HAPPY BIRTHDAY JACKSON AND CAMERON

Cameron Jensen, Jackson, and Cameron

This is Jackson, Cameron And their best friend from Utah, Cameron Jensen. For their birthday surprise Todd and I flew Cameron J. here to AZ for the weekend and we had one big party! The boys were so surprised and we had a great time. Cam J. kept telling us how warm it was here and how his dad would love this weather. The boys went swimming (even though the pool was freezing) played on our pirates ship, played football, went to the movies, an indoor bounce park, played football, went to see the beautiful Mesa AZ temple lights, ate A LOT, and did I mention that they played FOOTBALL? I kept asking his mom every time I talked to her if we could just keep him....but as we all know, all good things come to an end and we will be sad to see him go tomorrow! I assure you there will be tears, and probably mostly mine. Thanks Nicole and Jason for sharing your sweet son with us this weekend. The memories these boys made will not soon be forgotten. WE LOVE YOU CAMERON JENSEN!!!!

This is the boys at the Mesa Temple looking at the Christmas lights. I must say that this is the most beautiful display of lights I've ever seen! Cameron J. agreed with me aswell.

Happy Official World Race Day

So today December 13, 2008 was declared Official World Race Day by my sister-in-law

Annee. To back up a bit, Annee and her husband Darin used to live about 25 miles from us when we lived in Brigham City, UT. A few years ago we were at their home having a wonderful Sunday dinner (I miss those days Annee) and I picked up a Runners World magazine from her table and that's where it all began......So here I am today, about 30 5K's, maybe 20 or so 10K's, several 15K's, at least a dozen half marathons, and 5 MARATHONS later! THANKS ANNEE!

Back to my story; Annee now lives in Korea and she decided to ask anyone from around the world to join her in a race....what a great idea! I have to admit that if I hadn't committed to her I may not have done it. A promise is a promise! At first she asked everyone to train for a 1/2 marathon because she hadn't been able to find that distance in Korea in the winter(I wonder why) and that we all could run it on the same day all around the world-so I told her I'd be the AZ rep. Now let me remind you that I had twins, yes 2 babies about 14 weeks ago and for some reason I was really giddy and excited to get back to my running. My mind and my heart were committed, just not my legs and my lungs. I told Annee it probably wouldn't be pretty....but I would try. Well to make a LONG run and LONG story short- I didn't quite get to 13.1 today, but I did 8 LONG miles. One for each of my kids, one for my husband (and cheerleader), and one for you Annee. I thought of our last marathon we ran together and the great memories that were made-I hope it's not the last! Thanks for getting me out there, getting me started and getting me home! Love you Annee!

FAMILY PICTURES

So yesterday was the ultimate task.....family pictures! I thought the last few Christmas cards we did pretty good, but throw 2 more babies in there and what do you get? I'll tell you....2 ten year olds that think its funny to pull crazy faces, a 7 year old who's smile is fake-and conveniently "forgot" how to do a real smile, a 5 year old girl...I mean 16 year old DRAMA QUEEN who thinks we are all here for her, 2 babies who wont look up at the camera for anything, a husband who was actually a pretty good sport but secretly is wondering why we even bother, and a stressed out mom who cant remember the last time she got dressed up for anything! Well truth be told I guess we did o.k. Now to get them all mailed out by Christmas is another story!