Many of my friends have tried this stuff and have raved about how awesome it is. It is similar to the Latisse lash growth you see in commercials. Except you don't need to get a prescription and it is CHEAPER. Well 4 weeks ago I started it. A few days ago I noticed that my lashes were A LOT thicker. I have some skimpy eyelashes so this was a BIG YEAH~ but today was BLISS. I took my contacts out and put my glasses on and my LASHES HIT THE LENSES!
So this is on my christmas list as "MY FAVORITE THINGS!"
Justin and Andrew went to the JAZZ vs. ROCKETS game.
They enjoyed dinner at "the 100 club" at the top floor of the arena. Andrew was excited to eat all his "favorite foods"
They had AMAZING seats. They sat on the floor one seat away from Coach Sloan. Andrew said he could hear the coach call out plays. Not a bad way for Andrew to experience his first JAZZ game.
Halloween was a week long celebration here! School, Work and Church parties kept us busy and festive.
The girls and I did the usual "trick or treat" around the neighborhood. Anna was especially cute this year. In the past, she was a bit scared and shy, but not this year. She ran from house to house and I had to run to keep up with the girls. They were excited to get home and look over their loot. I had to take my usual tax from the girls and keep all the 100 grand bars.
On Halloween night, Justin and Andrew went to the UTES football game in Salt Lake City. They were able to meet coach Boylen, the UTAH basketball coach, and star player, Carlon Brown. Andrew was excited to get posters signed by the team. He was even willing to give up "trick or treating" for the event.
Andrew with Coach Boylen
Andrew with Carlon Brown
Poncho would go CRAZY every time a trick or treater came to the door. He was guarding our candy with his life.
Anna played on an indoor soccer team with her neighborhood friends.
I had a great time coaching these little kids. They were so cute and fun! I loved to see them try so hard and get so excited to accomplish kicking the ball, stopping it, or grabbing the ball in goalie.
Anna loved playing until she was "too tired". But, she was cute when she got out there to play and would be so proud of herself for getting in to the mix.
This last weekend we went with some friends to Las Vegas for a u2 concert, sun, shopping (for Lisa) and golf (for Justin).
The concert was amazing. The Black Eyed Peas opened for U2 and really got the crowd going. They put on a great show! Then, u2 comes out with 2 hours of amazing music. They played their old songs as well as some new ones. The giant space ship was always doing something new for each song. The special effects were as great as the music!
The weather was perfect! 80s and sunny! I got to spend some time at the pool while Justin golfed with his friend from New York. We also saw a Cirque du Sol show and ate at some great restaurants. A fun weekend away from the kids.
The kids stayed with Nan and Bruce in St. George and played ALL weekend long. They went to the ranch, rode four wheelers, went out to eat at their favorite kids places and went to the movies. They didn't miss us a bit! Thanks Mom for showing them such a great time!!
It was a chilly day in Chicago. I wore layers of clothes and gloves. Just before the race started I shed off the top layer of sweatpants and my sweatshirt. So did the rest of the runners....clothes were flying everywhere! The race started and it took 7 minutes for me to even reach the "start". There were 40,000 or so runners and a mob of spectators cheering us on. The first 3 miles seemed like forever. It felt like I was trying to dodge people right and left from getting run into or running into someone else. But, once I got to mile 6 it started to thin out enough for me to run. I got a burst of energy and I felt ALIVE! I did my quickest miles during those next few miles till the half. I was ON TRACK with my goal time. I made it to the half in 2 hours! But, soon after the half... my legs started to hurt and I could feel my energy drained. My feet, knees, every muscle in my legs were feeling tight and worn out. When I would slow down to drink my legs would stiffen up. So...I didn't let myself stop or I wouldn't be able get my legs to start up again. The distance between mile 14 to mile 20 seemed like ages. I would make myself think of other things, anything... so I wouldn't think about the pain in my legs. When I reached mile 20 ...I was exhausted...I really just wanted it to be over! I told myself it is only one more hour. I have come so far with training and I have overcome all the obstacles the past few months in training so far. I can do it....only one more hour! The last 6.2 miles the crowds on the streets pulled me through. I used their energy and focused on just moving one leg in front of the other. Then...the final mile! The crowds were screaming...it was amazing! People screaming my name telling me "You are there...just a few more steps!" I pushed it. I used whatever I had left and picked up my pace. I finished! 4 hours and 22 minutes. What a race!
