Easters with Great

Every year Grandma Great spends Easter at our house. The day begins with attending church, finding the eggs left by the Easter Bunny, and then feasting on John's specialty Easter concoctions. He is the best of Chef's and loves to dazzle us with his cooking genius, Grandma is particularly impressed. We love spending this special day with Granny Great, she is the best. Great is my maternal grandmother who spoils my kids rotten, and they love her for it. This year Great turns 80, but has the energy of a 30yr. old. The woman can work circles around me, and I never stop working. Yeah, pretty crazy. We are so blessed to have a Grandma Great and to have her as such a large part of my children's lives. I remember Great's dad who was my grandpa Great, he lived to be 94. The Rushton's drink from the fountain of youth. I hope that I will be a very fancy Great to my childrens kids, and I hope to be as vibrant as my Granny when I am 80. Love you Great!

Addie's first Easter with Great

Addie's Second Easter with Great

Addie's Third Easter with Great

Addie's Fourth Easter with Great

Addie's Fifth Easter with Great and Willie's First

St. Patty's with Gucci

St. Patty's is always a favorite at Gucci's house. We ate a delicious corned beef and cabbage, loaded potato skins, Rainbow Sherbet, and mint chocolate brownies. Gucci always makes everything beyond perfect and special when it comes to Holiday celebrations. We made up limerick's, did the jig, and named the Leprechaun. Addie won the Leprachaun naming game with "Sparkle Leak." Who wouldn't vote for a name like that? John won the penny toss into the cauldron game, and Shannon won pass the ball. I was her fierce competition, and she smoked me. We laughed, played, and partied Irish style. To say that we missed the Pearson's in Texas and the Ipson's in New York would be an understatement. Our parties have become quite small, and we did miss them terribly. Had a blast, but missed you all the same. I wish you all a St. Patrick's day filled with Leprechauns, but not the creepy one from the movie. Unless you are a troll, and then I wish that Leprechaun on you.

Willie, me, Gucci, and Addie

Gucci and Willie

Granny Great

Gumby child

The newlyweds

Love that little Jack Jack face

Top Ten Reasons Why....

Fat Girls Shouldn't Run 16 Miles!

10. After a horrible 7 1/2 month pregnancy your lung capacity is the size of a dehydrated pea and your girth is competing with Shamu.

9. Your spandex has stretched to maximum capacity looking like you're going to pull an "Incredible Hulk" at any moment.

8. 65 yr. old men in booty shorts jog past you shouting out words of encouragement.

7. While running, your metabolism is overworked refusing to digest your buffet of carb loaded foods from dinner the night before.

6. Your wee metatarsals can barely sustain the weight of your voluptuous figure for 2hrs. and 40min.

5. Your toe nails want to leap off of your toes rather than experience the agony of having you heave each step squishing them forward to a purple and black death.

4. People drive past you with sympathetic stares thinking "it's about time you got a move on it."

3. Tribes of six pack sporting chicks jog past you forcing you onto the sidewalk because you don't deserve the road.

2. Even the spandex can't keep your thighs from chaffing.

1. Zero amount of tie dye wearing can disguise the muffin top and jelly roll bouncing around with each agonizing step.

Seriously, running 16 miles nearly killed me! I look just fine for a person walking around in society, but for someone trying to run a marathon....not so much. I definitely have a few pounds I need to shed in order to make this easier. The thought of having to run 10.2 more miles makes me want to jump from the highest building I can find. 26.2 is hard enough, but carrying an extra 10 lbs. is super hard. I have six weeks to go, so hopefully things will pick up here. If not, I will have a slow race. I will finish, but not beating my last time. Fingers crossed.

Dog The Bounty Hunter

I watched this show while I was in Texas visiting my brother. Oh my stars! I laughed so hard. I know, it is totally white trash, but he really is very religious....in his own way, and prays before every hunt. Dog says the funniest things like, "at the end of the criminal rainbow, there is no pot of gold.....only a 6X6 cell." We couldn't stop watching episode after episode. It is like a really great version of COPS. Only funny, and mullet-like. Love it!

Adventures in Austin

What is worse than wearing the same thing as the person sitting in front of you on an airplane? How about having the person be PREGNANT! Yes, it is true. The darling little young thing was prego, and a good sport to let me take our picture together. Really we laughed super hard. Off to Austin TX on a girls trip. Here are a few of our hot spots from our trip.

We arrived in Austin 4hrs. after the crazy man crashed into the IRS building. We were hearing about it as we happened upon it on our way to my brothers house. I had my camera handy and was able to snap a few quick shots. Pretty crazy and some serious big news in Austin.

