What we've been up to...

We were outside playing one morning (yes in pj's at 11am) and Bracken disappeared.  When I said, "Bracken, where are you?!" I heard giggling and saw him pop out of the mailbox.  I had no idea he could fit in there, but he thought he was pretty hilarious.

These two are such good friends...they have so much fun playing together. 

Bracken loves playing under the pine trees by our house.  He was hunting bears with a "stun gun" stick when I took this picture. 

Logan Beenfield and Chandra.   

Grandpa and Grandma Ellingford gave Chandra a musical birthday card.  She absolutely loved it, and she and Bracken played with it for over an hour.  Chandra would giggle and beam everytime she opened the card and it started playing music. 

Body Semester

I just finished Leslie Groft’s Body Semester class. I started taking it in January and have loved it! I’ve enjoyed working out for the past several years, but I'd hit a plateau. I knew working out was good for me, and I enjoyed it, but I never saw a big difference in strength, speed, or definition.

I love how hard Leslie pushed me! She’d turn up my treadmill, give me heavier weights, and let me know what the last records were so I could try to beat them. Since January I can do more pushups, situps, and lift more on the deadlift than I ever have before. I have more definition. Most exciting for me: I cut 2 ½ minutes off my mile time. I ran my last mile in 6:07, which is fast for me! Plus, I just had fun! We had an extremely up-beat, gung-ho, hard working class. I got to work out with friends every morning.

Today was our end of the semester 5K. We woke Bracken and Chandra up at 6:30am so Brian and the kids could come with me and cheer for me at the finish line. It definitely made me run faster when I heard Bracken yelling, “Yay Mommy! Go, Go, Go!!” I love my family. I finished in 27:06.

My good friend Melissa Eggertsen took the class with me. I loved being in the same class with her.  It was helpful to have a friend trying to eat better too, and she definitely inspires me to eat better more consistently. She tackled working out and had amazing results with this class, and I’m so proud of her and just glad she's my friend!

Fun with Flowers...and Dirt

This little bucket was the main toy of the evening...because it was filled with dirt and grass and had its own little stir stick.

Family Home Evening

 
Mowing the lawn, driving crazy ("did I scare you Mom?"), quick run to the store for marshmallows and cookies, lesson on "work and wholesome recreational activities," a tiny fire, sticky fingers and faces, happy kids.  A perfect Family Home Evening.

Happy 1st Birthday Chandra!

 Happy Birthday Chandra!  It's amazing how fast this year has gone by.  It seems like Chandra's flown past all the milestones...except getting teeth, she's still waiting on those to come in. :) She is a little mover.  She crawls on her hands and feet like a speed demon.  She's started trying to walk, and is always so proud of herself after taking a few steps on her own.  When we'll hold her hand she just wants to RUN. She thinks it's hilarious to go as fast as she can, and doesn't slow down for anything.

My family drove up from Richfield to help us celebrate. We had a triple birthday celebration for Chandra, Shaylee, and Breonna, since their birthdays are all so close.  

Chandra blew out her own candle and loved the cupcake.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Happy 5 Year Anniversary!

Brian and I were married 5 years ago in the Mesa, AZ temple.  I've thanked Heavenly Father every day since then for my wonderful husband! I married my best friend, and the perfect man for me--we just work well together! 

We met and became best friends during our first year of college.  Brian left on his mission to Portugal that next summer.  My siblings loved Brian so much they sabotaged other dates I went on (think fire crackers and water hoses), and almost refused to even speak to other guys I dated.  My roommates held the letters he sent me ransom for milkshakes and candy bars. 

I was SO excited for Brian to get home.  I was so giddy and bouncy when he first called me!  I didn't think I'd see him until school started a month later, and I couldn't wait.  Little did I know that my sister and roommates were in cahoots with Brian planning a surprise visit.  Brian and his brother Rick anticipated my reaction and made this video...it's taken me five years to be share it because I was rather embarrassed by my enthusiastic response.  But now it just makes me happy!

 

I love you Brian!  Happy Anniversary!