It's A Beautiful Life!

San Diego Sunshine!!!!

2012-01-25T07:53:00.000-08:00

Ella an I spent a week in California. The very best part of the trip was seeing family of course. But the second best part was the beautiful weather and the amazing sunshine!!!
Don't be jealous...

Perfect Traveler

2012-01-25T07:45:00.001-08:00

Ella LOVES airplane rides. She is the best traveling companion ever. She never complains, is easy to entertain, sleeps well, is quiet and polite. I am a lucky Mom to have it so easy with her because I can assure you that most kids are not this well behaved on the plane.

Our final ride into Maryland consisted of some pretty crazy turbulance due to strong winds. I am not going to lie, I was scared. Really scared. I grabbed her hand and she looked at me and said, "Mom, just hold on to your chair cause I am looking out the window right now". Well behaved and brave?!?!?! I could not ask for a more perfect traveler.

Winter Snow

2012-01-21T07:49:00.001-08:00

The best picture in the whole world...

2012-01-20T18:22:00.000-08:00

Saturday adventure!!!

2012-01-09T17:04:00.000-08:00

So excited that Elliott had Saturday afternoon off. We headed outside, Ella on her bike and enjoyed a long adventure. Love spending time with my family!

Mommy's Girl

2012-01-05T05:32:00.000-08:00

Elliott's work schedule is crazy these days. It requires him to sleep lots during the day and be gone most afternoons and nights. We don't get to see much of him. :( We are so grateful for his job but are anxious for him to have a better set schedule.
Ella and I have been spending lots of time together. Snuggling, watching movies, reading books, playing games. I adore this little girl and am grateful for all this extra one on one time I am getting with her since soon my attention will be on a newborn.

It's a .....

2012-01-04T13:05:00.000-08:00

BOY!!!!! We are having a little baby boy. :)

Elliott is so very excited!!! I have to admit, I was a little worried at first. I know pink, princess, ruffles, tutu's, and hair bows. I know NOTHING about boys. I have a family full of girls.
After spending an hour in the baby section at Target I am in LOVE with the idea of a baby boy joining our family. We let Ella pick out two little outfits for her baby brother. She was so happy to choose and picked out some great little outfits:

We are so excited for our baby boy. He already makes our family feel so complete. :)

Biker Chick

2012-01-01T12:11:00.000-08:00

Ella wakes up in the morning and immediately gets geared up and on her bike. She circles from the living room to the kitchen 10,000 times a day and she gets started early. In her jammies, before breakfast she makes a few dozen laps to work up her appetite. :)

Reviewing 2011 Goals

2012-01-01T04:10:00.000-08:00

My goals for 2011 I posted on this blog last Jan and I just looked back over them and reviewed them. I feel pretty good about the progress I made with most of them this year. These were my goals for the year.

FAMILY
I hope that I have been more patient with Ella. I know I am being a great example for Elliott, he has accomplished so much this year. He gave up smoking cigarettes in October just like I did 5 years ago. :) We spend TONS of time together as a family.

HEALTH
These are the goals I missed the mark on this year. I am not going to beat myself up over them though. My health has improved and I feel good about that.

EXERCISE
I continued my running obsession. My goal was to run at least 3 races in 2011 and I ran 9!! I also got Elliott to start running with me and that was a goal I thought was impossible.

PERSONAL
I started a weight loss and exercise blog. Check it out here. I love making crafty things for my home as well as for family and friends. Ella knows how to write many letters, spell her name, count to 15 and she is learning the ABC's.

SPIRITUAL
I did not read the Book of Mormon all the way through. I have shared my testimony more times than I can count and I believe it is what gave Elliott the desire to stand and bare his in Sacrament Meeting a few months ago. :) We have had the missionaries over at least once a month and they come once a week to teach Elliott.

Overall I feel really good about the Goals I set for myself in 2011. I am happy with the progress these goals helped me make in my life. I will absolutely be setting new goals so I can check them out again and reflect on them next New Year's Day.

2011 - year at a glance

2011-12-30T06:49:00.000-08:00

2011 has been amazing for our family.

