Thailand!

Kyle is getting Izzi dressed to head-out for a morning of Upwards Basketball at the church. I'm wondering what to do with myself, with my few moments of childless freedom! I think I will go into town on this fridgid morning (0 degrees out there people!) and lay in a tanning bed and perhaps go to the library for some new books!

Kyle, myself, sister Carrie and her hubby Nate are all going on a trip of a lifetime! March 30th we all will embark on a journey that will lead us across the world to Thailand! My brother-in-law Casey and his wife Amy are living there currently, teaching in a school for a year. They have a two week spring break, so the six of us will tour around, ride elephants, zip line tours, lay in the sun on a gorgeous beach, each yummy Thailand food, sweat to death, etc. I get so excited thinking about hot weather, as I sit here frozen in front of our fireplace. At the same time, I am nervous. Nervous for the 24 hour flights we get to endure, and then dealing with jet-lag, nervous about a new culture, nervous about leaving my daughter for two weeks...I have that little butterfly in my tummy. I can't believe how fast March 30th is approaching! Ahhhh. But mostly I am thrilled and excited. How often does one get the opportunity to do this....with family no less! I have decided it is so much fun to travel with your friends/family. You feel a little more safe and at night you can sit around and talk for hours about your day and play games too. Plus, when the boys are sick of the beach and lounging in the sun, the boys can take off and explore and us girls can continue are baking! Yipee!

I run

Two weeks away from The Scenic Half Marathon in Sandpoint, Idaho. Ahhhh! I ran it last year in just over two hours. My goal is to break the two hour mark this year. So I have been running all over the Sandpoint/Sagle area :) If only my legs looked this good all the time. It stinks that in order to maintain this I have to run 25 miles a week.

My parents are living with us currently so it makes it easy for me to train this year. My mom plays with Izzi while my dad and I run. Oh yea, my dad who is 58 ran it last year with me and is again running it this year. Carrie, Nate (her husband), Dad and I are doing it together. What a great memory for all of us. I told Kyle that I hope I can run a 1/2 marathon when I am 58...it is now a goal of mine :)

Family Pics by Bryan Rupp Photography! Yay !

http://www.bryanruppphotographyblog.com/?p=4674

Cancun 2010

Kyle and I were able to vacation in Cancun this January for super cheap. He had a free travel voucher so we were in paradise for a week. We had an amazing time in the warm ocean and hot sun. We traveled to Chichen Itza and saw the Mayan ruins. It was incredible and really HOT! On the way back we stopped at a hole in the ground that had an underground river and was 160 feet down. People jumped in and swam ... Kyle did, I took video! : ) Someday I would like to take a two week vacation somewhere. A week just goes by too fast.

Seattle

Kyle, Izzi and I are in Seattle this week. Kyle is in his good friend, Ira's wedding, this Friday night. I love coming to Seattle-the shopping, the beauty of the constant green, the sky scrapers. I feel a thrill inside of myself. However, the last time I was here was 2 years ago for Casey and Amy's wedding. We spend a whole week in a condo downtown with Bill and Roberta. Alot of the places we visited last time with them, we have this time. I find myself remembering. Remembering my wonderful mother-in-law and just how wonderful she was. I miss her so much. I see places we posed for pictures, places we ate, the coffee we drank-and I wish so much we could do that one more time. It feels like yesterday she was here. I close my eyes and remember from my memory-her laugh, our conversations, her genuine interest in us, her generosity. It's not fair. Why couldn't we have more time?
I went running yesterday and it was good to have some time to myself. Time to be emotional without be self conscious. Time to remember and take myself back in the past. Time to be thankful for that wonderful week, two years ago.
We have had a great time being with Casey and Amy. We ate at Palamino's last night in celebration of their Anniversary. We dressed up and wore painful high heels (Amy and I that is). Took pictures like it was prom-and had a great time together visiting and eating good food.

Casey got the smoker out and cooked us up some pork ribs and pulled pork sandwiches. They were simply amazing. Casey is quite the chef. We have taken several walks with Izzi in the stroller, enjoying the amazing 80 degree weather in Seattle. Today (along with the Flarehty's) we walked 3/4 of a mile to a toddler park. Izzi is quite the walker now and so she can start enjoying parks. She was enamoured with sticks and rocks and trees. We put her in the swing and took a million pictures. She is such a doll. I love her!

Casey and Kyle and out at Ira's bachelor party tonight. Amy is working, Izzi is sleeping and I am getting caught up on my thoughts. I am looking forward to my sister getting her tomorrow, Kristine and Addison too. Lunch with my mom's highschool friend on Friday and of course the wedding of our dear friend. I am thankful for the people in my life. Thankful for my husband and daughter, family and friends. I am thankful for the time I have with them. Thankful to Jesus Christ, my Saviour who loves me so much and has blessed me.

Kyle

Happy Birthday Kyle! I love you!

Mexico Baby!