Half Marathon

About ten weeks ago I had a momentary lapse in judgment and signed up to run in a half marathon.  Yikes, what was I thinking!  I'd planned on running in a 10K race this year but when I saw this all women's race I thought to myself, "a half marathon isn't much farther than a 10K" and I signed up.  Silly me!  A half marathon is more than twice as long as a 10K - I really did know this but like I mentioned - a momentary lapse in judgment.

When the reality of what I'd done sunk in, I kind of freaked out for a few minutes but then decided this would be some good motivation to get my sorry self out running regularly again.  I figured I could at least get in good enough shape to finish and started getting up at 5:00 am to run before work 4 days a week.  On Saturday mornings, I'd go for long runs to build up my distance. (I haven't blogged this whole month because I've spent my extra time trying to get ready for the race.)  It was pretty hard at first but within a few weeks I could tell a difference - the running was getting easier.

I'm a pretty slow runner so my goal was to finish in around 2 hours and 45 minutes.  I'm happy to say not only did I finish the race, I actually accomplished this goal by finishing in 2 hours and 37 minutes.  I did it!  It was hard, and there were moments when I wasn't sure I'd be able to do it - I'm so glad I didn't listen to the self doubt and give up. 

Brad has been a HUGE support too - encouraging me the whole time, helpimg me get out to run and even going on a few runs with me.  He came and ran the last 4.5 miles with me - I'm not sure I would have made it without his encouragement.  Crossing the finish line was such a great sense of accomplishment.  I plan to keep on running and who knows, maybe I can do another half marathon next year but finish in 2 hours - it's something to work for.  :)

Spicy Ranch Dressing - Cafe Rio Style

I love this dressing!  This tangy ranch with a little bite to it is so very yummy - my mouth waters just thinking about it.  I've tried several different recipes and ended up compiling a few of them to come up with a version I like best.  Hope you enjoy it too!

Spicy Ranch Dressing

1 cup buttermilk
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/2 cup sour cream
1 package ranch dressing mix - I like Hidden Valley
8 oz. can Salsa Verde
1 clover garlic, minced
1 small jalapeno (seeds removed)
1/2 cup fresh cilantro
1 tsp kosher salt
1 - 2 tsp lime juice
1/4 tsp cumin
1/4 tsp fresh ground black pepper

Place all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth.  Refrigerate for several hours for the flavors to blend.  It can be thinned with extra buttermilk if needed.

Flashback Friday

Looking back through some old photos I found these cute pics from when Winston was not quite one year old yet on a trip to Lake Powell.  Zack was helping him drive the boat. These were taken July 23, 2007 - almost exactly 4 years ago.

I love looking at our family photos and remembering all the fun we've had together and seeing how far Winston has come.  I can't believe he'll be 5 this year!

Warm Bellies

I don't do many product endorsements, but when I find a great product or something really useful I like to pass the information on. Since we spend quite a bit of time on the water, I wanted to find a wetsuit that would be easy to get Winston in and out of. and I foud one! 

They're called Warm Belly wetsuits and these suits are made just for kids.  You just pull them on and they fasten at the shoulder with velcro straps.  Also, they're adjustable so they grow with your child which really helps.  I hate spending money to buy a quality product only to have Winston grow out of it after a few months.  This will last him for a few years.  So, if you're looking for a great wetsuit for your child, you can find them here at the Warm Belly's website.

4th of July Highlights

We had such a great time this year.  Our ward put together a primary parade and then the bishopric made breakfast for them afterwards - pancakes, bacon and eggs with orange Tang to drink.  Winston was so excited to decorate his bike - he had a blast riding in the "parade" and wishing everyone a Happy 4th of July.  

Here's the proud rider.  :)

He was so excited to go I could barely get him to hold still for these pics. 

He wasn't quite sure if he should just jump in - it was his first parade.

Off he goes!

After that we headed up to my mom's for the annual 4th barbeque and water games.  The grandkids (and now the great-grandkids) look forward to this event every year.  Winston hardly ate lunch - he just couldn't wait to get the water fight going. I didn't get a pic of it (because I was the one filling them) but we filled up over 150 water balloons for the water fight - boy did they go fast!

