Big News!!

I have felt little desire to blog lately, but felt this tid-bit of info was worthy of my blogging time! No, we aren't pregnant, but yes, Noah is finally potty-trained! Haleluja is all I have to say about that. My oh my, what a pain in the butt it has been. It really wasn't that bad, I just am not the type to stay at home for a week straight and then only venture out for an hour or so here or there. After reading my "Toilet Training in Less Than A Day", buying a Baby Alive so noah could teach it how to pee in the potty over a weekend, and feeling pretty confident I decided it was time and Noah was way excited when he woke-up one morning to see the "Potty Fairy" had left him a special treasure chest full of toys, treats and gum for successes on the potty! That began our journey. We have only had 2 accidents in 3 weeks, but he has also only had 3 poops in 3 weeks! So going number 2 is still a work in progress...way more info than i'm sure you wanted to know.

Anywhosie, i'm so proud of Noah and it's fun to see how excited and proud he is of himself when he goes in the big boy potty.

Look at that cute little butt in underware! Love it!

(Even "Baby Lacey" over on the stairs dressed in Noah's underware made her pic debut...she has since been put away in the basement with hopes to one day have a little girl play with her...someone who won't throw her down the stairs or dangle her by the feet over the banister).

The Beloved Treasure Chest

(yes, it's just a shoe box covered in paper...give a girl a break eh)!

The "IT" Factor

You always here on American Idol or other reality talent shows about the "it" factor and how you just know (well not me really, I don't know, i'm not that good, but the judges apparently do) when someone has that certain "it" quality. Well I finally found my "it" factor person whose got "it" and is going to make us rich one day!

Check out the stance and technique in the throw 'eh, even when dressed like the Stake Puff Marshmellow! Impressive! Yes, the snowball did hit me and he laughed pretty good and continued throwing them at me with the encouragement of another certain someone in the background. Future athlete in the making baby!!

Red Rock Relay Finishers!!

Last February, my friend Jess, who became my running buddy asked if I was interested in running in the Red Rock Relay. I did a little research and said yeah, why not! The Red Rock Relay is a running relay consisting of 12 members per team (2 vans of 6 runners), 2 days straight, 186 miles from Brian Head Resort to Zion's National Park and a bazillion port-o-potties! Sounds like a blast to me! Little did I know it would be one of the hardest, yet most rewarding experiences of my life thus far! I ended up being the captain and Jess, co-captain of the team and as of 6 days before the race, we still had 3 spots to fill on our team. By some miracle, everything came together and on Thursday, September 9th, I headed to Brian Head with my friend Jenny and her parents (thanks Dick & Carol for chauffering us and dropping us off, you're the best)! I only knew 2 of my 12 team members up to this point. There was a pasta party in Cedar City that night where my team met-up...most of us for the first time ever! It was incredible how quickly we became great friends. Maybe it was because we knew that for the next 2 days, they were our support system...our families weren't there to lean on. Everything started for us, The Warrior's Kickin' Assphalt, (that was our official team name) Friday morning at 9:30 am. Our first runner began our journey from Snow to Sun...Mark's first leg consisted of a 20 minute ride up the ski lift at Brian Head and running all the way back down. It was freezing with snow in the tops of the mountains, hence the snow part, but he was a trooper and got us off to a great start! The 6 of us in my car got along so well. We instantly found out more about each other's "runner's diarrhea" than we ever wanted to know, which was so cool (not the diarrhea part), but the fact that we bonded and cheered and routed each other on like we had known each other for years! I couldn't have asked for better team members and I couldn't have done it without them. My first leg was around 5 miles and started around noon on Friday. My second leg was just under 5 miles and began at 10:30 pm Friday night. Running in the dark, on little side streets with no street lamps was a bit freaky. We ran with head-lamps and reflective vests and didn't dare look off the road for fear of seeing 2 beady little eyes starring back at us. Coyotes could be heard howling and I just kept praying I didn't get pounced on! My third leg began at 5:30 am on Saturday morning. It was 4 miles and I think knowing it was my last leg and I needed a good time to help our team drove me and pushed me to finish strong.

