Christmas Came and Went!

Well we did it! We got Christmas over with. Not that I was totally dreading it but Keven and I had gone over the "budget" early in Dec. and knew that his payday on Dec 25th would be the one to use for Christmas because we wanted to pay our tithing first and not late. So we knew that we would be shopping for things on Christmas Eve and writing checks so as to work the system and not bounce any checks. Well, here is the cruel truth..... A lot of places dont take checks anymore and when you pay your tithing it clears faster than you think. So the truth hurts and when tithing cleared we went into overdraft a coupld hundred bucks and all of Christmas went on our proudly EMPTY American Express..... Granpa Eyring would be ashamed. But by admitting it right here on my own blog, I am vowing to pay it off immediately so talk to me at the end of Jan. and make sure I did!

All I can say is , the kids were happy and I got to sit and read a book and I got a mixer and have made rolls or bread every day since, so pretty much, it was worth it!! And besides the reason we didnt have any extra money until that last payday was because we spent all our Christmas money on gas and stuff to go to San Diego for Thanksgiving and then to Mesa for Brandon and Matthew and that was worth any amount of interest I have to pay, and I would do it again tomorrow if I had to.

Hope yours was Merry and Bright and your debts arent' out of sight! Enjoy the picts.....

Christmas Eve Special

Okay if i can get this video to load, I want you all to join our family for our Christmas Eve Show that Talia created. She made each of us play a part and she made props for her and Tara during this duet. Kate joined in without Talia's consent but they allowed her to do it anyway (after I gave her "the look" she let perfection fly out the window and accepted it).

So, Merry Christmas Eve everyone! May none of you get strep throat.

We did it!!

Well we did it! I was aiming for the Mesquite Marathon and Keven was aiming for the Mesquite 1/2 Marathon about August and September but after the Ragnar Las Vegas in October we both seriously had to re-evaluate our training and how much time we had to get the training in that would be necessary to do what we wanted..... Keven wasnt getting much running in at all so the 1/2 marathon would be way way hard, but do able. Tiff has major issues with doing a race and not being able to beat her last time so doing the full marathon because out of reach because she couldnt get the mileage in while traingin for the triathalon. Sooo..... Tiff did the 1/2 marathong and beat her last Personal Best with a new PR of 1:59:30 and Keven did his first ever 10K with a time of 1:15 - We were glad we had shaved our ego's enough to sign up for the less mileage, we are both more sore today than we have ever been.

What's next?? I'm taking a month off of training and just going to exercise. Keven doesnt want to ever run again. What a brat huh? I told him, he just isnt competetive enough. And he said I am competetive enough for the both of us.... what do you think?

You Don't Wanna Know!

Kate and Owen dug in the sand box, pretty deep too. They found a bowl full of treasures!!! All I know is hand washing was not good enough, when they were done I even made them change their clothes! The cat box in the house has been clean for weeks, I wonder where the cat has been going to the bathroom at?

I dont wanna know!!

I know it may seem boring and half the time you wont know what your looking at but we have a video of our family rocket launch. Taner got this rocket for Christmas LAST YEAR and it has taken until now to get the launch pad and launcher built but here we are - Nov and we got 'er dun!!

Did Halloween really come and go? Oh goodie, it's over! Talia used an old Wonder Woman costume and Kate got a lady bug costume on clearance the day of Halloween and off we went. To the neighbors and around the block and thats all she wrote! We attempted some car driving to see other people but no one was ever home. No Trunk or Treat or anything and we still got bags full of candy! yikes! Kately fully grasped the concept this year - "Trick or Treat!" and "Thank You!" - best of all - it all strangely disappeared the next day......

Triathalon Fun!