This was my brother Bruce's gun and it was taller than Winston but he managed to make it work.

Winston and Jack had a great time together.

Brad with our "grown-up" boys - it's so great to have them back home!

My mom jumped in to get their pic too!

Jack, Winston and Clay were all on one team fighting against their older cousins.

My beautiful sisters Heidi and Lauri and my beautiful niece Brittany.  Lauri's holding little Scott - the youngest grandchild for my mom.  It was so fun to hang out with these amazing women.  I'm blessed to have them in my family! 

Me and my wonderfully awesome mom.

I had to catch this shot with my mom, Bo and Zack.  I like that you can see Brad and Bruce  in the background.

Jack, Luca and Winston - we finally got them to hold still for about 30 seconds to snap a few pics of them together.  They're all within about a year of each other and it's been fun watching them grow up together.

Winston, Jack, Clay and Tucker bouncing and squirting each other - good times!

Winston and Jack having a jumping contest.

All in all it was a great day!  I sure love my family!!  :)

Teddy, a Boy's Best Friend

Winston would love to have a little brother.  Unfortunately that's not going to happen, so he's come up with an alternative - his teddy bear.  If you ask him, "Do you have a little brother?", he'll tell you, "Yes, his name is Teddy." 

Teddy's become the little brother Winston wishes for.  They do lots of things together - read books, watch TV, build towers with blocks to name a few.  I think this is adorable and wanted to catch a few pics of them hanging out. 

A few weeks ago when we finally had some nice weather, they sat on our front porch watching the neighbors.

Winston decided to show Teddy some ants in the flower bed.

Here's that big smile I love so much.  I'm glad Winston and Teddy "found" each other.  They make a great team.  :)

Blond Brownies a la Mode

This is another super yummy family favorite recipe I discovered in an old Taste of Home magazine - it's also located on their website.

These brownies are soooo delicious!  They have a rich almost butterscotchie flavor and stay moist for several days.  They're fabulous without out the topping and are out of this world with it.  The topping's also great by itself on ice cream.  Here's the recipe so you can enjoy them to.

Blond Brownies a la Mode

Ingredients:
3/4 cup butter, softened
2 cups packed brown sugar
4 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1-1/2 cups chopped pecans

Maple Cream Sauce:
1 cup maple syrup
2 tablespoons butter
1/4 cup evaporated milk
Vanilla ice cream and chopped pecans

Directions:

• In a large bowl, cream butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in vanilla. Combine the flour, baking powder and salt; gradually add to creamed mixture. Stir in pecans.
• Spread into a greased 13-in. x 9-in. baking pan. Bake at 350° for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. ( I usually have to bake these for 38 minutes.  You don't want to under-bake these or they turn out gooey.)  Cool on a wire rack.
• For the sauce, combine syrup and butter in a saucepan. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 3 minutes. Remove from the heat; stir in milk. Cut brownies into squares; cut in half if desired.
• Place on dessert plates with a scoop of ice cream. Top with sauce; sprinkle with pecans. Yield: 20 servings.

Creamy Black Bean & Corn Salsa

I received this recipe from one of my co-workers a few years ago - it's become a family favorite or ours.  She'd brought this salsa in for a pot luck office party and we all loved it. She was happy to share the recipe with us and I'm happy to now share it with you.  Brad and I both love this stuff and another plus - it's easy to prepare.

Creamy Black Bean & Corn Salsa

Ingredients:
2 cans Mexicorn (drain one)
2 cans Black Beans  - drained and rinsed
1 container grape tomatoes or 1 cup chopped tomatoes
1/4 cup chopped Cilantro
1 cup Ranch Dressing - I like Hidden Valley
1 - 2 Tbsp Hot Sauce - start with one tablespoon and if you like it a little spicy add more
2 tsp lime juice
1/2 tsp salt or to taste
1/4 tsp black pepper or to taste

Mix all ingredients together and stir well.  Chill for a few hours and serve.  The longer you chill this, the more the flavors will blend.  Serve with corn chips and enjoy!  I've even made this without the tomatoes before (didn't have any on hand) and it still tastes great without them.  You can also serve this as a side dish salad.  It's just a great, versatile dish.