This year:
* Baby cousin Ireland was born
* Angie ran 9 competitive races
* Elliott became General Manager
* We took a family trip to Disneyland
* Ella turned 3 years old
* We moved our family to Pennsylvania
* Ella became OBSESSED with Tangled
* Ella spent many hours swimming in the pool
* We went to Indian Echo Caverns
* We canoed across Mt. Gretna Lake
* Elliott and Angie went to a Nascar race
* Elliott was the best man at his brother Steve's wedding
* Angie ran her first half marathon
* Elliott bore his testimony at church
* Ella experienced her first snowfall
* Elliott and Ella built a snowman
* Elliott got his first calling at church
* Elliott got a new job at Keystone Pretzel
* We found out we are expecting baby #2
We are so blessed. 2011 has been a year of many changes, trials and blessings. We are so grateful for everything we have experienced. We know that 2012 will be just as wonderful!!!

Christmas Morn starring Ella...

2011-12-29T13:09:00.000-08:00

Ella scored a bike from Santa and she LOVES it!!

She also got a ton of clothes from Aunt Tia, toys from Grammie and Papa, Tinker Bell jewelry box and Tangled bedding from Aunt Tatia and coloring books from baby cousin Ireland. She loves everything.

Cookies for Santa and the Reindeer...

2011-12-24T22:14:00.000-08:00

Ella had an amazing time making goodies for Santa with Aunt Tatia. She also made lots of chocolate dipped things for Santa and the reindeer. She was very proud of her creations and more excited to set them out for her anticipated guests. :)

Luckily she went to bed right after the treats were set out and Santa came early...

Christmas Eve present...

2011-12-24T18:00:00.000-08:00

Ella got to open a present on Christmas Eve. She finally got the binoculars she has been asking for since last summer. She thinks she is a bird watcher now. :)

When Aunt Tatia arrived she got top open another gift. It was the coolest Tangled Princess book ever with removeable stickers. :)

SANTA!!!!! 2011

2011-12-23T02:39:00.001-08:00

2010

2009

2008

ELFIE

2011-12-22T16:58:00.000-08:00

Santa sent little Elfie to watch over Ella this month. He sits in the Christmas tree and makes sure Ella is being a very nice girl everyday. She loves little Elfie and we read the Elfie book every night before bed. She even took him to church last Sunday.

(Thanks Aunt Tatia for little Elfie)

Ward Christmas Party

2011-12-22T04:46:00.000-08:00

Santa's Elves made an appearance at the Ward Christmas Party this year.

Holiday baking

2011-12-21T04:54:00.000-08:00

I decided to attempt to make monky bread using splenda and sugar free maple syrup instead of sugar and butter. It was pretty yummy. Not quite like the real thing but will have to do since I don't do large amounts of sugar anymore.

Christmas Tree

2011-12-21T04:35:00.000-08:00

Every year we go get our Christmas tree on Elliott's birthday, December 9

Christmas cuteness

2011-12-17T05:41:00.001-08:00

Big Girl Bed

2011-12-12T05:20:00.000-08:00

Ella is finally out of her toddler bed and on a twin!!! She is in LOVE with her big roomy bed. We are hoping that Santa brings he some new bedding. :)

Great Falls, VA

2011-12-06T04:31:00.000-08:00

We finally found...

2011-11-27T13:29:00.000-08:00

Panda Express!!!!!
Elliott has been craving orange chicken since we left California 8 months ago. He loves Panda Express orange chicken and no substitutions will do. On our way home from Virginia, we hunted one down in Frederick, Maryland and Elliott was a happy man.

Luckily it is only 8 miles off our route to Aunt Tatia's, so we have a new break spot for the drive. :)

Our family is growing!!!!!

2011-11-26T13:35:00.001-08:00

Baby #2 will be joining our family late in May 2012 and we are so very excited!!

New Job

2011-11-22T06:39:00.000-08:00

After 6 weeks of scary unemplyment, Elliott found a job he LOVES!!!!!

He was out at an interview and took a wrong turn on hi way home. He drove past a pretzel warehouse and had a strong feeling to stop and drop off his resume. Not knowing if they were even hiring, and only having one resume left he kept driving. As he continued down the road he felt the urge again to turnaround and go into this pretzel warehouse. So he followed the prompting and within a week, he had been called in for a few interviews and hired!!!
He started a little over a week ago and is really enjoying all that he is learning. We are so blessed that Elliott found this job. It is perfect for him in many ways.

Happy little Helper

2011-11-22T06:36:00.000-08:00

Yesterday as I was folding laundry, this is what Ella was doing...

