Progress

I ran 10.2 miles today.

Just the fact that I can actually say that baffles me. When I first started running the furthest I could go was 5 blocks, and after I ran that 5 blocks I thought I was going to die. Literally- I was getting light headed and had a hard time breathing. It took me 15 minutes to go 3/4 of a mile. Today I ran with an average of a 9'26" mile. Only the day before that I ran a smaller loop of 3 and 3/4 miles with an average of 8'40".

The human body is amazing. My body has abilities that I couldn't even fathom less than 6 months ago. My testimony of the Word of Wisdom has grown so much since I began running. I have always had a testimony of the "Do Not's" (drugs, alcohol...), but the "Do's" are harder- you have to work at those. This running program has changed me for the better. I have never felt healthier in my entire life. I can now say that I can "run and not be weary."

I'm not gonna lie, it also helps to have Johnny and the cast of Glee singing in your ear. Plus the view is awesome. I love my little mountain valley.

As I was running I was planning my trip to New York City to run the New York Marathon. Who's with me?

The Happiest Place on Earth

Since there were ten days spent in the SUNSHINE STATE, why not have healthy ten question quiz?

1. Travelling on a plane with kids is:
a. A riot! Giggles all the way.
b. A nightmare! Screams all the way.
c. Not a big deal.... as long as you have bottles/cookies/cars/books at the ready.
d. Relaxing.

The answer would be C. I was prepared my friends- 20 pound packed diaper bag and all. Luckily they both crashed for over an hour and enjoyed the cookies that Southwest brought us. Overall the 6 hour flight was surprisingly do-able.


2. Watching the Atlantis STS-132 take off made me:
a. Cry.
b. Scream.
c. Laugh.

I'm a Wilson, folks, which means the answer is A. So what if I teared up as soon as I set foot inside the Kennedy Space Center Astronaut Hall of Fame? It's history. It's incredible. I can't believe I actually got to see a shuttle launch with my kids!




3. People in Utah have "Utah Hair" because:
a. They have no fashion sense.
b. They want to be like their mothers, who also have no fashion sense.
c. They believe it's how they can get other states to "aspire higher".
d. THEY CAN!

Obviously it's D. Florida=bad hair. I'm convinced that everyone else would have big hair if they could! Our first day at Epcot I'm pretty sure I had sweat more than I had in my entire life (up to that point). On the bright side, the park was fun and we even got to meet some fun characters.



4. In Florida it is easy to see:
a. The LDS Temple.
b. Spaceship Earth at Epcot.
c. The Atlantic Ocean from Orlando.
d. Cinderella's Castle.

Happily I can say that it was A! In the Orlando area it is very green and all the roads are surrounded on both sides by very tall trees and the forests are thick. It makes it pretty impossible to see anything from the roadside. However, we were able to find the Orlando temple easy as pie. Matthew 5:14, "A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid." We also made the 1 1/2 hour drive to the Atlantic Ocean on Sunday. It is equally as rejuvenating to put your toes in the ocean as it is to sit on Utah red rock.





5. While roaming around the Kennedy Space Center visitor's complex you might run into an:
a. Astronaut.
b. Alligator.
c. Old friend.
d. Alien.

The answer is a startling B. Since Cape Canaveral is a protected area for wildlife, alligator's abound! We were enjoying the Astronaut Memorial when I looked down below me over the railing and there was a 6 ft alligator sitting in the water. A little frightening, but totally awesome. We saw a total of 7 wild alligators on our trip.

6. The Magic Kingdom is magical because:
a. Walt had an eye for detail.
b. Tinkerbell really does have fairy dust.
c. My fairy godmother put a spell on it.
d. All kids are happy and good while within its borders.

Can I get an A folks? There is no detail left unchecked by Disney. When we were walking in the grounds there were bubble machines blowing bubbles. It's the little things like that, and it had Will and I convinced that it really was the MAGIC Kingdom. Will was brave and rode Splash Mountain (2x), Big Thunder Mountain Railroad (2x), Pirates of the Caribbean, and the Haunted Mansion as well as all the kiddie rides.



7. It is possible to go around the world in:
a. a day.
b. a week.
c. a month.
d. a year.

That would be A- thanks to Epcot! We did the World Showcase in Epcot in one day and it was awesome! We had a taste of the culture from Mexico, Norway, Morocco, Canada, France, Italy, Germany, Japan, China and the good ol' USA.

