect conditions. I've been toying with the idea of doing another marathon this summer, so I put my name in for the St. George marathon in October. They do a random selection process because they have so many people sign up. If you've signed up twice and don't get in, you are guaranteed a spot the third time around. So I thought, what the heck, I'll get the process started. Then I decided that if I didn't get selected this year then I would do the Park City marathon in August. Well after my wonderfully easy six mile run today, I realized that this running business is only going to get easier, so why not go from here. I came right home and registered for the Park City marathon. So here is my summer running schedule.

May 15 - Ogden Marathon

June 12 - Utah Valley Half Marathon

July 4 - Neola Half Marathon

August 21 - Park City Marathon

October 2 - St. George Marathon (Maybe)

That should keep me pretty busy ehh. The tricky thing is going to be fitting all my running in around outdoor doubles volleyball tournaments. (Those are my true motivation for getting in shape :) )

The second epiphany I had was...I want to run every marathon in Utah. From what I can find online, that is somewhere between 12-13 races. After this summer I'll have 3 down and 10 to go! See what I mean about Runner's High being dangerous, what will it make me do next? (I'm sure Wayne doesn't want to know)

Still Running...

Yikes, where have I been? Reading everyone else's blogs I guess. Well we just ran our last LONG run before marathon today (20 miles). It feels pretty good to be this far in the training regimen. The big day is in three weeks. I'm getting pretty excited! There is just something amazing about being surrounded by a couple thousand other people, all taking part in the same exciting event. The weather was beautiful today and couldn't have been more perfect for the run. Its been kind of crazy how this time around things have been so different than the first marathon I ran. Then it was like I had to plan my life around my training, but this time...training just has to fit into my life. It's also been a lot easier mentally because I've run all these long runs before, so I know I can do it. Well there's my update, just wanted to let everyone know I'm still going through with it :)

Tagged

My fun cuz Teri Tagged me to do this post, so I better not disappoint:)

Seven things about me...

1. I was once a little Ballerina, never graceful, but a ballerina. The other day my nephews were watching my wedding video and they were very impressed with the footage of my days in the Nutcracker. Carson told me he wanted a copy of my wedding video at his house.

2. In 5th grade I slammed my left middle finger in the door and cut the top of it off. Since then I've met at least 4 others with the same crazy looking finger. 2 family members, 5th grade teacher and anatomy aid. I believe that is why I'm a better dribbler (basketball) with my left hand, cuz my three middle fingers are all the same size.

3. As of today, I've put 106 miles on my new running shoes in the last couple months. It sure starts adding up quickly.

4. My favorite T.V. show these days is the Biggest Loser. In order to watch it though I make myself exercise while watching it...or else I don't get to watch it. It just doesn't seem right to sit on the couch while their working so hard:)

5. In my early elementary days I was voted "class clown". I was very social, which is strange because now being outgoing really pushes me outside my comfort zone. I blame it on junior high...yikes those days were rough.

6. I am the only girl in my family of 4 kids. According to my brother it was his job to toughen me up.

7. I'm married to the coolest guy on the planet. We have lots in common so we don't get too bored.

Five things that make me smile...

1. Just looking at my little daughter Kaelyn. I just can't get over how cute she is.

2. Playing volleyball.

3. Wayne when he's being goofy.

4. Getting together with friends and reminiscing the good old days.

5. Spending everyday at home chilling with Kaelyn...and when we hear the garage door open and know Dad's home.

I tag...

Jamie

The Crow

Everyone else who feels up to it:)