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Dear journal (and friends reading my journal :)!

Pat and I finished the race Saturday and it proved to be a fantastic experience. Sedona is BEAUTIFUL! Here's the overview of the experience:

We left Friday after work around 3pm and drove just under 2 hours to get there (why are we not there every other weekend??). Sedona has a way of sneaking up on you, it's very charming in this way. The drive there from Phoenix is the typical lone cactus spotted beige hill until you turn off the road at the first "Sedona this way" sign. Peaking behind beige, you see the red rock in all it's glory. It is always a sight to see. Very welcoming. We checked into the race and got our numbers and goody bags. As always, we had the typical comments and stares in line because we had our 3 children in tote. "When do you find the time to run?", "boy, you have your hands full". If there's one thing I've learned since I started training is that "3 kids" is no excuse for not becoming or doing what is best for me. Pat and I train at nights after kids are down by 8 or first thing before Pat leaves for work at 8. Having each other's back in this is what matters most and has helped our relationship! Anyway (major tangent), we went out to dinner with our friends, the Greers, before heading up to our lodge. On the way to the lodge I thought I was going to throw up. My stomach hurt so bad. I usually have little gastro issues after longer car rides and bigger issues when I'm nervous. A combo of the two with pepperoni pizza and crying/ sometimes screaming kids, and the anticipation of a long night all in one room together, oh, and the altitude... threw off my gastro groove. I was bent in half...in my own world. Fortunately, laying down in a quiet room did the trick. Camden and Ellie slept through the night. Autrey woke up a few times crying but by morning I got enough hours of sleep to not feel nervous, only excited about the race. at 6:30 our friends Barb and Mike and their daughter Melonie, came (all the way from Phoenix!) to watch the kids while we ran. It was sub 30 degrees. Pat and I sat in the car for 45 minutes before we got out to join the rest of the crowds in the port-o-potty lines. We met up with my friend Kellie Greer and headed to the back of the line. Pat and I planned to run together as long as he could keep up with me :). The course was super hilly. Big hills. Big, steep, long hills. Pat and I ran together the first 6 miles before a hill tired Pat out a bit and I got ahead a bit. After the 1/2 point the hills were bigger but the duration of the long stretches were gradual down hills so that was rewarding. I pulled out my ipod (should have had the earplugs ready before the race) and fiddled with it on a down hill stretch when Pat caught up to me. He asked me to be his Valentine and I proposed to him at that point (that's as romantic as we get), then he told me I could take off and I turned up the music and got in the zone. The music really helps me. I was feeling great, got my second wind around mile 9. I started passing people that I never thought I would which made me feel great for 20 minutes until they past me in the last 1/4 mile of the run. haha, jokes on me! There was one hill that Pat and I will always remember that killed (maybe it wouldn't have if we had trained anywhere but flat Phoenix streets). I had to run on my toes and just looked down to stop from feeling sick to my stomach. The last stretch was so cool, I still felt great if I remembered to paced myself. I sprinted the last 15 yards and across the finish line. I got the camera out to take Pat's picture coming through the line too. We did it! Marathon, here I come. 1/2 iron man, here Pat comes!

We didn't make our goal of under 2 hours but I was still super proud of my time. If I reached my goal I would have come in 2nd or third place with my time (in my class)! I know I can do better and know how to train better. I look forward to beating (killing) my time in the next 1/2.

After the race we went to lunch with the kids and our friends before leaving the red rock paradise for home. Great experience. I recommend it.

Anndalyn: Overall rank: 183 of 523 Class Rank: 11 of 43 Pace: 09:37 Final: 02:06:02

Pat: Overall rank: 207 of 523 Class Rank 16 of 30 Pace: 09:52 Final 02:09: 17

Ann Bib #1089 F PHOENIX , AZ

Our first 1/2

So Tomorrow Pat and I are racing our first 1/2 Marathon in Sedona, AZ. My good friend Kellie Greer and I have been training together for a few months and Pat has been training for the last few weeks (crazy boy!). I feel very ready and excited! Kellie and I ran a 13 miler the beginning of January so I already know I can do it, I now want to finish under 2 hours and feel good.

I never thought I would want to run marathons, maybe a half "someday", but after training for a 12K in December I got the itch. I will be running a marathon this year too. If Biggest Loser contestants can do it with only 4-6 weeks training and over weight, I can do it!! I heart Biggest Loser, for those of you who didn't know.

Running has been a life changer for me. It's my release and escape. I love everything about it. I also want to get better at cycling and swimming. Pat is competing in a 1/2 iron man in San Diego in April. GO PAT! I'm not strong enough to do something like that yet but I do want to accomplish an olympic triathlon this year too (I did a sprint tri in 2009: 1/4 mile swim, 13 mile ride, 3 mile run. But the swim was cancelled because of wind on the open lake so we doubled the run). An olympic is double the sprint.