Day1: Barbecue dinner at "The Salt Lick." Yep, it was as good as it looks. We had all you can eat brisket, ribs, and sausage, all cooked Texas BBQ style. Yummo!


The house that John would buy if he really loved me! Okay, seriously though.....who needs all this? It was beautiful.

Can't remember the name of this little peak we climbed and looked out over the token body of water in Austin. All I could think of was how big the homes were and who in the world would own them?

Self explanatory.



The tacos really were good. My taco was a beef one with lime and avocado in a corn tortilla. Really yum. The chips and salsa were also delicious.

On SOCO. Loved all the cool little antique and vintage shops. I felt like I was in my favorite indie music album as I strolled down SOCO perusing the little flea market.

As annoying as it is to listen to people blab about how much better the church is outside of Utah and all the Utah hypocrites, I must admit that I really did enjoy going to church in Texas. It does have a different feel, I wouldn't say that it is so much better, but I think as members you definitely need each other more. Pretty cool.

Mom, me, brother, new SIL Shannon, and Great. Loved their "Mansion House" as Great calls it. You really can get a lot of real-estate for your buck in Texas. Their home was beautiful and backed up to the green belt. The weather was super nice and warm and clear. I could breathe. And bathe in the sunlight. Loved it.

I was beyond elated to see my darling niece and nephews, my amazing SIL whom I miss a ton, and my awesome brother. Sherri was so cute, she had treats that she had made and placed on our pillows each night. What an amazing woman! I will miss them, but I now have an excuse to return to visit a really cool place. Thanks Pearson's, I love you all.

13 years....to the Valentines Day!

I know, let the laughter begin. I bet you never knew that John had a long neck did you? He does. It just looked a little different 13yrs. ago. I am sure that this will be among the many gushy Valentine tributes that are read on peoples blogs. I will keep the gush to a minimum. When I met John he was kind, fun, fearless, gentle, and soooooo easy going. Much different than the first boyfriend (who is now a lawyer), MUCH different. John was so refreshing; he laughed when I spun and tapped through the grocery store, didn't blush if I wanted to wear a wig or costume out and about, came to dance concerts with flowers, and thought that it was perfectly normal that I would wear a red pants suit to the Valentines Dance at the High School. I was the only girl in a pant suit. John was perfectly okay with me being me, and I was mesmerized by his talents. Many of you don't know this, but, John is the most beautiful skier I have ever seen. He takes giant cliffs on the slopes like they were mere bumps and was thrilled to help me pick out my first pair of K2 Ski's. John has millions of gifts and talents but you don't always know what they are because he doesn't talk about himself. He likes to let other people brag about themselves. In fact, most of you probably couldn't say what his hobbies and interests are because he rarely turns the conversation to him. John is an amazing cook, photographer, skier, he bikes, blades, has a huge baseball and basketball card collection, loves to read Biographies of Prophets, is passionate about the Gospel, and economics. John has worked a job since he was 13 where he was a bus boy at a restaurant in Ogden, John has never asked his family for help with anything, and has always put me and the kids first. Gentle, kind, and good, oh and did I mention loyal? Pretty freaking amazing eh!

I can't imagine my life with anyone else. Would anyone else let me buy a house while they were out of town, start refinishing a kitchen and painting while they were gone, speak to me after wearing a wig off the airplane from NY to see if he would recognize me, wear matching 4th of July t-shirts, not kill me for bringing home a dog, go along to dance concerts, after concert Leatherby's nights, theater after theater, project after project, craft after craft, arts festivals, tattoo conventions, marathons, you name it. John is always willing to support me in whatever endeavor I pursue, Gatorade in hand, and a big smile on his face. I really didn't deserve this. Don't think he is perfect, he isn't. Really he is VERY messy, totally untidy. But..... I would take the messy for all the wig wearing in the world. John and I went to the Valentines dance together in 1997. For our Valentines date he made me cheese ravioli, with candles on the table, and he gave me a Fossil Watch. I still have it. My kids will inherit it and probably throw it away with all of the other junk that I find to be treasures. Thank you Johnny for not binding my wings, for letting me soar for 13 years, and for loving me unconditionally. You really are the best!

Happy Valentines.

This is why I am....

going crazy!

Yep, he is all over the place. Even climbing the stairs. The funny thing is that he is so little that it looks really funny to see him crawling. Willie is 9months but still looks about 7months old. I really love this boy. On Friday I lowered Willies crib and on Sunday he was standing holding the railing when I went to get him. He is super strong. I know that I have laughed about his general aesthetics, but he really is a cute little stinker. I have a feeling that he is going to keep my hands full for a very long time! Squish.

Feeling Valentine-y?

