I DID IT!!!! I did my first half-marathon! For those of you who know my struggle with asthma, know how big of a deal this is. Then I developed plantar fasciatis during my training and had to start over. But it all worked out, praise God (yes the south is rubbing off on me), and it was a blast. ...the Women's Half Marathon in Nashville, TN with 14 wonderful women and friends...finish time was 2:05:49.

We started off at the Nashville Temple for a session.


Then on to the check-in to get our PINK PERSONALIZED numbers. Next came the Expo for some shopping....no I didn't get a 13.1 sticker for my car....they're not much of a novelty anymore.

We did a Spaghetti Factory dinner next (and they have GLUTEN-FREE noodles - yay!)



6 am lobby pic. 6 am is only my friend on race days.


See - proof that I really did run it! In fact, I ran water guys down instead of stopping so I could say I didn't walk a lick of it.

The medal has a charm in the middle of it that you can remove and put on a chain necklace.

Some amazing friends that I admire and adore. Showered and heading to Jack's BBQ (which happens to be Oprah's favorite bbq that she has flown in from Nashville) It did not disappoint!

And in VERY CLOSE SECOND to finishing the race was the purchase of my first pair of genuine cowgirl boots from downtown Nashville. I had to a huge happy dance in the store after buying them.

My boy is old enough for Cub Scout Camp! Say what!!??? This was the CUTEST and COOLEST camp. I was amazed at the skill and organization - worth the $125 price tag I was balking at. What more could a boy want? Sports, soda bottle rockets, human foosball, bb gun shooting, pea shooting, the list goes on. Max definitely loved the shooting the most - he was way good at it too - it was kinda intimidating.

This was the sports director. I think he had some experience. They paid really close attention - a bit intimidated.

Da boys

This is the "pick-up trash dance".

Now that's what a boy's supposed to be doing in the summertime - diggin in the dirt!

So these pictures aren't gonna knock any socks off, but this trip marked the first where I accompanied Shane on a work trip to Minneapolis. Shane worked. Here's what I did:

• Slept in
• Walked unshowered and barely dressed to the tamale shop in the skyway just off the hotel and got a tamale for breakfast each morning. Brought it back to the hotel room, stuffed my face as slowly as I wanted to.
• Read what and when I wanted to.
• Showered as slowly as I wanted to.
• Walked wherever I wanted to.
• Went to the bathroom whenever I needed to - if you're a mom, you understand this novelty.
• Ate lunch when and where I wanted to.
• Shopped in whatever stores I wanted to and for however long I wanted to.
• Drank organic teas from places I wanted to.
• Got waxed for the first time since before I was married.

That was my favorite vacation ever so far. And Minneapolis does not have much to offer, but apparently, you can give me a bed, shower, restaurants, stores and unlimited me-time and I am a rejuvinated girl. Definitely doing it once a year.

They had some pretty neat architecture - for about a block.


It's amazing what life lessons Sponge Bob has taught us. Have you noticed how patient he is amidst conflict, adversity and stupidity of others? Have you noticed how inclusive he is of all around him. He makes us happy.


At the Lego store in Mall of America for kid souvenirs. I hated the Mall of America. The downtown skyway shopping was much better.

For Max's birthday, we surprised him with a trip to Medieval Times - it was AWESOME. He loved it, he was totally surprised and the night was magical.

Dragon's Blood courtesy of our wench who was quite wenchy.

Ok, if you know Max, you know that face is total enthrallment.

Some friends of ours happened to be there too so what did the kids do afterwards, but of course, a whole battle.