Pat started doing triathlon when we moved here to AZ and he got into Mountain Biking. He raced with work buddies and I went to watch him. I was 8 months preggers with Ellie and pushing Camden in the stroller from transition point to transition point. I was inspired! I loved the atmosphere, I loved the competition, I loved the pride I felt for Pat every time I saw him. It also felt good saying "Look Camden, there's Daddy! He's doing so great!". I could hear a little voice in my heart saying over and over "you can do that!", "I want Pat to be this proud of me too!", "you could do rock a race like this!". So now that I'm not pregnant for the first time in forever, I am getting more and more into this racing stuff and I love that I can do it WITH Pat. We are going to try running together at a 9min/mile pace to secure our goal of under 2 hours.

The altitude is higher and there will be more hills than we trained for but it will be a fantastic challenge! Wish us luck!

Ellison will be 3 in May. She is planning her "Tangled" party already. She is very good with names and birth dates. She's always asking me the names of others from picture of random people in magazines to kids at the park...and their parents. And she doesn't forget them. She loves to color, pick out her own clothes and dresses herself and always wants to eat. She is super bossy. ha ha ha...my mom says she just knows what she wants (ie she just pulled a huge rug up stairs by herself). She still has very little volume control. She's looking forward to swim lessons in the spring/summer and ballet next fall. Ellie has a contageous laugh and is a very good helper to me. She and Camden have a love/hate relationship. One minute they are best friends, playing so well, looking out for one another. The next ten they are teasing each other and chasing each other around the house. I'm hoping they grow to "love" more than "hate" but I think when they struggle they are both just looking for mommy's attention. I'm told they play great together all the time when I'm not around. She wants to be big just like Camden and truthfully she is in many ways. They are much like twin I would assume. Ellison is doing this weird baby voice these days, I'm not sure why. Maybe because Autrey is starting to make sounds and we all love it so much. She actually sleeps great in the night but for the last week Camden has been sharing her room with her so when he get's up I think it wakes her (3am ish). I do have to admit, I love it when she comes in around 6:00 am and snuggles with me and falls back to sleep. She has just started doing that over the past few months. The only problem is trying to get out of bed myself with out waking her. I love my Ellie with all my heart :)

Camden turned 4 Nov

ember 1st. He has grown up sooooo much since that very day. It's amazing! 2 days ago he started drawing faces and last night he discovered coloring in the lines. Huge difference from the colorful scribbles the week before. He can sound out simple words and spell them too. He loves school and is doing great. Camden doesn't really like to get sticky but his flexibility has increased. Examples: This morning he washed his hands 4 times while eating waffles with syrup, but when we went to the movies and soda was spilt on him He said "that's ok Dad, it will dry" with out taking

his eyes off the movie. Crazy! Love it! He says super cute things all the time. At the beginning of the year he moved up to a different class at church (Sunbeams to CTR). His Sunbeam teachers were amazing and loved him so much so this was a hard transition for him. After the first day on the way home from church, he told me Sister Hardcastle and Sister Hiedi didn't like him any more, that they didn't want him. This broke my heart, I almost cried (ok, I did a little to myself). I explained to Him that they absolutely loved him but he was getting so big it was just time and that he would change teachers every year. We went to Sister Hardcastle's house for Family Home Evening the next night and they explained it to him too. He's been fine ever since and loves his new teachers! Last night he said he had a good dream and that's what kept him in his bed all night (YES! Last night was the first night in I don't know how long that we all slept through the night! Even me! It's a miracle!). He said his dream was about his class at church. So cool. Camden is a very cool kid. I look forward to watching him grow and finding out more about him. He has always had a little mystery personality to me. Cam is a great big brother. He cherishes Autrey, would give up his chocolate milk for him I'm sure :).I am really excited to see how he does in swimming this summer. He rocked it last year. He is also a fast runner and can't wait for him to get big enough to do some little races with me and Pat. I adore Camden!!!

Just to stay in the habit of blogging, and to give Ellie the one on one time she needs right now, I'm going to save a post about Pat and I for tomorrow. Ta ta.

I didn't have time to proof read this so please excuse the typos etc. :)

Wow, I can't believe it's been 4 months since I've last posted!

Since September...

Autrey... He is almost sitting up at 7 months. If his head wasn't so big I think it would be a bit easier. At his 6 month appt he weighed just over 20 lbs. He's in the 100th percentile for height and head size and 96th or something for weight.

