Me Birfdee

About a week and a half ago it was my birthday. I wasn't looking forward to it, but there's no avoiding it. You have to get older. Wouldn't it be nice if that was optional? I always like to go swimming on my b-day so me, Brooke, Nicole W., and her bf Darren went swimming at the new Payson City outdoor pool. It was a little cold and rainy, but we still had a fun time. I normally like to go to dinner and a movie too, but Nicole F., Brooke, and I had already done a girl's day of that the Wednesday before (the 3 of us all have August b-days). Later that night a few close friends and I went to the Pizza Pie Cafe for dinner and then went back to my house for cake. I put on my peach lace 80's dress and brought out Seaweed for some pre-cake entertainment. I was also given a very special present: A plunger w/toilet paper stuck to it. Yes, it was from one of the boys. You will see in the pictures below that I counted my candles to make sure they weren't the real thing, and they weren't. Good job girls. I'm still 28.

Sunday Addie and co., had a BBQ for me and some of my good friends. Addie even made delicious cupcakes. I love Isabelle's face in the picture and those chubby legs of Sophie. The little girl I'm holding is none other than that cute little Penny--daughter to Dave and Natalie. It was a great birthday. Thanks to all who made it special for me!

That's it?!! (crying) - A look back at the year exercised.

This week I've been reflecting on my exercise/eating habits quite a bit. I feel like for the most part I've maintained some good healthy habits, with a few bouts of falling off the wagon into the sugar cane field. Now that my birthday is over I have no more "free" days to look forward to, and can reeeeally get down to business. My goal for the year end is to lose another 30 lbs. and enter a body building contest. Just kidding, but not really. YES, kidding. This morning I did my mid-year calculation for how much I've exercised (I've been keeping track on my calendar since the beginning of the year, no that's not anal), and it was a lot less than I hoped. Hopefully I can make up for it by year's end.

After running my numbers, I perused the internet for the best cardio exercises.

Top 10 cardio exercises which burn the most calories in 30 minutes:

1. step aerobics (thinking of this makes me want to cry)
2. bicycling (like)
3. swimming (like)
4. racquetball (not sure how you play this even tho we were taught in high school)
5. rock climbing (never been)
6. cross-country skiing (never been)
7. running (like - and am improving, which makes me like it even more)
8. elliptical trainer (sure)
9. rowing (Utah lake here I come... carp watch out)
10. walking (backwards? moonwalk?)

For real high intensity cardio, here are the top 3 exercises that will provide amazing results:

1. jumping rope (what if you can't jump more than 3 times before catching on the rope?)
2. sprinting (practice by stealing old ladies purses)
3. spinning (this also makes me want to cry)

What the heck kind of post is this?!! I don't know. Maybe just so I can organize what's going on in my mind and create a whirlwind of motivation and excitement that bursts out from every pore. Cross your fingers that happens.

Katie's Baptism Photos

Here are a few of the beautiful pictures that Kate Benson took of Katie for her baptism.

Last One to the Handcart Has to Pull It!!!!

Over the Pioneer Day weekend Nicole and I participated
in a 5k with her sister Michelle up in Bountiful. This was
Michelle and I's very first 5k... Although, I may have done a few
a couple decades ago with my parents
(I can say that cause I'm over 30 (crying)).
Once we crossed the finish line Nicole's niece Xanadu (Megan) gave us
congratulatory pictures she colored for us. For completing the race
we were given a wooden medallion
(I was hoping for a chocolate gold medallion).
Nicole and I had told her sister Michelle that if she walked they gave
you a handcart to pull. That would have been awesome, and practical
if someone needed help moving.

P.S. Yesterday Nicole and our friend Brooke had a birthday extravaganza day. We went to the Scera pool (swam in the rain), and then went and saw this movie. Yeowza! Who cares what the story's about, it's got Z. Efron, right? I mean, he even cried in it three times! I almost cried* when he did... almost.

*Sidenote to the PS: I did cry laughing twice that day.
Once when Nicole tried to fake us out by making it seem like she was buying a 2 month old jalepeno cheese bread to take to the movies at Maverick.
Second, when we were standing outside the theater in the rain and Nicole began a quick-paced-20 sec-snort-giggle. She's wacky. Must be why we're friends.
Now that I think of it, it could have been the overload of junk food I had which contributed to the out of control giggling.