(please ignore my messy house)

Toddler Expo

2011-11-18T06:24:00.000-08:00

New Holland Fair

2011-11-10T04:36:00.000-08:00

Back in September we took Ella to a fair in the little town of New Holland. She LOVED it! I almost forgot these pictures were on my camera until I found them the other day. She had such a good time. I am so grateful for these cute pics that capture such a fun memory for her.

First Snowman / First Sledding

2011-11-01T05:34:00.000-07:00

First Snow

2011-11-01T05:29:00.001-07:00

Snow fall came early this year. On Saturday October 29 the snow came. Elliott and I were gone at a church obligation. Luckily Tatia was at home with Ella and took her out to enjoy the first bits of snow fall. She LOVED it!!!

Happy Halloween

2011-11-01T05:17:00.001-07:00

This year Ella was Rapunzel from the Tangled movie. Thanks to Aunt Tatia for the amazing dress. Ella LOVED trick-or-treating this year. She really got into her character too. She truly thought she was the Tangled princess all night. She would prance up to each door, say trick-or-treat I am Princess Tangled. Everyone loved her. It was pretty cute.

Feed the Ducks...

2011-10-27T16:45:00.001-07:00

Ella had to get a couple of shots at the doctor the other day. I always feel so bad when my little one has to get poked. We asked her if there was anything special she wanted to do after and she screamed with excitement, "FEED THE DUCKS!!!" Luckily I had a bag of crackers in the car so away we went.

She loved every moment and oon forgot about her horrible shots.

Princess Charm School (nursery class)

2011-10-27T05:24:00.000-07:00

Lately Ella has been obsessed with the Princess Charm School Barbie movie. Last Sunday I had her cute little outfit picked out for church and she decided she was NOT going to wear it. She wanted a "princess dress". Thanks to my quick thinking Mommy skills, I told her it was the same type of cute skirt Barbie wears to princess charm school. She agreed and was super excited to wear it. She played the "princess" role all day at her church nursery class. She even told her teachers that her name was Tangled, not Ella.

Scary Face

2011-10-22T04:35:00.001-07:00

Pumpkin Patch in VA

2011-10-16T17:50:00.000-07:00

2011-10-11T05:28:00.001-07:00

Park Time

2011-10-07T01:00:00.000-07:00

This girl could swing for hours...

Rita's

2011-10-05T07:34:00.000-07:00

Rita's is an AMAZING treasure here on the East Coast. Italian Ice and Custard in its most mazing form!!! They even carry sugar free. Only open during the Spring and Summer though. :( Too cold now for frozen yumminess.
See you next year Rita's. We will miss you this winter.

Music time!!!

2011-09-27T05:59:00.000-07:00

While in VA I found a super fun library that was having a free music time for kids. I took Ella and she loved it!!! I think we have a future musician on our hands.

Date Night with Aunt Tatia

2011-09-23T08:22:00.000-07:00

While in VA, Aunt Tatia took Ella out for a special date night.

First stop was dinner at the Cheesecake Factory

Ended the date night with a fun "tea party" with yummy desserts

growing, growing....

2011-09-22T10:05:00.000-07:00

Ella got her well check-up at the Doctor's office this week. She did so well. I was so proud of her for being so well behaved. She did not even cry when she got her flu shot. :)

Here are her stats:
height 3'1"
weight 31 lbs
She is in the 18th percentile for her height. (shorty)
She is in the 33rd percentile for her weight. (just right)
She is growing and growing!!!

Ella's "Big House"

2011-09-19T11:48:00.000-07:00

While in Philadelphia for the half marathon, we stayed at the Crowne Plaza hotel. Ella called it her "big house". She loved the fluffy white bedding and the eye mask and ear plugs that were provided for more comfortable sleeping.

She has asked me at least 12 times today when can she go back to her "big house".

Future make-up artist...

2011-09-15T04:48:00.000-07:00

You know something is wrong when your 3 year old gets very quiet all of a sudden...

I found Ella on my bathroom counter putting on my make-up.

I think she did a pretty good job, don't you??? Future Lancome make up artist, just like Mommy.

So well taken care of...

2011-09-14T16:51:00.000-07:00

My family takes such good care of me.
Last night they sat at the doctors office with me while the Doctor took tons of time examining my foot going over options and scenarios of how to help me. I t was a long appointment ending in a yucky steroid shot that they held my hand for.

