Happy Birthday Jared!

After spending all day in class, Jared started his birthday celebration by getting a tattoo! He got the Czech Lion on his right shoulder. It measures between 3-4 inches. We continued celebrating by having a few people over and going out!

Me getting a shot at tattooing Jared! (not really)

Some of Jared's classmates celebrated with us and made him a cookie cake!

Sister.....is......Pregnant!

My sister, Amy, and her husband, Paul, are expecting their 1st child! The baby is due June 23, 2010. Congrats you two! You will make wonderful parents!

better late than never...Thanksgiving fun

During the week of Thanksgiving we were joined by Jared's parents, Liz and Brent! We started their visit out by going to the Getty Museum. Not only was the art work amazing, but the grounds were too!

We continued our week by going to Disneyland one evening. We rode many rides (some that Liz seemed to regret riding), and attempted to see the fireworks...but they were cancelled due to wind.
"New Orleans"

Indiana Jones Ride

The morning of Thanksgiving was spent working off the food we were about to eat. We ran/walked in the Turkey Trot in Dana Point. It was a beautiful day with 80 degree weather and wonderful sights. After resting up we went out to Thanksgiving dinner. It is nice eating delicious food and not having to clean up afterwards!
Erin, Shonee, and I

Friday started early for me...I was in line at Joann's Fabric store at 5:30. I stocked up on items and fabric to keep me sewing for a couple of months! My best purchase of the day was a 7 foot pre-lit Christmas tree. Since we have been married (6 Christmases), Jared and I have only been able to set up a Christmas tree once! We have either been in the process of moving or have lived in a tiny apartment. This year I felt the need for a change and bought us (cheaply of course) a tree! We then spent the rest of the day at Laguna Beach, relaxing.

We had a great Thanksgiving and a wonderful visit with Brent and Liz! Thank you for visiting!

birthday

It was a while ago, but here they are....birthday pics! I had a wonderful day(s). Jared spoiled me...like always! Thank you to everyone for making this day so special!

Cute story: Jared had this cake made for me, but the cake he walked into store visioning and the cake he left the store with were 2 different things! Can you tell a little old lady "helped" him decide?!

Elsie checking out my new gameboy DS! Yes, this is something I wanted...not something Jared got for himself.

The girls, Angie, AubRee, Ami, and Shonee, took me to dinner at my favorite Mexican restaurant.

Windows 7 Giveaway

Check out this blog! He is a runner, a father, and a generous person! RunnuRMark is giving away Windows 7 valued at $300.

For those girls with whom I run, and those I don't...check out runnurmark's routes. This is what we need to do to keep our running fresh and entertaining!

Enjoy his blog!

Fun Extras

This post is to get you caught up on all the little happenings that have been going on in our world.

Jared's new optometry toy! A binocular indirect opththalmoscope!

Jared taking his blood pressure with his new kit.

Our last visit to Disneyland before our season passes expired. Of all the times we have been to Disneyland this was the only time we were lucky enough to see and get pictures with Mickey, Minnie, and Goofy!

Jared does a great impression of Heimlich from "A Bug's Life"!

Tea Cups

Jared attempting to pull the sword from the stone....almost got it

I went to Ellen show with some friends! We danced (ok..I did very little dancing, but others did), watched Lauren Graham from Gilmore Girls, and listened to One Republic. Ellen didn't do a giveaway while we were there...but hope to go back again and get something amazing!

Elsie with her favorite toy!

Elsie hunting something in our apartment...not sure what it was.

Party with the Parents!

Last Friday Jared and I set off for Vegas to meet my parents. They were in Vegas for a work convention, but came a few days prior so we could visit. We started our stay with dinner at Dick’s Last Resort. This restaurant’s gimmick is “rude service”. Jared and I knew this, but purposefully neglected to tell my parents. When the hostess seated us my mom made the comment that “they are rude here”. We continued to let her be oblivious. Then as our server was taking/demanding our drink orders Jared and I watched my mom getting more frustrated with the service she was receiving. Rather than saying something to the server, my mom starts talking back!

Server: “What do you want to drink?” (rude and talking loud)
Mom: “beer?” (she is frowning at the waitress)
Server: “small or large?” (really rude)
Mom: “LARGE!!” (yells at the waitress)

It is at this point Jared tells her about the restaurant. During this time, my dad had little reaction…not sure he noticed the attitude. Dinner was continued to be fun! Our waitress proceeded to make us paper hats that we wore throughout dinner (hats were extremely funny, so pics have been edited for appropriateness of this post)…we all got some good laughs.

The remainder of the weekend was sent walking around the strip, gambling, and eating! Jared got on quite the gambling streak with the penny slots! We left Vegas with a surplus! My parents attempted Jared’s strategy and advice, but didn’t fare as well with the machines. My dad put his efforts into roulette and did pretty well. It was a fun weekend and nice to visit with my parents!

KC ½ Marathon…completed!

I headed to KC bright and early Thursday morning to run in my 2nd half marathon! The atmosphere for this run was different...I was running for fun and with many of my friends, My parents would get to see me enjoying my new hobby, and I was going to get to see the city I grew up in, on foot!

Friday I had the opportunity to have lunch with my old co-workers. I went up to school to visit them during their (extremely brief) lunch break. It was really nice to see everyone…I miss them! In preparation for the big ½ marathon, my mom made a wonderful pasta dinner, so we (the runners...Amy, Mark, and I ) could “carb-up”. We had plenty of spaghetti, lasagna, cheese bread, and salad…yum! We had a great turn out with my cousin Mark, his wife Carrie, their son Carter, grandma, Amy, Paul, and my friend Megan and her sister Jana…great time!

Mark, Carrie, and Carter

Mom preparing our carb dinner.

The Big Day started out wet and freezing. Due to my parents and brother-in-law volunteering along the race course, we were dropped off and transported by Megan and George. Once we arrived at the race, and navigated through some heavy traffic, the rain had stopped. We made our way towards the pace group running a 10:15 mile. Our group consisted of Megan, Jana, and Me (all running the ½), Erin, and my sister’s friend Sara (running the 1st leg of the marathon relay). We were off! The 1st 3 miles flew by and our group was able to stay together. As we approached the 2nd leg of the relay we said good-bye to Erin and Sara and were joined by my sister and best friend Becky! Besides the cold weather the run was off to a great start. Becky and Amy stayed with us until shortly after mile 7 when we parted ways. At this point my attention was drawn to a throbbing pain in my knee and ankle. I pushed myself and continued running. We paced well and finished with our goal time. The following are my stats:

Time: 2:14:09
Pace: 10:15
2,549/4,487 Overall
341/664 Age
1,217/2,717 Females

After the race I met up with family and friends. We ate, talked, and hung around in the cold weather!
With the exception on my leg and ankle continuing to hurt the rest of the day through Sunday I had a fun weekend. It may have taken many years of convincing and hearing about their other runs, but it was finally nice to be able to run with my friends!

I was able to capture a few good pictures along the way…yes, I carried my camera with me!

Union Station

Plaza

Nelson Atkins Museum

Me Finishing!!! (Should have put my gloves back on)

Amy and I

Me, Becky, Erin, Megan, Jana

Bravo Mark!!! Mark placed 48th in the 1/2

Paul, Mom, Amy

Marathon relay group: Becky, Erin, Jason, Rozella, Justin