Running

While training for the Spirit of Twin Falls 1/2 marathon I was struggling with some pretty nasty leg pain. I have dealt with shin splints through much of my life and assumed that's what I was dealing with again. So, I went through the normal home-remedies; icing my legs until they burned, eating copious amounts of bananas, strengthening my calves, walking on my heels, massaging my shins, all of which have cured them in the past, but this time nothing was working. I self-diagnosed stress fractures, (I know should have gone in to a doctor, but I didn't want to).

I lived on Advil pretty much around the clock. I never ran without needing some ibuprofen relief. But, I was determined my training was not going to go without the final "celebration", the run. So... I rubbed some dirt on it, sucked it up and continued running, with the promise that when I was done, I would take time off to heal, which I did. 6 weeks of no running during the summer made me pretty crazy. After that I decided I would start, ease back in to it and get right back where I was.

No such luck. One morning, my running partners and I did 7 miles and I knew I was in trouble. My legs hurt just like they had during my earlier training. So, I decided to stop again. I walked, I did weights, I did Pilates, but I avoided running. Then I read a book. This book.

Rachel, my running inspiration and sister, suggested it and sent it to me on CD. I was hooked the first day listening and actually I think I may listen again. AMAZING!

Without giving away the book, basically the author makes the case that our bodies are made to run. So, I am now trying new things, I have changed my running form completely, I occasionally run bare foot and want to get my hands on some Vibram Five Fingers, but more than anything I have been re-inspired. It is slow in happening, but I can feel myself getting stronger and faster with every run I go on, and I love it.

Cutie patooty leg warmers

I love baby leg warmers, maybe it's my love of the 80's you know, my younger Flashdance kind of days. I was amazed when they started coming back in fashion a few years back, I couldn't quite go there for me, but genius for babies. The other day I was at TJ Maxx and they had some socks on clearance that would make the CUTEST leg warmers. So, I bought them, a little snip here, a little snip there and voila, leg warmers for my little girls. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE them. It helps that I found these super cute denim skirts on clearance at Old Navy a couple of weeks ago. And may I just say, dressing little girls is the most fun thing in the world! So cute.




(Side Note: What is up with my photography? These pictures are so blurry and grainy, very disappointing, I guess I need to get out my manual and read up on my camera. Yikes, sorry!)

Whoop, there it is and a birthday too!

Tyler just got himself some new LeBron James basketball shoes and they are slick. Ashtynn thought she would look like a playa' in them, and I think she was right. It's tough playing basketball in size 15 shoes, especially when your feet are size 5 in baby sizes.

She's got the look for it though, what do you think?

Oh ya and it was my 37th birthday on Monday. What an awesome day. Since it is Columbus Day, CSI was out and so Tyler had the day off, wahoo! My mom offered to keep the little girls, the older 2 were in school and so we went and played. Went to lunch, went shopping, but best of all we spent the entire day together. I love that, and it doesn't happen often enough.

Tyler and the kids made me the most yummy and delicious cake. Chocolate chocolate chip with Nutella butter cream frosting, holy cow, it was sooooooo good. How cute is this, he cut it in the shape of an A for me.

This is the best part of all, my kids love celebrating my birthday with me and were so excited about the cake and presents and wanted me to just have fun. I love these kids.

The rest of Boston

(Warning: Lots and lots of pictures!)

...now back to the story. I have taken too much time in completing the posts about our trip, it's crazy. So, here we are back in Boston. One of the days we were in Boston, after the Aquarium, we headed to the train and decided rather than going back the house, we would get off at another stop and check out a different part of the city; Back Bay. It was a last minute decision and we are so glad we did. It was awesome. We went to the gorgeous Prudential Center, the Apple Store, Northeastern University where my bil received his Master's degree and the Horizon pool in front of the Christian Science building, It was a beautiful part of the city and certainly another one of the many highlights of our trip.

Back Bay

Horizon pool, it was stunning

Aaawwww!

The girls testing some of the Apple products for kids, So cool.

Ashtynn and Ethan, since he had a phone, she felt a need to talk on her imaginary one. Haha

So glad these 2 got to spend some time together.

Rachel and I in front of a really cool church

Look at the cool brick streets, I love big cities.

On the train heading home.

Old North Bridge

The last day we were there we headed to The Old North Bridge, where the Revolutionary War began, you know, "The shot heard round the world." It was beautiful there and what a great day to visit, not too hot, low humidity, gorgeous blue skies, no crowds and lots of grassy, shady areas for the kids to play and run around. Here are a few snapshots from our visit.

Matt, Rachel, Ethan, Hailey, Me, Mollie, Ashtynn and Tyler

I love this picture of Tyler on the bridge, again these were all taken by my bil Matt.

Ashtynn was free and she loved it. I am so glad she started walking right before this trip, made it really nice.

This picture should be in a magazine, adorable.

So beautiful, so many trees, I loved it

Ashtynn and I, another great shot.

We have no idea what this was used for in the 1700's but in 2010, it made the perfect picnic spot. A 2 foot rock wall kept the babies in and the little girls intrigued. It was awesome, cool in the shade. I'm thinking about installing one in my backyard.

Gorgeous Girls! Best Friends!
Matt did such a good job getting some cool shots, that's Rachel and me in the background.

Great family shot, oops missing 2 kids though.

Boston Temple

After the Old North Bridge, we headed over to the Boston Temple, so beautiful and of course, Matt took some amazing shots.

Mollie, Me, Tyler and Ashtynn

Ethan and Ashtynn

Look how the hair bows match, so cute.

Saturday, Tyler and I took Reagan and Elise to the BYU/Nevada game. We had such a great time, met up with Dad Larsen and his mom and sister and enjoyed being back in the Lavell Edwards Stadium. It has been too many years since I have been to a game there and I missed it, so I am very appreciative that my fil is so generous in sharing his season tickets with the family.

Tyler and Elise

I am not sure if they liked the cotton candy more than watching the game, but they seemed pretty content with both.

Hey, there's Cosmo

Elise was all ready for the game with the "Y" in her hair, she looked so cute and got a lot of attention for it.

Go Cougars!

Tyler and Reagan

Elise and Me

The "Y"

It was such a beautiful day, I just wish the Cougars had played a little bit better, it was a sad loss for us. After the game we headed over to Jacque and Mark's place for pizza and then to a hotel in Provo. It was fun, the kids got to swim and it was amazing how easy it was with just 2 kids who are 8 and 6, holy cow, we got to relax, enjoy eating, sleep in and didn't have any crying. It was amazing, but even more amazing was getting home and having 2 little girls run straight to my with big hugs and smiles.