He's still a very cheerful, calm baby. He shakes in excitement from head to foot at the sight of food and lights up at the sound of Ellie or Camden's voice. He got 2 teeth at 4 months and stopped there for the last 3 months. He rolls all over the place and enjoys being up in walkers. His big brother and sister enjoy dressing him up and mauling him with love. He sleeps through the night pretty well...still working on mastering that, but It's getting consistent, yeah!

Now if only I could get Camden and Ellie to stay in there beds.

I'll give brief updates about the big kids tomorrow!

Potty training Kid #2...

...This time around has been much easier, I must say. Ellie is doing well! We still have last minutes "I'M GOING POTTY!!!" with the legs crossed and and a silly expression on her face. She actually does better out of the house than in. I think she's trying to avoid the mess which I'm grateful for. The biggest problem that I'm having is her waking up a few times in the night needing to go. I think she is using it as an excuse to get out of bed but every time she does go a little. She still has a sippy cup of water when she goes to bed so I'm sure if I cut that out she wouldn't need to go. Easier said than done.

REPORT: Her self inflicted haircut isn't too bad, I think I'm going to leave it. It just looks like her bangs are parted...that sounds funny.

Halloween is approaching! Katie and I will be designing the kids costumes today. I wanted Camden to be Super Why and Ellie to be Wonder Red but Ellie wants to be a car. Camden's changes daily...Yesterday he said a dragon. I may have to wait on making his until the last minute. Ellie has said a car 5 days in a row so I think I'm safe to invest some thought into it now :) What do your kiddos want to be?

Memories of Today

I want to remember today, the day...

Ellie cut her own bangs (half of them) She found my hair cutting scissors and took a quick snip. It happened when we were running out the door to pick up Cam from preschool and she fell asleep in the car so I still haven't had a chance to assess the damage.

Camden got student of the week at preschool All the kids take turns getting it but I like to think He did something so outstanding that it was truly meant to be his honorary week and not a name picked out of a hat :)

Autrey burped so loud and Camden translated it to mean "Happy Halloween!" very matter-of-factly. :)

Others things to remember...

Sunday, Camden participated in his first primary program with a speaking part. He recited the first "article of faith"* from memory. He had no fear, did a great job! Pat and I were glowing with pride. The promised chocolate cupcake did the trick! Way to go Camden, you are so brave!! Anyone who knows Camden (outside of his family comfort zone) this accomplishment is pretty big and surprising. In fact...this very Sunday, before the program, one of the teenage boys in the ward stuck out his fist for some bumbs with a smile and "Hi, Bud!" to Cam. In return, Camden stuck out his lip, rolled his shoulders over and let his head hang low in shyness (or whatever it is). I told the kid if he said hi to him a few weeks in a row (or more), he'd have a better chance of getting a fist bump from him. In response the young man asked me what was wrong with him. That made me laugh. That's just Camden, it takes him a (long) bit to warm up to people, it always has...but I think he's growing out of it.

*First Article of Faith

"We believe in God the Eternal Father, in His son Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost"

Happy Apple Preschool

Camden started his first year of preschool August 10, 2010. He loves his school! They play outside, memorize poems, sing songs, color, eat a snack, make playdough, have a letter/color/shape of the day, go on field trips...all of the fun stuff I remember from preschool. This week he got to bring a stuffed Buzz home and we had to write about what they did together. Everyday of school he is to bring something for the theme box. Today was purple day so he brought a purple cup from Ellie's tea party set. He was also in charge of snack so we brought apples and tiny rice crispy treats. I look forward to going with him for an hour to observe the organized chaos! My little man is growing up! So, after I loaded this video I watched it. I'm so sad! This means when I thought was recording I wasn't but at least you can hear about the "good day" he had. Instead of erasing it I'm leaving this video on purely because it took me forever to finally get it on. Bust out the popcorn!

Autrey Landan {Photo Shoot}

Docharaphotography.com
Which photo is your favorite?

Autrey Landan {Photo Shoot} continued

This touched me...for all the beautiful mothers I know.

Autrey Landan has arrived!!

We are so extremely excited to welcome Autrey to our family! On with his stats:

9 lbs. 13 oz.

21.25 in.

Full dark hair in the back

Bruised face on his way out

Perfectly healthy!!

Doesn't fit in Newborn diapers

I never knew a two day old could eat this much!!

Camden told me today that Autrey is his best friend. Ellie told me Yesterday that she didn't want Autrey to come to our house but she's warmed up to him since :)

When he first came out I just cried. I knew my life was going to be completely changed with the birth of this child. Everything felt very surreal. Now that I'm home with him, life feels soooo right and GOOD! I love this little family of mine...so much.

Kids say the darnedest things

Tho other night during family prayer Camden said...

"...please help us to choose the rice" (instead of choose the right). Pat and I tried very hard to hide our laughter.

