Serious about oral hygiene

As I was cleaning the bathroom this morning I realized this. Can anyone tell me why two people need, count em, five toothbrushes?

Happy Valentines

This is what happens when you don't start trying to get a reservation for Valentine's dinner until three days before. We hit up the local Kentucky Fried Chicken- buffet style! It was good eatin and there's nothing better than gazing into your Valentine's eyes over a whole chicken carcass. As you can see Taylor demonstrating, it was 'finger licking good'.

Taylor made these chocolate strawberries. They were meant to satisfy my love of the Cummings version and ended up being very good. He is quite the little Martha when he tries.

I borrowed an idea from Erin and gave Taylor a jar of 'Why I love you' notes. It was a little on the cheesy sentimental side but I enjoyed making it and hopefully Taylor will see that I do appreciate him.

For my gift Taylor bought us new hardware for our kitchen cabinets. Just a little change to update the kitchen and I love them.

Before....

...after. What do you think?

Taylor also surprised me with these beautiful lilies.

We hope you all had a great Valentines Day.

Texas

Taylor and I headed south this last weekend to visit Spencer, Ashley and Sophie. We had a great time seeing the sights and offerings of the great city of Lubbock. The Texas Nelsons were fabulous hosts-

Taylor and Sophie had fun playing together.
Ashley invited me along to her monthly card-making class. It was lots of fun and I think my cards turned out pretty well.
We had our first Texas sized meal at Rudy's. BBQ brisket, turkey and sausage! I was in heaven and I'm pretty sure Taylor was too. If you ever visit Texas- don't miss the opportunity.

During our tour of the surrounding areas of Lubbock we came across these two houses. They are part of Ransom Canyon- a delightful neighborhood that surrounds a lake. The one below actually stands on three metal legs. Pretty interesting architecture.

We hit a Texas Tech basketball game on our last night. Tech was able to defeat Baylor in the final few minutes of the game. I think the Nelsons were good luck.

The WNBA's biggest fan and his woman Sheryl Swoops.

A friend at work told me I had to return with a jar of cotton. So here we are stealing, I mean, gathering our loot. I have just noticed I stepped in a huge muddy mess. I went the rest of the ride without shoes.

My favorite part of Texas are the wind turbines. I think they are so cool! In some parts of the state you can pass fields with hundreds of them. It is quite a sight. Lubbock had about five.

Spencer, Ashley, Taylor and I visited the Lubbock Temple while Sophie had a play date. We performed some ordinance work and then were able to tour the rest of the temple. I love to see the unique architecture and decor of temples whenever I can. The Lubbock Temple was very beautiful and we enjoyed the opportunity to go. (Yes, even Taylor!)

Another place you have to visit when in Texas- Freebirds. They have the best burritos- enough said.
Lubbock was the hometown of the great Buddy Holly. So we made a quick stop to honor him and pose next to his glasses. Moment of silence please.... okay.

Overall it was fun to see where Spencer, Ashley, and Sophie live. We saw Spencer's Law school, met a lot of their friends and decided Lubbock is a pretty nice place to visit. Thanks for having us!

13.1 Miles and Two Black Toes

This past weekend the Nelsons headed to sunny St George for Sarah and I to participate in the Painters Half Marathon. I have been training (and dreading it) for months. I have run races in the past and I knew I just wanted to finish and not hurt myself. We could not have asked for better weather- it was sunny in the 40-50s and the start time was 9am. We started at the Dixie Convention Center and winded our way northeast to one golf course and then back on trails to another golf course. Ran around that golf course and returned to the convention center. Overall it was a great course, not too much elevation change and enough for a bored mind to look at. My favorite part of the race, besides the support we got from the family, was how much support total strangers gave each other. You were running separate times but not alone. Here are a few pics of the festivities:

Taylor was a very supportive husband. He kept reminding me "you made your choice". Those loving words carried me through some of the hardest parts of the course. He did surprise me throughout the race at a few aid stations. That was a true lift.

Team Nelson showing off and enjoying ourselves before heading off to the start line.

Brett and the Kiddos waiting to cheer on their mom around mile 8. Bruce and the Jode were also there. Bruce took lots of pictures and video throughout the race- Thanks Bz! I can't wait to see them.

2hrs and 22 minutes later I saw the finish line and bolted. I averaged a 10.5 minute mile. Not the fastest in the world but slow and steady... Sarah finished in 2hrs 6minutes. Very nice!

My badge of honor! I knew my toe would go black because it's happened in the past. This year though I had a surprise, not one but two black toes (same toe on each foot). My shoes were plenty big. I think that poor toe takes the brunt of the assault because it is slightly longer than my big toe. I figure I'll paint the rest black and I'll be trendy for a while- at least til it falls off.
Sarah, Melissa, Brandon and Jenny Bigler. We all started the race together but Brandon and Sarah pulled away early. Jenny and I ran most of the race together- she was a great running mate.

It was a great treat to see my cousins were running as well. I ran into Wayne, Jenn, and Mike before the start and saw them a few more times throughout the course. These guys are my race heroes! They have participated in multiple marathons and iron man competitions.
It was a party at the finish line- My friend from work, Vanessa.

Taylor took this picture while waiting at the finish line. He wanted me to know that Grandma had finished before me. I saw that lady pass me on the course- Granny could run!

Another random pic from Taylor. I would love to have a Great Dane as many of you well know- my reason- to run with. Lucky lady.

So 21.08 kilometers or 69,168 feet, or 830,016 inches later- I enjoyed myself. I may even be talked into running another race. Give me a few years!