What have we been up to?

It has been a while since I posted anything, hasn't it? Well, we haven't been doing too much exciting that I think is blog worthy. It has been typical day-to-day stuff around here. Julia did have some photos taken about 2 months ago. I had won a gift card to a local photographer, so I had to use it before it expired. If you would like to see the pictures click here (it is a montage with music): http://www.photodex.com/share/cestlaviephotos/ck4

Julia attended one of her first weddings this weekend. Her first, first wedding was actually our cousin Jenna's wedding in February 2009, but Julia was so small then she probably doesn't remember it. Julia had a great time at the wedding this weekend. She made friends with a little boy named Henry and they ran all over the place together. The venue was beautiful-indoor and outdoor waterfalls, ponds and bridges. The ceremony was outside and it was a perfect evening. The bride was gorgeous. She is actually the first CNS student I have ever taught/precepted and I also work with her mother at the hospital.

The bride and groom

Julia and me throwing pennies into the indoor pond and waterfall...Julia wanted to keep throwing...she must have had a lot of wishes to make

Julia and me in front of the indoor waterfall

Now daddy and Julia

So cute in her dress...ready to party!

Fun with Uncle James and Aunt Beth

This past weekend, Mike's brother, James, and his wife Beth came to visit. It is always fun to have them here and we adults always have a great time playing cards, lounging around chatting and having a few beers and other drinks. We also had a nice round of 9-holes of golf.

Now that Julia is older, she is always wanting to play with any and all guests at our house and James and Beth were no exception. She had a great time showing off all her toys to her Aunt and Uncle and they were happy to play with her. Julia also showed off some of her acrobatic talents by climbing on the mantle seat and rolling off it. Something that typically freaks out anyone else who visits, but not mommy and daddy because it is an almost every day occurrence.

Julia playing with Uncle James in her toy room

Julia and Aunt Beth playing with the toy medical crash cart (yes, she has a toy crash cart. I found it at a garage sale last year and couldn't pass it up...she is quite skilled with the defibrillator paddles already!)

"Pa Pa?"

Reading the title, you probably think this post is about grandpa or daddy. Nope. Guess again.


Julia's new food obsession is "Pa, Pa's" as she pronounces it. Uncle James, Aunt Beth, Mike and I couldn't stop laughing this weekend every time she wanted "Pa, Pa's". She would continually repeat "Pa Pa's?" and say it in different tones, pitches and accentuating different letters at different times.


Any guess what "Pa, Pa's" are?


Pa



Pa's.....

PRETZELS!

She just loves these things! I was worried about the salt content, so I found these:

When searching for the above-photo, I found that you can actually join the Snyder's Pretzel Lover Club. Wonder if I should sign Julia up? She is a "Pa Pa" lover!

What a money saver!

We bought this bike trailer last fall when it was on-sale at an end-of-summer sale at Target. Only $90. Julia loves to ride in it behind the bike and we have used on many, many bike rides. Since I have been running a lot lately to train for my first 5K, I have been searching high and low for a used, in good condition jogging stroller. If you have ever seen the price tag on a new, good quality jogging stroller, you know why I was looking for a used one. They can run anywhere from $250 to $500 (and sometimes more). I searched in various places...my workplace internal classifieds, Craigslist and many, many local garage sales, only to be disappointed either by the quality or the price offered. THEN...I remembered we had the bike trailer that can be converted into a stroller by putting on a swivel front wheel where it would hook to the bike and handle bars! Walla! A jogging stroller! I ran 2 miles this evening with my 30 pound toddler happily enjoying the fast-paced ride while pointing out all the dogs, ducks and birds (three things she is obsessed with right now). It was great! It glides and steers perfectly for jogging. So multi-functional and saved us $250-$500. Thank you Target!

First Haircut

Julia got her first haircut today. Her bangs were starting to cover her eyes and a few strands would poke her eyes, so it was time. I didn't want to attempt the cutting myself, so I took her to a local Great Clips. The stylist was wonderful. Julia wouldn't sit in the chair by herself, so she sat on my lap. She was fine after a the first few minutes. She wasn't thrilled with the stylist wetting her hair with a spray bottle, but after that it was smooth sailing (or cutting). Of course, the stylist was nice enough to save some strands of hair before they hit the floor and those will be put in Julia's baby book. Julia got a sticker and a sucker for her brave efforts.

Just like her mommy...tempted to buy the latest and greatest hair products while heading out the door after a great cut.

Julia's new do...doesn't look that much different, but it certainly does look more trimmed and tidy.

Never thought I would say this, but....

I am addicted to running! Yes, I have become a runner.

I have always HATED running. Many of you have probably heard me say many times that I will never be a runner, I don't like running and would rather weight train, swim, bike, walk or do any other cardiovascular workout other than running.

Well, that all went away when I joined the Heart of Summer run/walk training clinic through my employer:

For the first two weeks of the training clinic I was in the walk to run group (there is a walking group, a walk to run group, a 5K train group and a 10K train group) because, as I said before, I didn't run and wasn't sure what kind of shape I was in to run. Well, I surprised myself and found that the walk to run group was too easy, so I moved up to the 5K group and now am addicted to running! We have a training schedule of running certain mileage 5 times a week, cross training once a week and resting on other days. Currently we are running 1.5 to 2.5 miles per day on average and I am finding it very enjoyable. I even went to a running store that specializes in running shoes and apparel and bought new shoes that work perfectly with my type of foot and gait. Oh yeah, I am hard core; OK maybe not that hard core (yet)!

I typically do my workouts early in the morning before work or early on weekends, so I decided to run at that time too. I have to say that running when the air is cool, all is quiet and the sun is slowly rising is so blissful, relaxing and soothing.

And her is something I definitely NEVER thought I would say...I have signed up to run my first 5K! I will be participating in this event on July 24:

I will need lots of prayers for good training, no to minimal injuries and the strength and stamina to keep up with the training. Wish me luck!