Monday, December 17, 2012

Santa Pictures

This past weekend we set out to get pictures with Santa as Christmas is only a week away and my sister is due TODAY with her second baby! We knew this was our last chance so we headed to Paradise Valley Mall (not going there again next year). Oddly, there was no line to take your picture with Santa, but a large line to pay for the picture. We probably could have gotten a decent picture if the guy would have taken it right away but who knows what he was doing. Well, 30 seconds later Everly starts crying and wants nothing to do with Santa. Cameron just got happier and happier and was laughing and clapping. Joy. Also, after we got to the front of the long line to pay this rude cashier asked which one we wanted printed. I picked the last one becuase she wasn't crying and she gave me this disgusted look and said, "You want that one? She is not even looking at the camera." Seriously lady, WHO ARE YOU? I was like, um its the only one she is not crying in, so yea, I want that one. Way to kill the Christmas Spirit lady.

Here are the pictures:











Friday, December 14, 2012

Hot Chocolate 15k

As part of me trying to get healthy and lose weight I never should have gained, I signed up for the Hot Chocolate 15k. Of course, if I was going to run 9.3 miles, there would definitely be chocolate at the end! When I signed up back in October, I had not run more than a 5k, ever! I used the Hal Higdon 15k Novice Training Plan to get prepared for it and also had the help of two of my sisters joining me on the longer runs. They also ran the 15k as well. Last Sunday morning we got up early and headed out to Scottsdale for the run.

 
 
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It was the coldest morning we have had yet this winter, but shortly after we started the run, we warmed up. I ran with my sisters for the first 2 miles and then they moved ahead as they run faster than me. I personally ran faster than I have before. The Saturday before when I ran my 8-miler, I ran a 10'14" pace so to do 9.24 miles at a  9'41" pace was really exciting for me. Back in July I weighed over 200 lbs. (yikes!) and when I started to run with the C25k program my pace was like 11'30"! I am now more than 30 lbs. lighter! Crazy how far I have come in 6 months. Also, look at how many calories that burned! 1208 is insane! I got my brooks running shoes back in July as well and have already logged atleast 124 miles in them!

 
I know that there are lots of people who run more than that, and faster, but for me this is a big deal, and I am proud of myself. I almost got choked up when I crossed the finish line becauase I was just so overwhelmed with emotions. I have never set such a huge goal for myself physically, so to meet that was just really big for me. And also, just before the finish line my mom was holding Everly and cheering me on, so yay, you can understand why I almost cried.
 
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After the run we got our finisher's mug filled with hot chocolate, chocolate fondue and lots of stuff to dip in the chocolate. It was delicious, but we didn't have much time becuase I had a soccer game in an hour. Yay, I know, crazy, but we would have been short players if my sister and I hadn't gone. We tied the soccer game 1-1 and I scored the goal, but we really should have won. Oh well. The rest of the day was pretty busy, but I did get a pedicure and I used my sister's foam roller to massage out my leg mussels last night and I think it is paying off because I am not too sore today! I am not quite sure what is next on the fitness agenda, but I definitely have more to achieve!
 
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Thursday, December 6, 2012

US Women's Soccer Game

This past weekend we were able to see the Olympic Gold Medalist U.S. Women's National Soccer Team play the Republic of Ireland. It used to be pretty rare for them to come to Arizona becuase we don't have a professional soccer team, however, they were here last year in November as well. You can read about our time at the game last year, here. Everly was so tiny last year. This year she was able to enjoy it much more. A few of the girls I play with on my women's soccer team went as well and we met up for beers in the Cardinals Stadium parking lot before the game. Everly had a lot of fun and I am glad we went and am grateful that we are able to take her to events like this...although next year I am totally scalping my tickets! So much cheaper! Here are some pics from the night:

My new favorite picture of us!



So into it.

Feeding mama cheerios.


Goofball

Iphone Panorama



Tuesday, December 4, 2012

Gymboree Play and Learn Class

On Saturday morning (after my 8 mile run!) my sister and I took the babies to a Gymboree Play and Learn Class. You can try one out for free and you know I love free stuff so we decided to go. When we got there the class was just starting so we jumped in a circle around the mats with quite a few other parents and babies. That was definitely my first impression of the class...it was pretty full. As soon as the instructor started singing, I thought my 9 month pregnant sister was going to murder me. That lady was singing like she was in an opera. It was soooo loud. It was a bit much. After a little introduction the babies worked on walking over different structures. Everly and Cameron both seemed a little overwhelmed in the beginning but they did good, and we both knew that these activities were good for their development.  
 

 
Walking up the ramp together


BFFS for Life
 
Next they played with some stimulating toys and noisemakers. Cam jumped right in without hesitation. He loves making noise. I'm suprised he didn't start throwing stuff too!
 

 
 
 
 
Next was the parachute. Everly has experienced the parachute before in some of the free Library play time her daddy has taken her to. In this class they ride on top and then they play underneath also. You can't see that well in this photo below, but Everly is having the time of her life!
 