This morning my sweet 3 year old played "doctor" and let me rest most of the day with ice on my foot. she brought me her 2 favorite dolls which were both given to her by my Mommy so it was nice of her to let me snuggle them. She also brought me a "coo rag", a wet rag to make me feel better.

I am so LOVED!!!!!

D.C. Temple

2011-09-12T04:45:00.000-07:00

Amazing.

A VERY happy meal...

2011-09-07T06:15:00.001-07:00

Sometimes a little girl needs to stop eating her Mom's luna bars and mango and enjoy a Happy Meal!!!!

I am paranoid, so this does not happen very often. Thank Goodness she HATED the cheeseburger so I don't think she will ask for one ever again.

Hurricane Irene

2011-09-05T05:18:00.000-07:00

Enjoying the little bit of calm before the storm...

choo choo train park...

2011-09-02T16:47:00.000-07:00

Ella LOVES the Lititz Springs Park. She calls it the "choo choo train park". :) There are ducks everywhere, swings, slides, and of course a train. We spent two glorious hours there today and enjoyed every minute of it!!!

Daddy and Daughter think alike...

2011-08-30T05:20:00.000-07:00

This is the face they both instantly made when I asked them to smile at the camera...

Charish's Hope

2011-08-26T11:30:00.001-07:00

This was a very special race because I got to wear a very special shirt in honor of a very special girl.

Three and a half miles into the race I started to feel like I could not finish the race. I wanted to STOP. Just then this song came on my iPod that brought a smile to my face. Tears and a smile. It got me through the race and I finished in 51 minutes which was my fastest time ever.

Every time I here this song I think of a dinner cruise that my family and I were invited to a few years ago. This song instantly brings me back to that night. Charish and her husband were there. Everyone danced and laughed and had a great time. It was a special night and whenever I think of Charish, I think of that night and her gorgeous SMILE and contagious laugh. When the song came on as I was running I could not help but smile, really big as tears filled my eyes thinking of Charish and her amazing family. I instantly became grateful for the knowledge that I have that families CAN be together forever. I instantly became grateful for my sisters as I thought of Charish's sweet sister Lyric who aches for her more than I can ever imagine.

I am so grateful I was able to know Charish.
I am so grateful to know her sister Lyric.

It was a very special race.

Pool Time

2011-08-18T07:34:00.000-07:00

So grateful that we live in a complex with a fabulous pool. Ella and I have spent many many many hours there this summer...

My sleeping baby with her sleeping baby...

2011-08-15T11:02:00.000-07:00

Litiz Fair

2011-08-14T17:02:00.000-07:00

Ella got her face painted at the HUGE craft fair!!!

Nursery Class

2011-08-14T16:58:00.000-07:00

Ella LOVES her nursery class at church. She always tells us about everything she learned in great detail. Today her teacher told us that she said the prayer for their snack time. Sooo cute!!!

NASCAR!!!!!

2011-08-11T06:05:00.000-07:00

Elliott is a HUGE Nascar fan. Actually he just loves Dale Earnhardt Jr. Anyway, a friend of ours that we met when we moved out here gets free tickets through his work so we were able to go to the Raceway in Pocono to see an actual reace. It was amazingly cool. So much more exciting to be at a race watching it live. Ther cars go so incredibly fast. Unreal!

Princess Party

2011-08-09T07:54:00.001-07:00

Mt.Gretna Lake

2011-08-03T04:50:00.001-07:00

The closets thing to the beach around here...

Indian Echo Cavern

2011-07-27T06:21:00.000-07:00

Elliott wanted to go check out the caves that he drives by every week on his way from Hershey to Hanover to pick up books. I was not expecting for it to be as cool as it was.

These pictures DO NOT do these caves justice. So amazing to be inside of. They are 200 feet underground. Hard to describe really. Super cool.

Outside they had a petting zoo area which Ella loved. Elliott bought her some food so she could feed them and she thought that was fun.

Loving our Saturday adventures getting to know our new home here on the East Coast. There are so many amazing places to go and see. I have a feeling we will NEVER get bored. :)

Sunday Style

2011-07-26T05:59:00.000-07:00

I mean seriously. Can a 3 year old have better style than this...

Sunday cutie pie!

2011-07-22T04:49:00.000-07:00

Hershey Chocolate World

2011-07-21T05:07:00.001-07:00

We live about 20 minutes from Hershey, PA. We took Ella to the Hershey Chocolate World for the free tour ride they have there. It smelled AMAZING!!!

