Happy Halloween!

So I realize that Halloween was a long time ago, but get used to me-I blog when I make time and it's not very regularly. We actually had a couple of Halloween parties the weekend before Halloween (since we had Stake Conference and another church conference going on Halloween weekend, and we got to hear Elder Ballard speak!)

My roommates and I went together as a themed group last year, and we decided to do it again this year. We actually were out to dinner a couple weeks before, and ran our ideas by our waiter...he was a big supporter of our final decision-the US Double Dutch National Championship Team. And we are actually trying to learn double dutch, we haven't been practicing as much lately, but shhhhh....don't tell our competitors!

Ironically enough, our Double Dutch team uniforms got a little carried away, and we ended up being quite 80's. I basically like any reason to put on tons of make-up, particularly eye make-up, and to get to do crazy things with my hair. Here I am all decked out.Our ward had a Halloween party, which included a cupcake contest, and with the help of my savvy baking sister-in-law, Ruth, I totally won best overall cupcakes. My funny little spiders won cause overall they were best tasting and best looking. Go me!

I won a thing of Halloween sprinkles as my prize.

At the ward Halloween party, we played lots of fun, crazy games and even tied each other up like mummies. Here is my roommate, Alison, and I looking mummified.

And here are my roommates and I in our team shirts, we made them ourselves-complete with puffy paint...man I loved decorating with that stuff as a kid and I still do. We each had a Double Dutch team nickname, I was "Skip."

From left to right, it is Rachel, me, Amanda, and then Alison is laying across us. Aren't we the coolest jump roping team ever?Amanda, Rachel, our friend Janey, me and Alison at our first stop for the night, showing off our team spirit at some friends' Halloween party. After stopping by another Halloween party later on, we went to Friendly's to get some ice cream sundaes. And of course we were not in the least embarrassed to show up in style.

Alison and Amanda (above) and Rachel and I (below)

Special Thanks...

I just wanted to give a special thanks and shout out to my personal IT guy, who is the smartest IT guy I know...that would be my big brother, James. He has helped me through all of my laptop ordeals, helped me figure out how to get things downloaded and uploaded again, and thanks to him, you are getting to see a new blog post. Thanks for all your expertise, James! Thanks for all the free IT services and support that you give me!!!
(PS James is really excited to be on my blog and be "famous")

I am back!!!

I know that there have not been any new posts in a while, but I have a good excuse this time, I promise. I broke my LCD screen on my laptop 2 weeks ago, and it was going to basically cost the same price as a new laptop. Being 3 years old, I just decided to invest in a new laptop. I finally have it, and I can finally catch up on all of the millions of things that I need to do.
Things have been going well here in Boston. After my trips to North Carolina and Texas, I started student teaching, and I have had a really rewarding experience at my school. I am learning lots, and being reminded that I love working with kids, I love being active, and I love teaching kids skills and activities that they can develop and continue to utilize throughout their lives. My Master's program has been a good fit for me.
Besides student teaching, I am having a blast living with my 3 really good friends. We like our house, and I always feel like I am home. We cook together, talk, run errands, laugh, talk, cry, pray, talk and play and talk some more. The weather went from fall to winter, it has been really cold the last couple of days, in fact, we even got snow flurries on Sunday night. It is supposed to warm back up to the 50s this week, crazy Boston weather.
I love the Fall because it means that it is General Conference. My roommates and I watched the prophet, apostles, and other church leaders speak from our laptops at home. On Saturday night, while the men watched and listened to the Priesthood session of General Conference, all of the women in my single's ward went to the Bishop's home and enjoyed the evening with each other and his wife. We had soups, breads, rolls, and a dessert bake-off. Above, my roommates Rachel and Alison are sampling and judging each of the 10 desserts. I made the yummy Pumpkin Cream Cheese Bundt Cake and won best seasonal dessert.

Later the following week, Alison and I drove out on a weeknight to the Topsfield Fair. SheDaisy was going to be performing, and it only cost $10 for the whole event. We were ecstatic when we saw a Sonic on our way to the fair. It is the first one in Massachusetts! We had yummy salads, mozzarella sticks, and I had a peanut butter chocolate shake-ooh, so so so good.

YAY for Sonic....we thoroughly enjoyed our entire meal, and after all of our food, we still got fried dough at the fair ;)

Alison does not like animals at all, not dogs, not cats, nothing...but for some strange reason, which I still do not fully comprehend, she loves cows. Go figure, she claims they are very misunderstood and very docile?! Whatever, here she is with a cow.

And I thought my Aggie brothers might enjoy the longhorn; hey, he is caged up, right?!

