I SURVIVED!!!

It's true, I survived the 5k. It wasn't too bad. It was a little rough on the uphill part but not too bad. My mother-in-law and I jogged about the first 2 blocks and a little right at the end and then we walked fast the rest of it. We aren't sure on our exact finish time yet (they post the times on wednesday) but we think it was about 45 min. My ankles are a little sore and my hip (I have bad hips) but other than that and being a little tired it wasn't too bad. Thanks to Krystal for encouraging me to do it. It really is quite a site to see 13,000 women running, jogging, walking, strolling for such a great cause. There was even a lady with 1 leg and crutches who RAN the race. She was in the red wave with us and she totally kicked mom and I's butt. Very impressive! We're definitely make this a new tradition. Although, I think next year I will get in a little better shape for it. :) And mom, Krystal, Lisa, and I all had the same shoes, cuz we're that cool.

Sorry, no pics. They will be on facebook once Krystal loads them. I didn't have my camera just her.

I miss my knife!!!

I am a Pampered Chef consultant and so I have the opportunity to have LOTS of their stuff and I love their products. If I had to pick a favorite it would definitely be my beaded cheese knife, coming in 2nd would be my cutting board! These 2 items are used on a daily basis at our house. We love eating cheese and since we've been doing a little couponing we have gotten a lot of cheese for free and we eat cheese by the brick around here! :) I have cheese everyday (but not enough to plug me up) ;) Well to cut my cheese I use the fabulous cheese knife and my cutting board. Well about a week ago my knife broke! One of the beads cracked and they are glass and so it's been out of working order. Well lucky for me, it's under warranty! So, I called up The Pampered Chef and told them what happened. They said, not a problem just ship that item to us, once we get it, we will send a new one. So I packaged it up and sent it on it's way. I have been without my cheese knife since Wednesday, when I mailed it. I can't wait for this package to arrive so I can have my cheese knife back!!! And even better about this knife, I can cut a piece of cheese straight. I don't have skinny ends and fat ends. If you can't live without one of these fabulous cheese knifes, let me know and I'll order you one!

Pesto-Chicken Penne Casserole

We had this for dinner tonight and we LOVED it!
It's from Simple & Delicious May 2010

1 pkg (16oz) penne pasta
6 cups cubed cooked chicken
4 cups (16oz) italian cheese blend
3 cups fresh baby spinach
1 can (15oz) crushed tomatoes (I used diced)
1 jar (15oz) Alfredo Sauce
1 jar (10oz) prepared pesto
1 1/2 cups milk
1/2 c. seasoned bread crumbs
1/2 c. parmesan cheese
1 Tbsp. olive oil

Cook pasta according to pkg. directions. Meanwhile, in a large bowl, combine the chicken, cheese blend, spinach, tomatoes, Alfredo sauce, pesto, and milk. Drain pasta and add to mixture, toss to coat.

Transfer to 2 greased 8 in square baking dish. In small bowl, mix bread crumbs, Parmesan cheese, and oil. Sprinkle over casseroles.

Cover and freeze one casserole for up to 3 months. Cover and bake for 40-45 min or till bubbly.

This was super easy to make and so yummy.

5k

It's true...I'm doing my first ever 5k! My sister-in-law Krystal did this one last year and so this year my mother-in-law and I are doing it too. Krystal will run and me and mom will attempt to just finish it. :) I just barely started getting into shape and so it will be very interesting. I have till Sept. 25th to be ready. I don't know that I'll be ready like I should be but I'm sure gonna try. I'm excited and nervous all at the same time. It will be fun though. Wish me luck!

Hunter

I know it's been a long time since I updated and I have a lot to update about but I have to upload pics first...so stay tuned.

Today, Hunter, McKenna, and I went to Winco to do some grocery shopping cuz we had NONE. After being gone for 9 days we had no food in our house. On the way there Hunter was rambling in the back seat like normal. But he said the cutest things. While we were on vacation, while we were in Utah we took him to Temple Square so he could see the Temple up close and personal. He always tells us that Jesus lives at the temple. (it's easier to explain it that way than the up in the clouds) So on our way to Winco Hunter says to me, Mom I want to go in the temple. I tried explaining to him that you have to be a certain age and you have to have a recommend to get inside. Then he said next time I go to the temple can Jesus come outside and talk to me. I said well you know Hunter, you don't have to go to the temple to talk to Jesus (he doesn't quite understand there is a Heavenly Father and Jesus and that they are 2 different people). If you want to talk to Jesus all you have to do is say a prayer and that's how you can talk to Jesus. So my innocent little 2 year old (almost 3) starts praying in the back seat. "Dear Heavenly Father" and then he mumbled a few more things and said in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen. Totally made my day! He was so dang cute about it! I love how innocent they are and how much he loves to talk about Jesus and how he likes to pray and he tries to do the things that he knows are right. Just makes a momma happy!

Blessings

I feel the need to express my gratitude today. It's been a rough few days at our house. One of Josh's co-workers at DIRECTV, who he was fairly close with decided to end her own life this past week. It was definately NOT expected. Nobody really saw it coming. We had just been at a BBQ with her about a week prior to this event. She seemed fine to everyone. Then she went on a trip with her husband to Pebble Beach, California for golfing (not sure what tournament it was). Then the day they got home was the end of life for our friend Robin. She was a very dear friend to Josh and she will be greatly missed!

I feel so blessed to have the knowledge I do of our Heavenly Father's plan. I am so greatful to know that I can be with my loved ones again someday. I am so thankful for my family and the happiness they bring to me each day. I am so greatful for Hunter and the joy he is. He is such and outgoing boy with a very vibrant spirit that brightens our house each day. He is so smart and he knows that Heavenly Father and Jesus love him. I am so thankful for McKenna and the happy spirit she brings to our home. She is a very easy going baby (except when she's hungry). I am so thankful for the opportunity I have to be her mom. I am extremely greatful for Josh. He is so wonderful to me and the kids and so loving and caring. I am so glad he has a job that allows me to be a stay-at-home mom and raise our kids. I am so thankful for his love for me and the happiness he brings to my life. I am so greatful for the gospel in my life and I know that I couldn't survive without the help of my Savior. Somedays that's the only thing that gets me through the day. I am so greatful for the family and friends I have in my life. Life is good!

I hope we can all take a moment and reflect on our lives and tell your loved ones that you love them! You never know when it will be your last chance. So, if you're reading this...I love you!

Hunter Funnies

I have a few min while Hunter is still asleep and McKenna is relaxin in mom's bed to do a quick post. I am way behind on posting and I have a lot of pics to update but Hunter had some funnies so I wanted to post them before I forget.

#1-The other day we were waiting in the car while dad went into Winco to get something (I'm sure it was probly milk cuz we go through 4 gallons a week in this house) and I noticed an owee on Hunter's leg. It was on the outside of his leg by his ankle bone. So I pointed to it and asked him what happened. He picks his leg up and put it across his other like he was getting ready to sit indian style and he couldn't see it. So, he tried turning his leg. He couldn't get it to turn and was getting so mad about it and said mom I can't see it, I can't turn my leg. He kept trying to turn his leg and just couldn't figure out why it wouldn't turn and was so mad.

#2-We were on our way home the other night from dinner and it was right at the time that the sun was starting to set and was just low enough that it was right in his eyes. He covered his eyes and said bright light go away, bright light leave me lone. He didn't like the sun being in his eyes. Josh told him that we will have to find some sunglasses for him so the bright light doesn't hurt his eyes. So now he tells me he needs his sunglasses so that the bright light can't see him.

Oh how I love this kid!