"Go to HALE" 5K Race

When I saw an advertisement for this race I knew that we had to run it. It is called "Hale Freezes Over." They weren't kidding either...it was cold!!! I think it was about 24 degrees when we started running.
It was a great race though and I really enjoyed the course. The sun was out and that made it a little nicer!!! It was a fund raiser for the Hale Center Theater.
It was great that they let us in the theater after the race to warm up. I did really well and finished in just over 30 minutes. I am getting there, I want to do a 5k in 28 minutes so I have to keep training!!
Rich had a fantastic race and got 3rd place overall in the 5k. I really wanted him to finish in the top 3 because they had great prizes. He didn't think he could because he hasn't been training that hard and his ankle has been bothering him but...he did it!!! He finished in just under 20 minutes and got 3rd overall!!!
He got a really nice bronze medal that was engraved and the best part...season tickets to the Hale Center Theater!! I love going there to see plays and I am SO EXCITED that I get to benefit from his great skills at running!! He also got some passes to Thanksgiving Point and some free Yoga lessons!!! I am so proud of him!!!
My favorite part about the race was the running shirt we got...it says "Go to Hale" ha ha ha!! I think it's pretty funny!!!
We left the kids home under Alexa and Harrison's supervision. We brought them Krispy Kreme donuts for being such good kids while we were gone!!!

8 is MORE than ENOUGH

We have 8 kids for the next week!!! Rich agreed to watch the Duvall kids while Steph and Jeff go on a cruise! He is going to do most the work since I have to go to work and he is in for quite a week!!!
I took our kids over there after school, Rich made dinner and they did homework and stuff. Bedtime is a hard time at the Duvall house. It takes alot of trips to the bathroom and drinks of water etc. before everyone can settle in for the night. I am not sure what time they actually fell asleep but I think it is safe to say it was way after "bed time."
I took Alexa and Alex home to sleep so they could get to school in the morning but we will all sleep there this weekend.
I really admire people who have 5 kids or more...it is SO HARD!!!
Hopefully everyone will get along and we won't have any major problems...wish us luck!!!

Heading for Home

Here is what the room looked like...
like I said before, it was old and not the best but there was alot of room and that was nice! Rich and I got our own bedroom with a TV, Alexa and Alex slept in the front room and Monica and Max took the other bedroom without a TV. The decorations were hideous but it was fairly clean.

We ate breakfast that was provided by the hotel and then we got everything packed up so we could check out.

 

The boys were being crazy and I am not sure what they are doing exactly but they were having fun!!

It was a sunny day so we decided to walk on the trails for a little while.
It still wasn't that warm so we were pretty quick. It sure was bright though!!!

We stopped at In-N-Out Burger for lunch and then hit the long road home!! It was a nice little get a way!!

Painter's Half Marathon

The race started at 9am and we were LATE!!! We were at the stop light waiting for it to change and saw all the runners starting the race. It took a few minutes for us to get parked and by the time we got to the starting line they had already turned off the clock!! The guy there told us to just go ahead and start and keep track of our own time. It was a little disappointing but it ended up being a great race!!!
The course was awesome, it was colder than I thought it would be but it didn't rain (like it was supposed to) so that was great!! It was fun running with Rich and Monica. Rich ran a little bit ahead of us to "pace" us and we ended up passing a lot of people!!!
It took us 2 hours and 17 minutes which is a PR for me. I haven't been training like I should, I have only run on the treadmill a couple of times so I was really happy with my time!! Rich's ankle was sore so he wasn't planning on running that fast anyway so it really worked out great because he pushed me and I ended up having a great race!! I ended up crossing the finish line first, then Monica and then Rich. Monica's knee was hurting her when we were done.
This was one of my favorite races so far! It was a great course, perfect weather, they had plenty of food and water at the end AND I got to run the whole time with Rich and Monica!!!

After the race we hit the pool...

 

It was nice to sit in the hot tub and just relax. We had the place to ourselves so that made it even nicer!! We got cleaned up and hit Chuckarama for an early dinner. It was yummy. We stopped at a few stores and then went to the movie "2012." We got back to the room at midnight and went to bed!!!

