Six Tunnels Half Marathon - Boulder City, Nevada

This was our first half marathon together. Usually, we do 5k and 10k. I've done about 20 halfs and this was Greg's first. We went with our friends Nancy and Ingrid Gubler. I really enjoyed this run because it was mainly on trail; dirt and sand. I know that sounds harder which it is. Additionally, there are tons of hills so you have long stretches of uphill and downhill...so my hips are sore, which they usually are not. Greg prefers to run pavement so this is not going to be among his list of favorites. There was also wind gust throughout the whole run which blew sand in my mouth, eyes, ears, and nose. Nevertheless, I love that I did it. While running the last exhausting mile I kept telling myself, "You can do hard things, you can do hard things, you can do hard things."

For Me

I went to a funeral yesterday to say goodbye to a beautiful lady in my ward. In a talk, one of her daughters commented that she loved shoes. Greg leaned over whispered that he knew I did too.

However, I love running shoes. I like to go to the athletic shoe store to look at them, try them on, and run around the store to try them out. I almost got caught up in the barefoot running shoe craze but opted out because my orthopedic inserts didn't work with them. If you want information on running shoes, talk to me. I read about them in my spare time.

My latest shoe is this.


I like this shoe because it is light and my feet aren't so tired at the end of long runs. I doesn't offer as much cushioning like my Asics, but the trade off between a heavy shoe for a light shoe is ok with me. I keep my Asics around though for those quick 5k and for trail running.

I like other shoes too. I just wish I could pull off the running shoes in a dress look on Sundays. Until then, I'll just like my other shoes when I have to.

Jammin Minute Debut

My school, Northwest CTA High, has joined the Alliance for Healthier Generation. We have made changes such as removing all junk food from vending machines, not allowing fundraiser with unhealthy foods, and a myriad of other things. These changes have one goal in common - help kids get moving and realize how important physical activity is. We have started a "Jammin Minute" where once per class period, students get up and perform one minute of exercise. The video is our very first, ready to debut on Tuesday, January 24, 2012.

2011 Pictures

Thank goodness that our good friend Brandi Thomas didn't hate us from last year and agreed to take our family pictures again. This time, we met her at Centennial Hills Park down the street. I told the kids to wear their favorite college shirt. Since Greg and I graduated from UNLV, we wore Rebel Red! We had much more fun this time. I love doing casual pictures and wish Greg wouldn't insist on "dress up" pictures that we have to do every other year. Here they are, the good, the bad, and the ugly.

Running, running, running

I run. I have been running regularly since Kel was born. My first run was with Joi Warburton who was my Visiting Teacher in the 23rd ward. (She was also the person who introduced me to aerobics classes and workouts at the gym.) I have ran a million 5k and 10k races, and yearly do at least 2 half marathons. Once a friend of Greg asked with sarcasm if with all this running I do, would I ever get to where I was going. I thought then and still do now that he should stop wondering about why I run and focus more on why he didn't run.

2011

We actually had fun taking pictures this year. The weather was beautiful. No one was tired or hungry (yes, big kids are cranky when they are tired and hungry too.) We took more pictures and am waiting for our super duper photographer friend Brandy to upload them to us.

Here's our yearly update.

This year

1) Jesse bought his first house. Fell in love with a dog named Henley and got Henley a wife named Leila. He works for the Hilton Hotel, and we love the employee discount when traveling.

2) Kel is wrapping up his service mission. He is registered for college in January.

3) Luke spent the summer and part of winter being a lifeguard. He also had surgery to lengthen his leg, and in 10 weeks will have hip replacement surgery. He also better get registered for college! His plans are to take classes and see what being a paramedic is all about.

4) Michael started high school at NWCTA (where I work.)

5) I am in my 8th year teaching, got to go to girls' camp, got to come home early because of tornado like conditions that blew over and destroyed campsite, and is now teaching Sunday School.

6) Greg taught Sunday School, then was called to the High Priest Group leadership, and is in his 27th year teaching.

That's it for us. It's been another crazy year with lots of wonderful happenings such as

- seeing my sister become a Mom and marry a great man.

-seeing our nieces and nephew have babies and more babies

-seeing Mason get engaged to someone much prettier than him.. Love you Shelby...

-saying goodbye to Braden as he leaves on his mission.

We anticipate 2012 as a great year with much to look forward to.

Greg and Hoai My Winder

-

50's Dress Up Day

Today was the 50th day of school. Amy Valentiner (pink jacket) got us 4 to dress up. She's a fun friend and kindergarten teacher. At lunch, the kids danced the hand jive. I am sure glad to work with such fun ladies - Amy, Laura, Noelle.

.