MATCHBOX TWENTY!!!

I had the absolute BEST Friday night ever! My BFF TR came down to Southern Utah and we drove to Las Vegas to catch Matchbox Twenty in concert at the Pearl in the Palms.

We stayed at the Palms as well and the rooms were pretty nice. TR found a killer deal which made it awesome as well. What we got a kick out of in the room was the minibar. It had the typical stuff like alcohol and snacks, but we couldn't help but chuckle at the intimacy kit that was available for $25, the $25 disposable camera and the no hanger shots (I can't remember the price of those, but they weren't cheap).

We got to Vegas and explored our hotel, had a few drinks and dinner, and then got ready for the show. It was fun to kind of dress up and feel like an adult for a change. 

We knew it was a small venue, but it was incredible once we got in there and saw how great our seats were. I read in the booklet in our hotel room that the furthest seat from the stage was only 120 feet!

The show was absolutely A-MAZ-ING and it brought back lots of memories on how much I really do love Matchbox Twenty!

After the show we walked around the hotel (the really long way) and hung out near the tour buses waiting for the band to come out. A short while later Kyle Cook (the lead guitarist from MB20) came out and took pictures and signed autographs.

A little bit later out came the band's front man Rob Thomas. If you remember from this post, one of the people I dreamed of meeting was Mr. Rob Thomas himself. It was seriously a dream come true! At first when he came out he said he was just going to sign autographs and wasn't going to take individual pictures. I had him sign my ticket, but then a few minutes later people were snapping photos with him. I wasn't going to not get my picture with him so TR and I squeezed in for a pic. We actually had two taken -- the first one didn't look very good though.

Kyle and Rob were so cool just hanging out and chatting with the fans -- the security guards not so cool. People kept getting yelled at to make sure they were standing on the curb and not the street.

This was definitely a night I will not soon forget. It was so much fun seeing my favorite band and spending time with my oldest friend. I wish we lived closer and were able to spend more time together, but I really value the little bit of time we do have. 

One final picture -- this is how I felt at the end of the night :)

Getting in the spring spirit

I'm not really someone who loves one holiday over another, but I've certainly been having more fun this year decorating and making treats to go along with each holiday than I have in the past. 

When I went up north for spring break my mom and I went to a craft store called the Wood Connection where I had bought the shamrocks and also some cute peeps. 

This picture is of the ones I did at my mom's house. Mine are cute, but I didn't have enough black to do the eyes. I'm think I might just do some puff paint for the eyes. 

I also made a super cute banner to hang with the peeps, but it is too heavy (or I need to actually ask for help and not just try to do everything myself) so it isn't hanging.

Today at LD's school they were having an Easter egg hunt and then a picnic lunch. I had so much fun actually making him a sack lunch and I put a little surprise in there. I can't wait to do this every day next year (I say that now!). I also got some peeps, the candy, to give to his teacher and each of his bus drivers. 

And probably what I was most excited about was these suckers I put together. I really love Like a Pretty Petunia's blog and the printables that she posts. If you follow the link it will take you right to it. I just printed them in color (cardstock would have been better, but I didn't have any) and then cut them out. I put a hole right above the teeth and then put the suckers in. 

DC said they were a big hit with the kindergartners. I wish I could have seen.

On Saturday Aunt A and I took the kids over to Wal-Mart to get their picture taken with the Easter Bunny. I don't know why E.B. doesn't go to the mall anymore. It seems the only place I can find him, besides at egg hunts, is at Wal-Mart. At least they let me take my own photo and they also give me a free 5x7 photo.

I think EM and LD look so cute. I tried getting EM to sit next to the Easter Bunny, but she didn't want to. She let her big brother have the glory.

Last but not least, with spring goes outdoors sports. We had LD in football in the fall and he is playing soccer right now. He absolutely LOVES soccer. He's pretty good too. This shot (which isn't a really good one) he's playing goalie. He let one slip by him, but once he got out of the goalie box and was running on the field he tried really hard to make up for it. He is a fast little one, the only thing is I don't think he likes being in where 10 kids are trying to kick the ball at once.

We have him signed up for Pee Wee baseball so it will be interesting to see how he does at that as well. LD is such an active little kid -- he's like the Energizer bunny how he just keeps going and going and going.

Zion Half Marathon and Angels Landing

When I first heard about the Zion Half Marathon I thought it sounded pretty cool and I wanted to get a group together to do it (because it's always fun to be with friends and it saved you a few dollars!).

Somewhere along the line I decided that the race was too expensive for me (it started off at $65, I think) and so I made other plans to go to the Scrapbook U.S.A. Expo with some of my sorority sisters from college.