Well, Saturdays Triathalon came and went and even though I had butterflies before it, and was all worried about what time I would get .... When it was done I was just glad it was done and when I got the air back in my lungs I realized that I had gained a whole new level of understanding of what I am capable of. The 400meter swim was weird. 2 people shared a lane and the water was deep so as I got closer to the wall I couldnt tell by the lines at the bottom of the pool exactly where my flip turn should happen but I nailed them all and had a crowd watching at one end, that was cool. After about the 4th time I bumped (slapped) hands while passing the other dude in my lane I got pissed and just finished it. At lap 7 I asked the kid if he was counting or if I was, he said he was, and I said that was 14 right? He said, no, you have 2 more, so I was mad and burned out lap 8 thinking he was gong to make me go 2 more laps!! To my surprise, I was actually done and he called me to get out, yay me!!! I was off and running for my bike. Now, interesting as it may seem, it was 50 degrees out there, the sun was shining and I felt great so I just slipped on my racing flats, no socks, and my helmet, and headed out! The 10 mile bike was actually pretty fun. I started out getting passed and caught him and said, what do you think your doing, I know you can take me out but bring it pal, and passed him.... Then he passed me and said, you pass me on the downhills, I'll pass you on the uphills..... And when the up hill hit, I let him go but I stayed with him throughout and that was kinda fun, that bike can freaking fly - wow! I got off the bike when done and realized I had stumps for feet. No seriously, it felt like I was running on pirate peg legs, I couldnt feel any part of my feet up past my ankles! Oh Duh - its cold out here and I went from the pool to 20 mph for 36 min I guess that will happen. It took a mile or so to feel my feet again, and I dont have socks on so now I'm feeling the blisters so I just turned my music up and blasted out the last 2 miles. That was my slowest 5K ever but oh well. I finished the whole thing in 1hr 17min and got 1st in my age division 35-39 Women. So now the goal for next year is to beat the girl that won overall, she got 1:07, hmmmm..... Swim faster, transition faster, bike faster, transition faster, and run faster and I should be able to do it.

Time for an Update

Have I mentioned that I have cool brothers and sisters? I mean who else would lay with my on my mothers grave for a picture. We all joked about how she was going to reach up and strangle us for disgracing her this way, but when she had a sense of humor, she would have gotten a kick out of it. I'm guessing she has a bit of that sense of humor back now since she cant do a dang thing about it. It was nice to go with them, take flowers, and just talk about things that happend, and then of course go stuff our faces at Brandin' Iron like Eyrings do!




There is Keven finishing his first run! Wow he was a trooper. It was 109 degrees and he had 3 huge hills to climb in his 6 mile run. He just plugged along and stuck with it. My favorite part was when a big guy runs up to him after and says, "I gotta know how much you weigh and see if I'm the heaviest guy out here!" Keven said he was 260 and the guy said, "Oh man, I'm 261!" The crowd was cracking up.!!

Here I am at the Las Vegas Ragnar Relay getting ready to run my last run. Why the cheer skirt?? Well on my first run I wore a green and white too too so in my efforts to be spirited for my team I wore the cheer skirt, it was actually quite fun! The headband and the pig tails were the finishing touch. I saw a guy in Mesquite the other day and he said, are you the chick that ran with the pig tails and the cheer skirt? Hee hee, that made my day.

Wow, time flies so I guess I should update my blog, as if anyone cares.

Just some things that have happend lately....

Taner is very spirited and painted his face in checkerboard green and white for homecoming week. He did this himself looking in the mirror and even when he closed his eyes, it was a perfect checkerboard, I was quite impressed.

Good Times!

Kate and mommy got to spend a day together. We did a salon in mommy's bathroom and I cut her hair. Then we blow dried and got gorgeous and headed to the grocery store. She was very helpful and remembered to stay by mommy every second. We would have continued to have a great day together but her little friend from next door came over and so I did my own thing the rest of the day, till taxi time came. But all in all, it was quite fun.

Me Time!

Well, it happend. Or Rather, I made it happen. Kate is off to pre-school and instead of going into work, or cleaning, or re-organizing, or doing anything I SHOULD be doing, I am going to sit here at my computer and veg. And I am loving it. It always bothers me when Keven comes home from work and just sits on the couch. I never understood how he could do that when there is so much to do. But man, it feels good. And some times, you just need to sit and veg once in a while.

