Oh Baby!

No, no John and I are not expecting; well not one of our own. We are waiting in anticipation for our first niece to arrive! John's brother Pat and his wife Kelly are expecting their first baby March 7.  In honor of this joyous occasion, John's mother, sister and I threw Kelly a baby shower this weekend. 

Through all the planning, I was having reminiscent nightmares of planning the wedding! With my type A personality, everything had to be planned down to the smallest details. Above and beyond all the delicious food we ordered, I made gluten free PF Chang lettuce wraps and Kelly's favorite dessert; key lime pie. I also took it upon myself to hand make the prizes and favors. And the pressure was truly on considering that I am back in school and still working full time (that is another post all on it's own). 

Everything turned out beautifully, all the work was well worth it seeing the joy on Pat and Kelly's faces. We can't wait to shower the baby with love and cuddles! Only 4 weeks left!

Lovely Ladies

Favors, Prizes and Guess the Baby Game

Prizes: hand-made coasters

Beautiful Hostesses

Individual Gluten Free Key Lime Pies

Gifts Galore!

Grandma Ronnie's hand made baby blanket

Another item I get to cross off my list!  #29 "Host a Party". And although I did make the individual key lime pies, I am not considering it my "make a pie from scratch" since I used GF graham crackers which were "pre-made".

Two items down, 28 to go!

Enjoying the Scenery

With the "gym tourists" filling up the gym these past couple weeks due to New Year resolutions, I can only think about how I need to keep working on my list! I do have a few things in progress; but not to the point I feel I can cross them off my list.

This past week, I was really hoping I could cross one off especially because it was one that I think will be really fun. John and I made our way out to Utah to visit my cousin Ashley and her family. Though the sole purpose of this visit was to see the family, we thought we could take advantage of the winter season and take in some skiing/snowboarding in the mountains. As our trip approached, the forecast was dim with unseasonably warm temps and a large lack of snow coverage.

We decided to forgo the skiing/snowboarding since most of the resorts either had limited runs or icy man-made snow. It was still a great trip, we had lots of quality family time, laughs, great food, with a bonus beautiful hike through the mountains.  I don't know if it was the warm mountain fresh air or just the break from reality but I truly didn't feel like leaving.....ever!

Stay tuned for updates on my way through the list, but for now; enjoy the scenery!

Olivia and John are "twins"

Ollie is ready to go with her walking stick!

This is January?!

Look closely, I'm in there somewhere. 

The hiking crew

I du, do I?

Today, John and I took part in our first duathlon. The race consisted of a three mile run, followed by a 32 mile bike ride, and another mile run to finish. The whole race started and finished at Lambeau Field in Green Bay. 

I have to admit I was a little nervous about the whole race. I knew I could do each part individually but I had never tested the water on doing them in succession. My goal: finish in 3 hours (or at least to finish-barring no injuries).

I was a little anxious on how the day was going to go, especially after we realized that upon arriving at the course I had forgotten my race number and chip timer back at the house. Luckily, I was given a new number and was still able to set up in time for the race. I also found it was much better this way because now John and I were going to be in different start heats. I figured if we started at the same time I would probably kill myself trying to keep up.

How did I do?! My official time was 2:53:38 and John finished in 2:20:10. I made it under my goal! The first three mile run was a breeze, and my transition from run to bike went smoothly. The first part of the bike ride was rough, I was dealing with a head wind and multiple pot hole jumpings while trying to pass others who were riding at a slower pace. Once I was out in the open the ride was amazing, beautiful fall colors, the river flowing right next to me and perfect weather! The worst part of the race was the transition from biking back to running. After getting off the bike I felt like I had sea legs on. I ended up walking the first half of the mile just trying to get my legs back under me. The whole experience was worth it when I crossed that finish line and proved that I could do it!

As of right now, my legs are just slightly stiff, but the second day after the race tends to be worse so we will see what tomorrow brings!

John's dad was our personal cheerleader and professional photographer, below is a sample of his work!

And we're off! Well at least John is!

John transitioning from run to bike

Ready to rock it!

This is a 79 year old's bike, most unique one we saw all day!

Feeling good after the first 3 miles.

Getting geared up for the ride.

Time to ride!

John's return after 32 miles. Go Johnny!

You did it! So proud!!

Time for some orange slices! :)

Proud finishers!

 

It's My Birthday.....

Age 11

I've said these words numerous times in the past 27 years.

"It's my birthday" was whispered to my classmates on my 7th birthday in hopes of making a new friend on the first day of 1st grade. I think it worked-right Meg, Jess and Linds?!

"Um, because it's my birthday"-rolling my eyes while explaining to my behind-the-wheel instructor why I am wearing a big, flashing button on my first day of behind-the-wheel on my 16th birthday. I was on the verge of independence and couldn't be bothered with stupid questions, DUH!

"IT'S MY BIRTHDAY!!!!" I shouted out the window of friend's car while driving through campus on my 21st birthday. A few drinks in me and I thought I was queen of the world.

Here I am now, on the cusp of 30, thinking of all the things I dreamed I would be doing or have done when I reached that milestone. I want to emphasize that I see 30 as milestone not a "death sentence". I don't see 30 as an age to dread but more of a jumping off point. God willing, by the time I'm 30 I will have only lived a third of my life. Yes, that's right, I plan to live to the ripe old age of 90. I have high aspirations of being that sweet but spunky old lady who always has spearmint gum in her purse, smells of vanilla and lavender, writes love notes to all her friends and family and still isn't afraid to give the finger when someone cuts her off on the road :)

Back to the present. In my reflection of the things I have and have not done, I started to formulate a list of things I think I should do before I turn the beloved 30. I don't intend this to be a bucket list but more of things I should know how to do or have experienced. In making my list, I felt that coming up with 30 things to do/experience would be fitting. Thirty things to by 30 and only 3 years to do them in. I tried to come up with a variety of topics, some will (hopefully) be easy, others I know will require a lot of work.

One of the items on my list just so happened to be "write a blog", and that's how we got here! My jumping off point! Now that I crossed that off, I only have 29 to go! I am encouraging all my family and friends that if you have any expertise in these items or want to help me fulfill one/all, please do! Here is the master list in no particular order:

1) Ride a motorcycle
2) Learn to sew
3) Run a marathon
4) Travel to Europe
5) Finish the wedding scrapbook (married almost a year and only have half a dozen pages done!)
6) Actually write my journal (I haven't touched the thing in almost 9 months!)
7) Roast a turkey
8) Have my career in focus/finish my education
9) Jump out of a plane
10) Learn to snowboard
11) Seriously try to eat vegetarian/gluten free (I don't think I could give up dairy to be vegan- I live in the state where cheese is god-like)
12) Water ski
13) Learn to build a roaring fire
14) Join a book club
15) Do 30 push ups from my toes (this is my least favorite exercise!)
16) Refurbish a piece of furniture
17) Be in the best shape of my life (since I don't see healthy in terms of numbers on a scale)(love that I am in better shape now than I was in high school)
18) Learn to can (preserve)
19) Make a pie from scratch
20) Start a garden
21) Take a pro-fitness training
22) Swim (I know how, but it is the one area of the gym I avoid)
23) Find a fish/seafood I tolerate eating
24) Start a blog
25) Learn to make my dad's omelets
26) Volunteer regularly
27) Join a group to fund raise for a cause
28) Put 3000 miles on my bike
29) Host a party (here is where my friends and family have to help-I need a reason! Baby shower or bachelorette party anyone?!)
30) Cross country ski

Here's hoping now that I have made this public, I will actually follow through! Stay tuned as I make my way through the list!