Then about a month ago I found out that my brother-in-law and his wife were planning on coming up and he was going to do the run. I felt kind of stuck between a rock and a hard place. I really wanted to go spend time with my friends (and family -- I already had babysitting plans organized with my brother), but I knew if my brother and sister-in-law were coming up from California they were going to want to see their niece and nephew.

I decided to stay home. I didn't have any plan on actually doing the run, but I figured I would be a support on the sidelines.

Then about a week before the race I saw something on Facebook about people selling their bibs. I instantly decided that this was something I really wanted to do. I posted on Facebook that I wanted to buy someone's bib and by the end of the evening I had all the information I needed.

We went out to Springdale on Friday right after work to pick up our packets. I was impressed with how awesome the race shirt was and the little expo was fun. DC was so sweet because I pointed out a really cute 13.1 necklace and he ended up buying it for me. It really means a lot to me. I don't necessarily think of myself as a runner, but somehow that number -- 13.1 -- proves to myself that I can do anything I put my mind to.

I really wanted a photo of just DC and I, but EM was being a stinker and insisted on being in the picture too, but she wouldn't turn around.

We had dinner in Springdale and then headed back home to watch San Diego State win their first round NCAA tournament basketball game. It was a pretty good night!

And then morning came way too early! The race started at 7 a.m., but our shuttle time was 5:30 and it takes a good hour to get out there. My alarm went off at 3:30 and we were out the door by about 4:15. It was myself, my brother-in-law and then his wife, my sister-in-law, that were the ones who were participating in the race. 

The night before I had pulled out all my gear and got my Ipod set to go. While I was waiting to leave on Saturday morning my Ipod said it needed to update and I thought I had enough time, but as we were walking out the door it was only about halfway through the update. I figured I could just power the thing off and turn it back on and then finish the update later -- WRONG. This is the screen I saw:

I was so frustrated and figured I was going to have an awful race without music, but it ended up being OK in the end.

When we got to Springdale I completely forgot about my music because it was absolutely beautiful how many stars were in the sky. I don't think I've ever seen something so magnificent in my whole life. I tried to take a couple of pictures, but they just don't translate.

It was pretty cold (definitely below freezing) and we stood in a tent with some heaters after we took our shuttle to the starting line. And stop the presses -- I used a porta-potty! I had drank so much water on the way out there I thought I was going to die!

While we were waiting my in-laws gave me some Gu and some Chompers. I had never had either, but they were actually pretty good. There was also Gu at each of the water stations and I really think that is what helped me to do so well.

I loved that we had a timing chip and my shoes look super professional with it one!

Like I said before, I think the Gu really helped and for the first time in my life I ran (very slowly) NINE miles straight! I was so stinkin' proud of myself! My time was right around where it has been -- 3 hours and 21 minutes this time -- but the point is I finished and I felt awesome!

Now part of the cool thing about the Zion Half Marathon is that if you completed the half and then went and did Angels Landing within 72 hours you are forever immortalized on their website and you get 50% off next year's race entry. I was all about this, as we everyone else, so we went and did the strenuous hike on Monday after I got off work. 

You gain a ton of elevation quickly going up to Scout's Lookout. I love seeing the trail behind us. 

This is my "I'm prettying to be scared, but I just might really be scared" face. This was my second time doing Angel's Landing and the first time I was definitely more scared than I was this time.

My official photo with my bib number and metal on. I'm also wearing my super cool race shirt.

My sister-in-law and I.

My feet looking down the canyon. Don't worry -- I'm just sitting in this photo. I have a thing about taking pictures of my feet!

DC and I. I really, really love this photo of us!

My post scary part of the hike picture. I hardly said a word going up, but you couldn't shut me up going down. DC kept telling me we weren't out of danger yet, but I was already celebrating.

And here is DC and his falling man picture. You kind of get an idea from the sign how dangerous the hike can be if you either aren't paying attention or aren't in the right shape to do it. Notice I don't really have any photos of us hiking because my camera was in my backpack. I know DC took some photos and video, but I  don't know if I'm ready to see those yet!

One last photo -- looking down the canyon. It is definitely one of the most beautiful places on earth.

Well, that was a couple of highlights of our fun, active, outdoorsy weekend. :) Thanks for reading if you made it all the way to the end!

What I Wore Wednesday

I was super excited for Saturday's San Diego State game against Florida Gulf Coast. I figured the Aztecs should do well and easily advance to the Sweet Sixteen.

Boy was I wrong! I swear if FGC was playing any school OTHER than SDSU I would be cheering for those guys, but right now I'm still bitter. 

Anyway, here is my outfit that I wore in honor of the game.

I bought this SDSU shirt last summer down in San Diego. At first I thought it was too small, but I think it fits well now. 

The pants are from Old Navy. They actually have little cream colored polka dots on them. I had DC put them in the wash this week so they fit a little better than the last time I wore them. I love that these can transition from winter (with boots) to spring (with flats) without a problem. 

