Well, I know where I'll be Aug. 29

Running the Top of Utah half marathon-- emphasis on half. Yep, I've made up my mind. I think it is a good goal and I have more motivation in the gym knowing I am working towards something. I've always wanted to run a half and I figure now is as good a time as any. I've heard this one is scenic and (score!) downhill part of the way. I've been running a lot the last couple of months and am planning to start this 9-week training program soon (though I will have to shift the calendar back a day to avoid running on Sunday). If anyone has any words of wisdom or advice, send it my way. All I know is I'm going to need one sick playlist on my iPod to keep my booty movin' for 13 miles!

Idaho Falls, Bear Lake and St. George

We've been gone the past three weekends in a row. First up was Idaho Falls with a visit to grandma and grandpa and nana and papa. We got to see our nieces Riley and Roxy dance in their recital (Jackson and I kicked it in the nosebleeds of the Civic Auditorium and walked around the halls of good 'ol I.F. High most of the time). They are both great dancers and it was fun to see them all dressed up-- wishing now that I would have gotten some pictures!

Last weekend we went with our friends Sam and Kristol up to their awesome cabin in Bear Lake. After my whole family (and half of our ward) got food poisioning from one of the shake joints when I was a kid, I wasn't sure if Bear Lake would ever redeem itself. Luckily, the Ogden's have helped me see the light. It was a weekend of good food and good company. Kristol is having a baby boy later this month and I can't wait-- Jackson needs another buddy! Again, should have taken more pictures.

Finally, this past weekend we went to St. George with my sister and her family and stayed at an awesome townhouse courtesy of my brother-in-law's generous parents. We've never taken a trip together so it was a lot of fun. We hit up the outlets, Nielsen's frozen custard and In 'n Out (twice). We spent Saturday at the pool and Sean got in a couple of his crazy games of H-O-R-S-E with Dave and his brother-in-law. It was a relaxing weekend!

Walking around the St. George temple:

Aren't my niece and nephew the cutest?

Jackson (left) and Adam snoozing the afternoon away:

After being gone so much, I think we're going to stick close to home for awhile!

Blake's birthday cake

My friend Heidi's son told her he wanted a Halo cake for his birthday. Since Heidi is an awesome mom and Blake rocks, she said yes and asked me if I would help her make it. She decided to make the helmet of one of the alien things and here is what we came up with:

These pictures were taken before the shimmer powder was brushed on, but you get the idea. I was pleasantly surprised with how it turned out. Heidi deserves most of the credit because she did the carving. I'm not sure I would have had the guts to tackle something like this on my own. Also, she let me in on a secret to make boxed cake mixes even more delicious: add a pudding mix to the cake mix and add an extra egg (hopefully I am remembering this correctly...). It makes a HUGE difference and I will be doing this every time I make a cake from now on.

Channeling my inner Martha

I am the proud owner of a new sewing machine. It all started when my friend Heidi took me to this cute fabric shop called the Quilting Cottage in American Fork. They actually had cute fabric that didn't look like your grandma's curtains. All of the sudden I had all of these ideas burning through my skull (Orange County) and my inner seamstress was awoken! And no, my big plans did not involve making prairie dresses. I decided to start with something simple-- baby blankets. I made this one for my friend Kristol who is having a little boy next month:



And this one for my friend Cecily who is having a little girl:



I warned them not to look at the edges too closely because really I had no idea what I was doing. I probably looked hilarious in the fabric store. I carried the entire bolt of fabric up to the cash register at JoAnn's on one occasion (forgetting to get it cut at the "special cutting counter") and the cashier looked at me like I was SO lame. I also received the same look when I asked the lady at the cutting counter how many feet were in a yard. Should I know this? Yes. But you know what, I don't measure in yards very often (never) so I figured it didn't hurt to ask. Those hard-core seamstresses are in a club all their own!

Anyway, my blankets were far from perfect but will hopefully get the job done :) My next project is going to be a bit more ambitious. I'm going to be making a quilt for Jackson from this book which has the cutest patterns I have ever seen. I have high hopes, so if it turns out I'll post a picture when I finish.

Other future projects:
Pillow cases in fun/funky fabric for my bistro set on my patio
Diaper bag
Christmas stockings patterned after some I fell in love with from Crate &Barrel last year
Table runner for my entry table

If any of you who know how to sew have suggestions on stuff you like to make or know where some good fabric stores are, let me know!

School's out for the summer!

Sing along if you feel the urge! Sean has officially finished his first year of law school. Congrats to you babe for a successful first year! I tried to brace myself for the worst last fall because everyone says the first year is so crazy and stressful. I can honestly say Sean seemed more at ease with school this year than he did during his final year of his undergrad. He's not one to stress anyway, but I had no idea what to expect. I was afraid I would never see him, but thankfully that wasn't the case at all. I think back to last year when we were waiting to hear back from schools and I am so glad that phase is over.

Sean started his clerkship (he gets mad when I call it an internship) yesterday. So far he really likes it and is excited that he is getting some real experience and is not just a pee-on (I know, not the most eloquent term). The attorney he is working for keeps him really involved. I'm happy he seems to be enjoying it so much.

One of our favorite parts of the summer so far? Shaved ice! We've hit up the shaved ice shack a few times already and will most likely go multiple times each week all summer. It is one of the things we've missed-- for some crazy reason it doesn't seem to exist in the east.

I am also very excited about my new flower boxes:

Let's see if I can keep the flowers alive...

So, bring on summer! The pool at our clubhouse is opening up soon so if you feel like taking a swim, come on over!

Happy Mother's Day!!!

Happy Mother's Day Jenny!  Jackson and I wanted to say that we love you and think you are the best mom ever.   Jackson kept trying to chew on the paper, it is his way of saying "Love you Mama".   We hope you have a great day.

I love these dimples

And since I haven't bragged about my kid for awhile I thought I'd post some of my favorite pictures and videos from the past month or so.

Rolling over! (this video was taken beginning of April so I am a month late in posting)





After trying rice cereal for the first time (not too sure about this whole eating off of a spoon thing...)

Hanging out with mom:

Sleepy boy!