I did it! I ran the Bridal Veil Falls 10k up Provo Canyon. I have been wanting to get in shape to run some races this summer, but I decided that was never going to happen. I have to run the races to get in to shape. So I did. I am thinking about training for a half marathon, but that's probably as far as I'll go. I love to run, and when I feel good I have fun doing it. If I was to run a full marathon, I'm afraid it would be more torture than fun. But that probably depends on what kind of shape I'm in. For now, I'll stick to 5k & 10k's. Those are fun to me.I'm the one in the black.

While I ran, Owen had fun cruising around on his new little "bike." He loved loading rocks into the little seat compartment, riding over to the bridge, and throwing the rocks into the Provo River.

Over Memorial Day weekend, we went to St. George! It wasn't as warm and sunny as we hoped it would be, but the weather was still good enough to swim outside a little bit. Owen loved to swim. I am sad I forgot to take my camera to the pool, and was too lazy to run back to the condo to get it! But we did do other fun things that Owen loves to do, like...

"Shoot!"

And "shoot!" some more baskets. That's what he says when he wants to play basketball. Yes, he is growing up to love the things his daddy loves.

As well as throw rocks down a hill. What boys don't like throwing things off of high places?

~~~

Since we've been home from St. George, Nick has been back to "his" garden. He really does love to help my mom outside in her huge garden. He loves to see things start growing from a tiny seed, to a plant that produces something you can eat! Most of the tomato plants already have tiny green tomatoes growing on them! And some radishes have been harvested and eaten already. I just can't wait for all the peaches! We love fresh garden produce, and that's something I am going to miss so much when we move to Las Vegas!

Oh, and Owen is a very good little helper! Tonight we were making a giant chef salad for dinner with everything in it (bacon, avocado, egg, turkey, tomato, spinach, carrots, radishes, etc.) and Owen pulled up a chair and jumped right in without us asking for his help! He was the lettuce shredder, and he did an awesome job.

This is what Owen and his daddy were up to while I was at work today! Owen loved the little toddler pool we had last summer, so Nick found a bigger and more fun one at Walmart for only $20! It has a little slide, and the palm tree even sprays water on it. It's the best way to stay cool on a 94 degree day! These guys are ready for summer!

This is for you, Lisa!

Chocolate Coconut Cookies

I came across this yummy recipe the other day, and thought it would be fun to share. Lisa, if you don't have a good chocolate coconut cookie recipe yet, or even if you do, you should give this a try! They are soft and chewy and remind me of brownies. Yum!

Chocolate Coconut Cookies

1 c. butter
1 c. sugar
1/2 c. brown sugar
3 eggs
2 tsp. vanilla extract
2 tsp. coconut extract
2 c. flour
2/3 c. cocoa powder
3/4 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. salt
1 c. chocolate chips
1 c. shredded coconut

Preheat oven to 350. In large bowl, beat butter, sugar, eggs, and both extracts until light and fluffy. Combine flour, cocoa, baking soda and salt; stir into the butter mixture until well blended. Mix in the chocolate chips and coconut. Bake for 10 min. then let cool on cookie sheet.
Makes a lot! (abt. 50 cookie scooper sized cookies)
*They freeze well, so you can save some for later.

Back rubs are the best!

Owen loves it when his daddy gives him back rubs and back scratches (we call a combination of the two back scrubs). Tonight Owen got quiet, and when I went to see what he was up to, I found him laying on his daddy's lap, enjoying a nice back scrub while daddy watched tv. He wasn't tired or sleepy, just relaxing and enjoying it. I wish his daddy would scrub my back as willingly also!

Being A Mommy

Happy Mother's Day to all moms and moms to be out there!

Being a mom is not the easiest job in the world. And you really don't know what it's like until you have one of your own. I thought I knew what I was getting myself into when we decided to get pregnant, but boy was I wrong! And let me tell you, the labor and delivery was easier than some of the things we've been through with our little guy. And this delivery was natural! (no epidural)
But nothing, nothing beats being a mommy to our little Owen. He can be the sweetest little guy ever. I didn't know how much I could grow to need to be with him, and know that he is always okay. One thing I love the most about being a mommy is Owen's hugs. He is the BEST snuggler EVER! Sometimes when I pick him up he wraps his little arms and legs all the way around me, and pats me on my back. It's the best feeling! Oh, and he's a good kisser, too!

I am grateful to be a mother! I couldn't be the mother I am without my wonderful hubby, Nick!

Everything we have gone through, or have yet go through in the future, is totally worth it, to be a mom. The three of us as a family still have a long way to go to learn and grow together, but we are looking forward to the journey.

HE'S GRADUATED!

It's official! Nick is a University of Utah graduate! We are so happy and so proud of him! He has worked so hard the past 4 years, and he got his biology degree with honors. His hard work and long days and hours of studying have paid off.

But he's not done yet! This summer we are moving to Las Vegas where Nick will be starting dental school at UNLV.

But in the meantime, Nick will be a full time daddy while I go back to work as a dental assistant to cover a maternity leave for a girl at my old job. Nick is looking forward to hanging out with Owen all day, without having to worry about studying for tests or writing papers. I will miss out on some fun bike rides, playtime at the park and swimming at the pools, but I figure this will be a good chance for Nick to spend some quality one on one time with Owen. Once dental school starts, I don't think Nick will be around as much. Our next challenge will be to find a home in Las Vegas!