Running the Red Rock was an experience that I won't ever forget. It was harder physically, mentally and emotionally than I was prepared for, but as we crossed the finish line as a team of 12, it was so worth it. Having only run a few 5k's in my short running career to taking on a challenging 186 mile relay was a very rewarding accomplishment that forced me to hold my head a little higher. It pushed me out of my running comfort zone into an area that was unknown and unfamiliar, but I liked it, learned from it and came out on top. My team finished the relay around 5:00 pm on Saturday evening. The last few runners got hit hard with the heat and long, hard legs. I felt really bad for them, but they did so well considering all! Clair and Noah drove down and met me in Washington City, (at least I think that's where it was) on Saturday morning. We hung out with my 5 team members until our other van ran their legs and we were able to cross the finish line together just outside Zion's Park. I was so happy to see them and having a reward like that at the end of the relay made the victory for me even sweeter! I'm so glad I ran the Red Rock Relay and hope that next time Clair will be running it with me!

My van buddies who put up with me for 32 hours in the car

Shawna, Jenny, Me, Nate, Jaymee and Mark

This pic was taken at 9:00 am on Friday morning...that's why we are looking so excited! We had no idea what we were in for!

I had just finished my last leg of the relay somewhere around 6:00 am Saturday morning and was so thrilled to sit back and cheer everyone else on! Talk about jell-o legs!

Every runner is required to run 3 legs in the relay. After each leg finished, you get a stripe. I was pretty proud of my stripes and they wouldn't wash off for a week!

Just outside Snow Canyon around 6:00 am. I only slept 3 hours that night so i'm looking a bit tired and haggared!

The Warrior's Kickin' Assphalt

me, Jaymee, Shawna, Alesi, McKel, Sake, Mark, Nate

Jenny, Karen, Jess & Ali

You guys are amazing! I'm so proud of you! Thanks for making my Red Rock experience incredible and for pushing me and being my support system while down there!

I'm honored to call you all my good friend's.

July What?

I'm still a bit confused and left wondering where the heck July went! We had a great, busy month so here's your fair warning that there's a lot of pics on this post with not a lot of chit-chat. All in all we are doing great, healthy and happy! Cheers to August and hoping it won't go by so quickly (wishful thinking?...yeah, I thought so too)!

We did a lot of this and loved every minute of it! Noah is fearless in the water and i'm still not sure this is a good thing.

We tried be outdoors and in the mountains as much as possible.

My boys just get cuter and cuter!

I even rocked the faux-hawk and I have recently began rocking the "Freeman Eye"...although i'm not sure I consider it being "rocked". Many of you will know exactly what I mean by "Freeman Eye". Love ya Grams!

Noah learned how to peddle and picked out his first bike. He LOVES it. The 4th & 24th of July were great and I turned into the Mom who went over-board with decor for the Children's bike parade. He's growing way too fast for me!

We have played with these 2 and Michelle a lot lately and it's been so fun. Paige & Colin went with us on Noah's first big "train" ride on Trax down to Gateway for a little Ben & Jerry's. Noah loves his Col-Col and Paigie and it's fun watching them dote on his every need! They are great cousies!

Crib to Big Boy Bed!!

We decided it was time to move Noah from his crib to a big boy bed when I walked into his room one afternoon and he was teetering on the top rail, gymnast style holding himself up (like the male gymnasts straddling the pommel horse). No need for a broken arm or worse if we can help it! The move has gone fairly smooth so far (given it's only been 24 hours). Yesterday's nap he ended up sleeping in his crib, last night he did better and fell asleep with me laying next to him and today's nap went great...he didn't get out except to see who was at the door when the bell rang, realized it was nobody fun, then trodded back to bed and fell asleep! Let's hope it stays on this nice, smooth course, or we may regret the move and transition back to the teetering pommel horse!!

Our Spring/Summer so far!

