it.is.about.time

Friday didn't seem to come soon enough this week. Maybe it is the mixture of exhaustion and stressed from the conference I went to in Chicago or maybe it is the fact that it is getting darker earlier. I can't wait to be cozy with husband and cone head (Nixon got neutered on Tuesday).

Fill In The Blank: Post Halloween

1. What were you for Halloween: Lumber Jane and Lumber Jack

2. What is your favorite Halloween candy: Sour Patch Kids

3. Best Halloween memory: All the years dressing up with Liz and Lauren and always having to adjust our costume for snowy weather. I swear it always snowed on Halloween growing up. Also loved going trick or treating on Main Street and then to the neighborhoods.

4. Most creative Halloween Costume: My Giraffe Costume

That is all I have in me today! Posted below are some Halloween pictures and Nixon's cone of shame.

st.george.marathon

It finally came! After four months of early early mornings and long training runs, I finally ran the St. George marathon and let me tell you it was not easy.

At the beginning of September I pulled my abductor in my upper thigh and I was not able to train or run like I wanted all of September and still bothering me on race day I went for it. I wasn’t thrilled about my time, but I finished and I did it. I am relieved it is over, but it was a lot of fun to do with Dave, Erin and Care, that was definitely the best part.

The worst part-- I couldn't even walk for two days after and my pulled muscle is even worse, oh well what can ya do.

Marathons definitely take time, commitment and sacrifice. It is weird that my life no longer revolves around my training runs. Tomorrow will be the first Saturday I get to sleep in since I don’t know when. I probably won’t even sleep in passed 7 to be honest. Here are some pictures from the race. 

The thing that made the race and made my day was seeing Liz and Justin cheering me on at the finish. I am sad I didn't get a picture with them. I have such awesome friends who wished me luck before my race.

Finish area

Trevor & Frank were our support on their bikes starting at mile 18. I cried when I saw him. Trevor is amazing and has supported me the whole time through training, injuries and race day. I love him. 

My sister-in-law Care, she has been a great training buddy and I love running with her. Me and my medal! Booyah

Me and my medal! Booyah Gross blister, seriously made my toe look deformed.

Gross blister, seriously made my toe look deformed. My feet have definitely seen better days can't wait to get a pedicure. 

The thing that made the race and made my day was seeing Liz and Justin cheering me on at the finish. I am sad I didn't get a picture with them. I have such awesome friends who wished me luck before my race. Oh yeah and I didn't poop my pants!

fill.in.the.blank.fridays

Fill In The Blank Friday’s: Weekend Favorites

1.    What do you look forward to most  during the weekend? Two whole days with my husband, no worrying about being up and ready for work. Just the two or three of us.

2.    Favorite weekend date would have to be dinner and a movie, I absolutely love going to the movies, I think I get it from my mom. If not a movie hiking, bowling or miniature golf.

3.    Go to weekend meal Top It Frozen Yogurt haha I could eat this every meal, but really on the weekends it is a must.

4.    Anything you dread for weekends? Basically laundry, deep cleaning and long training runs. Got up to 20 miles and they take up most the morning.

5.    Favorite weekend Pandora station? Lately it has been Imagine Dragons and Passion Pit!

6.    My ideal weekend would consist of living room sleepovers, a good hike, a run, frozen yogurt, a movie and seeing family and friends.

Happy weekend everyone!

san.francisco.working.girl

Traveling again! This past week I was in San Francisco again for a Social Media Strategies conference. Lucky for me, or lucky for Trevor he was able to come back with me. If you remember I got him a plane ticket to come and Giants tickets for our one year anniversary.

It was a short trip, but a lot of fun! We were able to see a lot of the city and Trevor was able to relax!

Our first day in San Francisco was spent checking into a new hotel, the conference hotel was gross, smelled of urine and probably was haunted. We also were able to meet up with Trevor’s friend from Portland, Austin Bell, and his girlfriend, Moanahana, to walk around, eat lunch and do some shopping.

Trevor and Austin at Union Square

Tuesday was spent inside for me, but I learned a lot of great stuff and was able to get a picture with 12 time Olympic medalist Natalie Coughlin. It really was a great conference and met a lot of great people. That night the fun really began… We walked to the Ferry building and along Embarcadero street and then made our way to the baseball game. Austin and Moanahana went with us too so it was a lot of fun, it was FREEZING though and the Giants got killed.

Wednesday was spent sightseeing and finding our way around. We went to Lombard Street, Nob Hill, Ghirardelli Square, Baker’s Beach and the Golden Gate Bridge. I love San Francisco, so many childhood memories and time spent in that city.

It did feel good to get home and see Nixon. It has been a very busy month for me and I can’t believe it is coming to a close. This is the first weekend with no plans and we love it. Next weekend ST. GEORGE MARATHON yikes!

grand.opening

Grand Opening of the Matt Knoop Memorial Park

On September 15^th Basin Recreation hosted the grand opening for the Matt Knoop Memorial Park. It was beautiful. There were lots of friends and families and loving support.

It was a true celebration of Matt and all his achievements and contributions to our activities. For me it was pretty emotional. I loved seeing the joy on everyone’s faces, the laughter and all his friends playing a soccer game in his memory. This is a perfect place and a perfect way to remember and represent Matt. I could just picture him everywhere.

I can’t wait to take my own kids to this park and tell them Matt’s story. I am convinced and set on buying the lot that is for sale right next to the park! Natalie,

Natalie, Dave (Matt's Dad and our old soccer coach) and I admiring the beautiful astro turf soccer field. 

Sarah Cate and I. Sarah was my roommate up at Utah State and had to deal with Matt all the time because of me. We all became a tight knit group. It was so good to see her. 

Natalie, Kaye (Matt's Mom) and I. It was truly a perfect day.

seattle.working.girl

Seattle

Last week I was up in Seattle for the Pacific Northwest Mortgage Lenders Conference… Sounds fun huh?

For my first time to Seattle it wasn’t that bad. I did spend a majority of the time in our hotel representing IDS, but on the last day I was able to go out and explore and catch up with old friends. It was perfect weather and the city was beautiful. 

The IDS Booth

The opening reception cocktail party for our conference was at the top of the Space Needle on the first night it was so amazing. The view from the top is unlike anything. I loved seeing the ferry boats and the water. It was a great way to spend my first evening in Seattle.

View from our room at the Grand Hyatt Seattle

View from the Space Needle, I love ferry boats

Space Needle

Space Needle

On Wednesday once the conference was finished I was able to meet up with one of my very good friends from home Brittney Bell, now Brittney Gardner and her husband. We met up at the Pike Place Market and it was a blast, totally different and unlike anything in Utah. I loved the flowers, the pier and all the small shops and food vendors all along the market. 

Pike's Market with Britt, love her!

Pike's Market flowers, they are so beautiful and so cheap

The famous Gold Pig and me it doesn't get much better than that. 

The 'World Famous' Fish throwers. They came to speak at our convention and it was really fun to see it live at the market. 

Gum Alley- Entire wall filled with gum, yuck!

The first Starbucks ever. Everyone in Seattle always has a cup of Starbucks coffee in their hand. 

The Pier

Seattle was a lot of fun, but it was long days and lots of hours and it felt oh so good to get home to husband and Nixon.