Running....I mean jogging.....I mean walking - whatever ;)

When I first started college, I noticed 2 of my roommates just loved to run. And, not just every once in a while, but EVERYDAY. I thought to myself - "those girls are crazy - i hate running, better yet - i can't stand to exercise!" I couldn't believe the discipline they had to get up every morning and run. I'm not talking like a 20 minute jog - they would run for like an hour, maybe longer and actually RUN!
Both of my brothers were runners all through middle school and high school. I was a cheerleader and on the dance team. I didn't run. I actually tried to do track one year but couldn't make it past the 2nd day and ended up quitting. (Hey! I tried didn't I) :)
I decided I really wanted to change and make a difference in myself as a college student. I wanted to create a new me and that meant becoming a real athlete. (I wasn't on the competitive cheer squad or dance team - so it wasn't exactly athletic) So, I decided to give this running thing a try. When I first started I ended up walking most the way. Then it gradually became a full on jog, which then turned into running. I was doing it! I got to the point where for an ENTIRE semester - I got up an extra hour and a half earlier than I was supposed to and ran for at least an hour if not more and made time for a quiet time. (Wow - I'm pretty sure that's a lot to get done before class as a college student. Most my fellow students came to class still in their pajamas!) I probably was running around 6 miles a day. I think about that now and can't believe I actually did that. But, it felt like such a huge accomplishment. I saw a difference in my ability to focus during class and an increase in energy and overall happiness. I loved that feeling. I miss it. I actually loved running.

Now, I'm missing it more because I don't have the stamina to run 6 miles everyday and it makes me sad. I want to do that again. I made the decision yesterday that I was just going to do it. So, I got out the jogging stroller and went for it. We only went for about 30 minutes but something is better than nothing. I did end up walking most the way but I did jog some. My goal is the Turkey Trot in November. We always do the Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving day and this year I would like to RUN it and actually get a good time. Maybe I will try for a half marathon in Feb. - we'll see! ;)

Here is Eden ready to go - she's excited!


Here are my sweet roomies who inspired me! (Please excuse the HORRIBLE picture - it was the only one of us 3 I found on Nick's comp. - all the pics of us are on my comp. - I had to crop someone out.) Left - Cynthia; Right-Anne

Pine Cone Bird Feeder

Yesterday we made a pine cone bird feeder!
Eden had so much fun doing it. She sat so still and watched and helped. She loves our activity time!
She also ate most of the peanut butter and we had to keep her from eating the bird seed. Haha!

Nick got home early yesterday so he got to join in on all the fun.

Ready to get started!


She's excited!


She liked the smell of the peanut butter.


Eden wanted to show Daddy her cool cup.


Time for bird seed


Sprinkling on the bird seed


Checking out our bird feeder


Hanging it up!


We did it!


On to making another one and she loves the smell!


She also likes to eat it!


That was fun, but can I play with my chalk now?


Our feeder actually worked, however we didn't see any birds. We watched for a long time but no birds came. This morning all the seeds were gone. Not sure what ate it, but we have plenty more seeds so we will try again and see if we can find out!

School is starting!

Is the summer over already?

It went by way too fast and my little baby is growing up too quickly. I dread the day I have to send her off to school. Thankfully I have some time, which I plan to cherish every second of.

Since school is starting, I thought why not start something educational for Eden each day. I understand that she is only 16 months old, but I think she can learn a lot of skills from simple activities each day.

For example, today for our first activity, I took an old box and taped a piece of paper to it and had her put her feet in it and used that as her table to color on. She LOVES to color but it's hard because at this stage it gets everywhere if you aren't watching them every second. When it gets cooler we will do this activity again outside, but for now inside on a box works great.
I also went through each color she was using with her. The funny part is that she didn't seem too interested when I did it in English, but when I said the colors in Spanish, she got very still and wanted to learn. She actually pointed to the right colors when I said them in Spanish. Isn't that funny??



(Looking at the box she is using reminds me that we are potty training - I will post about that later.)

Yesterday we went on a walk and collected pine cones. On our walk we talked about what everything was (flower, leaf, grass, sidewalk etc.) I had her repeat everything I said and she had so much fun. This afternoon, we are going to make a bird feeder with the pine cone by spreading peanut butter on it and sprinkling it with bird seed. I anticipate Eden will most likely be eating the peanut butter, but I'm sure it will be fun. She will love watching the birds.

