Temple Square at Christmas!

Last night David and I went down to Temple Square to see the beautiful lights. Here are some photos!

Marathon Training Week 11!

This week was a challenge for a couple of reasons. First, my hip was still hurting; second, it was 12 degrees out and the ground was still covered in snow; and third, 10 miles after taking a week off (for my hip to rest) was killer.

The run was really beautiful though. My legs were so cold by the end I couldn't feel anything except the pain in my hip which then traveled to my knee! 8 Advil and some ice later, I feel pretty good!

What Zoe and Toby Got For Christmas!

CUTE! Matching Sweaters!!!

Our First Christmas Together!

Our first Christmas together was white! We had snow storm all day. I loved it because I have not seen a white Christmas since I was a little girl!

Zoe and Toby play in the snow in their Christmas best!

Toby looked so cute with the snow barnacles stuck to his feet! He looks like he is wearing big furry boots!

Me with some of my presents (yes, I asked for the ironing board).

David is happy with his new toy!

I made a delicious Christmas dinner.

David carves the turkey!

We had a wonderful day!

Merry Christmas Everyone!

I Love Christmas, But Festivus Rocks!

I can't wait for the "Feats of Strength"!

I would say bagels yes! I have never been able to pass up a bagel.

What can I say about this? Classic Castanza!

Winter Running Is Great!

I think this is week 10 of my Marathon training. All this week Utah has been hit with snow storm after snow storm. Running outside has been challenging. I don't mind the sub 20 degree temps, but I don't want to slip, fall and break something.

Last Monday, I decided to run on the treadmill. That was torture. I was so bored and my hip has hurt ever since. Thursday, I decided to brave the elements and do my run outside. I loved it! Dressed in the proper gear, I was pretty warm and I loved listening to my Christmas music on my ipod while I ran past houses all outdoing each other's Christmas lights (my favorite was the house with the leg lamp from A Christmas Story in the window).

Friday night another really bad storm rolled in and I thought for sure our Saturday morning group run would be cancelled. I woke up at 6:00 AM, checked the group website and noticed that one of the pace groups had cancelled, but my pace group was still on! I got dressed and slowly made my way to our meeting point. The place was deserted. Just as I was getting ready to leave, up came Jim and then Teresa and they were ready to go!

We jumped out of our cars, put hand warmers in our gloves and headed out. The snow had not been plowed off the trail so we were running in 6-8 inches of snow which was pretty close to running in sand (did I mention that it was 12 degrees)! Once we started we warmed up pretty quick. We had a blast talking about how officially crazy and hardcore we were! We did 8 miles! I love winter running! It will be weird running the 1/2 in Phoenix next month.

Jim and I stop for a photo! (I know this photo sucks. It was taken with my phone).

Galloway Jingle Jog!

Despite the storm that was headed our way, our marathon training group made our 8 mile run a little more festive today! All was well until about mile 4 when it started snowing. By the time we hit mile 6 the snow was really coming down and stinging our faces. Thank goodness I had my boot covers on (they kept my feet fairly dry) and my Santa hat & beard (which kept my head warm and the snow off my neck)!

After the run we all met for breakfast at Einstein's on Christi & Josh(who looked adorable as an elf)! Thanks Christi & Josh!

Energy Strategies Christmas Party

Last night David and I attended my work Christmas party. It was held at this really nice place called Log Haven. We all enjoyed a delicious steak dinner and had a great time!

Just In Case You Need Some Christmas Cuteness Today!

I mean, do I really have to say more than SWEET!

Tom Is Now An American!

Huge congrats to my bro-in-law, Tom Stradling! Today he became an American citizen! Tom you may now put the "Brits for Obama" sticker on your car without going to prison!

Tom Stradling, Yankee Doodle Dandy! (Sorry Tom, I couldn't resist!)

Marathon Memories!

So, since I have started training for my marathon I have enlisted the help of my sister (a veteran of 12 marathons) for advice. As we got to talking we got on the subject of which Marathon was the hardest for her. She proceeded to tell me the story of the Dublin marathon of 2000, where the weather was so bad, the Irish Times headline read the next day, "RUNNERS DEFY WIND AND RAIN IN MARATHON OF SUFFERING".

The next year she ran in the Athens marathon. Athens, Greece is where it all began and she was looking forward to it, until she got there only to find a freak storm had hit Athens and it was pouring rain and freezing! She did not want to get off the bus! But, she did and once off the bus, she and the other participants waited in the freezing rain for the start. I couldn't help but laugh when she told me of how the bus carrying the elite runners roared through the flooded starting area splashing everyone with water and mud! It sounded like something from a movie! They ran the first mile in knee deep water!