Outside the streets of Hershey have Hershey kisses on top of all the street lights. So cool. :)

Run for Larysa

2011-07-19T04:44:00.001-07:00

This race was on the Saturday before we moved to Pennsylvania in Redlands. My amazing friend, Katrina put it together for her neighbor Larysa who had cancer. Larysa passed away just before the race but Katrina used all the proceeds to donate to her sweet family and children she left behind.

This was my most favorite race I have ever run to date. Here is why:
1. I got to train with my favorite running friend. (who didn't run the race due to getting pregnant)
2. My Dad, my sister Petrea, my husband and my Ella were all there.
3. It was the longest race I have run so far - 10 miles,
4. I was the only runner who finished the 10 mile run. (most stopped at 5 miles)
5. I got to run passed the Redlands Temple.
6. I felt AMAZING after this run. Made me realize that I am in very good shape despite what size I am. :)

Royal Cuteness

2011-07-15T12:14:00.000-07:00

Can a walk to the library be any cuter than this???

Summer Evenings

2011-07-06T04:50:00.000-07:00

This little girl LOVES to be outside.

After the parade...

2011-07-04T17:56:00.000-07:00

After the parade they had a concert in the park. Of course Ella was more interested in having Daddy help her catch a firefly and playing at the park.

Small Town = Small Parade

2011-07-04T17:49:00.000-07:00

Coolest thing about living in a small town is the 4th of July parade!!!

Temple Trip

2011-07-01T04:43:00.000-07:00

My AMAZING husband agreed to drive me in Friday night rush hour traffic from Pennsylvania to Maryland so I could attend a late night session at the D.C. Temple. (I think he loves me)
The next morning I found these pictures on my camera:

Priceless.

Air and Space Museum.

2011-06-29T17:22:00.000-07:00

Elliott wanted to go check out the Udvar Hazy Air and Space Museum so we finally went on Father's Day and he loved it!!!

DATE NIGHT!!!!

2011-06-28T06:34:00.000-07:00

While we were in VA we had a DATE NIGHT!!!! A very much needed few hours alone. Just the two of us. It was nice to just enjoy each other. We were silly little lovebirds sitting on the same side of the table at dinner. (I hate when couples do that)

Water Park!!!

2011-06-27T07:57:00.001-07:00

Father's Day weekend we went to VA to visit my sister. We had such a fun weekend! We spent a day at the water park. Ella was in heaven. Elliott and I even braved the water slide. Thanks to my sister Tatia for a fun weekend!!!

Sunday Cutie Pie

2011-06-26T11:40:00.000-07:00

2011-06-14T09:11:00.000-07:00

ART wall and Craft Time

2011-06-13T04:46:00.000-07:00

I finally got Ella's new ART wall up in her bedroom. It turned out so cute and she LOVES it!!

Ella LOVES to do little crafty projects. She asked me the other day, "Mommy, please I do a craft now with glue". I got out some quick supplies and got my little crafting queen to work. She was so proud of her pink sprinkle donut and so was I.

Sisters

2011-06-12T18:28:00.001-07:00

My sister Julia came to Washington recently so we all got together while she was here. So great to see her. Wish we all lived closer so we could see each other more often.

Red Rose Run

2011-06-10T17:55:00.001-07:00

This is the first time I have had family members join me for a race. I was so excited. My sister Tatia and my husband decided that they would run the 1 mile fun run while I was out running the 5 mile comptetive run. I was so proud of them for doing it. Elliott does not run, ever.

This was the hardest race I have ever run. It was only a 5 mile run and in the past I have run longer races but for some reason this one killed me. I was prepared physically but not mentally. I got to the mile 2 marker in 19:20 so I felt like I was doing well but about mile 3.5 the hills came and the entire 4th mile was a slow uphill climb. My calves were on fire!!!! So crazy. I think next time I will get to know my course a little better. :) I am pretty happy with my time. On to the next...

Boogie Woogie Books at the library.

2011-06-07T14:11:00.000-07:00

Weekend with Aunt Tatia

2011-05-31T12:33:00.000-07:00

Ella went on her first overnight adventure last weekend. She went to VA to have a fun visit with Aunt Tatia. They went to the petting zoo, the salon for manicures and pedicures and they had a sleepover which consisted of Tangled dancing and ice cream!!!