A lot has happend since I last updated this blog.... Did I put Kates bday picts in here from June? How about our family trip to Yosemite? And then there was MY TRIP to San Diego for Shari's bday - ahhhhh Memories were made there! (I'm still diggin paint out from under my fingernails.)

But on with life and I love it! New running goals, kids off to school, house falling apart, and making enough to pay the bills and support our habits....... This is What We Do!

Tara is golfing on the High School team and so far they are kicking butt.

Taner is playing football and so far they are kicking butt.

Talia is loving school and plannning on doing the choir and upcoming play.

Kate is so adorable and will be running the country soon. I hope they have a bathtub for her to play ponies and barbies in.

Keven reached his 10 year mark at OPD and now only has 20 years till retirement.... Did I just say the R... word? When did I get old enough to think about such things??

I am still teching Zumba, Water Aerobics, and Pilates at SunCity, Running 3 Weight Watchers Meetings, doing payroll & A/P for the dentist, and now teaching Joy School for Kate. I have a new Sunday School group so that I dont have NOTHING to do on Sundays, wouldnt want that. But basically we are all healthy and happy and have all our toes and fingers still!!

Whats this all about?

I dont know if this blog is about me or my family but at the moment I dont really care. I hope you can see this video clip of my Kately. I wont have to pay for any acting lessons. She's dramatic enough allready.

Where did the summer go?

So since no one ever reads my blog anyway - I guess I kinda gave up on it. But the thing is..... Where did the summer go? I know its only Aug 1 but in 4 days we go on Family Vacation to Yosemite Nat'l Park and then we have this and that, then I go to San Diego and then school starts.... It's so wrong! Basically my kids have spent summer mornings babysitting and cleaning while I do my aerobics job, and weight watchers job, then we cleaned more, went to the river, or splash pad, or layed around, went swimming occasionally, and endured some absolutley miserable golf tournaments. Remind me to sign them up for swim team next year! In June Keven and I had the Watach Back Relay Race on our minds so there was a lot of running going on. Then there was scout camp, girls camp, and then Tara went to EFY so the younger kids had to take on babysitting responsibilites. We also went to Mesa for a missionary homecoming, and then Tara left again for her Student Council retreat. After family vacation we hope to get our school shopping done and squared away before I head to San Diego for Shari's birthday. Last year my mom paid for her girls to go to San Diego (well, take her anyway) but Wendy would not fly with us and mom couldnt drive that long of a drive so it ended up being me and mom flying to see Shari. We had a blast. We ate, we laughed, we cryed, we shopped, we trudged around old stomping grounds at Seaport Village and managed to keep mom dosed up on meds long enough to make it through it all. Unfortunatley she passed away Nov 11 but we have no regrets about that trip, in fact, we are making it a tradition. I am going to see Shari and we are painting her house... (we are both broke now that mom is gone so the shopping has hit a complete halt) I am so bummed that my mom cant fund my kids' back to school shopping or that I dont have her calling me every day needing something but I know she is much happier now that she isnt suffering. Miss you mom!

Stuff that has Happend

Looking at my camera I realized there are a ton of things that have happend that I havent even mentioned. Talia had her artwork demo'd in the Art Museum.

We took some fun pictures on the way home from church the other day, its so funny to see what each person is doing when you take a self portrait while driving down the road!! Hey I was watching the road too!

Also - Golfing with Tara to get her warmed up for the High School team, and Taners birthday ~ walking through the petco...

This is my life right now....

Thats right, running, running, and more running. So far this week I have done.....28 miles. Wow that sounds like a lot but it was actually an easy week. I ran 3 different times on Thursday... 6am sprints, 2miles about 11am, then 4 miles that night... Why you say? Because that is what I will be doing on June 19th!! 5 miles at 8am, 8 miles at 4pm, and 5 miles the next day at 5am. 18 miles baby!! Bring it on!