This photo was taken at the finish of the Athens marathon. My poor sistah! The finish is in the old Athens Coliseum. Notice the empty stone seats. Usually, those seats are filled with spectators cheering on finishers, but not that day!

Our First Christmas Tree!

Today David and I put up our first Christmas tree! I am glad I kept all my stuff from years ago. I forgot about all of the cute ornaments I have!

It's A Boy!

We are pleased to congratulate David's sister, Elaine and her husband Jeff for a job well done! This morning at 8:02 AM Elaine brought a son named Jasper Ray Viraldo into this world! Jasper weighed 9lbs 3oz (little big boy)! Mother and baby are doing well and we are thrilled for them!

Welcome to the world little Jasper!

Look at all that hair!

SWEET!!!!

Mama and baby.

My Little New York Tree!

I went to my storage unit today to pull out all the Christmas stuff and I came across my little tree I had in my New York studio. It is perfect for my office so I brought it in and put it up. Unfortunately, my lights didn't work, but that's OK, I still like it and it reminds me of New York!

My Newest Creation!

It is winter which means it's time to break out the knitting needles! Since I got all of my yarn out of storage, I made a pair of booties for a co-worker's new baby, but that's it until I saw 6 new skeins of black yarn I ordered before I left New York. The yarn was ordered so I could make myself a poncho I saw in this knitting book my friend Jeff had (thanks for letting me copy the pattern Jeff!).

Well I started it about a month ago (working on it now and then) and finished it last night! It is hard to see in the photo because it is black, but it turned out really nice and it is super warm. I love it!

Today is Our 1st Anniversary!!

One year ago today, David and I tied the knot in Las Vegas! It was the best decision I ever made! I love you Sweetie!

Santa Run!

On Saturday, I ran in the Santa Run 5K in Ogden! It was so much fun. All runners were required to dress up like Santa! There were over 200 Santas running up and down the parade route. As you can see by the photo below, I went all out! My fanny pack was stuffed with candy which I threw to children along the route and I had a speaker and my ipod in the front pocket blasting Santa songs as I ran! I even dressed up our puppies, Toby was little Santa and Zoe was an elf!

Sweet!

Human Race 2008 Turkey Trot!

I started Thanksgiving this year by running in the Human Race 2008 Turkey Trot 5K. I was surprised how many people came out to run on such a rainy day. There were 1,898 runners and $29,683 was raised to benefit the Utah Food Bank and LDS Humanitarian Services!

The race was right by our house and went around a loop that I run quite often. It was pouring rain when I walked over to the start, but by the time the gun went off, the rain had stopped and it stayed dry until I entered the finish chute. The best part of the race is that I set a personal record, running the 5K in 26.31!

After the race I came home and made a delicious Thanksgiving dinner which we shared with our old roommate Fikre.

Happy Thanksgiving!

In case I don't have time to blog tomorrow, Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

My Marathon Training Week 7!

Well things are going well. I have been consistent with my runs during the week and on Saturday I did 7 1/2 miles again. We will start on our "official" training schedule December 7th, when we start upping the mileage. I am glad I started early so the increases won't feel like such a shock. My main goal is to stay injury free! I have officially signed up for the Salt Lake and Ogden Marathons!

The Holy War Begins!!

Tomorrow BYU Cougars will take on their arch enemy University of Utah Utes in the most anticipated game of the year!

Unfortunately, our house will be divided. David is a U of U fan and (since serving part of my mission on BYU campus and having family that are BYU fanatics ) I like BYU. We will be watching the game on TV because tickets are going for $1,600 per seat!

GO COUGARS!!!! (sorry Sweetie)

Congratulations To My Sistah and Team Challenge!

I want to give a HUGE SHOUT OUT to my sister and her Team Challenge group she took to the San Antonio Rock & Roll 1/2 Marathon! She and her team have worked so hard training and fundraising for the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation. They ROCKED San Antonio and my sister was given the most spirited trainer award (of course)!

Way to go Sistah! I love the hat!

My Marathon Training Week 6!

Well after being sick on Friday, I wasn't sure if I was going to be able to run on Saturday, but I got my bootie out of bed at 6:15 AM and met my group for a 7 1/2 mile run! It was soooo cold when we started but once we got going we warmed up pretty quick and the day was actually pretty nice. I am not sure if it was the cold or me being sick, but my legs felt really stiff throughout the entire run. After it was over I went and met David at the football field where he was refereeing the Ebay Turkey Bowl. I stayed there for about an hour then went home, took a shower and commenced having a cold. I was glad I got my training in though!