The last time that I saw SheDaisy was in Houston, as a sophomore in High School, at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. The Topsfield Fair was no Houston Rodeo, but was still lots of fun!

Then on Monday, October 12th, I ran the Tufts 10K in Boston. Most people get school and/or work off for Columbus Day, don't you just love how patriotic Boston is?! I recruited lots of other girls from my ward at Church to run it. It was an awesome race, just for women, and there were some 6,000. I had an awesome run, despite not having my regular running buddy with me (my roommate Alison was supposed to do it, but started having major Achilles tendon pains just days before). Alison and Rachel, my roommates, came to be my personal coaches and cheerleaders. I ran it in a 51:11, averaging 8:15 per mile. That is the best time I have ever run a 10K, besides when I have run with Alex, who pushes me harder than I can push myself. In this picture, I am at the bottom left, white running shirt and navy running shorts, and one of my signature racing bandannas.

Here I am at the end of the race, so happy to be done. Despite a chilly morning, the sun came up and made for awesome racing weather.

Here I am with a girl in my ward, Lauren, who I convinced to run a 10K, her first one ever. She had fun, even though she had to run/walk it. We enjoyed the rest of the day around Boston and downtown.

And I love Boston for so many reasons...I love the weather, even when it's cold, I love the trees, I love the city, I love downtown, I love all the runners, I love the river, I love the neighborhoods and all the things that there are to do, and I love the houses-here is a good example of why-isn't this one just so fun!? I love the colors....

Hopefully, I will try and stay on top of things. Happy Autumn to all of you!

Reach the Beach

AND WE DID IT! Myself and 11 teammates completed New Hampshire's 208 mile relay race from Franconia, in the northwest, to Hampton Beach, in the southeast. We dropped 30-40 minutes off of our estimated team finishing time, and did it in 30 hours, 40 minutes. It was amazing. Everyone was running their legs of the race faster than planned or right on their pace. We each had 3 legs of the race to complete. We started Friday morning and our last runner finished around 4:30 pm on Saturday. I ran a 6.6 mile run Friday afternoon, and felt like I was dragging, but ran at an 8 min 30 sec mile pace. I was quite pleased. Then at about 2:00 am on Saturday, I had a 9 miler that I was not adequately prepared for. The first 1/2 mile was downhill, and then I climbed uphill for the next 5 miles, followed by the last several miles of flat and downhill running and just a few inclines. I averaged a 9 min mile pace for that run, which I was really excited about. My left hamstrings got really tight during the last couple miles, and there was some funky pain, but I just prayed to finish and I did. I ended on Saturday around 2 pm with a 2.2 mile run, also at a 9 min mile pace. It was an amazing experience...over 2 days of no showers, hardly any sleep, lots of sweating, lots of running, lots of snacking and van driving, only using port o potties, and all mixed with dirt, bugs and other fun.

Here are our guys, we had 6 guys and 6 girls on the team:
Bill, Adam, Teppo, Doug, Allen, and Nathan
Doug ran the first leg of the race, and ran fast. Right before he started, he was hiking up his shorts really high, and the guys just couldn't handle his short shorts...there was lots of laughing all weekend for sure!

Below I am with Lora (left) and Sarah (right). We bought these matching zip ups before the race started so we would have proof of how amazing and hard core we are. Note that this picture was taken before all the running, lots of sweat, no showering, no toilets, and the lack of sleep had all really started to effect us.

The lovely ladies of Team 312, Sweep the Leg Johnny: (left to right) Abby, Liz, Lora, me, Sarah, and Lisa. All 6 of us live in the Boston area.

Here are Doug and Sarah at the start. We all cheered all weekend long, but even more at the beginning when Doug took off. Doug and Sarah are dating, they are supercute together, and lots of fun.

I loved running through New Hampshire, and I did most of the driving for my van, which meant I didn't sleep but saw a lot of beautiful scenery. New Hampshire is a gorgeous state-mountains, rolling hills, forests, rivers, lakes, and the foliage was starting to change to some awesome oranges and reds.

And here is a photo of the blessed port o potties...I was so happy to come home Saturday night and use a real toilet again, along with have a much needed shower, and sleep in my very own bed. The port o potties were at every transition area.

Here is Lora, who was in my van, and was our first runner. The other van's runners had run their first legs, and Lora was waiting for Lisa, runner number 6, to finish and do the hand off. She looks like she is praying, and most of us did-especially that none of us ended up with major injuries.

Here is Abby (left, also in my van) right after Lisa (on the right/blonde) had done the hand off to Lora. Lisa sweats more than me, a lot more than me...and for those of you who know how much I sweat when I run and workout...you understand that it is a ton...you can't really tell here, here Lisa just looks like she is glistening!