8. T/F It is possible to have too much of a good thing.

That was TRUE. Let's just say after visiting theme parks for 3 days in a row for ALL DAY, we were done on our second day to the Magic Kingdom. The following picture says it all:

9. T/F The Animal Kingdom is more fun than swimming in the hotel pool.

False, false, FALSE! After tiring out at the Animal Kingdom on Friday, it was great to relax in the pool and get some pent up energy out. I think I have some fish on my hands!




10. The Tree of Life at the Animal Kingdom is carved with:
a. Fairies.
b. Disney Characters.
c. Animals.
d. Bugs.

The Animal Kingdom was the most visually appealing of the Disney parks we visited. It was incredible, and the Tree of Life was my favorite part. The answer is C. There were 325 animals carved into the tree.

BONUS- While visiting Florida you might:

a. find that your eczema has disappeared because you left the dry climate of UT.

b. have to alter your clothes so you won't have to wear undershirts.

c. forget your booster seat in the rental car.

d. leave your swimsuits at the hotel.

e. All of the above.

Fortunately and unfortunately, the answer is E. The trip was so much fun, so exhausting, and we are so glad to be home! Thanks for letting us hitch along with you, Mom. You are the best.

What a MUNCHKIN looks like!

At 11 months Annie is cracking us up!

Boy is she messy.

Fashion Plates

Remember playing with Fashion Plates as a kid? I have two sets- Barbie and Cabbage Patch Kids- that were kept in a somewhat working condition. The Barbie plates were extra special because they came equipped with some stunning choices for make-up that any 8 year-old girl would give up her baby brother for- the colors were lilac, royal blue, and a powdery pink. Will discovered them yesterday, however, he thought we would be more fashionable than the plates.

Bride to Be

Dallas' sister's are all incredibly gorgeous. They make even more flattering brides. I was able to be with Sierra when she had her bridal photos taken yesterday. It was so much fun! I was so impressed with all of the things Sierra made herself for her ensemble- the fabric flowers for her dress, jewelry, veil, hair clip. Each piece was more stunning than the next! She even hand-picked her own flowers for her bouquet. She has quite the eye for style and I can't wait to see how her wedding is going to turn out.

Proof

Exhibit A: Scrabble score card.
I'm not just a pretty face.

Best. Face. Ever.

At 10 1/2 months, Annie gives a great stink-eye.

I've trained her well.

God's Country

Nothing cleanses the soul like Utah red rock. I am a firm believer in that. Here is our annual Moab trip in a nutshell:

DAY 1

• Will nick-names himself "Chip Nacho".
• We drive a off road four wheeling trail inside Arches National Park from Balanced Rock to Tower Arch.
• I learn that my "family vehicle" is good for other things than transporting babies and groceries.
• Monster Truck driving at Sand Dune Arch.
• Denny's for dinner (you do a lot of things out of desperation).
• Annie falls off the bed and does some damage to her sweet little face thanks to the sandpaper hotel carpet.
  DAY 2
• Morning hike to Gemini Bridges.
• Will learns to climb some serious rock.
• Jazz lose game 1 to the Lakers :(. I really hate the Lakers.
• Liberty climbs the Baby Lion's Back.
• Liberty rocks it on Fins 'N Things- with a bent license plate and a scar on my back bumper to prove it.
• Hot dogs roasting on an open fire.
• Hotel swimming- Annie's first time in a pool.

DAY 3

• Hike to Corona Arch.
• I (Amy) figure out how to hike with a baby on my hip. No big deal. I'm a Mom. I can do anything.
• Swimming during the day=first sunburn of the year. It feels good.
• Annie gets her first kitty and Will ends up with his 1256489th motorcycle.
• Dinner at Zax.
  DAY 4
• Nothin' like sleepin' in on a vaycay. (I need to get some of those hotel curtains!)
• Hike to the Window's in Arches.
• Home sweet home.
  

There were a couple random events that I didn't want to forget either:

• Will thought we were staying in a "Ho and Tell". Oh yes.
• Out-of-country-travelers thought my white legs were more shocking than the rock formations. It's true, and they have the pictures to prove it.