Are you feeling Valentine-y yet? I am. Let's face it, when you have kids you have a lot more Valentines to distribute to: School teachers, classmates, dance peers, friends, grandparents, and parents. This is where doing the boutique circuit comes in handy. I have found all sorts of amazing things at boutiques, but I really thought that this idea was super cute and easy breezy to make. All you need to do is go to local D.I.'s and dollar stores and find some candle sticks, plates, and glass glue. I found some pretty basic dish ware, that I easily jazzed up with some red and pink ribbon or tule. Next time I think I will splurge and go to antique stores and get some neat old pieces to put together. But for now, this will do. Wallah, you have cute and easy candy or cookie dishes that are fun to display year round or for the holiday. Happy Valentining to you!

On a Clear Day

I love movies. Not just a little, but a lot. Since I have been training again, I have been searching deep within my soul trying to work out some kinks. Life catches up with you and you begin to stare reality in the face. Marriages aren't all happy, families aren't perfect, some friends aren't really friends they are Salieri's from Amadeus, not everyone likes you, your kids drive you crazy, your testimony wavers, disappointment becomes more powerful than death, but.....this happens to everyone. Reality, demons, struggles, and figuring ourselves out is universal. I loved this movie "On a Clear Day." Truth be told I cried from beginning to end. It spoke to me on MANY levels, and I honestly believe that it speaks to everyone. I want to watch it again to gain a little perspective. Among all the struggles and confusion, I know that I am super blessed. I live in a wonderful country, I have a healthy family, a doting husband, and love working with kids teaching dance. If you are in a funk or don't know what to do now with your life, I think this movie is great. One of the things that touched me in this film was the loyalty of the main characters friends as he tries to accomplish his goal. It reminded me of my Marathon and the awesome package Maren sent me from Texas, and the peanut butter cup cheesecake Rashawn made for me, and the beautiful flowers and goodies sent to me by friends in the ward. In life you have so many people who tell you that you can't or try to bully and intimidate you into failure, but when you have an awesome support group around you the blessings and possibilities are endless. Thanks friends for being there. Watch this movie. Tell me how you like it and if it touched you as much as it touched me.

BTW, it is a British film, so you may have to listen carefully to understand what they are saying :)

The Ash Kicker

I figured that since it was my second year with "The Pin Pushers" I would invest in my future as a bowling virtuoso. Oh yes, I have become a bowler extraordinaire. This does not mean that you have to be good at bowling, oh no, you simply have to meet these requirements: #1. Professional chit chatter who likes to bowl, #2. Lover of greasy delicious artery clogging bowling alley food, #3. Chuck the ball and hit the pins most of the time, #4. Laugh really hard. Simple. Honestly, I love these awesome women who I bowl with. I learn so much from each of them and I have fun "working out" on the lane. Bowling has become my physical, emotional, and social outlet. I love it. A long time ago I blogged that I wanted to be buried with my Dyson. Well.....my Dyson will have company, yep, "The Ash Kicker" my new bowling ball spectacular will be there as well. I know, I know, I named my bowling ball. A gal we were bowling against today looked at me like I was pond scum when I told her my elation at getting "The Ash Kicker." Apparently in some circles it isn't cool to name your ball, but lets face it, we name the things we love. My first car was the "Silver Sliver" a 1985 Ford Taurus. Loved the thing until it practically blew up 6 months later. At any rate, if you are hanging out at Davis Lanes on a Wednesday afternoon you will see The Pin Pushers and "The Ash Kicker," we aren't hard to find, look for the team having the most fun.

The Blue One vs. The Pink One

The Blue One

The Pink One

The pink one is definitely different than the blue one. People wished a boy on me. It was as if I hadn't had to know what it was like to parent until I had a boy (according to the boy wishers). It is true, they are not the same. Not the impending doom of boyness spoken in a Darth Vader like voice of the boy wishers, just different. For example: Adessa has to wear a dress to church that she can twirl in, she eats like a bird, begs to apply make-up on anyone she sees, dreams in pink and glitter, plays Peter Pan, dances rather than walks, and begs to wear frou frou's. I personally would love to ski down that perfect jump of a nose. She is beautiful. The blue one: eats like a lion, poops like crazy, super strong, super happy, is crawling much earlier than his pink counterpart, loves noise, wrestling, and doesn't cry when he cracks his head or is told "no." He is NOT beautiful. I don't even know if I could say he is good looking, but he definitely melts my heart. When he smiles his little Yoda Troll face I just have to laugh. It is obvious that the two of them are just as different in personality as they are in looks. I am glad that I have one of each to exhaust me in different ways, one emotional, the other physical. Love em', Love em'.

Couldn't Help Myself

I am sure you all have opinions about what kind of mother I am, but I just couldn't resist! The similarities are freaky.