Shun the Sun

This Saturday we got to have a super fun experience!  Samantha and I ran a 10K called Shun the Sun.  We set a goal that was faster than any time we had ever reached, and we nailed it!!  All three nights before the race, poor Samantha got real sick and did not sleep a wink.  That morning she woke up and was congested barely able to move (not to mention she was taking antihistamines).  Even with all of these things bringing her down, our first mile was only 8 minutes!!  We had so much fun running together, and I am happy to be alive because I know Samantha wanted to kill me half the time.  She even threatened to throw me in the canal haha!! Even though the race was so hard, we both loved it and cannot wait for our December run, a 12K!!!    

Life Lately

I have come to realize that I am really, really bad at updating! These past few months have been nothing less than crazy! From the both of us working ridiculous hours, to new additions to our families, and a surprise trip up to Utah for the weekend, it's safe to say that we have had such a fun time! 

my brother, jeremiah, and i on our nature walk

Colton and I had sooo much fun in Utah this past month! We were able to beat the heat and go up and attend Jeremiah and Colton's mission reunion, where his mission president publicly announced that he had never had two finer missionaries than Colton and Jeremiah. Boom! I spent the entire weekend with Jeremiah and my sister, Allae, in Logan and we had a blast! 

Thank you Allae and Jeremiah for letting us crash with you guys! We had so much fun!! 

Next order of business, new little people in our family!

Meet little James and Emma Speers

and...

Brock Landvatter

September was a very exciting month in our families! My oldest sister, Stephani, gave birth to beautiful little twins, who seriously melt my heart (I can't wait to meet those little peanuts!), and Colton's sister, Hawli, gave birth to little Brock Man, and we have fallen completely in love with that little guy! Congrats Steph and Hawli!!! We Love You! 

...

Have you guys heard of that Autumn McKee girl? She is so hot right now! Seriously, varsity cheerleader, sophomore homecoming royalty, great hair and fashion... this girl is such a stud. Did I mention she's my baby sister? I wanted to give Autumn a little shout out so she knows how proud I am of her and how much I love her! Keep up the hard work and great hair! Love you, little one! 

Colton and I just wanted to take a minute to thank our families for all the support they have given us throughout our relationship and especially during this last month. September definitely had it's "ups" and it really, really had it's "downs". Thank you, thank you so much for all the love you have shown us! We love you all so much and are grateful for each and every one of you! 

Best. Family. Ever.

changes?

Some exciting things are happening here on our neck of the woods! 

Stay tuned to find out! :)

Burlington, WY

This past week we were in Burlington, Wyoming! I have gone to Burlington every summer since before I can even remember. This year I brought my wonderful husband with me! It was so fun being able to share the adventures of the wild west with Colton. We had a blast!! 

Every year, the vacation that my family looks forward to the most is traveling up to Wyoming to visit my amazing grandparents! This year, in particular, was their 60th Anniversary! My grandparents have always been such a great example to me. They have so much love for each other, their children, and each and everyone of their grandchildren. They are such strong individuals and always fun to talk and laugh with! My entire family, on my mom's side, was in attendance and that was so special for my grandparents!

Our Wyoming trips always consists of some kind of adventure. This adventure, however, was kind of weird... Let me tell you why. We always go "4-Wheeling" in this area of town that is technically prohibited. It is a junk yard with tons of hills, that is entirely gated with barbed wire around it. My sisters, brothers, Colton, and I  were in that area just 4 wheeling up hills and having fun with each other. We have always been very cautious about getting caught, but I guess we weren't that careful this time. We were all riding when all of a sudden this small white truck came out of nowhere! Of course all of us started speeding up to get away from the old guy. We all met in the middle and thought we were in an area where he couldn't see us. We were about to make a break for it so get out of the gate, when we saw the guy by the entrance! (Ok, ok we broke in. But the gate was only tied with a rope!) We decided to stay together in the middle of the junk yard until the guy left. As soon as he drove away we darted to the gate, only to find it was locked shut! With a chain!! Really? Who does that? Who locks people into a junk yard knowing there is no other way out? Ugh! so annoying. We were hunting for a way out when my 4-Wheeler ran out of gas! Just my luck. 

Eventually we found our way out... They way we got out will remain a secret, so that we can do it again next year:)

My sister, Stephani, was not able to go to Wyoming this year. She is about to have twins pretty soon and it was too risky to make the trip! So I made a "flat stephani", so she could still be here, without really being here. She came with us everywhere! 