St George

We took the kids out of school early today so we could get on the road. Monica got to our house about 12:30pm and we left shortly after!!!
The drive was good, I took a little nap and the kids watched a movie! We got there and went to check into the hotel. Monica booked it online and when we pulled up we knew it was going to be pretty scary! She went in and came back out with a look on her face that told us it was pretty bad!! Rich went in and talked to the guy at the front desk and worked out a deal with him for the hotel next door which wasn't a whole lot better but it was a suite so we had a front room and 2 bedrooms!!! It was really out dated and not the cleanest but it was nice to have so much room!!

 

The boys went crazy jumping on the beds!!
We went to pick up our race packets and then went to Olive Garden for dinner. It was so delicious!!! The last few times I have been it has been a little disappointing but not this time, the bread sticks were cooked just right and all the food was really good!! We went to Target and Ross after dinner then headed back to the hotel to get to bed!!!

Bowling

Since there was no school or work today we decided to go bowling with the Anderson's.

 

We only bowled one game and no one did very well but it was fun. Max and Creed had a great time!! We don't go bowling very often...it was $35 for just our family for 1 game, that is a lot of money!!

We went to the mall after so Alex could use his Build-a-Bear gift card he got for Christmas. Then we had dinner at Wendy's and then went to Wal Mart so the kids could use the gift cards they got from their dad. Alexa bought clothes and Alex bought a PS2 game. We had a fun time together!!

Dashboard Concert...AGAIN!!!

I won tickets on the radio to meet Dashboard Confessional!!! I was really excited and couldn't believe I actually won!!! I wasn't even planning on going to this concert because we just saw them last month but when I heard they were giving away "backstage passes" on the radio I figured I would try to win...and I DID!!!
I took Alexa with me to meet them because she never has and she was looking forward to meeting Chris at the last concert but we didn't get to!! It was a BIG let down though. We got there and they gave us a poster and put us in groups of 10. They sat behind the table and signed the poster and then we got a picture...not that great but oh well!!

 

It is good to know that it really isn't that cool to have a "backstage pass." Alexa didn't even dare say anything to Chris. She was all talk, she said she was going to get his cell # so she could text him!!

The concert was in Ogden and it was a free outdoor show, part of the "Dew Tour." There were more people there than I thought, it was freezing!!

 

We had a pretty good spot to stand and had a decent view. This was Alex's first concert and he was cold but he had a good time.

 

We all bundled up and tried to stay warm!!!
Mel, Dave, Kenzie, Jake, Amy, Jason, Owen, Monica, Amb, me and the kids were all there and it was fun to hang out!! After the concert we went to TGIFriday's.

Rich was mad that I went because we had a date planned so he and Max stayed home and hung out. They went to dinner and test drove a truck and went to Avatar!!

Magic Bullet

I have been wanting one of these for a long time and finally got one for Christmas from mom. I was really excited to try it out!!

Alex has been wanting a strawberry smoothie so after family home evening we made them for our treats. It was really as easy as they made it look on the commercials and I am really excited to try other stuff in it!!! Thanks mom, it was worth every penny!!!

Baby Drayke and Kenzie's Birthday

Me and the kids stopped by Sule's house on our way to Logan. The kids were anxious to meet their new brother. Drayke was born on December 22 and was supposed to be a girl...what a surprise!!! Yes, his hair is straight, very cute!
We exchanged Christmas gifts and Max and Tayana had a fun time playing together, they are only a month apart but Max is so much bigger than her, she is tiny! We only stayed for a little bit but it was fun to see and hold baby Drayke, he is very cute!!

We headed to Logan and went to Melissa's baby shower. Her sister-in-laws threw it for her and she had a really good turn-out. We stayed for a few hours and chatted with everyone.
It is also McKenzie's birthday today so we headed out to Wellsville for the party. Rich stayed home to help Jeff with some landscaping stuff. We ate dinner and hung out. Kenzie had a great party and got lots of fun presents...now there are 2 teenagers in the family!!!
We tried not to leave too late, we got home around 1am. It was a quick trip but we had a fun time!!