I am still working on what we will be doing the rest of the week for our activities and I'm seeking some suggestions.

Do you have a suggestion for an activity for us to do??

I would love help being creative and keeping a toddler busy.

Family Reunion/Vacation

Last week we got to see some of my family we hadn't seen in a while. It was so great to see them and all the new babies that have arrived.


It was so special because my Papaw (my Dad's, Dad) paid for us all to stay at these amazing houses in Wimberly, Texas. There were 3 houses and 2 pools for all of us and we enjoyed it so much. We all had such a blast and were so grateful for the opportunity to get together. Thank you Papaw!

Eden's favorite part about the whole trip were some little pony's down by one of the houses. She kept asking to go see the "hortey's!" It was really cute.

Here are some of our favorite shots from the reunion!


Mommy and Eden swimming!


Cayden and Eden: Cousins first bath together


The whole Day family


Silly Day's!


The Randy Day's


The Carrol Day's


The Collin Day's


Four generation boy shot on the Carrol side


The Vann Clan


Eden and Mommy


Cayden and Collin


My big bro. and I with our babies!


Eden checking out the "hortey's"


Sweet little girl!


She LOVED those "hortey's"


Eden liked Cayden's fuzzy hair!



Have a great weekend!

Birthday Fun!

I have been SO bad at keeping my blog updated lately. We have been extra busy this summer so I haven't really taken the time to update. I will work on getting better.

This past weekend was my 25th birthday! Wow...I can't believe I am 25.
As my brother said...I am old enough to rent a car. Hmmm....something seems strange about the fact that I have graduated college, am married, and have a kid and couldn't rent a car until now. Interesting!

Anyway, we had a fantastic weekend. Nick surprised me on Friday by taking off work to take Eden and I to lunch at the Aquarium downtown. We had so much fun and Eden had a blast. She LOVES fish tanks!!! By the way - if you live in town or near by click here to receive a coupon to buy one all day pass for $15.99 and get another one free. That pass gives you all day access to everything at the Aquarium. (A GREAT deal)

Saturday morning after we all got up and got ready, we dropped Eden off at my parent's house and Nick and I took off to get some Starbucks - mmmmmm yummy - White Chocolate Mocha!! It was so nice to just sit outside and sip my coffee next to my sweetie and enjoy the calmness. After we finished our coffee's we walked down to this amazing salon and had a couple's massage. Oh, it was so relaxing. I didn't want that hour to end.

After our massages we went to have lunch at Five Guy's burgers! Delicious!

Then we went to our hotel down in the Museum District. It was called Hotel ZaZa and it was eclectic and fun. We went out to the pool and got some drinks and relaxed for about an hour. Afterward, we went up to our room and took naps - oh naps - I love them!!

For dinner Nick took me to The Melting Pot.
The Melting Pot is a fondue place where you get a 4 course meal. The first course was a cheese fondue and the dippers were bread, vegetables, and Granny Smith apples. The second course was a gourmet salad. The third course was the main course consisting of lobster tail, chicken, pork, beef, and shrimp. They actually bring the meat out raw and you cook it in the fondue pot of broth. It was interesting, but very tasty. The last course was the best part which was a chocolate fondue. The dippers for that were brownie bites, rice Krispy squares, pound cake, strawberries, banana's and cheesecake. It was all very good and worth the money - but I think it's a one time experience. Nick and I decided we would rather have our food cooked :)

We had a nice relaxing weekend and it was just what I needed for my birthday. Eden did great at GG and Papa's house and she didn't want to leave!

Since we didn't take any pictures on our weekend get-away (oops) here are some cute pictures of Eden I promised in my last post! Enjoy! :)

Look what Eden decided to do....


Eden thinks she wants Mommy's help now...


Little sassy pants...


This is what she does when we ask her what a piggy says...


And this is what she does when she is looking for something...


Just look at those precious curls...


She is addicted at a very early age. When we get Sonic drinks she always says "Eye, eye, eye" (trying to say ice) She gets to eat the ice when we are done.


And this is where I found Eden after she disappeared this morning...she must think I needed to update my blog!