Friends & PF Changs

Several months ago I met my friend Stacey online.. Yes she knew Chad growing up, but moved away many years ago... With lots of emails and blog checking over the next several months we find out how much we have in common and I find out what an amazing person she is. Stacey decided to come down to AZ to visit her parents and run her 9th Marathon the weekend of her birthday. I FINALLY got to meet my friend Stacey and her sister Sarah at the movies last Friday night. We saw BRIDE WARS. Later that night Sarah and Stacey came over and it was so much fun to hang out with NEW FRIENDS that I felt like were my own sisters and like I have known for ever. I must say SUPERWOMAN.. She ran the FULL marathon in 3 hours and 43 min. It was her 9th one and the 2nd time she qualified for the BOSTON Marathon. Stacey is AMAZING..



It was not the FULL marathon I wanted to do, but after having a stress fracture I was glad I could do the 1/2 marathon last week.


PreRace
Jessica, Jen, Me, Amy and Rob

We had fun before the start there were 34,000 runners and we saw some funny things including 2 bumble bees and a guy shaving his nipples 5 min before starting.
At the finish line I was able to meet up with friends like Cassie Vennard

And Amy VanGieson.
But sorry girls... This is the guy I was most excited to see.. I love you Chad and I am so grateful for all the support you give me. Letting me go out for HOURS at a time to run almost every day.
And for wrestling with the 4 kids for several hours so you could all be there at the finish line.
I really love my family. I feel so blessed to have them in my life.

January Catch Up

Life has been busy.. As it has with every one I am sure.. But I needed to finally update the blog...
So I begin back in December...


Lochlin has been playing the violin this year. It is so cute to see him enjoy music. This was from his first concert. He is in Orchestra with his friends Tanner, Taylor, and Walker.

Chad's family invites SANTA to come visit every Christmas. It is such a fun tradition.

The Howey Boys.. Travis, Ty, Martin, Paris, Josh, Chad, David and Spencer .

The Howey Girls. Cheryl, Dawn, Mican, Britini, Tatum, Shea.

The Howey Grandsons...
And the Howey Granddaughters... Yeah ... a little out numbered...

Santa came again to visit us at the Farnsworths. Ashlyn wrote him a note letting him know how good she has been and asking for a "glamorous barbie"

Santa gave all the kids their Christmas PJ's.

Making Gingerbread houses with the kids was so much fun..

They were so creative. and LOVED having all the candy to nibble on while decorating.

Christmas Eve the kids were so excited to see if Santa would come visit.

Grandma and Grandpa Allen came to visit over Christmas. It is always nice to have my family come into town.
We all made it to the temple one morning. Mom, Dad, Steph, Me, Gma & Gpa Stephenson and Niel and Sandy.
the new Valley Light Rail system opened and we took the kids for a squishy ride.

These three boys spell TROUBLE...

The kids had a fun New Years Eve party, We took them to Amazing Jakes then they all came back to our house to PARTY while the parents went out to play too.

HAPPY 2009

Lochlin, is now 10. He is such a good big brother, He loves to SPY with his friends, so if you live in the neighborhood... WATCH OUT... These boys may catch you doing something. He is also into taking apart toys and using the wires, batteries, etc to make other things move, spin or light up. I hope he continues to develop this tallent. Maybe he will soon be albe to take apart computers, or build a spaceship one day...

Braeden, is 8. and He is such a funny kid. He has the cutest smile and dimples. He joins Loch in SPYING, and playing mechanic. Brae likes to ride his bike and play wii. Brae is such a good student and loves to read. Brae is ALWAYS wanting to hold babies that are around. Luckily he has baby ADDI to hold.
Ashlyn, is 6. She is such a good reader. Loving Math and being in first grade. She has lots of great friends. and LOVES to play barbies and ride her bike. She is little miss independent and seems to think she is sixteen. I really just want her to stay my little girl forever.

My little "I"... Irelyn is so stinkin cute. Her smile is to die for. This girl cracks me up... she loves to play dress ups, and barbies and she ALWAYS has to carry a purse stuffed with puppies, kitty cats and dollies. I hate that she keeps growing up.

Ashlyn lost her first tooth. She was so excited to get a visit from the tooth fairy.