The Name Game

We have discussed baby names for years... now that a baby is on the way here are the favorites on our list. 


Girls:
Avery 
Kayden
Ali
Anna
Maeve

Boys:
Eathan
Dellevan
Keegan
Keanan
Jaxson


As of right now we have decided on Avery Ann & Dellevan Richard. Sept. 15th we have our ultrasound and if the little nugget is not in hiding we will find out 

M.I.A

Another busy summer has kept me away from the computer, along with fear and frustration with my lovely laptop. Falling apart at the seams POS! It has been a good run my HUGE Dell laptop and a big thanks to my awesome husband for this beauty, Yep I am taking the plunge with Apple!

Here is a recap since March...

• Kristin & Troy had their twin boys - Ellis Steven & Logan Matthew
• The B.F.P. (The Big Fat Positive) 
• World Travelers
• Concrete Project

Each of these deserve a post all on their own, for now I will recap in photos.

New drive way - complements the garage door.

New back patio

 

Project Bathroom

It has been a long project. I have seriously bought and installed one piece at a time. Just before Thanksgiving is when I decided it would be a good idea to start demo. Some how I also decided it was a good year to host my first thanksgiving. I kept the toilet and the sink, everything else had to go. My goal was to be done by March. Besides hanging the door and the toilet paper holder - job complete! Of course the work was really done by "My 2 Dads" we hired Jim to do most of the work. Dad came in installed a new window and finished the final touches. I really wanted to do something myself, so I took on my first tile project. It totally kicked my ass. I am glad I did it and there are defiantly flaws. Hopefully I am the only one to really notice them. Here are the before and after shots.

2011

I know it has been close to a million years since I last posted. Maybe a bit of an exaggeration. More like a million things have been going on since mid October.

• Tom + Lindsay = 10.30.10
• An amazing day for an amazing couple this day deserves a post all on its own. (You all know I'm just not going to get it done). Every detail they put together perfectly. Love you guys!

• I hosted my very first Thanksgiving dinner. I would like to say I put together the whole dinner ~ not quite yet. My amazing mother came over the day before and cleaned my whole house and cooked the turkey. Everyone brought something and it was just a perfect day. I hosted The Chandler's, Hill's, & Parker's. I used table these to strike up some conversation.
• We demolished our main bathroom and we are still in the process of finishing. I cannot wait for all of the details come together. I will not miss you sea foam green tile. The best part about that bathroom is that Kristin found the one and only shower curtain that 1. matched the color of the tile perfectly and 2. was a style that I liked.
• Completed and passed my accounting class. I got a B. I wish I could be a bit more excited about a B. Back in the day I would have been singing and dancing. I feel like I did not work as hard as I could have for it. If I really tried I could have walked away with an A. Just too much going on right now. Work has been super crazy since November. New employees/New systems.
• It has been a year now since we decided to start our family. Frustration has started to set in a bit. I go back and forth with taking the expensive tests and just letting nature take its time and place. I had taken a break from running to try and get my body on track. Have not decided if that has been worth it or not. I feel healthy & I have never been in any pain. I have yet to find a Dr. that I really feel comfortable with.
• Shaun & Julie came home to celebrate their wedding. It was fun getting everyone together.
• We spent New Years Eve in Chicago.

2011 is looking to be a good year!!! Kristin & Troy bring their twin boys into the world in March/April, we hope to be planning a trip to Germany, and of course planning the next marathon!

13. Des Moines

10-17-10 we hit marathon #13. Another perfect weekend and a perfect day for 5,000 runners in the middle of Iowa. I will admit, I was not really looking forward to this one. Looking at pictures prior to going to race day the course looked flat and boring. I was pleasantly surprised. Despite the 5 hour drive from Chicago of all corn fields the city was beautiful and clean. The capital building stood out in all its glory.

We drove into Chicago on Friday to celebrate Ann's 30th birthday. The four of us set out for another road trip thru the Midwest. Ann and I ran the half marathon together while Mike did an awesome job as the single member of the pit crew. He took great photos as you see here, and got Derek his energy water as requested around mile 18, best of all he was there to cheer us all on.

The course started down town and wrapped thru the city streets. Around mile 3 the two races split their separate ways. Derek's course took him through some incredible neighborhoods with huge beautiful homes and landscaping. Twisting and turning mostly up hill, the adventure of 13 began. He even ran a loop around Drake University's track. Mean while Ann and I ran thru Gray's Lake park. At first this seemed very bland and boring until I saw a sign that said 'IT WILL TAKE A WHILE TO RECOVER FROM THE FLOOD' which reminded me of an article I read months ago about a damn breaking the area devastated by a flood. Gray's Lake that we ran around was bone dry. Thankfully they were able to get the pathway fixed, and the lake filled. However, the grass had not grown in yet creating a muddy side line. My favorite part of the course was the bridge that led us back into town. This Bridge known as Gray's Lake Boardwalk had prisms along the side as the daylight went through each of these prisms a different color appeared along the board walk. It was like running thru a rainbow.

We all did great. Ann met her goal of a sub 2 hour half with a 1:59:20, Derek was satisfied with his time of 3:37:49 and I finished with a 2:00:14. After a quick shower we went back into down town to have lunch, and found a great bar near the finish line. We had the chance to eat while watching the other runners earn their metals.

Des Moines, Iowa... thank you for being a great town!

A week from now we will be celebrating Tom & Lindsay's wedding day. Will send an update on how beautiful of a day that will be.

Cheers!

30!

30...Really...30 - I cannot even come to reality to think that I am 30 years old. I feel just the same as I did when I was 23, I am in a good place in my life, I am blessed to have a loving family and friends. Derek and I are happier than ever doing good things and going places both in work and in travel. Derek just got a promotion and I could not be happier for this accomplishment. He sets goals and works towards them. He is now a team leader and I am so proud of you honey! We had an amazing summer and I hate to see it go. However, we have so many good things to look forward to over the next few months. Next Marathon and road trip will to Iowa and then we will get to see Tommy and Lindsay walk down the isle on 10.30.10.

My mom and dad threw us a big 30th birthday party last night. It was great. We had most of our favorites there to help celebrate. We were completely spoiled with gifts Galor. Even thou Derek is not quiet to the 30 mark it was fun celebrating together. He will be 30 on the 30th. I am hoping to get a really good gift for him this year. Not sure I am going to be able to do it. He really did good with my birthday this year. A day of shopping with mom was a day of surprises from Derek.

End of a Summer

Another summer has come and gone. It was amazing! I enjoyed every moment of this weekend was perfect. The Labor Day 30k, BBQ with our favorites and night out on the patio with a bottle of wine and a great conversation. I could not have asked for a better time and a better way to end a wonderful summer.

Here is to a new season and new changes on the horizon. Turning 30, going back to school, Tommy and Lindsay tying the knot, and Derek's promotion! Absolutely loving life right now!