My brother, Jeremiah, got engaged this last week too! He will be marrying Miss Megan Dahlin December 28, 2011! I am so excited to have her as a sister! She is amazing! 

(Sorry guys, this is like the only picture I have of you two) 

We were able to white water raft, go horse backriding, hang out with family, meeting my nephew Owen, play with little Logan, and enjoy the peace and quiet. It was so much fun!!! 

What a wonderful summer we have had! We have been so blessed to have been able to spend so much time with our families! I don't get to see my family as often as I would like to, (they live 800+ miles away)but when I do it reminds me of how lucky I am to have such an amazing family!    

Happy Birthday, Colt!

Colton and I went to San Diego with his family this past weekend to Celebrate his 22nd birthday! It was so much fun! We spent the weekend boogie boarding, walking on the board walk, going to different shops, hanging out with his amazing family, and taking a few days off to relax. 

Thanks to Colton's parents for such a great weekend and a way fun trip!! 

I promise I will do so much better at posting regularly, it's been one crazy month! 

To Madison

Today I was looking through some old pictures I had with my family when I was in high school. I found a ton of pictures of my "mini me" and I. It really made me miss her a lot. Of course, I decided to share it with you.

I have a niece named Madison, she is my little twin. She is just the sweetest little girl. Madi is my bestest friend ever! I love listening to her stories, visiting her, and talking to her late into the night (when we're supposed to be sleeping) I can remember when she was just a little gal, that's when Madison and I became the best of friends!

A few years ago I was able to spend the summer in Texas with my sister Stephani. It was so much fun!  I was able to hang out with John (4 at the time) and Madi (2) for 6 whole weeks! I spent the summer singing songs, playing the heffulump in Winnie the Pooh, playing at the beach with them, and watching Mulan over and over and over again. I grew so close to the two of them and they have such a special place in my heart. 

I love ALL of my nieces and nephews, they are seriously the best! How lucky am I?

Every summer I have been able to spend a few weeks with them. This summer they are moving to Michigan so I won't be able to visit them. Although it makes me sad that I won't be able to see them this summer, I am so excited for them to move to their new home! 

Now, back to business. Madison and I are pen pals. I have not been a very good pen pal lately and I feel bad about it. So here is Madison's special letter.

Dear Madi,

We decided to write you a special post on our blog, we are pen pals after all:) I hope you are having so much fun! When do you move? Are you excited for the twins to come? I am! Do you get your own room when you get to your new house? I am so excited for you to get baptized! It's coming up so soon. I am going to try so so so hard to come for it, but if I can't then I will come shortly after to visit you, John, Emma, and James:) Are you doing anything fun this summer before you move? I heard you get to fly up with your mom! You are so lucky (I would much rather fly than drive too) I miss you so much Madison! I hope you have the best week ever! Colton wants to write something now:)

Hey Madi!

I am so excited that you are getting baptized so soon!  You are going to love the feeling that you get!  I hope you are having a lot of fun this summer, and that we will get to see you really soon.  Samantha always tells me so many fun stories about your adventures with her.  She misses you tons and we both do!  So come and see us a lot when you're famous okay :)  We love all you guys!

Love,

Samansa and Colton

These are my Flower Girls. I love Madi's face in this picture:) 

...

Week 1 of training: Complete.

Bring on week 2!!! 

The 5-Day Inferno

Anyone who knows me knows that I love working out. My all time favorite workout in the world is Turbo. I am a certified TurboKick Instructor and I love it! Last summer I purchased Chalene Johnson's newest workout program, Turbo Fire. It is a 90 day workout program and it is killer!  I starting the program as soon as I got it, but of course things came up all of the time and I never got to finish it all the way through. 

Last week, Colton and I were talking about how we wanted to get serious about working out again. I turned back to my Turbo Fire kit and decided it was time to get serious! Today we are starting The 5-Day Inferno Plan. It's like a kick off to the 90 days, but way way way intense!  I did the inferno last summer with my brother, Jeremiah, and after those 5 days were over we.felt.good! 

Oh, but the plot thickens. Today Colton and I started training for our Half Marathon coming up in September. Colton is especially excited for this one. He breaths running. I am excited too. My goal is to run a full marathon some day. Hopefully soon :) 

So there you have it, Turbo Fire and a Half Marathon, the perfect hybrid :) 

We'll keep you posted on our success!! 

Day One: Complete.