Uh-oh! This is so sad!

Little boys and girls that argue get to wash baseboards!










Worked like a CHARM.
I have a feeling that I'm going to have the cleanest baseboards on the block in a couple of weeks. As a side note, I couldn't help but sing "Cinderelly, Cinderelly..." in my head as they worked :).

So cute I can't stand it!

I love Annie walking around everyplace. She's just a miniature person and we can't help but laugh.

Confessions of a Twenty-year-old Drama Queen

Sometimes I don't like to admit it, BUT

• I'm afraid of thunder in the night. I always end up tensing up and curling into a ball next to Dallas. If it's really bad, he'll end up rubbing my back until I calm down. I'm afraid it's going to come through the window to strike me.
• Every morning when I wake up I make a goal to take a nap that day.
• Sometimes, while reading, I become a binge eater. I'll pound 10 oatmeal chocolate chip cookies without realizing it.
• When my kids wake up- either for the day or from their naps- I let them stay in their rooms, particularly Annie, until they start to cry. Awful, I know.
• I have a new found love- Nature Valley Granola Nut Clusters. Preferably in almond. I eat the entire bag in a sitting.
• I don't think there will ever be a sitcom greater than Seinfeld.
• I think I may enjoy running more than theater. Maybe it's because it's easier to find the time to run. And it's cheaper.
• I really really really wish I didn't have to get ready every day.
• So, sometimes, I don't get get ready.
• I frequently forget to return my Redbox movies after one night.
• I like the occasional Rap song.
• I HATE wiping noses. Probably worse than wiping bums.
• Sometimes I tell Will that I ate my vegetables before I came to the dinner table so I don't have to eat any.
• I also sneak treats without my kids seeing so I don't have to share.
• I miss going to school.
• I love buying school supplies.

In spite of all these things, I'm still normal. Right?

We got married in a fever...

Dallas and I celebrated our 7 year anniversary on August 21st. We decided to have a first in our 7 years together- we went on a trip by ourselves to Jackson Hole, WY to see the Tetons. We stayed in an lovely suite at the Snow King Resort, and we did whatever we wanted for 3 days. It was awesome to go somewhere without thinking about timing naps and feeding schedules. (I will admit that we missed the kids like crazy though). We kayaked, hiked, ate, shopped, and loved every second we had to spend together.

I must have taken 100 pictures of the Tetons. They are stunning. Every angle took my breath away.
We met animals up close and personal. The deer was in our path coming back from our hike around Jenny lake. Don't worry- we were in our car when we were so close to the bison.

I love this man.

Heavenly Father knows me better than I know myself, and I'm beyond grateful that He led me to Dallas. He is my balance. He makes me a better person because I'm always striving to catch up with him. Everything seems easier when we are together. Best of all- he makes me laugh. Always has. Always will.

And she WALKS!!! Finally!!!

Annie took her first steps on August 1st, however, she pretty much gave up after that one day- until yesterday! Annie finally started to really walk yesterday, August 15th, after church. She will walk across the room, turn around, and do it all over again. She is still pretty unsteady and hasn't figured out how to stand up in the middle of the room on her own yet, but it's only a matter of time. You can even see on her face how proud she is of herself.

Over the last few weeks she has also started to imitate language even more. She will try to copy most everything you say. She even says a few more words now- shoe, how, wow as well as uh-oh, no, Mom, Dada, and hi.

It seems like everyday her personality is showing more and more. She isn't as shy with people and will let strangers hold her in church (although she still loves the 2nd counselor in our bishopric, Dave Booth, more than anyone else). She is a little spicy these days- throwing tantrums and yelling at you until you get her what she wants- mostly this happens when it comes to food. The girl ain't happy if she's hungry!

I love this age and all the challenges that come with it.

No Girls Allowed

I'm not sure what exactly happened on the "BOYS ONLY" camping trip that Dallas took Will on last weekend. All I know is they came back very muddy, tired, and Will told me, "We had a treat breakfast Mom! Pop tarts, gummy bears, and a Capri Sun!" So much for those bananas I packed.



I'm grateful I have a husband that is willing to do something that is a little inconvenient in order to please a 3 year old little boy.... even though he fed said 3 year old a "treat breakfast."

Onward and Upward

The last few weeks of summer are winding down. I can feel them slipping between my fingers like water. The other day when I was driving back from Park City I saw fall- the first orange trees of the season were spotting the scrub oak hills. I look forward to fall, as I always do, but I feel a sense of longing this year.

It's because I know what I'm in for when fall begins- Dallas' long days of school.

However, I am excited that he will be stepping foot on the University of Utah campus where he will be graduating. Four years is a long time from now, but I also know how quickly four years can fly by; I have an almost four year old boy to prove it! I'm so proud of Dallas and what a hard worker he is. He's talented and driven and he is an incredible provider for our family. He's set a big goal for himself and I can't wait until I'm sitting in that arena with a 7 year old boy and a 4 year old girl as we watch their Daddy receive his Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering.

For now I will busy myself with making lunches, playing with kids, serving in primary, the occasional book and TV show, and running my heart out. I'm not going to wish time away- there's too much to enjoy along the way.

We might be cursed.

We went camping with my brothers Sam and Clay last Friday night.
... maybe Sam got a flat tire on the rough road to Cascade Springs and he didn't have a jack, lug wrench, or spare.
.... maybe by the time we got to the campground it was full.
.... maybe by the time we actually got to a place to camp it was 8:30 PM and we ended up having a very late dinner.
.... maybe we forgot the plates.
However, we still managed to have a good time making memories about how sometimes we are total WILSON'S.
I'm hoping I'll grow out of it one day.

Summer means that it's time for....

A PROFIT!!!!

Utah's Toughest 10K

I ran Utah's Toughest 10K at Soldier Hollow on Saturday. Before we started we were able to talk to one of the race directors. She told us that the course was difficult, but beautiful, and that the pace was 10 minutes slower than your average flat 10K pace. I'm glad she told me this because I had grossly underestimated the course. It was much more difficult than I had anticipated,but lucky for me I had an incredible running partner to help push me along. My friend Darcy Haas ran by my side the entire time, and I was able to finish the race in 58:32.2. I placed 2nd in my division (women ages 25-29) and 10th overall in women. Not bad for my second race! I'm excited to keep training harder and become a more competitive runner.