R.I.P. Little Gumbo!

A good friend of our family just sent the heartbreaking news of the loss of their beloved Gumbo. Jarid and Deb wrote:

After a great Sunday of riding in the car, visiting friends and helping Deb celebrate her birthday Gumbo saw the news that both of his football teams had lost over the weekend - the LSU Tigers to Alabama and the New Orleans Saints to the Atlanta Flacons - being a Ninth Ward Cajun Katrina Rescue dog - those were his favorite teams. The double loss was too much for him and his broken heart gave out this morning and we had to put him down. For all of you who got to know him you know first hand you know what a sweetie he was and for those who never met him - believe me when I tell you he was a fighter - 37 days in a flooded house in New Orleans, survived - copperhead snake bite between the eyes - survived - congestive heart failure - diagnosed 2 years ago - and he rode it out until today. He will be missed -

Our hearts go out to you Jarid and Deb. Loosing a dog is like loosing a family member. We are so sorry for your loss!

The Greatest Thing I Have Seen In A Long Time!!!

This is Hysterical!!!! I love it!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7-NOZU2iPA8

Marathon Training Week 5- UAATA 5K!

This week I took a break from my longer runs to do the Utah Animal-Assisted Therapy Association 5K. It was a great race for a great cause and the best part was that everyone was encouraged to bring and/or run with their doggies!

Unfortunately, there are no photos of this event because I went to the event earlier than David so I could get checked in and warm up. David got there late and then he couldn't find me after the race! So no photos (WAAAAAAA!).

The race was great! it was held at Wheeler Farm and the course took you 2 laps through the cows, chickens and other farm animals. The weather was cool, but sunny which was perfect for running. My time was not a personal record but it wasn't too bad at 28:09. The best part was the free ice cream cones at the end of the race.

This is the last Saturday race I have planned for a while. It's time to focus on the longer mileage as I think I will run the Salt Lake Marathon as a training run and if I make it through that, I'll do the Ogden marathon a month later. Whew!

Winter is Here!

It has been snowing here all day! This photo was taken fron my office window. How can I run in this?

Barack Obama is Elected the 44th President of the United States!!!

Wow! I can't believe it! AWESOME!!!!

Barack The Vote Today!

Exercise you right! People in other countries die for the right to vote, don't take it for granted! This election will be historical which ever way it goes. (Please let it be Obama!)

VOTE!!!!

NYC Marathon!!!!

I woke up at 6:30 AM (Mountain Time) to get online to see the NYC Marathon! I got on line and could only get the sound and no picture! I was sooo irritated! Then my husband heard my frustation and got up and helped me (he went to another browser) and the race was on! I felt bad because I was so into the race I missed the first 2 meetings at church!

This race was an inspiration to all women Paula Radcliff won her 3rd NYC Marathon! It was so cute when she came across the finish line and ran right over and picked up her baby daughter. Sweet!

Ludmila Petrova from Russia came in second place. The inspirational part... she is 40 years old!!! You go girl!!!

I was so glad the Kara Goucher came in third. It was her first marathon and she was born in Queens! How great she must feel!

The mens race was great too. Marilson Gomes dos Santos reprised his 2006 victory with a comeback win over Abderrahim Goumri of Morocco, who was also second here last year. The 31-year-old Brazilian passed Goumri on Central Park South with about a half-mile remaining (that was sad to watch) and went on to a 24-second victory, 2:08:43 to 2:09:07.

I hope I can get in and be there in person next year!

My Marathon Training Week 4!

Well, Saturday morning was so warm here I didn't need a jacket at 7:00 AM! Perfect running weather! We did 7 miles. I decided to really follow what the chart tells me to do. 2 weeks ago I did 10 miles (which was the longest I have run in 20 years) and felt fine, but it is really important to not increase to fast. I do not want to get hurt before the marathon due to pushing to hard. So if the chart says 7 miles, I will do 7 miles!

Saturday night Christi (our Galloway Group director) and Josh Hortsman put on a fabulous party in their home to kick off our season. It was great to get to know the other people in the group and see everybody's bling (everyone was encouraged to wear all the medals they earned running previous races/marathons). I wore my medal from the Heart Walk! There were others there with so many medals they could barely hold their neck up!

I look forward to training this week (I hope it doesn't snow). Daylight savings time is kind of a drag for me as I train when I get home from work. I usually have a good hour of daylight to run when I get home, but it looks like now I will be running in the dark! :(

Happy Halloween!

I'm a Democrat, but I think this is pretty funny!