I love/hate training. I love it because I can eat more, except soda. I love it because I feel great and feel like I look better, healthier. And I love it because I have a goal, something to work towards. And somehow when I am draggin my family and husband out at night to run, they want to run too!! I biggest dream is hoping that by being in shape my family will want to be in shape too!

I hate it because I can't drink soda or I feel like garbage. I hate it because it takes a lot of time and energy so my house is messy because I get lazy. I hate it because I am sore and my lower back cannot even bend over by the end of the day (thats why you see me in a wrap sometimes) and also why my slave children are picking up this and that for me. I hate it because famous runners like Karen Goucher are freaking running 20 miles a day and spending the nights with a massage therapist and I just cant compete with that! If I could have a massage therapist I could push myself harder but who has the money for that? Please note that all of the HATE things are actually good things. Its good to not drink soda, make my children slaves, and be sore once in a while....... better than getting out of breath taking one load of laundry up stairs because I never do anything at all..... I would rather be in shape, than not in shape.

Women's Conference 2009!

As usual Women's Conference was a blast!!! Pretty much non-stop laughter and eating and some great classes. Here's some photos of the fun!

~THURSDAY~

Usually we try to be one of the first ones at the Instant Choir rehearsal but this year we took our time getting ready and having breakfast first. We were such rebels when we walked in late!

One of the best parts (especially for Shari) is the BYU campus with the tulips in bloom!

Here we are in our first class. It was on how to discipline with firmness and love. Hmmm...now where are those notes I took? Need to refresh my memory. :)

Tried something new for lunch-the Skyview restaurant. Had an awesome view, obviously and a really good salad/italian food buffet. Love it!

First of many trips to the famous bakery. Shari has to have the mint brownies.

I prefer the Cinnamon buns. They go right to the buns too!!!

We arrived a little late to the Night of Service and went to the greeting card station. I was in my element and loved every minute of it while my 'anti-crafting' sister looked on.

We lucked out and got some Reserved tickets for the concert that night! Saw tons of amazing performances!


~FRIDAY~

We took a lot of silly self portraits this year! Couldn't resist a photo with the pretty pink tree.

More tulips!

On Friday we had one goal...other than eating..and that was to go to classes offered by our fav. speakers-John Byetheway and Brad Wilcox. We had to camp out in the Smith Fieldhouse to guarantee a seat for both but it was worth it! Here we are with our good friend John. Got a pic with Brad too but Shari couldn't get it to download! (that's what I get for hiring slave labor)

Dinner at Ottavio's has become a tradition. This year we were feeling slightly 'bloated' since we had eaten constantly so we shared a salmon salad that was so yummy! We had the same waiter as last year. He was weird.

Meeting my cousin Sean at the mall has become a tradition as well. Good times!

After the movie (lame lame movie) we had someone get one last picture of us so I could show off my hot boots!

We are already counting the days until next year!

My Sister, My Slave.

I am making Shari my slave so since she has all the pictures she will be posting about Womens Conference on my site as well as hers. But I got a new book written by John Bytheway titled "How to be Totally Miserable" and it is so great. I am going to put a quote on here as often as I can from it.

Quote of the Day - " If we just start with the idea that this is a hard world, it makes each good moment make life seem easy."

4 Days to Bliss!

Dorians Come To Mesquite!

Yep, we got them here! Maybe it was the fact that they were all out of school and driving their mommy crazy but whatever it took, I was gratefull to have them! They came Thursday, and we tried to do it all.... Movies, Bowling, Dye Easter Eggs, Hunt Easter Eggs, Easter Dinner, and of course 4 Wheeling!! It was hard to have them leave (well kinda, since Kate and Eden pretty much fought 1/2 the time!) and we hope they come back again soon. Did I mention we had 6 kittens just before they came! What a highlight!

More pictures from the last post, I am still learning how to do this..... I do remember now that Shari told me to put the last one in first, arg - just keep up with me here!!!