I was so happy to find Justin after the race. Thanks for coming out to support me! I had the best support system. My mom came out to cheer me on!
Reuniting with family at the end of 26.2 miles is BLISS!
Chicago was a fun city to run in. Each part of the race had something 'going on'. "Boys town" made me laugh out loud to see men dressed in cheerleading outfits and bridesmaid dresses.
I had to laugh when the lady in front of me took licorice from some dude just handing it out. Tempting... but really.....do you know this guy?!
I loved it when kids would hold their hands out and get excited when you would high five them. It made me feel like a rockstar.
Cowbells.... every time I heard one (which was the whole race) I would think...."more cowbell" and think of the SNL skit. I am worried that now whenever I hear cowbells...my knees and feet will start to hurt.
When you gotta go.....I had to laugh at the men. Port a potties were not easily found so on mile 4 there was a park. Yep...green grass. So, I saw about 50 men peeing on trees, bushes, the side of the road...just because.. there was green grass.
The other runners....everyone was supportive and kind. It felt like we were all on a team. Other runners would yell my name and give support. At the end of the race...you just wanted to hug all these strangers and tell them "good job!". On my flight home I ran into many different marathon runners and it was so much fun to hear "their story".
After the race...I felt this huge feeling of SUCCESS! I did it! I overcame a sprained ankle, being sick for weeks during training, and problems with the Achilles tendon. I felt like I could do anything!
It was HARD...I won't tell anyone that this experience was a "piece of cake" it was HARD! But, worth it!
Justin and I took a trip to Chicago so I could run the Chicago Marathon. The first day we got there we met up with my mom, Michael, Scott, Dayana, and Jeremy and explored the city. We walked all around Chicago and saw Soldier Stadium, Museums, and attended the Fitness Expo. We walked for about 6 hours and we were all exhausted by the end of the night.
Loading up on CARBS with some Chicago Deep Dish Pizza. It was EXCELLENT!!
Scott and I are in front of the Nike Store. They had all the runners names printed on a wall in a large mosaic. Found it...there is my name!!
I have been tapering more than I usually should. I hurt my Achilles tendon in my 20 mile training run so I took a week off from running, stretched and continued to ice and take salt baths.
Last week, I ran short runs (the longest was 6 miles) and I have not had any problems with the tendon.
Now it is seven days left till the Chicago Marathon. This week is preparing for the trip, yoga, and cross training (spinning) with a few short runs.
I am READY, EXCITED, and NERVOUS! I hope that I have fun, my body endures till the end, and I beat my last marathon time.
For those of you who are interested...... you can track my progress here. You get texts or email notifications the day of the race.
It was a chilly day in Chicago. I wore layers of clothes and gloves. Just before the race started I shed off the top layer of sweatpants and my sweatshirt. So did the rest of the runners....clothes were flying everywhere! The race started and it took 7 minutes for me to even reach the "start". There were 40,000 or so runners and a mob of spectators cheering us on. The first 3 miles seemed like forever. It felt like I was trying to dodge people right and left from getting run into or running into someone else. But, once I got to mile 6 it started to thin out enough for me to run. I got a burst of energy and I felt ALIVE! I did my quickest miles during those next few miles till the half. I was ON TRACK with my goal time. I made it to the half in 2 hours! 
But, soon after the half... my legs started to hurt and I could feel my energy drained. My feet, knees, every muscle in my legs were feeling tight and worn out. When I would slow down to drink my legs would stiffen up. So...I didn't let myself stop or I wouldn't be able get my legs to start up again. The distance between mile 14 to mile 20 seemed like ages. I would make myself think of other things, anything... so I wouldn't think about the pain in my legs.
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