Catching up on the last few months and the highlights of what we have been up to so far this Spring and now into glorious Summer! Halleluja it's finally here! I recently began selling Mary Kay Cosmetics and Skin Care products because I love them! I am having alot of fun being the consultant at skin care parties and facial parties and doing color make-overs (i know right...who would have ever thought)! It gets me out a few nights a week having a blast with fun girls and who doesn't love free facials (give me a shout if you want one cause they are fantastic)! I have also been training for a half-marathon in July and recently became the captain and a runner on a team of 12 who will run in the Red Rock Relay in September. If you haven't heard of it, it's a 180-mile relay that starts at Brian Head Resort and ends in St. George. It lasts roughly 24-30 hours and will be a test of my mental and physical strengths. Clair was on the team, but decided to focus on another one of his passions right now (more info below). It's nice to have hobbies that we can do together and cheer each other on at the finish line. Shin splints have slowed my training down for most of last month and set me back quite a bit. I may be pushing my half-marathon goal back into October. Big bummer there. Another plus of my training has come in the form of not only getting in better shape, but losing weight that I have put on since I married a man who can eat a bowl of ice cream and bag of popcorn (in one sitting) at 11:00 pm and not gain an ounce from it...yeah, you know those types of people...doesn't it make you grumpy! All in all we are doing well and looking forward to what this summer has in store for us. I never thought I would ask the question as to why there aren't more hours in the day to get stuff done, but I find myself asking it a lot more lately than I like!

Yes, naked golf is played regularly at our house (inside, not outside...the neighbors started complaining)! Can I tell you though that I think we may just have a natural golfer on our hands. You should see his swing...hence the bare walls!

We have been busy re-doing our backyard...tilling it up, leveling it out, making flower beds, planting, and hopefully next week laying sod and putting in a swing set!

Clair competed in his first ever triathlon. He did fantastic! Better than both of us expected. He placed 2nd over-all. I am so proud of him. He is enjoying training and looks forward to doing more tri's this summer!

Noah (what would a post be without a blurp about him) loves these boys! Carter and KC (Xander was at home) are his favorite little friends. He mentions them in his prayers at night and gets so excited to see them or talk about them. It's fun having them around and being good friends with both of their families is an added bonus! We are pretty lucky to have great friends with great kids! Thanks Xander, Carter and KC for being such good friends to Noah! We love you!

Noah Turned 2...what??

Noah turned 2 in April...I can hardly believe that I have a 2 year old toddler running around our house like a crazy boy! He runs until he literally drops then naps like a champ! We love Noah so much and are grateful to have him be such a vital part of our family. From his sweet personality to his big, chubby cheeks to the temper tantrums he can throw like the best of 'em he keeps us smiling, learning, laughing and thanking our Heavenly Father for him every day. Happy 2nd Birthday Noah! Thanks for being our favorite little man!

(yes, i made the ball-themed cupcakes...you can place orders on my website)!!

He is no longer my baby...but a full on toddler (sniff, sniff)

We went to the zoo on his actual birthday and he loved it! My two monkeys are super cute!

Oh so neglected!

Dear Blog,

It has been nearly 3 months since I last gave you the slightest bit of attention and I know you're feeling neglected. Yes, I understand I didn't blog on the day my baby turned 2 and haven't posted a picture of him shoving cupcake into his mouth at warp speed or the monumental day I decided to start my own business and sell Mary Kay Cosmetics (which i'm loving)...i get it and feel crappy about it also! But bloggy, that doesn't mean that I don't enjoy you or want to keep you updated and informed...i've just felt more pressure in other areas of my life lately that need more attention than you. I will come back to you...hopefully sooner than later!

Love,

Steph

Mixed Emotions...

As I was sitting at our computer looking through our pictures, it hit me like a ton of bricks that this is the last month that Noah will be 1. He turns 2 in less than a month, and for some reason I can't find just the right word to describe how it makes me feel. Joyful, saddened, teary, scared, proud and yet all of the above fit perfectly. My Mom always said that I would never understand a Mother's love until I had my own children. She said that I would hurt when they hurt and I would rejoice when they rejoiced and never in my life has she been so right. I can only hope and pray that I can be the kind of Mom to Noah that mine was and still is to me.

Our Family is Growing!!

Last week Noah and I needed to get out of the house.  Racking my brain for an idea that was cheap and fun along with a little educational, I came up with the idea to head down to Cabellas.  Free is even better than cheap and it was well worth the 20 minute drive.  Noah LOVED the fish and has been talking about them since.  He loved them so much we went back down again a second time when Clair could go with us.  Again Noah loved looking at the fish.  So here we are a week later and Noah is now the owner of 2 goldfish yet to be named.  He loves them and fishy is the first word out of his mouth in the morning and the last word he says at night before he falls asleep.  It's fun to see him happy and wanting to help out with feeding the fish.  We will see how it goes when it comes time to clean the tank.