Yesterday Ellie bonked her head and asked me to bite it to make it feel better. I asked her if she meant kiss it but she was certain biting it would do the trick. So I lightly bit her head :)

4 weeks to go

So, you see the picture to the right of a baby flipping around in my tummy at 36 weeks? I think someone needs to create a more accurate depiction of a 36 week old cramped in my tummy. Maybe a couple of legs kicking a rib cage, a fist to the bladder, etc. I'm sorry to complain but for the record, this has been a body aching pregnancy from the beginning (siatica (sp?)). How is it possible that I can feel this kid in my rib cage and between my knees at the same time? I don't get it. Is he huge? that was my first thought. Now I wonder if he's on the small side with the amount of karate he's still able to do. He's by far my most active in the belly. Please tell me that means he's going to be the calmest when he comes out! 4 weeks sounds very long to me today. Can't wait to meet you Autrey baby.

Happy 2nd Birthday Ellison!!!

one week


10 Things you may not know about Ellie:

She LOVES chocolate covered strawberries

She sleeps in a big girl bed and stays in it for the most part

She talks really loud on a regular basis :)

She's been talking and teasing since she was one

She gives the best hugs and kisses

A good portion of her sentences start with "How about..." (i.e. How about we go to the beach? How about we eat a snack.)

Ellie prefers books about Trucks and Dinosaurs

Ellie knows she and mommy are princesses and any dress or skirt is a considered princess clothes

Ellie has a baby Elephant in her tummy

She will be the BEST mommy's helper!

Ellison is our sunshine! I love you baby girl, Happy Birthday!

CALL ME!

I know I told you last week not to call but now I have my new phone (same number) and no contacts!! Please call me or text me this week...or email me your number so I can program you into my phone! THANK YOU! Love you all!

1,2,3...Go Ellie!!

This week Ellie went #1 and #2 in the potty for the first time! Could she be potty trained before #3 comes in June?! Let it be!

Don't bother calling...

...my phone and purse were stolen out of our car today while we were in church. Boo. The first thing they bought with my card was 7 red box movies. Lame-o. We filed with the police just incase something turns up.

Huge bummer. So if you need to get a hold of me, email me or call my hot hubby. Thanks

Life is still good!! As long as I have my family! The other night we were driving home from a friends house and I was in Pat's car alone while Pat drove the kids home in the minivan. It was dark and a service truck parked right in the middle of the road and turned on it's blinkers. It was in the only turning lane/entrance to another freeway. I pulled up behind it and eventually went around (not sure why it stopped). I thought about Pat distracted by the kids screaming in the car and running right into the back of the truck. I was so freaked out I even cried. I called him and he was actually in front of me and the truck hadn't stopped yet. huge relief. My life without my family flashed before my eyes.

So again, the loss of a hundred contact numbers and credit cards and ID card is very annoying but nothing tragic... Life is still good!!

I LOVE FRIENDS...and FABRIC!

Bre, one of my very best friends, is expecting twins next month!! She is having her first boy and girl :) I am extremely excited for her and Mr. Ahrens. I'm so glad they'll be all caught up to me for a whole two months (until I pop out number three :). She was interested in some car seat canopies for the kiddos and so I jumped at the opportunity to sew something for my GIRL (and her babes)!! I LOVE FRIENDS...and FABRIC!

Boutique Babes

Every Tuesday, 4-8 of my girlfriends come over with their children for Sewing/Sanity Day. Some of us have been doing it for almost 2 years now (in our last home). It's a time to get something crafty checked off of our lists each week. Some girls come just to watch, get inspired and motivated and learn something new. Others of us have a goal and are determined to accomplish it even if there are 6+ kids running around (Camden calls it his weekly Happy Party).

So 4 of us have been interested in selling some of our work and set the goal to bust out a small inventory to sell at our first Flea Market Boutique sponsored by The Willows boutique in Phoenix. It was this past Friday from 10-2. Here is some of our stuff! We had so much fun doing it as friends but the turn out at the wasn't very good. I don't think any of the 6 booths got a single sale. From those who did go through our cute little booth, we enjoyed their feedback on our quality and creativity! We hope to do it again soon at a larger venue :) Anyone know of any?

I really enjoyed putting the booth together. I could do it all day. It's fun to make something special from what you find lying around. By the way, Most of the things we made were out of fabric and scraps we already had. My dresses are the ones with aprons and pockets. I enjoy seeing other dresses and things that I made as I look at them. It was very funny asking Pat which one he liked best because he also recognized the fabric without realizing it. For example "This one reminds me of the living room or something" I pointed out to him that I used some of the fabric in that dress on our living room pillows 2 years ago... Good eye Babe :)