Even though we don't see you often...

we still miss you and talk about you all the time!

Living in Virginia we get to see Mema and Papi a lot. We go down to the farm on the weekend, and sometimes go out to dinner during the week. This is so fun for Olive to get to be by her paternal grandparents, and we love them so much. Unfortunately we don't get to see Grandma Annie, Pop pop's, Yaya, GGma Orchard or Uncle Bob very often. We got to visit them a while ago and need to plan another visit soon. So to all of Olives' grandparents too far to see often we miss you, love you and try to tell Olive about you often.

Uncle Bob

Lovely Grandma Orchard

Grandma Annie

Splash Splash with Pop Pops

snowpocalypse 4 months overdue

I'm not sure if anyone heard but we had a little snow this past winter. It actually broke the record, becoming the most snow this area has seen...EVER. Chas reminded me more than once of my frustration only months before that we don't really get that much snow here.

I must say it was really amazing. The grocery stores were empty, Chas got to miss work, my mom was visiting and was snowed in with us and Olive got to experience something very new and strange. Unfortunately this is way overdue so my recollection of its awesomeness is a bit foggy. I suppose this will teach me not to blog. Maybe some pictures will fill in the gaps.

Church = Play

Lately going to church is becoming increasingly difficult. Olive is just not that into Gospel Doctrine or Relief Society, I know...I know....what is wrong with this child. She does pretty well during Sacrament meeting, flirting with her buddies Roman and Liam in the neighboring pews, but after the first hour she thinks it is time to play with the balls in the gym. She knows right where the closet is with all the toys and really what can you say to a 2 month pre-nursery toddler. Needless to say I am counting the days until she is 18 months and can join the other babies for snack time and 2 hours of playtime. Its really just 2 hours of free babysitting for Chas and I, and honestly I can't think of anything better than that.

Here is Olive in her favorite spot at church. As it's just her size, she loves to sit her little bum right down in it and of course, play peekaboo.

Ruuuuuuuun

Well we are doing it...not it, but half of it. Chas and I are running a half marathon on Labor Day weekend in Virginia Beach. Our training schedule starts June 23rd and we are getting pumped and warmed up. We're up to a regular 3 mile run as a base and ready to bust into 4 and 8 miles sooner or later. I am really excited! I never have liked running because I never got past the "wall". I am past it now. I can talk while I run. I enjoy it and I crave it the next day. Bring on the training and all the miles that come with it. It is going to be a little tricky because if we want to run together we have to go either really early before the heat or really late after the heat. That limits our already limited time together and cuts into Olive's sleep. Alas...these minor scheduling difficulties will not stand in our way and Sept 5th will be an amazing accomplishment.

Chas is limping around a little at the moment after breaking in his five finger shoes with a three mile run. After reading online we realized you're supposed to gradually (like 10 mins at first and then add a few here and there) start running with those babies as they use a completely different set of muscles. Despite the soreness he loved running in them, I am still on the fence on the purchase. On the flip side, I have been able to finally justify the overpriced jogging stroller I convinced him we should buy.

Lastly the iPhone has an awesome app called runkeeper that we use to track our progress. It logs distance, calories burned, time, elevation etc. It has been a great tool to start to track our progress. It is also a reminder of how far we have to go. The first ten minutes of each run I think over and over how much I don't want to ever run 13 miles. Once I get past that first mile though I start to feel pretty good. I'll let you know how I feel after eight miles.

Running advice, running playlists, tips etc. are welcome to get this party started.

Swagger Wagon

My niece Mekanna showed this to me a little bit ago and it still has me giggling at random times throughout the day. I don't have a swagger wagon but these actors are so good they make it a little more appealing.

Wawaah!

We started off the summer right at an awesome water park with Chas' family. It was super kid friendly and super adult friendly as well. Olive loves the water, or "wawaah" as she calls it. She had fun with her cousins going down the baby slide over and over again. I was surprised how brave she was and how well she could handle wading in the water. With Chas and I close by she cruised around all by herself. At first when she would fall we would freak out and quickly prop her right back up but we finally relaxed and let her do it herself. it was hard to stand back and watch her save herself but she always emerged with a big smile.

Deep survival skills I'm sure daddy taught her in the bathtub.

Work it with that beach body!

Olive, Hannah and Suede

There's nothing better than being in clean jammies after playing hard at the pool all day. Daddy and milk at your fingertips and daddy wrapped around your fingers...that's what life is worth living for. Olive is 100% Daddy's girl.

Memorial Day Show

We met up with the rest of the Clawson clan at the steps of the Capital on the Sunday before Memorial Day. It was hot and sunny but worth it. The messages of the soldiers and their families who sacrifice for our country were tremendous. It's a little late but God Bless all of those who are now and have previously served.