After Lora finished her first leg, she did the hand off to me (I'm in the pink shirt) and I started my 6.6 miler.

Adam and Abby were both in my van; they are dating, lots of fun, and did some great running for our team.

Lora and her older brother, Nathan, were both in my van. Here they were looking in the offical handbook to figure out what the next coordinates were for our runner's transition.

While Adam was running, we stopped along the way to be able to give him some water and some cheering. We saw this double rainbow-awesome. It is only the 2nd time in my life that I have seen a double (first time was on my mission, on the island of La Palma, on a really hard day), and it was just as impressive this time to see it.

Lora was waiting to use a real bathroom at the gas station, and she just had to imitate the bathroom sign...really gotta go, eh?

Here are Allen, Bill, and Doug after they had finished all of their running. We were waiting for Lisa (from their van) to finish her 3rd leg, and then Lora would start the last legs of running for my van. These guys were all trying to look tough, hard core, and umm, puff out their chests.

Lora did her final leg, and then passed off to me...I finished my final 2.2 mile and was grateful that my leg was not bothering me too much and I was able to finish at a decent pace. I had my zip up on to keep warm before I started running. New Hampshire was actually quite chilly this weekend.

Above, Doug is posing at the finish...he is such a goof.

Here is our AWESOME 12 member relay team...exhausted, smelly, but thrilled to have finished and finished well under our goal!

Teppo, Liz, Bill, Doug, Allen, Adam, Nathan
Me, Sarah, Lisa, Abby, and Lora

We were all so eager to scarf down a real dinner after lots of fruit, powerade, power and cliff bars, and trail mix all weekend long. They even served us some clam chowda!

We celebrated by playing and chilling on the beach after; it was a little too cold to get in the water for most of us, but Nathan and Lora got in. Allen was supposed to be taking pictures of us with my camera, but instead was taking them of himself.

Here are Lisa and I. She is the coolest girl ever, even if she does sweat more than me...and she is my Relief Society President, so I have gotta love her. I want to be just like her when I grow up. She already emailed me and requested that I be in her van next year for the relay or she isn't doing it. Apparently everyone in my van thought I was quite the life of the party, and I did all the driving, which they all appreciated. They decided that I should be the mascot!

Reach the Beach- and we did it, here it is...208 miles later, and lots of training besides that.

Running is mental...and we are all insane (quote from a tshirt that we saw while running, and boy is it true!)

Welcome to Boone, North Carolina!

So it is about time for me to report on my fabulous stay in North Carolina with my brother, Andrew, and my sister-in-law, Leigh, and their 2 dogs, Chaco (a boxer) and Emma (a husky puppy). After finishing my summer job, and a million errands, I flew to North Carolina and spent about 11 days there. I loved it. Andrew is starting his Master's Program at Appalachian State, and I went to help them get settled-lots of painting and cleaning and errands, and one too any trips to Lowe's, right Leigh?! I had fun hanging out, eating lots of good food, playing with the dogs, watching TV and movies (Andrew and Leigh make it their task to catch me up on TV and I get my year's supply when I am there...I rarely watch TV, I just don't have time for it and don't make the time for it either), and stopping in all of the local thrift stores. My parents came for the last few days of my stay, and we saw more of Boone and the surrounding area, as well as went to ASU, Andrew's new campus. Emma, the puppy, is struggling to get potty trained. Andrew went in the sunroom/his own bike shop, and stepped in a bunch of poo. I graciously offered to help clean it off his shoe, and we used the potty pad since Emma had conveniently managed to miss going on that and going on the floor instead. My Mom decided that it looks like I am wiping Andrew's bum...uh, nice. I am such a good sister.

Here are Andrew and I dining outside at the Mellow Mushroom it is a really yummy pizza place that I got to eat at twice. It was sunny, so Leigh offered to let me wear her supercool Oakleys. I love all the scenery and the green mountains/rolling hills of North Carolina.

Leigh, my Dad, and Andrew, stopped along the main street in Boone. It has some quaint shops, restaurants, boutiques, and a yummy sandwich shop, Macado's.

Here is the Mast General Store, been there since 1883. It had outdoorsy gear, clothes, country home decorations, and an old fashioned type candy store.

Here is the look down main street-they have lots of stores selling ASU gear.

Leigh insisted that I get my picture taking in this hand on campus, hmm. I decided to do a little meditation while sitting in someone's hand.

Leigh and I in the hand.