Turkey Crossing?!?!?!

2011-05-27T04:06:00.001-07:00

Elliott works in a very small country town. I dropped him off at work the other day and as I was driving down the little country road I had to stop.
This is why:

SERIOUSLY?!?!?!? So crazy, kinda scary, a bit hilarious, very unusual. Ella thought it was super cool.

Daddy's at work...

2011-05-19T04:27:00.000-07:00

Since we have moved to Pennsylvania Daddy is always at work. So thankful that he works so hard for our family. This week I took Ella to see Daddy at work. She loved it. She got to sit in Daddy's big work truck and even take a ride on Daddy's forklift.

Toddler Time at the Library

2011-05-11T12:00:00.000-07:00

Happiness is...

2011-05-08T17:51:00.000-07:00

Living in this beautiful place with my beautiful family. We are so blessed.

Girls on the RUN!!!

2011-05-08T17:34:00.000-07:00

An amazing 5K run this Mother's Day weekend is just what I needed! Running with all these amazing girls was beyond motivating. Helped me achieve my best 5K time ever!!! See for yourself. Scroll down and check out the time clock. :)

Easter weeekend 2011

2011-05-06T05:54:00.001-07:00

Easter crafting with Aunt Tatia.

Happy Birthday to Aunt Tatia!!!

Coloring Easter eggs.

March 6th!!!!

2011-05-03T16:00:00.000-07:00

Today Ella asked me when her birthday is. I told her March 6. She repeated it over and over all day to everyone we came in contact with. "My birthday is March 6." Over and over, to about 8 different people at the grocery store, to the bank teller, to the amish girl selling us strawberries at the market, to the new girl at Daddy's work, to just about anyone who would listen to her.

Good thing she is cute as a button or it might get a bit annoying. Instead it made me smile every time and made me so thankful that Elliott works so hard so I can enjoy every precious moment with her.

My little Runner

2011-04-30T17:58:00.000-07:00

The other day Ella wanted to ditch the jogging stroller and run with me. She was amazing. Ran at least a half mile. I was so impressed.

I cannot wait until she can run a mommy / daughter race with me :)

The Trails

2011-04-25T17:27:00.001-07:00

There are miles and miles of trails all around our new home. They are amazing. I have ran only a few times since being here. I have had a hard time getting back into my running groove. Lucky for me my husband has noticed my lack of motivation and insists we go on a lovely walk every night.

I have no excuse. Look at these beautiful trails! I started this morning out with a 5K on these amazing trails and it felt great. I am planning on keeping that going. We will see if I can get my motivation back. :)

Lititz

2011-04-19T05:54:00.001-07:00

We have a new home in Lititz, PA.
One of my favorite things about our new home is the amazing trails all over the place. It is a runners dream. Trust me. Beautiful, more than beautiful.

Ella loves the playground that is across the parking lot.
I think were going to like it here. :)

More outdoor adventures in PA

2011-04-12T04:19:00.001-07:00

It was an amazing 84 degrees here yesterday. Very windy, and humid but warm enough for short sleeve shirts!!! Ella and I walked to a near by field with her blocks to enjoy the warm weather.

As soon as we packed the blocks up and got back to the motel, the rain started pouring. Thunder and lightning storm followed. Crazy weather here!

Saturday Hike

2011-04-10T10:13:00.001-07:00

In effort to get Ella out of the motel room without using gas or costing any money, we took off on foot. A few hours later we returned with a tennis ball, and a few hiking sticks. Pennsylvania really is so beautiful.

First Snow

2011-04-09T11:47:00.000-07:00

Our first morning in Pennsylvania, we woke up to SNOW!!! It was April Fool's Day and it snowed all day long. Ella LOVED it. It was her first time ever to see snow. It has been rainy and cold but no more snow so far. I am really glad she got to experience it.

Transportation

2011-04-08T08:56:00.000-07:00

Many people out here in Pennsylvania travel around town like this:

Not me though. Thanks to my amazing husband I get to travel around like this:

Airplane ride to PA

2011-04-05T12:20:00.000-07:00

Pennsylvania

2011-03-31T07:12:00.000-07:00

We are here. We are excited for our new adventure out here on the east coast.