"90 Things You May Not Know About Me"

1. ONE OF YOUR SCARS, HOW DID YOU GET IT? big scar on my right shin...7th grade P.E. swimming accident.
2. WHAT ARE ON THE WALLS IN YOUR ROOM? I have 2 red walls and I have a black white and red vinyl sign that says LOVE always and forever, and a black clock and a mirror.
3. DO YOU SNORE, GRIND YOUR TEETH, OR TALK IN YOUR SLEEP? I have been know to carry on conversations in my sleep, I think I snore too.
4. WHAT TYPE OF MUSIC DO YOU LISTEN TO? Alternative and Pop
5. WHAT TIME WERE YOU BORN? No idea
6. WHAT DO YOU WANT MORE THAN ANYTHING RIGHT NOW? Rich to find a job!
7. WHAT DO YOU MISS? My Grandpa Hansen and being a kid (no responsibilities sounds pretty great right now)!
8. WHAT IS YOUR MOST PRIZED POSSESSION(S)? My children of course!
9. HOW TALL ARE YOU? 5'6
10. DO YOU GET CLAUSTROPHOBIC? No
11. DO YOU GET SCARED IN THE DARK? LOVE the dark, I have never been afraid of the dark.
12. THE LAST PERSON TO MAKE YOU CRY? It wasn't actually a person but for some reason this made me cry last night (see #48).
13. WHAT'S YOUR WORST FEAR? I hate snakes but I'm not really afraid of anything.
14. WHAT KIND OF HAIR/EYE COLOR DO YOU LIKE ON THE OPPOSITE SEX? Dark
15. WHEN AND WHERE WAS YOUR FIRST KISS? I was 14 at a high school football game.
16. COFFEE OR ENERGY DRINK? Neither, diet coke please
17. FAVORITE PIZZA TOPPING? BBQ chicken pizza is the best, from Papa John's.
18. IF YOU COULD EAT ANYTHING RIGHT NOW, WHAT WOULD IT BE? Top Sirloin from Black Angus and a mountain of fudge cake...man I miss Black Angus.
19. FAVORITE COLOR OF ALL TIME? Red
20. HAVE YOU EVER EATEN A GOLDFISH? uummmm...NO
21. WHAT WAS THE FIRST MEANINGFUL GIFT YOU'VE EVER RECEIVED? Thigh Master from my Mom...it was a HUGE surprise and I had been dying for one, I was 15 or 16.
22. ARE YOU DOUBLE JOINTED? No
23. FAVORITE CLOTHING BRAND? I shop mostly @ Old Navy, Target, Ross, American Eagle and Forever 21.
24. WHO IS YOUR FAV FEMALE/MALE CELEBRITY? I love Johnny Depp and Reese Witherspoon.
25. DO YOU HAVE A PET RIGHT NOW? No way, just Zhu Zhu pets.
26. WHAT ARE YOU THINKING RIGHT NOW? That I wish I was still in bed...I feel lazy!
27. SAY A NUMBER FROM ONE TO A HUNDRED 28
28. BLONDES OR BRUNETTES? Brunette
29. FAVORITE QUOTE? LIFE IS GREAT!!
30. FAVORITE PLACE? Bear Lake
31. HAVE YOU BEEN OUT OF THE USA? Just over the border in Mexico (Ensendada and Tijauana).
32. YOUR WEAKNESSES? Buying shoes and purses.
33. MET ANYONE FAMOUS? I met Chris Carrabba from my fav band Dashboard Confessional.
34. FIRST JOB? Taco Time in Logan...it was a BLAST!! Technically I guess working for my Grandpa was my first job, I mowed lawns and cleaned and painted apartments.
35. EVER DONE A PRANK CALL? Oh prank calls were the BEST! I spent many many hours of my childhood down in the basement making prank calls. Good times!
36. DO YOU THINK EVERYONE OUT THERE HAS A SOULMATE? I am not really sure about that...
37. WHAT WERE YOU DOING BEFORE YOU FILLED THIS OUT? working
38. HAVE YOU EVER HAD SURGERY? Just my wisdom teeth removed.
39. WHAT DO YOU GET COMPLIMENTED ABOUT MOST? I think my teeth/smile.
40. HAVE YOU EVER HAD BRACES? Yes in high school.
41. WHAT DO YOU WANT FOR YOUR BIRTHDAY? To go somewhere FUN!! Maybe bowling!
42. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE? Not that I know of.
43. WHAT DID YOU LIKE ABOUT HIGH SCHOOL? Drill Team and ditching class to go to JB's and La Patisserrie...all the socializing and BOYS!!
44. WHAT KIND OF SHAMPOO DO YOU USE? Pantene
45. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING? Yeah, but it could be better.
46. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT? Ham
47. ANY BAD HABITS? Spending money on stuff I don't really need.
48. ARE YOU A JEALOUS PERSON? No, not really. But lately I am jealous of all the people having babies, especially twins!!!
49. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON, WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU? For sure, I am a blast!!
