Together Again

Hurray!! My parents flew in from San Diego for 10 days to be with us for the Thanksgiving Holiday. We had so much fun. They got to see our new home for the first time and Ohio for that matter. They're trip started out with a warm welcome from Kiley who remembered them from the web cam. She didn't want to leave Grandma's arms when we got to the car to drive home.LOL.


We went to the National Museum of the United States Air Force (The world's largest and oldest military aviation museum), and it's FREE!! What more could you want?

We went to the Bass Pro Shops/Outdoor World which is a huge retail store but with so much to see and do inside, they had Santa there, and a huge waterfall and fish, turtles, target shooting, and activities for kids. It was great. And did I mention FREE!! I am so into finding the good places to go that don't cost me a penny.

We went to the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Gardens Festival of Lights, which we have season passes for. That was really pretty, but cold and Kiley doesn't last that long.

My parents treated us to Red Robin which was fun because we never go out to eat. And my Dad took Christian to the movies while mom, Ki and I shopped, which was a lot of fun.

We took Kiley to the mall one day for her to play since it was cold outside and they have a play area there. She was having so much fun, then she saw that they had a choo choo train set up for the holidays. She got so excited, we asked her if she wanted to go on it and she said "Yeah!!"

Well, it started out okay until she realized that we weren't with her (kidz only), and she was locked in. They go four times around this little track. On the second lap they had to stop the train because she was screaming hysterically. Not her favorite ride I guess, but surprisingly she still likes to talk about choo choo trains. LOL. We ended leaving the mall by going on the carousel they have there, that ended it on a good note. She liked that ride since I could go with her.

Thanksgiving day was so much fun. I had been training with a friend of mine, Sharese, for about 6 weeks to run the 10k Thanksgiving Day Race in Downtown Cincinnati. When I first decided I wanted to do the race I called my dad to see if he would want to join me. He was excited and prepared on his own back in Cali. So Thanksgiving day Sharese picked Dad and I up and we went downtown to start our Thanksgiving Day with a 10k. LoL, that totally rhymed, I'm good=)

Our goal was to finish in under an hour and we all did. I came in at 58:17, that's 9 minute miles. That works for me.

We returned home and after running I must say that that was by far the best Thanksgiving dinner I have ever had. I couldn't wait to eat, I was so hungry and it was sooooooo good. I went back for thirds and fourths only two hours later. Oh, how I love food, and the fact that I actually didn't do much at all except help my dad with the gravy. My mom, being the amazing mother that she is cooked dinner and watched Kiley while dad and I were running and Christian was playing football with the guys in our ward. She did an amazing job. Everything tasted so good. And I know she didn't mind. She was excited for us and excited to get one on one time with her granddaughter.

We had a wonderful time together and were sad to see them leave, Kiley cried at the airport but recovered quickly as soon as I occupied her with food. Did I tell you how much I love food? LOL. We will miss their company but look forward to seeing them next year at our small but fun family reunion.

Happy Halloween

I know it's a little late for Halloween, but I'm behind and trying to catch up here, okay. LOL. For Halloween Kiley was a ladybug. And the cutest one EVER!! Thanks to my mom who found this cute as can be costume at...you guessed it, a garage sale, where else?

We went to the ward Halloween party the day before Halloween where they went door to door trick or treating. Each room was decorated and had an activity for them to do. Kiley wasn't sure at first until she realized they were giving her something.

She had yet to be introduced to candy, I have been keeping it from her these last 19 months, boy was she surprised when she realized exactly what they had given her.

She couldn't wait to go trick or treating on Halloween night. We'd been practicing with her on how to say "trick or treat" but she never did really get it down, but she sure knew how to bat her eyelashes, grin and hold out her bucket. LOL.

We went to about 9 houses (in our neighborhood everyone goes outside and sits in their driveway with candy, friends and a fire pit). Kiley realized that if she didn't listen to me telling her "Okay let's go, say 'Thank You', next house, keep moving Ki" and lingered instead, that they would offer her a second piece of candy. LOL. She learned the tricks way too early. But none the less we had fun and I'm sure she'll remember just how fun it was when next Halloween comes around.

Home Sweet Home

I know I've been a slacker on keeping you all updated. I apologize, I think I am finally starting to get back in the groove of things after the move. Get ready now though, because I will be posting to couple of blogs in a row to catch you all up on what you've been missing.

I know I already posted pictures of the house before we moved in and most rooms aren't that different since they are still empty so I just attached a few pictures this time for you to see. We love our new place. It's a great neighborhood and we look forward to the many years it has to offer us.

So You Think You Can Dance

Kiley loves to watch So You Think You Can Dance. Just watch!

Here is just another cute video of Kiley. Enjoy! If you listen very closely at the end she says "Mom?" She calls me "Mom" not "Ma Ma", not "Mommy". I'm already raising a teenager. LOL.

