Salt Lake 1/2 Marathon

I really wanted to run the Moab 1/2 Marathon in March (Moab is where so many of my childhood memories are, and I love the scenery); but I didn't draw out...Bummed at the outcome, I registered for the Salt Lake Marathon in a rash decision. (Yes, Marathon. The entire 26.2 miles). But....as time progressed (and after running the Painter's 1/2 Marathon) I found myself loving just my 1/2's. For me, I have a chance to try to beat my time before and become a better, stronger runner. I have only ran 1 marathon in my life, and maybe there will be another one (or maybe not). For now, I am satisfied with the 1/2's.

Saturday was one of those spring mornings you are glad you are awake to watch the sun rise. I was joined at the starting line by my two great friends, Leslie and Natalie. (Who continued on with the training and did the entire Marathon! They are fantastic runners and take it to the next level). I, on the other hand, was finished after 13.1 miles; and fine with that!

Rachel and Jenny woke up early to be on the sidelines cheering us all on! (It's great to have such supportive friends!) Chad and the kids were also there to see me cross the finish line.

It was a beautiful (yet slightly challening course). I had some great new tunes on my Ipod and the serene Salt Lake Valley in front of me! It was a great run, and for now it holds my record.

We had to hurry back home to get on with our day; we had "Wicked" tickets that afternoon (which was phenomenal!)

England

I became extremely overwhelmed when I uploaded the photos from my camera (300+); especially knowing Kelly has just as many pictures on her camera. Alas, I am trying to make some headway and recap about the best trip ever! (There are so many more pictures, and maybe I will post some more later....or maybe not.) My mom was the brains (and the wallet) behind the trip. She arranged all the tours ahead of time (she is quite the world traveler). We invited Kelly's fun and vivacious mom, Joyce to join us on our adventure. Good times were had with 'just us girls'. Some good laughs were shared and I know this trip will be right up there as one of my all-time favorites!

We saw England in a quick 6 days. Our only down time was sitting on the long airplane ride, riding the tour bus from location to location and sleeping in our little hotel room. We were on the go go go; that's the way I like it when I travel.

When we arrived in London we were feeling slightly jet-lagged from flying all night, but we didn't let that stop us. We checked-in to our hotel which was right by Hyde Park. After grabbing a bite to eat a local Pub we walked through Hyde Park and visited Kensington Palace and took in all the beautiful greenery. Sleep came early because of the lack the night before. Plus, we knew we had some busy days ahead of us.

Our first full day in England we visited Windsor Castle, Bath and Stonehenge. I had heard from some people, "Don't waste your time going to Stonehenge." Easy for them to say; they'd been there before. This is an amazing sight that is one of the Seven Wonders of the World. I don't think I will ever need to visit Stonehenge again, but how cool to see it in person! Windsor Castle had amazing history (my favorite was the Doll House). Bath reminded me a lot of Italy with all off the Roman statues.

Our second day was spent touring Oxford, Stratford-upon-avon, the Cotswolds and Anne Hathaway's Cottage. What a beautiful part of England! When we were at Oxford we were right where Harry Potter was filmed! (How cool is that!) Anne Hathaway's Cottage is straight out of a story book with a thatched roof and all. So quaint it made me want to sit down with a cup of tea and eat some crumpets.

The third day was a London tour. We visited all the main attractions--London Bridge, the Tower of London, Westminster Abby, St. Paul's Cathedral (absolutely amazing), Big Ben, and a river boat ride on the Thames. Us and about a million other people viewed the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace (which I missed the last time I was in England because I was too busy being a mindless teenager). We even had a traditional English lunch at a Pub where we ate meat pie and fish 'n chips. (Wouldn't be a trip to London without it).

Our fourth day was spent roaming around the streets of London. We visited Harrods (and picked up some delightful English chocolates). Of course we had to visit the London H&M! We walked down to Covent Garden and browsed a few shops on Oxford Street. We took the tube down to Kings Cross Train Station where we stood at Platform 9 3/4; where Harry Potter was filmed. (No, I am not a huge Harry Potter buff, but I have read almost all of the books, and love all the references to England). We saw the Broadway show "The Lion King", which is my new favorite musical! The costumes were phenomenal and my view of the show was 'perfect.' (I say this very sarcastically, because we bought our tickets off the street and the guy who we bought them from must have spotted us from a mile away. We confirmed with him they were good seats and of course he said yes. We took our tickets and noticed later the price on them....half of what we paid him for them. And, I had a lovely bar rail right in my face for the entire first half and then Kelly was kind enough to switch me so she was able to view the bar). Besides that, it really was the best musical ever!

