13.1 is SWEET

Months and months of running: wind, rain, snow, cold sun or shine has paid off!!! Congrats to these fine ladies who came in a few steps in front of me and who trained beside me in the months leading up to today. Way to go! After more than a week in bed with some crazy flu virus followed by a couple more days of migraines I wasn't sure I'd be up for today's race, but lots of prayers made it possible (and maybe a little will power). Arianna reminded me often that she was praying for me to get better.
My dear hubby got all the kiddies up at the crack of dawn and coralled them through the rather crowded streets of downtown SL to cheer me on at the finish and EACH one of my dear sisters put their busy lives on hold to come cheer me on as well; not because I had asked them to, just becuase that is what these wonderful people do. Some had a couple kids to bring along for the ride, and one even got up at an INSANELY early hour to drive us runners up to the starting place. Thanks Lors! Only you! I love you all! I have the BEST family in the world! Oh, and mom was on the cell awaiting results...emotionally! Love you all! Next year, we will ALL be wearing medals...right girls?! Arianna was diappointed that she couldn't go running with me each night when I put her to bed and headed out to run. So she and her cousin got to run the kids marathon and won medals of their own! Woo hoo! Way to go guys!
The rest of the kids were just thrilled with all the free stuff!!Thanks for so much support from so many of you! I could never have done it alone!
Anyone up for a run??!

My Birthday Boy

The Mass-Man is ONE! I can hardly believe it!
He loved diving into his egg-free, milk-free cake and frosting even if no one else did (though I did, myself, call me crazy)! What a mess!!
We had family over to celebrate his BIG day and he just loved all the excitement. He was really touched by the cards too, it is evident.
Loves reading his new book about Dads...With Daddy!
and couldn't get enough of all this colorful, noisy paper!!!

Teddy Buns

I'm not exactly sure why the kids thought these were so much more appetizing than the usual rolls or bread that I make, but they disappeared in no time! Next time you're making some bread or rolls, let your kids make animal shapes with them w/ raisins for eyes etc. It was a fun break from the norm for us all!

Such a Citizen

Arianna received a Student of the Month award for Citizenship which provided us the opportunity to have lunch w/ her at school over the award ceremony. It was so fun to be there with her and hear about all the great things these kids are doing. Great work Arianna! She was recognized as being kind and considerate of others and good at obeying the rules and helping out. Way to go girl!
She is such a good little student.

Little Love Bugs

So Valentines is a month past now, I guess I am a little behind. Sorry Mom! We had a wonderful Valentines Breakfast, then Marco and I enjoyed a romantic lunch at the Tuscanny. We enjoyed being able to actually converse over a meal instead a feeding the most hungry little face we know (and the cutest one besides)! Mass does NOT sit idly by when he is in his high chair. Either he aims at convincing us that he is faminshed beyond description and I need to feed him faster...FASTER!!!
Or he is way over the meal and has noticed the basketball hoop in the next room and NEEDS to be there instead, STAT! Funny that he is so demanding at the high chair, because he is generally such a mellow and happy little fellow. Guess he got that from his Dad. ;)
Needless to say, it was very nice to sit near the fire and just chat away about our future and our dreams and our plans while we ate a meal that I didn't lift a finger for, ahhhh. I love that man!

Then we headed to my sister's for a little valentine's party for the whole family. What a fun time eating and playing and crafting these adorable little love bug hats. Thanks Heid!