50. DO LOOKS MATTER? Of course they do.
51. HOW DO YOU RELEASE ANGER? Talking about it and getting it out there to be resolved!
52. WOULD YOU RATHER GAIN 58 POUNDS OR LOSE 58 POUNDS? If I lost 58lbs I would be nearly dead but if I gained 58lbs I would be a fattie...I am going to go with neither!!
53. WHAT'S YOUR MAIN GOAL IN LIFE? To be happy and selfless.
54. WHAT WAS YOUR FAVORITE TOY AS A CHILD? I loved stuffed animals and I would name them and treat them like they were real!
55. HOW MANY NUMBERS ARE IN YOUR CELL PHONE? 117
56. WERE YOU A FAN OF BARNEY AS A LITTLE KID? NO WAY!!!
57. DO YOU USE SARCASM? I LOVE sarcasm!
58. MASHED POTATOES OR MACARONI AND CHEESE? Mac and Cheese
59. WHAT ARE YOUR NICKNAMES? Ang, Angie Poo, Angelica
60. FAVORITE SUPER POWER? Flying, I always wanted to be able to fly like a bird!
61. WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE TV SHOW? The Office and Glee
62. WHAT'S THE BEST WAY TO DEAL WITH YOUR ENEMIES? Stay away from them!!!
63. WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM FLAVOR? Bubble Gum from Farr's ice cream.
64. DO YOU HAVE ALL YOUR FINGERS AND TOES? Sure do.
65. DO YOU HAVE A COMPUTER IN YOUR ROOM? No way, I used to but luckily we have a computer room now!
66. PLANS FOR TONIGHT? Hopefully dinner and a movie!!
67. WHERE DO YOU WANT TO LIVE WHEN YOU ARE OLDER? I am older...I want really just want to stay where I am, I am happy!!!
68. DO YOU WANT EVERYONE TO ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS? If they want to!
69. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO? Silence, it is kind of creepy!
70. LAST THING YOU DRANK? I am swigging a Diet Coke at this moment!
71. LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE? Alexa
72. THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE IN THE OPPOSITE SEX? Smile
73. WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO DO IN YOUR SPARE TIME? Read, snuggle Max, go to movies, spend time with Rich.
74. FAVORITE THING TO HATE? That is a weird question...does that even make sense?? I don't really love to hate anything!
75. FAVORITE SEASON OF THE YEAR? Fall
76. WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE TYPE OF CANDY? That is way too hard to answer...I LOVE CANDY...snickers, TWIX, licorice, sour patch kids, Swedish Fish and so on and so on
77. HAVE YOU EVER REALLY AND TRULY HAD A BEST FRIEND? Yes
78. WHAT IS YOUR HAIR COLOR? Brown, but I can't remember the last time my hair was its "natural" color!!
79. EYE COLOR? Hazel
80. SHOE SIZE? 8 1/2
81. FAVORITE FAST FOOD PLACES? Wendy's and Taco Time
82. FAVORITE RESTAURANT? Olive Garden, Texas Roadhouse, Bajio
83. DO YOU LIKE SUSHI? No, and I have tried it.
84. WATCH TV TODAY? Channel 2 News
85. FAVORITE DAY OF THE YEAR? Christmas Day
86. PLAY ANY MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS? I took piano and violin but never stuck to either.
87. REPUBLICAN OR DEMOCRAT? Neither, I HATE politics!!!
88. KISSES OR HUGS? Both and lots of them!!
89. WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU BOUGHT? Diet Coke
90. WOULD YOU EVER BE A HOUSEWIFE? I wish I was right now!!!

3 Wise Men Day

I need to get the "real" story on this holiday from Rich's mom but here is what Rich told us about it:
This is a South American Holiday where you put your shoes by the front door and the 3 Wise Men come and bring the good girls and boys a gift. On Christmas I guess baby Jesus brings them a gift but 3 Wise Men Day was more exciting than Christmas if you live in South America.
This could be totally wrong but that is what Rich has told us and so we set out our shoes by the front door and...
sure enough the 3 Wise Men brought us gifts. Rich got some new jeans, I got a DVD Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs (I really love this movie), Alexa got a new shirt and vest, Alex got a 6 Flags Wii game and Max got a new Transformer (Sideswipe).
I hope to learn more about this Holiday and the meaning of it from Rich's mom.