We ate Hobnobs (a delicious biscuit), some nasty Indian food (Kelly's brilliant idea), and every morning for breakfast we had Porridge (Kelly's and my idea. Our mom's wanted to go eat some good 'ole fashioned English breakfasts, but we wanted our "Wakey Wakey Oatmeal." We didn't want to spend our $$ or calories on breakfast). Our last morning at the airport Kelly and I slipped away for a traditional English breakfast (to get rid of the rest of our Pounds...meaning English money) while our mom's ordered healthy smoothies! Kelly and I also found another food treasure in Englahd--the best yogurt EVER. It's Greek Yogurt with organic honey and granola. Kelly found it at Starbucks and since we've been home she has researched and found the Starbuck's in the States don't carry it (yet). What a let down. It was the absolutely best thing I have ever tasted and lucky for us--just like in the States--there is a Starbuck's on every corner in London.

Our weather was perfect (didn't have to open the umbrella one time!) The company was the best part of the entire trip. It was a chance for us girls to get away from the boys and the kids and have a chance to bond and explore England. I love the bonding experience it was for all of us.

Our plane ride home was longer than long. It was an all day process, but I was anxious to see my family so I knew the end result would be worth it! (3 movies, 1 book and a few cat naps later I was finally home!)

All in all...a fantastic England adventure! I can't wait for the next mother/daughter trip. We are thinking somewhere warm next time.....

Teriffic Two's

Who said the Two's are Terrible! I have the sweetest little girl (well, most of the time!)

Myka had her big birthday while I was in England. How sad. I was heart-broken missing her big day, but luckily she's only two and she won't realize her mom wasn't there until she's much older and by that time I will hopefully have made it up to her with other wonderful birthday's.

We celebrated her 'un-birthday' the day before I left, which was a bit thrown-together and last-minute. She didn't know the difference. When we woke up Friday morning we decided to have a 'pretend' birthday for her. All day I told her it was her Birthday and she got to have cake and presents later. All that day she walked around saying, "Happy Bith-day to Myka." I asked her what kind of cake she wanted and said, "Puh pl." (her favorite color is purple). Whenever we asked her how old she is she would reply, "Big." She loved having it be her special day. We took her to breakfast and then she and Carsen played while I frantically packed for myself and the kids. (Have I ever mentioned how much I despise getting packed and ready to go).

Myka is growing-up so fast. I love her blond, long hair (which she is getting particular about me doing). Her little petite build is so cute to see running, climbing, jumping and sleeping:) She is a mimicker and says everything Carsen says. (It gets on his nerves sometimes because he'll say, "I finished first." and Myka will repeat, "No, Myka finish first." Her voice is so distinct and the way she says certain things is hilarious. I don't want to forget the way she sounds at this young age, but I know I will (because I thought the exact same thing about Carsen).

Other Myka Milestones:

• Dresses herself (quite particular about her clothing. Can't imagine where she picked up on that????)
• Wants to go potty (but sits down and then says, "All done.")
• Is obsessed with her mimis (I say that plural because she usually has at least 2 binkies in her hands and one in her mouth. I am starting soon cold turkey to get rid of those! Not excited)
• World's best sleeper. She goes to bed at 7:45 and wakes up about 7:30 and takes a two hour nap! Plus, she asks to go to bed. She'll say, "I want milky and go night night."
  
• She refers to herself in the third person. "Myka's turn." or "Myka's shoes."
  
• She loves to pester "Buddy." She's quite the little scratcher and has left her handy work on Carsen's face. He provokes her, but sometimes she does it just to be a little stinker.
• Is saying so many new words everyday! I was worried when she turned a year and had absolutely no desire to talk, but when she hit 18 months she has been turning into quite the little talker (or parrot)!
• Loves popcorn...just like me!
• Still puts everything in her mouth....crayons, sand, chalk, markers; you name it!
  
• She is Carsen's shadow. Whatever he does she wants to do too. When they ride bikes, she is out there with her helmet on wanting to be 'big.' They jump on the trampoline together and have to be pleaded with to come back inside.

I love my sweet little girl. Myka is our little spunk. She was so great while I was gone for a week and had a fun time playing with her cousins (and even went potty on the toilet for the first time! Without me!) Now that I am home she has come down with RSV. Of course. Oh well, at least her mommy is home to take care of her.