The House

So, here are the most recent pictures of our house. It's coming along. Most everything, like flooring and countertops are all covered in cardboard for protection so it's kind of hard to see everything, but it will at least give you an idea. I think the cream cabinets will look really sharp once I paint the walls. I'm so excited. Only two or three more weeks! Enjoy!

Our Visit to Cali

SO, how did we end up in Cali? Well, basically my Mom missed us so much that she flew Kiley and I out to Cali for two weeks for her birthday present. SWEET!! We had so much fun and kept super busy. We had planned so much but just didn't have time to fit it all in. Maybe next time. =)

Two days were just taken up with traveling, then two days for getting my hair done =) (I had gone to a place in Ohio, but they didn't even know how to straighten my hair. Scary, huh?)

We visited with lots of family: the Towners, Grandma Hoggan, Aunt Paula and the Dawsons. We went shopping with Sheila and my Mom who both totally spoiled Kiley and me (I had to check a whole other suitcase just to bring everything home. LOL). We had so much fun though!

I got my IN-N-OUT fix, my yummy frozen yogurt fix and my REALLY good Mexican food fix all taken care of (at least for now =)). Ohio really needs to work on getting these. =)

We got to go to the beach once with my mom and dad who took the day off. HURRAY!! I only wish we could have gone more, but things just kept coming up and time just kept disappearing. Kiley and I had so much fun though and the weather was perfect.

Kiley said her first real word while we were there. "CLOCK". Except that she leaves out the "L", so we are working on that part. LOL. By the time we left she was saying, "CLOCK", "Oh, no", "Yeah", "Up", and "Whoa". She's so cute.

I got to go to the temple while I was there, which is such an amazing blessing. It's an 8hour day to go out here in Ohio, which with kids can make it really difficult. So I was so thankful I was able to go while out in Cali.

My friend Heidi and her two girls came out for the day from Redondo Beach to visit and swim with Kiley, my mom and me. It was so good to see them again. And they brought me delicious El Burrito Jr from Redondo. Did I say friend? I meant bestest friend ever!!! LOL. We miss havingthem as our neighbors. Walks to the library, workout mornings, 24 late night get togethers, amazing coconut hot chocolate, and just hanging out. I had so much fun and Kiley had a ball playing with Genevieve again. I am pretty sure she still remembered her, even though it had been 7 months =).

Sadly, while I was there, Trudy's father passed away and a funeral was held in his honor. It was a beautiful funeral. The spirit was so strong. Ian, Michelle and Kyle all flew in for the funeral. It was so good to see them, even though it wasn't in the best of circumstances. At the funeral Ian, Michelle, Kyle and I all sung "Nearer My God to Thee" while their Uncle Terry played the guitar. I was so honored to be part of such a beautiful tribute to their grandfather. Ian played a beautiful piano piece, Mark gave a wonderful eulogy, Michelle and Ian put together an amazing video presentation of their grandfather and Ian's father-in-law gave a beautiful military tribute (hopefully I didn't forget anything, but I had to step out because Kiley was too loud).

The day after the funeral, Kiley and I headed home to Ohio. Sad to leave but excited to see Christian again we boarded the plane. The night before we left Kiley and I had web camed Christian. Kiley wanted to give him a hug through the computer and when she realized she couldn't she got hysterical. Kiley and I both really missed Christian. I believe this is the longest we've been apart.

So, while I was gone in Cali what did Christian do? I've been asking myself that same question. J/K. LOL. As the amazing, wonderful, great husband that he is he kept me well informed. He went on two business trips and visited his friend Matt in Chicago. He said it was so much fun. Matt took him golfing, to the movies, dinner and to see the great city of Chicago. I'm sure he'll be talking about it for a while. LOL. We don't get out often enough. =)

When I get some more pictures from our Cali trip I'll post them. We are going out to see the house this weekend, so I will take pictures and update you soon. So exciting!

Our Visit to Wake Nation

This past weekend Christian took Kiley and I to Wake Nation where the 2009 USA Wakeboard Cable National Championships were going on. Scion was one of the sponsors so we were able to enjoy it for free.

The best wakeboarders from across the U.S. were there to compete for a spot on TEAM USA and earn the right to represent the United States at the 2010 IWSF World Cable Championships in Neubrandenburg, Germany. We were there for the final rounds of the National Championships.

Wakeboarding is the country's fastest growing water sport, and what is so different about Wake Nation is that the participants can wakeboard, water ski, and kneeboard WITHOUT A BOAT! SAY WHAT? LOL. Instead, they are pulled around a 10-acre lake at speeds of 18-20 miles per hour by a circulating cable system that runs 35 feet above the water.

It was awesome to watch, even Kiley liked watching and tomorrow Christian might get the opportunity to try it himself. =) Attached is a video from our trip of one of the world's best professional wakeboarders, Tom Fooshee. Enjoy!

At the Park

The other evening Kiley, Christian and I went for a run to the park. Kiley loves the park and her absolute favorite thing to do is to swing. She always wants to go on the big kids swing, but she settles for the little kid swing. LOL. She is such a sweet heart and we love her so much.