Here is my boyfriend. He has the same sunglasses as Leigh...wait, those are Leigh's sunglasses. Isn't he cute?! He is one of the few guys in Boone without dreads and without facial hair...and with a part in his hair.

My family and I decided to pose with the school of education statues, most of us were intent on listening and learning. Meanwhile, Dad is kissing the teacher.

Appalachian State seems like a great school and it has a very pretty campus, I think that Andrew has picked the right place for him.

I have not had any tongue pictures lately, so here you go. In the background is one of the climbing walls in Boone. I loved the town and all of its outdoor lovers-lots of climbers, skiers, snowboarders, cyclists, hikers, etc.

We made a stop on campus at the official bookstore and I got some ASU gear, a t-shirt and a hoodie. I love trying on hats, and and I really love hats...I would wear them more, other than they give you bad hair for the rest of the day.

Go Mountaineers!

Me, Leigh, and Andrew are standing in a umm really cool formation?! I just love being silly.

Here is my big brother, Andrew. I am so proud of him, and know that he is going to do great in his Master's program, and go on to do lots of great things with his life, things that will benefit and help lots of people.

Mom and Dad are now the proud parents of 2 East Coast living children. Before heading into Boone for the day, we did some gun shooting, just with Andrew's BB gun, not with the real ones.

Just me and my mom...

In the Mast General Store, they had this awesome hammock/chair thing. It was super comfortable and I could have laid in it all day.

Me, my Mom, and Leigh, at an overlook in Blowing Rock. Andrew, Leigh, my Dad and Mom-we are a happy family.

Scenic pictures from Blowing Rock, you could see the mountains and hills for miles, and everything is so green.

Leigh looking at a whole new world.

I was really excited that Mom had quarters and we were able to look down into the valley. I was ecstatic about the telescopes really. It was beautiful, and I could see Grandfather Mountain.Andrew is taking his turn looking through the telescope.

Leigh and my Dad atop the Blowing Rock, there is a cool Indian story behind the rock. It is also the only place where the snow blows upward...something about how the rock sticks out and the way the wind blows through the valley.

Dad, Leigh, and Andrew on top of Blowing Rock.

Leigh, Andrew and I (they are both totally Oakley kids, and I wanted to be just like them...those bright ones are really something else on me)

My mom took this picture in memory of the time that she read a similar sign about climbing on wet rocks while we were at Yosemite National Park, and she fell in the cold river, up to her waist. I should have seen this as a foreshadowing of what would happen to me in the ocean, down at the Cliff Walk in Newport, RI with my Dad.

This is the view from Leigh and Andrew's house...forests, trees, and rivers.

This outhouse is right off the road before you get to Leigh and Andrew's mountain cabin. Andrew threatened to lock me up and make me sleep in there at night (kidding)

Emma and Chaco are so cute. I love dogs and really want my own someday soon. They play well together sometimes, and then sometimes they are mean and fight just like a brother and sister would. Here they are both looking over their shoulders.

and here they are both looking at me.

Here is the one view of the mountain cabin, also could be known as Hagrid's Hut.

Here is the road up to their mountain cabin, it's a 0.7 mile drive up, and parts of the road are a lot worse than this. My Mom was taking a picture of me, while I was taking a picture.

The driveway ;) Leigh even let me drive up and down several times, in their Xterra, my first time having to drive in 4 wheel drive up anything.

There is another view of the mountain cabin.

It is a fun place, and after lots of work, Leigh and I had it looking great, and it really feels like home...except when it is dark and late at night. I made Chaco sleep with me every night.

Here I am on the first night with Chaco and Emma all curled up on me on the couch.

Emma was attacking me with wet kisses and her slobbery tongue. She is cute, and sometimes totally acts like a cat.

Leigh and I in all our glory during painting. We painted over some nasty wallpaper and over some marker scriblings of a ranting, disturbed teenager.

Yay for painting. We had to paint over the wallpaper and marker with some primer, oil-based. We managed to get it all over us, feet, hands, arms, legs, faces, hair, yep everywhere. We had to go back to Lowe's to find out how to get it off us. We bought paint thinner and basically bathed ourselves in it outside, and scrubbed with the sponges.

Me and Leigh with the paint thinner can...we had to get the primer off because we had church the next day.

Scrubbing and exfoliating off our first layer of skin to remove the primer...

Emma sleeping.

I was reading on the futon on Sunday, and the dogs curled up on either side of me...please excuse the cheesy pose.

Andrew, Emma, my Mom, Chaco, and me on the couch. I had so so so much fun in Boone and hope to be able to visit again really soon. Don't have too much fun or too many adventures without me there, Leigh and Andrew!