Friend Making Monday -- 10 Questions

If you’ve taken part in Friend Making Monday then you know the rules. You answer the questions on your own blog and then link back to Kenlie’s blog, All the Weigh.

I love doing this because it’s so fun to see different people’s answers to the same questions and it definitely makes you think! Hopefully you’ll play along J

1. Describe the kind of home you would live in if money were no object. After going to the Parade of Homes a couple of times I definitely have some ideas on features that I would like. More than anything I want lots of storage so I can have everything have its place. I would love a HUGE master walk in closet and if possible even to have a washer and dryer in there. I would also like a laundry room with cabinets and a counter with a sink where you can wash out the things you need to before they go in the washer. My main want for a kitchen is to have a double oven. I hate when I have to cook two things and they require different temperatures so I’m trying to balance both and have them turn out perfectly. Only in my dreams, I guess.

2. Are you more conservative in your actions or more rebellious? I am definitely more conservative in my actions. I’m a planner and I want to know what I’m doing and when.

3. Would you go to Mars even if it meant you could never return to Earth?  No. I really don’t have any interest in going to Mars. Even if it were a free trip, I just really don’t want/need to go there.

4. Name one song that makes you want to dance every time you hear it. Usually anything by Pitbull and/or J. Lo. Those are the type of songs I love to put on my IPod because they keep me moving and energized.

5. Share one thing that you wish you could go back and do differently in your life.  I wish I was more physically active when I was younger so I didn’t have to work so hard now to be where I want to be physically.

6. Share at least one accomplishment that people wouldn’t expect you to be proud of. I am proud of the fact that I do my best work at the last minute. I think this is why I really liked Journalism – you always had a deadline you were working on.

7. Describe one delicious thing that you’ve eaten lately.  Yesterday morning I made a cinnamon coffee-cake dish for breakfast I saw on Six Sister Stuff. It is definitely NOT Weight Watchers friendly and was more work than just opening up a box, but it was pretty good. I brought some to work with me for breakfast today and there is only one small piece left at home. I guess everyone liked it! If you want the receipe it is here.

8. If you had a theme song that would play every time you entered a room, which song would you choose?  “Girl on Fire” by Alicia Keys. I just feel so empowered and confident right now that I can do absolutely anything I put my mind to.

9. Has technology enhanced your life, or has it over complicated your life?  I think it has definitely enhanced my life, but I have to remember not to let it be a time sucker and take away from other things I should be doing like spending time with my children and cleaning the house.

10. If you could get paid to do any job, which job would you choose?  I would do something with scrapbooking.

Now it’s your turn to answer this week’s questions!  Don’t forget to link back to Kenlie’s site. 

March Madness

I absolutely LOVE this time of year! There is nothing more fun than having basketball on all day and a bracket filled out hoping that your team wins. There's just something about college basketball that is like no other sport.

It's magical!

Of course I'm cheering for San Diego State, but I don't expect them to go to far. I have to be realistic about their talent compared to some of the other teams in the field. According to President Obama's bracket he doesn't even think they'll win one game -- we'll see about that Barack!

Anyway, I thought it would be fun to share my bracket on here, but I've tried three times and it won't work!

I have Louisville winning it all and no major surprises  We have a little challenge going on at school and not even halfway through the first day I'm doing awful. Oh well! At least it's cheap fun!

St. Patrick's Day Fun!

I know St. Patrick's Day was a couple of days ago, but I thought I would share some of our celebrations.

On Saturday I actually went out and did a half marathon. We started in the industrial park and then ran/walked all the way down to Arizona, went on a trail on the strip and then turned around and came back. It was pretty awesome. 

I had my slowest half marathon time yet, but I'm OK with it because 1-- I finished and 2 -- I am a bit under the weather thanks to whatever gunk has been going around my house.

I spent a lot of my spring break cleaning and with that I was able to actually put out some of my St. Patrick's Day decorations (let's just pretend that I did it the day before the holiday!). 

The hat is just a plastic had I bought at Michael's a few years ago and the beads, garland and sunglasses (sitting on the blocks) are from my awesome friend JM. We were in Venice last year together for St. Patrick's Day, her favorite holiday, and she made sure that we were all decked out. Now the goodies are a part of my decorations.

The "lucky" blocks, the "lucky" card are ones that I made. I also painted and glittered the two shamrocks. I bought them from the Wood Connection and did them while I was up at my mom's house for spring break. Look for some Peeps to show up somewhere on the blog soon! :)

And how could I not post this cute photo! LD was so excited for St. Patrick's Day. It was all he could talk about for at least a week. The shirt might be getting a little small for him, but LD didn't care. And how cute is EM?! I pulled out the "Mommy's lucky charm" shirt and she just lit up. I'm so proud to call these two my kiddos.