 
 
 
 
All in all, I definitely atleast reccommend going to the free one if you have one by you. They have several different classes based on your babies age and it is great for their development. For me, it is out of my price range and budget, but I am glad we went. As we were leaving, Cameron made a mad dash for this ramp and just started climbing up it. These ramps are kind of steep and slippery! He is so strong! Also, I am so grateful that my baby has other babies to play with on a regular basis. One of the moms in the class said this was her daughter's only socialization with other kids and it made me realize how fortunate I am that it is not the same case for Everly! 
 





Thanksgiving 2012

This is a little late, but I wanted to share some details from our Thanksgiving. I started off the day with a 5 mile run with 2 of my 3 sisters (the 3rd was like 8 months pregnant, so yea, she stayed home).
Part of my 15k training which ends this Sunday when I run the race!


We had breakfast at my mom's after the run and looked through black friday ads. After that we went hom to clean up and relax. This year we went to my brother's and sister in laws house for an early dinner. It was delicious, of course, and Everly especially like the cranberry sauce, yams, and turkey.

Everly in her Thanksgiving outfit.
After dinner we headed back to North Phoenix/Glendale. I dropped Justin off at Walmart at 6:15, went home and fed the hounds, and then headed back to my mom's with Everly for dessert. I left Everly there and went to join Justin at Walmart around 8:00p.m. by that time it was a complete ZOO there. People are crazy! We were in line for a 60 inch tv that we were successful in getting for $688! By the time we got out of there it was like 11:00 p.m. Not too bad for Black Friday shopping! It was exhausting, but all in all it was a great Thanksgiving, and of course I am so thankful for my happy, healthy family!

Monday, December 3, 2012

Zoolights

Last year I opted out of taking Everly to Zoolights because she was so little and it was cold. So naturally, I was really excited to take her this year. We are zoo members and so we went on the day before Zoolights opened up to the public. It was great because it was the night before Thanksgiving and it really was not too busy. The babies loved it and Grandma spoiled them with glow rings. We will definitely be going once more before the season is over.







Thursday, November 1, 2012

Desert Botanical Gardens Pumpkin Patch






Last year while I was on Maternity Leave, my sister invited me and Everly to join her and Cameron at the Desert Botanical Gardens for a Pumpkin Patch and Fall Festival free for Special Needs Day. My sister found out about this through the Sharing Down Syndrome Organization and was reminded about it again this year. She was unable to take time off this year due to her current pregnancy, so Justin and I took the day off and took Cameron and Everly. We go there early so that we wouldn't have to wait to get on the hay ride. Thankfully we did, because as we got back the line was very long! Before we got on the hayride Cameron got his first tattoo (a puppy)! The hayride took us over to an area where we went through a hay maze, visited a petting zoo, took pictures on a tractor, and picked out EXTREMELY large pumpkins for FREE! If you know me, you know I love free. So we took advantage and found some very big pumpkins! The volunteers had to help us get them back on the hayride because our hands were full with babies, but we did it. After the hayride we were able to walk around the gardens and also got free entrance into the butterfly exhibit. We went to this last year also and it was really cool. It was still a fairly warm day, but the babies did great and I am glad we were able to take them! Can't wait to go again next year with my nephew Teddy, too!


Oh hey!

Double babying it!




Me and my nephew

getting dirty!


Seriously! The sweetness of this kid kills me!




cousins

the tattoo!
this is how you get out with two massive pumpkins

Rooster!

Seriously?



Had to end this post with the most inappropriate cactus I have ever seen. 

Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween! Both Justin and I are off today and spending the day with Evie. We carved pumpkins last night and will be going trick or treating tonight with Cameron and the rest of my family. Everly will be Minnie Mouse and I will post pictures later. Should be much more fun this year considering Everly was only a few weeks old last year! Hope you have a safe Halloween! 

Cameron and Everly
Pumpkin Butt Picture idea via Pinterest

Justin made Evie a Hello Kitty Pumpkin :)

Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Anthem Train Park

We have been wanting to take the babies to a train park for awhile now. Growing up, my parents used to take my siblings and I to the McCormick Ranch Train Park. We often went after church on Sundays or when my Grandparents were in town visiting. I haven't been there since I have grown up, but we loved it. Eventually we will take them to that park, however, two weekends ago we took them to the Anthem train park. The park where this is located at in Anthem is beautiful! It is huge and there is so much to do. Also, when you are done, you can hit up the Anthem Outlets...bonus! Cameron and Everly had a good time. After the ride we were hanging out in the grass and Everly took a bunch of steps on her own. It was awesome! Here are some photos from the morning! Also, there is a video at the end of her walking...don't mind my sister's excitement! Haha!













Weekend in Review

Summer is basically here and we are already in full on pool season. On Friday I had the day off so I spent some time with Aspen and took he...