We wil be living in either the Lancaster or the Lebanon area. Elliott will be working right in between the two. We are excited to be only 2 hours north of where my sister Tatia lives. Ella still thinks we are on a vacation. Lots of new changes coming her way. :)

Hate to say Good Bye

2011-03-18T16:26:00.000-07:00

The only reason I HATE leaving California, is because we will be so far away from so many family members. I am trying to act like a big girl about it and stay strong for Ella but it is hard. Very hard. It breaks my heart that we will be so far away from 2 of my sisters and my parents. It breaks my heart that I am taking Ella away from her newest little cousin. It is hard. Ella adores Ireland. We all do. We will miss Aunt Tia, Auntie JoJo, Uncle Gavy, baby Ireland, Grammie, and PaPa so very much.

Ella's 3rd Birthday Party

2011-03-15T07:50:00.000-07:00

This year Ella had a Birthday Party at the park with all her church friends. She had a blast.

DISNEYLAND!!!

2011-03-11T08:11:00.000-08:00

Ella is 3!!!

2011-03-07T08:04:00.000-08:00

WOW!!! I cannot believe our baby girl is 3 years old. What an amazing little girl we have.

3 of my favorite things about Ella:
* She always know when her Daddy or I need a hug. (very often)
* She has endless playing ability.
* She loves Tinker Bell. (she thinks she has her own pixie dust and can fly too)

3 things Ella hates:
* She hates sleeping alone.
* She hates plain milk. (has to be chocolate or strawberry)
* She hates not having polish on her nails.

3 "firsts" Ella has experienced this year:
* First trip to Disneyland.
* First time riding a scooter.
* First time holding a newborn. (baby cousin Ireland)

Happy Birthday sweet Ella! We love you so much.

Palm Springs Half Marathon Relay

2011-02-15T21:00:00.000-08:00

I used to weigh 338lbs.
March 22,2010 I had gastric bypass surgery and saved my life.
I have lost 187lbs. (Go ahead, do the math, I don't mind)
This is what I did February 13,2011. (Not even a year later)

Pre-race jitters included pacing, stretching, and lots of butterflies.

The sea of runners.

I ran the first 5.4 miles. I felt good, like running was something I like to do. When I came to the relay tag area I was so excited to see my "Hot Mama" team mate who was there to take over the next 3.2 miles.

I spent most of her run standing in line at the port-a-potty. I should have spent more time stretching and walking. I needed to keep my muscles warm and I didn't. Rookie move.

Katrina coming back in to the relay tag area.

Team Hot Mamas off for the final 4.5 miles together.

Coming in for the big finish with a time of 2:21:29

Not going to lie- I cried at the end of the race. I wanted to quit so bad the last few miles. I prayed hard for strength. I got it in the form of a friend running by my side, never giving up, supporting and encouraging my every stride.

Nothing more rewarding than seeing the sweet faces of our little girls so happy and proud of their Mamas.

My biggest supporter. He is the reason I run.

Katrina stretching her brains out after the race. I did not stretch enough, another Rookie move. I was so sore, could barely move and so I sat and complained about how old I felt.

This was an incredible experience. Hard and rewarding all at the same time. Thank you to all my friends and family who have supported me in my new quest for a healthier life. I could not do this without every single one of you.
Katrina- Thanks for inviting me out to your walking group a year ago, look at where it lead us too. We are amazing! Thanks for pushing me and encouraging me to believe in myself. You ARE a Hot Mama and you are so hardcore.
Kellie- I am so sad you could not make it this time. Thank you for all your love and support. Thank you for helping me finish this race. I wanted to be able to tell you that I didn't give up. I didn't give up. We will run together someday. :)
Elliott- Thank you for loving me no matter what I act like, or do, or say. Thank you for loving me no matter what I look like or how much I weigh. You are my best friend. I run for you. You deserve a happy healthy wife and I am doing my best to give you just that.
Ella- Someday I want you to know and understand the importance of good health and exercise is the key. I love you and I want you to live a happy healthy life.

Sisters and Daughters

2011-02-12T07:11:00.000-08:00

Man I love these girls...

Aunt Tatia

2011-02-10T09:05:00.001-08:00

Aunt Tatia came to visit from the east coast. Ella was very upset this morning when she woke up and realized she was gone.
Ella: "Where's Tatia?"
Me: "She had to get on the airplane and go bye bye."
Ella:(starting to cry) "But I love her."

Ella and Ireland

2011-02-08T10:34:00.001-08:00

Ella was finally well enough to meet her new baby cousin. I think it is safe to say that they are already best friends.